Best Lighting For Oil Painting

Acrylic paintings are not glossy and consequently don t have the glare problems associated with oils or artwork framed under glass.

Best lighting for oil painting.

I have tried many alternatives that have been both expensive and disappointing. Hopefully this post will save you some frustration in setting up your art studio lighting. I only recently got my studio lighting to a point where i am generally satisfied. Proper art studio lighting is one of the most important factors to a successful painting.

I ve tried a lot of different studio art light systems over the past 30 years. Artist koo schadler shines some light on how to choose the right art studio lighting. It has been no easy task getting to this point. 8 tips for lighting art.

The one thing you want to avoid is hanging your painting behind a hanging chandelier which will cast a direct glare spot in the middle of the painting without highlighting the natural colors and texture of the painting. Natural light often referred to as full spectrum light is generally considered the best illumination to work under. If this effect isn t desired lighting oil paintings with a broad light ensures all details are evenly illuminated. Oil paintings are typically textured especially those created with a heavy impasto technique.

Photo courtesy of getty images let there be light in your art studio. Even without direct lighting on your painting however the artwork will still look good with nearby incandescent lighting. Lighting an art studio can be frustrating and daunting. In other words miniature painting lighting may not be the same as what you use for reading or computer work.

A broad based light source is best for lighting an oil painting. I m going to keep this blog short and just give you some ideas and quick tips to help make your lighting decisions easier for the times you re painting indoors. Light emitting diode led lamps provide an excellent source of light. Over the years i have used many types of art studio lighting from north light great but nl is limited to working during daytime hours to artificial lighting.

Before that it was either too dim bright cool warm or glary. Wireless spotlight battery operated accent lights art lights for paintings mini led picture light puck lights wall light 4000k light 80 lumens sliver by shineled 16 99 16. Keep the surface in mind. For the best lamp for painting miniatures you want a light that will spread out across the visible surface without casting harsh spots of light or hard shadows.

Unfortunately the term full spectrum lighting has no fixed. Setting up lighting for your art studio has to be one of the most frustrating aspects of being an artist. Oil paintings can be difficult to light because of the spectral highlights that are created when intense light is directed at the painting.