Lighting used for painting figures

[Franco]

I am in the process of replacing my painting lamps and would appreciate some advice and guidance from fellow painters on what to get - light bulbs, watts, and lamp stand etc. Any input will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Franco

 

[Franco]

I am in the process of replacing my painting lamps and would appreciate some advice and guidance from fellow painters on what to get - light bulbs, watts, and lamp stand etc. Any input will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Franco

 

[gordy]

That's an interesting idea, i'd be interested in hearing that as well, our local hardware store has a special light box where you can put your paint chips under and toggle back and forth between incandescant (normal bulb) and flourescent (tube) and the difference is amazing, swatches we liked looked terrible under one and better under another and vice-versa.. I guess it wouldn't hurt to have both for a 'light-check'...

 

[gordy]

That's an interesting idea, i'd be interested in hearing that as well, our local hardware store has a special light box where you can put your paint chips under and toggle back and forth between incandescant (normal bulb) and flourescent (tube) and the difference is amazing, swatches we liked looked terrible under one and better under another and vice-versa.. I guess it wouldn't hurt to have both for a 'light-check'...

 

[mikec55]

Hey Franco,

That's a real good question, one that I was thinking about asking. In addition, I'd like to know if there's anyone with an opinion regarding painting using daylight through a window- good, bad, or ugly. I've heard that GE, I think, has a bulb that recreates daylight that some painters swear by but when I asked about the bulb at my local Home Depot, Sears Hardware, etc., they looked at me real funny.

Mike

 

[mikec55]

Hey Franco,

That's a real good question, one that I was thinking about asking. In addition, I'd like to know if there's anyone with an opinion regarding painting using daylight through a window- good, bad, or ugly. I've heard that GE, I think, has a bulb that recreates daylight that some painters swear by but when I asked about the bulb at my local Home Depot, Sears Hardware, etc., they looked at me real funny.

Mike

 

[gforceman]

Hi gents,

First of, no daylight can enter my hobbyroom. Just think of the difference in colour between sunlight at morning, noon or evening. I use two standard with flexible arm screwed to my worktable, one to the left, one to the right. For bulbs I use daylight bulbs (60watt) made by Phillips. The look blue, but once lit they give the most neutral light I have ever seen. They're very cheap too, at about 1.50 euro a piece.

Greetz and beepz,

Gino

 

[gforceman]

Hi gents,

First of, no daylight can enter my hobbyroom. Just think of the difference in colour between sunlight at morning, noon or evening. I use two standard with flexible arm screwed to my worktable, one to the left, one to the right. For bulbs I use daylight bulbs (60watt) made by Phillips. The look blue, but once lit they give the most neutral light I have ever seen. They're very cheap too, at about 1.50 euro a piece.

Greetz and beepz,

Gino

 

[Patrick Kirk]

Guys,
I use a blue light 100 watts from GE...it's called Reveal and it really brings out the true colors. I have one over each of my shoulders panning down onto my workbench and that seems to work real well. Also, instead of using a blue filter with my camera lens, these lights work well for pictures, too.
I defuse them with a piece of blue tissue paper over them, taped to the light housing (not too tight, have to let air in) and the effect is awesome.
Hope this helps some

Patrick

 

[Patrick Kirk]

Guys,
I use a blue light 100 watts from GE...it's called Reveal and it really brings out the true colors. I have one over each of my shoulders panning down onto my workbench and that seems to work real well. Also, instead of using a blue filter with my camera lens, these lights work well for pictures, too.
I defuse them with a piece of blue tissue paper over them, taped to the light housing (not too tight, have to let air in) and the effect is awesome.
Hope this helps some

Patrick

 

[Guy]

I have found over the years that lighting is ever so important in painting figures. I prefer as much natural light as I can get and paint in the sunnyest room of the house. I have tried Flourescent and they flood the figure with light eliminating all shadows and have found that the reveal light bulbs by GE to be the best light source I have found over the years. I use two swing arm lamps, one on each side of me when painting and adjust them at times to enhance the shadows especially when blending and shading. I am going to take Patrick's suggestion and try the blue tissue paper to difuse the light more when taking pictures and see how it works.

 

[Guy]

I have found over the years that lighting is ever so important in painting figures. I prefer as much natural light as I can get and paint in the sunnyest room of the house. I have tried Flourescent and they flood the figure with light eliminating all shadows and have found that the reveal light bulbs by GE to be the best light source I have found over the years. I use two swing arm lamps, one on each side of me when painting and adjust them at times to enhance the shadows especially when blending and shading. I am going to take Patrick's suggestion and try the blue tissue paper to difuse the light more when taking pictures and see how it works.

 

[Hardy]

The Actulite system, simply essential to me.

 

[Hardy]

The Actulite system, simply essential to me.

 

[gordy]

for those wondering:
http://www.actulite.com

 

[gordy]

for those wondering:
http://www.actulite.com

 

[Franco]

Thanks to all for the useful feedback,

Seem like two issues are emerging from the discussion - good lighting needed to enhance and help one see details of the figure but also important is the way the light affects the colours when one is painting. Natural light, neutral lighting etc. I will need to approach my local lighting shops with all the info posted and see what they can recommend. Given that I am living in Australia certain specifications etc may well vary from the hints given above.

Thanks for the help

 

[Franco]

Thanks to all for the useful feedback,

Seem like two issues are emerging from the discussion - good lighting needed to enhance and help one see details of the figure but also important is the way the light affects the colours when one is painting. Natural light, neutral lighting etc. I will need to approach my local lighting shops with all the info posted and see what they can recommend. Given that I am living in Australia certain specifications etc may well vary from the hints given above.

Thanks for the help

 

[quang]

Franco,

I spend many (too many?) hours at my workbench and I only need ONE lighting source, an Actualite task lamp, for sculpting and painting.

The Actualite may seem expensive at first (approx. 100 GBP) but soon will prove a worthy investment, especially when your eyesight begins to fail you.

Quang

 

[quang]

Franco,

I spend many (too many?) hours at my workbench and I only need ONE lighting source, an Actualite task lamp, for sculpting and painting.

The Actualite may seem expensive at first (approx. 100 GBP) but soon will prove a worthy investment, especially when your eyesight begins to fail you.

Quang