As explained in the "Studio" section of this website, I use grind glass in my paintings.
Following the tradition of the Italian Masters in the Renaissance, grinded glass is mixed in with
my last few coats of varnish. This enhances the vibrancy of the colour when a direct beam of
light is focused on the painting. The glass is of the highest optical grade quality to be found in
the most advanced astronomical telescopes and cameras allowing 97.8% clarity. Those
molecular particles act like a prism whereby the light is refracted. This may have more to do
with photons and the physics of light than art, but it makes for a spectacular effect and
protects the painting even more. In addition, UV protection is included on all my paints.
Following the tradition of the Italian Masters in the Renaissance, grinded glass is mixed in with
my last few coats of varnish. This enhances the vibrancy of the colour when a direct beam of
light is focused on the painting. The glass is of the highest optical grade quality to be found in
the most advanced astronomical telescopes and cameras allowing 97.8% clarity. Those
molecular particles act like a prism whereby the light is refracted. This may have more to do
with photons and the physics of light than art, but it makes for a spectacular effect and
protects the painting even more. In addition, UV protection is included on all my paints.
What is art lighting?
How do incandescent lights affect art?
Fluorescent lights, are they good for art?
Halogen lights, the solution.
Flood bulbs versus Spots.
Dimmer light switches, an absolute must
What is art lighting?
For many artists, art and light are synonymous. For instance, Rembrandt's paintings are famous for their
luminosity. Just consider any of the portraits by the Dutch master on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in
New York City or any of a number of important museum collections worldwide. While Rembrandts look pretty
good in any light, there are certain methods to properly lighting your masterpiece. While the MET's
Rembrandts seemingly glow of their own accord, they do employ the aid of various light sources. In short,
lighting is critical when coupled with fine art and even a slight difference in direction or type (fluorescent,
incandescent, halogen, natural, etc.) can make all the difference.
What type of light should I use to light my artwork?
I know what you are thinking, this art stuff isn't so hard. Since most artists are trained in art schools flooded
with natural light,the answer would seem to be natural sunlight?
Alas, the answer is no! Although, my work is heavily protected against natural sunlight, i would recommend
only occasional and/or season natural light. For most other artists, it causes a problem for art, particularly,
watercolour paintings and works on paper. The infrared and ultraviolet (UV) rays of natural sunlight are so
harmful that it can, over time, fade works on paper especially pastels, prints, photographs, and watercolors.
Also, textiles will fade in sunlight in a matter of only a few short months. That means your notion to redecorate
in the "cozy, country style" and hang your great Grandma's colorful crazy quilt on the wall that faces that big
picture window in your sunroom is definitely a bad idea. Furthermore, natural light is hard to control in general
terms. Avoid sunlight.
How do incandescent lights affect art?
Incandescents have their good and bad points. They bring out the warm colors within the color spectrum such
as the red, brown, orange, and yellow tones. You can probably notice how this painting by David Baker
enhances the reds and pinks over other colors. But if you have a seascape composed with blues and greens
(i.e., the cool colors), then an incandescent light won't bring out all of those cool colors. The blues, greens, and
violets within your works of art will be flattened out by incandescent lights.
Fluorescent lights, are they good for art?
Museums and galleries don't use the fluorescent bulbs as a common practice because they give off a high
amount of UV rays which are harmful. In addition, fluorescent lights do not emit light across the entire
spectrum of colors and this is problematic. Avoid fluorescents.
Halogen lights, the very best for art works!
Museum professionals have "blessed" the halogen light because of the strong white light that it emits,
halogens are among the best lighting solutions if installed properly. A low watt halogen light is a very good
lighting solution and in our example using the Baker painting, the subtleties come through with a halogen light.
A low watt halogen-based bulb has been recently introduced which redirects damaging UV and infrared rays of
light. Halogen light provides the wides range of the light spectrum and shows off my bold colours the best.
How do incandescent lights affect art?
Fluorescent lights, are they good for art?
Halogen lights, the solution.
Flood bulbs versus Spots.
Dimmer light switches, an absolute must
What is art lighting?
