Lights

[Tony Perrotta]

Hi All, I am painting in a room with a western exposure. A room at the back of the house. The lighting is killing me((Almost no light)).
The ceiling fan lights stopped working in the room, and I don't want to replace it because they were never used anyway. I am painting in acrylics. What would be recommended, a free standing lamp(too much heat??), a clamp on to the easel lamp (same thing)????????.
I don't know, help me out please without breaking the bank.

Thanks, Tony

[DanielO]

I use flourescent tubes (shop lights) which are very cool, in combination with track lights, which are very warm. Both are inexpensive and easy to get.

[sassybird]

I also have a florescent lamp that is a part of my antique drafting table. Check the second hand shops for old desk lamps of this kind.

[paintfool]

I think that regardless of what medium you're using. lighting is lighting. You'll want adequate lighting in order to see the details of what you're doing of course but you'll also want something that will give you the best scope of your colors. A mixture of cool lighting as well as warm works for me. I have a small studio space so i don't need a lot. I have 2 true daylight bulbs for overhead lighting, which provides my cool lighting and two stand up lamps with regular incandescent bulbs for the warms. The lamps are the type with the snake neck, which allows for adjustments in any direction. I do not face them directly towards my easel but more to each side of it. There is no glare on my canvas that way. The colors remain pretty much the same as when viewed by indirect daylight. The true daylight bulbs are around 15 dollars each (from Home Depot) but they last a very long time and are well worth the expense. They do take a couple of minutes to warm up.
Cheryl

[IrishIsle]

ott lites!! they are expensive, but what a difference they make. you an buy them in all forms, and yes, they even sell one that can clip onto an easel. The thing about ott lites is that they offer you 'real light' like daylight. I wouldn't be without mine.
:D

[Tony Perrotta]

Ok Thanks all, Tony

[paintfool]

Although the Ott lites are expensive the people who have spoken of them here seem to really like them. The Philips daylight bulbs that i use are supposed to give the same results for less money, but since i haven't tried the Ott lights i really can't make the comparison myself. Here is one of many sites that feature Ott lites. I understand that they can now be purchsed at Office Depot as well.

http://www.betterlite.com/

Cheryl

[VictoriaS]

I love my Ott-Lite. Mine is a floor-standing one, which works well for me. Also, the floor type is 18 watts; I believe all the other are 13 watts. They cost somewhere between $100 and $150.

Victoria

[Tony Perrotta]

Hi, Yeah I see the Ott Light ads in my modeling mags too, it might be worth it to get one I have 2 uses for it. I can't really put up any light in the room I am using, but I did fix the light in the ceiling fan,4 bulbs, it helps alot. Now I can see I was painting in the dark before.

Thanks Tony