My new light for nocturnes

Ian Bruce · #1 03-08-2010, 05:53 PM

Having heard that the Mighty Bright book light was a good choice for illumination while painting nocturnes, I did a search and came up with a even more useful type of Mighty Bright. This one is intended for music stands--to light up two pages simultaneously. I speculated that if I set it up so that the one head illuminated my canvas and the other my palette I would be in the gravy.

I haven't painted with it yet but it looks promising. Each light illuminates it's whole area evenly with no bright spots or rings.

I was worried that the light would be horribly blue ( like the early generation LED bulbs) but it seems OK. If anything, the light is slightly purple. Both the blue component and the red component are there--just a bit short in the yellow department. I think that I am going to have no color mixing problems. Amazon has these lights:
http://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Bright-...087863&sr=8-22

Here are a couple of photos of the setup. Can't wait to try it!

JamieWG · #2 03-08-2010, 06:26 PM

Wow, Ian, how cool! Let us know more about the color of the light when you try it out at night, please. Looks like it would resolve some issues!

Jamie

jjerryc · #3 03-09-2010, 05:33 AM

Hi, Ian. I bought that light as well. It didn't work out so well for me though, as it was very blue. The image below looked fine when I was painting it, but I got quite a shock when I brought it indoors!

Mine was purchased last year. Maybe they're a bit more white now? I use it as a general area-light when painting at night, but for the main source I use a bicycle headlamp like this:

Good luck! Jerry

www.jerrycampbell.blogspot.com

Ian Bruce · #4 03-09-2010, 07:02 PM

Jerry, I haven't painted using the new light yet but I have looked at recent paintings in the dark with it and it looks OK. Well, I guess I will find out! I did notice that a photograph of a Mighty Bright book light, in use, on their site did look like it was producing a very blue light.

I have been using the lights that you show in your post and have used them for all the nocturnes I have done to date. My main problem with the head lamps is that the light reflects directly off the wet oil paint back into my eyes. I find that the glare can get quite annoying!

I will post my experiences when I get time to get out there and paint!

Kmart · #5 03-09-2010, 11:11 PM

Hi Ian, thanks for the heads up on the light. I remember a while ago it seems like several of us were painting nocturns regularily. I'm going to get this light, I know that blue light isn't so good, but I kind of like the way things lean red when you use one.

Jerry, I remember that painting. Man it is sweet!

Kyle

jjerryc · #6 03-10-2010, 03:36 PM

Hi, Ian,
This light is on sale at my local Canadian Tire for 30 bucks. It's battery powered and the legs bend to grip anything. It also has a magnetic backing to cling to metal. I'm going to give it a try and will let you know what I think. It's called the Stanley Squidbrite Flexible Work Light:

Jerry

www.jerrycampbell.blogspot.com

arachosia · #7 03-11-2010, 02:41 AM

Please post your impressions of the light. As a 3rd shifter, I rarely get the chance to paint anymore. It would be interesting to try a nocturne.

LarrySeiler · #8 03-11-2010, 04:05 PM

I just used cat eyes...or any clip on type for the brim of a ball cap...which works well...

boomerbeach · #9 03-15-2010, 03:43 PM

Anyone come to a determination on this yet? The Quality/Color of the light for nocturnal usage? There's reference to a 2nd light on the Amazon site as the "duet2" for $10- more, but can't really determine what the diff might be other than the bulb holders being black?

jjerryc · #10 03-15-2010, 05:28 PM

Well, I didn't buy the Stanley light because even in the store it was obviously too blue. Guess Ian hasn't tried his yet. Jerry

www.jerrycampbell.blogspot.com

**viking57** · #11 03-19-2010, 04:57 AM

Hey Bruce,
I dug my lights out of my box and they were made by Energizer...got em at Rite Aid. They work great. Just battery operated book lights. Ian, I just think you have to try a few to find the ones you like and that work for you. You'll find em.
Ron

boomerbeach · #12 03-24-2010, 11:10 AM

This week, I received copy of Judson's Guerrilla Painter catalog "Almanac 7" including one-page on "Painting in the Moonlight" (Pg 41) with some suggested night lights and recommendations from our own W/C Michael Chesley. I don't know if this may show up on the Judson (www.judsonsart.com ) catalog pdf, but try it. I contacted Michael for some clarification with his response: "I wrote an article on painting nocturnes for The Artist's Magazine not too long ago, and in it I talk about the lights. The article is archived here":
http://www.artistsnetwork.com/articl...air-nocturnes/
Take a look at his suggestions for nocturnal painting and comments on differing lights. Judson's references "classic, natural and LED (white) lights & the Black Diamond white LEDs". Apparently, Michael often uses a combination, while others like the Black Diamond headlamps.
BTW, Carl Judson was kind to include a copy of "A Guerrilla Painters Notebook", his "compilation of ten essays written over ten years ... mapping his path as a GP". At only $5- it's well worth it, very good, along with the customer service I've always gotten from his Company.

Gobidharma · #13 03-27-2010, 12:36 AM

Regarding the glare, I wonder if wrapping the head lamp with tissue paper would work to diffuse it.

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