For many artists, art and light are synonymous. For instance, Rembrandt's paintings are famous for their
luminosity. Just consider any of the portraits by the Dutch master on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in
New York City or any of a number of important museum collections worldwide. While Rembrandts look pretty
good in any light, there are certain methods to properly lighting your masterpiece. While the MET's
Rembrandts seemingly glow of their own accord, they do employ the aid of various light sources. In short,
lighting is critical when coupled with fine art and even a slight difference in direction or type (fluorescent,
incandescent, halogen, natural, etc.) can make all the difference.
What type of light should I use to light my artwork?
I know what you are thinking, this art stuff isn't so hard. Since most artists are trained in art schools flooded
with natural light,the answer would seem to be natural sunlight?
Alas, the answer is no! Although, my work is heavily protected against natural sunlight, i would recommend
only occasional and/or season natural light. For most other artists, it causes a problem for art, particularly,
watercolour paintings and works on paper. The infrared and ultraviolet (UV) rays of natural sunlight are so
harmful that it can, over time, fade works on paper especially pastels, prints, photographs, and watercolors.
Also, textiles will fade in sunlight in a matter of only a few short months. That means your notion to redecorate
in the "cozy, country style" and hang your great Grandma's colorful crazy quilt on the wall that faces that big
picture window in your sunroom is definitely a bad idea. Furthermore, natural light is hard to control in general
terms. Avoid sunlight.
How do incandescent lights affect art?
Incandescents have their good and bad points. They bring out the warm colors within the color spectrum such
as the red, brown, orange, and yellow tones. You can probably notice how this painting by David Baker
enhances the reds and pinks over other colors. But if you have a seascape composed with blues and greens
(i.e., the cool colors), then an incandescent light won't bring out all of those cool colors. The blues, greens, and
violets within your works of art will be flattened out by incandescent lights.
Fluorescent lights, are they good for art?
Museums and galleries don't use the fluorescent bulbs as a common practice because they give off a high
amount of UV rays which are harmful. In addition, fluorescent lights do not emit light across the entire
spectrum of colors and this is problematic. Avoid fluorescents.
Halogen lights, the very best for art works!
Museum professionals have "blessed" the halogen light because of the strong white light that it emits,
halogens are among the best lighting solutions if installed properly. A low watt halogen light is a very good
lighting solution and in our example using the Baker painting, the subtleties come through with a halogen light.
A low watt halogen-based bulb has been recently introduced which redirects damaging UV and infrared rays of
light. Halogen light provides the wides range of the light spectrum and shows off my bold colours the best.
Famous for his ability to paint
the subtle nuances,
Rembrandt offers paintings,
like his Self Portrait, with a
unique, luminescent quality.
the subtle nuances,
Rembrandt offers paintings,
like his Self Portrait, with a
unique, luminescent quality.
This oil on canvas painting is
shown in natural light. This
work of art was painted by
Pennsylvania artist, David
Graeme Baker.
shown in natural light. This
work of art was painted by
Pennsylvania artist, David
Graeme Baker.
This oil on canvas painting is
shown in typical room lit with
incandescent light.
shown in typical room lit with
incandescent light.
This oil on canvas painting is
shown using a halogen light
source.
shown using a halogen light
source.
Following are a variety of lightixtures that i would recommend.
I hope this answers some of your lighting questions. I will supplement this discussion of art lighting with some additional
information about displaying art in your home, gallery, and office in the future. Feel free to contact me with any questions
or comments.
information about displaying art in your home, gallery, and office in the future. Feel free to contact me with any questions
or comments.
Following are the halogen lightbulb that i would recommend.
Do not get the concentrated spots, unless your ceilings are
very tall and the light fixture is far away from the artwork.
This is too concentrated and will only lit up a "spot" on the
painting.
I highly recommend a "Flood" light bulb for diffused light.
Very important! Install a dimmer for light switch. They will go
a long way towards creating the right mood in different
circumstances.
very tall and the light fixture is far away from the artwork.
This is too concentrated and will only lit up a "spot" on the
painting.
I highly recommend a "Flood" light bulb for diffused light.
Very important! Install a dimmer for light switch. They will go
a long way towards creating the right mood in different
circumstances.
Article: Lighting for the Art in Your home
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Studio Q & A