Putrescent Flourescent

[johnegert]

After reading Guy's "Metal Models" thread, I'd like to discuss the topic of lighting for painting. I have found that it is absolutely impossible for me to paint anything worth a koi's sphincter under flourescent light. It took me too long to get it-- I thought for a long time that I was getting worse as a painter the longer I painted. Then an artist friend slapped me around when she saw my big $ Reticulated Articulated Flourescent Ballbuster. When I first began painting, I had a great office with big windows on the north and east walls-- no need for lights at all. The faces on those pieces still look good. I know there are some light wizards among you, so what are you using? I still plod along with my two 60 watters which burn my forehead when I get too close to my work. Anybody using Ott Lights out there? What's workin'?
john

 

[Guy]

Hello John,
For general work I use Flourescent as it lights up everything. For painting, belending and shading I use the old 60 watters, one on each side of me. On 3 sides of the room I have windows which give me excellent light. I do agree, Flourescents give off too much light and eliminate the shadows I need for the blending process.. As far as the burn marks on the forehead, maybe that is why I am bald......lights were too high

Guy

 

[Anders Heintz]

Interesting topic!

What I use is a flourescent light called Sunshine, full spectrum light. It is supposed to simmulate noonday summer sun, and on the box it says "ideal for color critical areas or where sunlight is a minimum." I like it and it works well for general use. I have two desktop lamps with 100W lightbulbs, with one on each side of me and a third available from over top. Now I dont know if this is a good lightning setup or not, but its what I've always used.

I know John Long has one of those OTT lights, maybe he could help you on that subject

 

[John Long]

I have an overhead 4' fluorescent that lights my studio, one Ott light, and one of those articulated magnifying lights that light my bench. I also have an incandescent, but I've found that it casts a really bad glare when the oils are wet and causing the highlight and shadows to be deceptive. I'm considering another Ott light, and doing away with the articulated light. I have color issues when I go to Chicago, but not so much at the other venues.

 

[frank h]

Hi John
After trying various light sources e.g. "Daylight Bulbs" house hold light bulbs etc.
I, along with a number of other modellers/ painters use a desk top task light
that goes by the brand name "Actulite".

Actulite is a polarised natural light system. It is designed to eliminate eyestrain
as there is no glare.
It operates at a low wattage so therfore generates hardly any heat ideal for long painting sessions.
Actulite is manufactured and marketed in the UK by Aura Corporation Ltd,
Morrey Buildings,
Penn Common,
Wolverhampton
WV4-5LE
www.aura-daylight.co. uk

Frank

 

[John Long]

That's the theory behind the Ott light too. I believe Ott light is the US version of Actulite. They work nicely, and have no glare and cast very little shadow.

 

[Richard E]

Hi John

I use the "daylight bulbs" that you can get either from the artists suppliers or photographic suppliers, they ar your standard 40 to 60 watt bulb, but are blue filtered to conteract the tungsten.

They are supposed to simulate daylight, and reduce eyestrain, but the filter doesn't last that long.

Like Frank syays, I have heard great things about Actulite, but my conscience (otherwise known as my wife) won't allow me to spend that much on a light.

Richard

 

[quang]

John Egert-san,

Now I know why your figures look like they've been dipped in batik tie-dyed solution. :lol:

As someone who spends a lot of time at his workbench (if just for 'daydreaming' like my wife says), I cannot do without my Actualite task lamp. For once the promoting blurb is not exaggerated. It REALLY lives up to the claims: the colour 'trueness', the glare-free, the economy, the relaxation,...

Imagine my dismay when it broke at the swivel point while I was (gently) dusting it. I took some photos and sent them with an e-mail to the manufacturer Aura Corp. A few days later, a new replacement lamp arrived at my door by UPS special delivery cost free. All they asked of me was to bring back the damaged lamp to their stand at Euro-Militaire.

When one considers that a new Actulite costs around 160-170 Euro (without the shipping), this is what I call 'customer service'.

Here's the link. Well worth checking out.

http://www.actulite.com/products.html

Quang

PS. I talked with the Aura guy at Euro-Militaire. Apparently, their product is a unique concept, nothing to do with the US Ott Light. But isn't what they all say?

 

[Hardy]

I use 3 five foot flourescent lights and a ersatz Actulite all in a 3ft by 6ft room, as you can imagine its bright. The actulite was the best thing I purchased in relation to figure painting, it really does what it boasts.

 

[btavis]

Very interesting topic.

I have an Ottlite complemented by a 50 watt quartz halogen and two 60 watt incandescent, gooseneck lamps with Reveal bulbs. I have the two incandescents at right angles to my table, the halogen and Ottlite are overhead. This way I get fairly good color balance and all around illumination. I think however, I could use a lamp over my shoulder to get light to fall directly on the object I am working on. I am thinking of another Ottlite since they really do provide good general lighting that is not too hard on the eyes.

 

[MSzwarc]

I use, depending on weather conditions, daylight, an Ott lamp, and a Chromalux bulb. My shop is lit with two types of flourescent, but I don't rely on them when painting. Any close work, including painting, is done under the Ott lamp. Subjective opinion, but the Ott and Chromalux seem to strain my eyes less.

Mike