You can put a table cloth over the plastic table or a sheet or any fabric. You can also put an old sheet or piece of fabric behind the table to provide a background. If you are looking for still life objects and you do not find anything of interest around your house, you can go to the dollar store to pick up items.

Have you got an old cardboard box? You can use a lamp and put objects in the box to make a cheap shadow box.

Anything! But it can just be on the cardboard too, it’s a nice exercise to match the tones and the slightly uneven texture of an old cardboard box.

You can wrap the box or paint it and put a sheet/towel/pillowcase/old dress on it and arrange your things. Try to place it in such a way that there is light from one side and strong shadows. Perhaps a corner of the garage. You can do a lot with some imagination.

There’s a good article about setting up a still life[/URL] in the WC Still Life Forum.

I’ve read that the thing to look for in a bulb is a high CRI (Color Rendering Index). I bought these “Ultra Very High Performance” Virabright Bulbs on Amazon. I’ve been very happy with them and the price is excellent compared to other bulbs recommended for artwork. These bulbs are 4000k instead of the oft-recommended 6,000k, but I find they work well for me.

Also, some time ago WC member Ron Francis wrote a terrific post about the best approach to a lighting setup for painting. It involved two light fixtures, very high up, hitting the canvas from an angle from each side. They were far away enough to eliminate glare, one of the annoying problems I’ve struggled with for a long time. I’ve searched for the thread a couple times and couldn’t find it, but maybe someone else remembers. It may be buried in the Technical Forum someplace. In the meantime this thread may be useful.