Best Light Bulbs For Oil Painting

The color of the light that illuminates the painting and the palette changes the visible hue value and chroma of the paint.

Best light bulbs for oil painting.

An intimate display and renters picture lights are mounted on the wall or the frames of individual artworks. Oil paintings can be difficult to light because of the spectral highlights that are created when intense light is directed at the painting. When choosing a bulb make sure that you keep in mind the things i listed above. Although the method of putting paint on light bulbs is largely the same there are variations depending on whether the bulb is burnt out or not.

I haven t been doing any still life where i need light on a set up anyway it s great for painting. The color temperature of the light bulb is extremely important. A broad based light source is best for lighting an oil painting. Bulbs that work step 1 screw the bulb into a light socket to make sure it still works.

And now for the technical stuff color temperature. Placing paint on light bulbs is easy and inexpensive. I ve been using two 5000k light bulbs in the ceiling fixture for studio work. It puts the light source really close to the work of art typically with.

The problem is that because the lights are so bright my paintings turn out really dark. I can see the colors really well etc. Acrylic paintings are not glossy and consequently don t have the glare problems associated with oils or artwork framed under glass. Bulbs with a cri of 80 to 100 are best at revealing vibrant natural hues.

The sun has a cri of 100. Too warm a bulb may tint work reddish yellow whereas too cool of a light can turn things blue.