Lately I’ve come to realize that the light on a painting as you’re working on it is as important as the light on whatever you are painting.
I’ve recently added a light over my easel that provides more illumination than anyone would actually shine on a painting that was being displayed. I tend to keep it off much of the time while painting, but turn it on periodically to check my work. Under a higher level of illumination, I often catch problems, especially in the deeper shadows. Without enough light, it’s easy to miss inaccuracies in value, hue, chroma, or gradation. These problems might not show up too strongly when the painting is displayed, but can be significant enough to cause noticeable errors.
Of course, the color of the light shining on your painting should be neutral enough that it does not itself introduce distortions and thereby lead you misunderstand hue relationships while mixing paint.
I’ve used the “full spectrum” bulbs, as opposed to the blue daylight bulbs, and found them to be very good. The light is cold but you can really see things you might have missed otherwise.
Thanks, Tim. I’ve been thinking about getting some of those.
I tried a number of bulbs and configurations. I have ended up using 4 tubes as fill lights and three coil bulbs of varying wattage depending on their position and function. Until the addition of the Blue Max spotlights I always felt that there was a veil preventing me from seeing what I knew was there. It has been such a dramatic improvement I continually experience a heightened pleasure while painting. When I have taken this work to view under other lighting conditions I have been comfortable with the results.
Two spotlights on the canvas, one over my palette: Blue Max HD Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
http://www.bluemaxlighting.com/compact_fluorescent_39_ctg.htm
As fill lights I have four tubes bounced off the white ceiling. These at 3300 lumens are purported to give off more light than other bulbs with a 250 lumens increase over their comparable tubes (3050 lumens) however there was absolutely no noticeable difference between these bulbs and the Phillips 2950 lumens full spectrum “Natural Sunshine” tubes these replaced. There is a significant increase in CRI rating however it is known that CRI ratings are not reliable. It is reasonably safe to assume a 91 CRI is going to offer a little better quality than 86 CRI respectively. Because of the spots overpowering the role of the tubes as fill lights I am planning on going back to the economical Phillips “Natural Sunshine” tubes as the Blue Max wear out.
Blue Max Full Spectrum Maxum 5000 http://76.164.194.49/product_180_detailed.htm
Thanks, Michael.