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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: The Black Rider on 29 September 2008, 01:26:50 PM

Title: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: The Black Rider on 29 September 2008, 01:26:50 PM
I have been painting just lately in the evening and thinking what great models.

Then in the daylight my work looks less apealling. Surely this is a light issue. So, what are you guys using?

I am currently using a lamp brought at the local store (wilkinsons!) It seemed to do the trick but i've noticed that perhaps it's not working quite as well as I hoped.

That or I need my eyes tested... sorry for rambling I have a horrible head cold! Any suggestions?
Title: Re: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: JollyBob on 29 September 2008, 01:43:45 PM
Since I work in the loft with no widows, I have a pair of anglepoise lights attached to my desk. They are the ones with the flourescent tubes in, also from Wilkinsons, and they are great. They provide a really strong, constant light that is good for working in.

Other than that its just the main bulb, and a little lamp with a daylight bulb if my eyes are feeling tired. 
Title: Re: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: Overlord on 29 September 2008, 01:54:07 PM
My painting desk is next to a window, so while the sun is up I have natural light.  After dark its just the room lightbulb and a desklamp, both with ordinary incandescent bulbs. I've not noticed any big differences.  :)
Title: Re: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: The Black Rider on 29 September 2008, 01:56:32 PM
im starting to think it may just be me :S Perhaps i just need to get over this cold!  :-[
Title: Re: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: Captain Blood on 29 September 2008, 02:30:22 PM
Erm, I have one of these...

http://uk.daylightcompany.com/art/product/?id=96

VERY expensive, but I have to say, utterly brilliant (in both senses of the word!)

I prefer painting by a window in natural daylight. I could never paint in the evenings under any artificial lights - not even daylight bulbs. But this is really revolutionary - it gives bright natural daylight, and the tubes don't get hot.

I can't recommend it highly enough - and believe me I tried all sorts of desk lamps and bulbs before this. Clearly, it's quite a big investment though...

Something for the Christmas present list perhaps?  ;)


Title: Re: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: Chris Steadman on 29 September 2008, 02:39:05 PM
I've used one of those double strip lights from the Daylight company for the last 3-4 years and have to agree they are completely fab. Excellent light. The replacement tubes are rather expensive too, if bought direct from the company. However, your local electrical suppliers should be able to get you the same thing for about a third of the price.
Title: Re: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: Captain Blood on 29 September 2008, 02:43:55 PM
Yeah, the tubes are about £20 each, although one of mine went a bit flickery after a year or so, and The Daylight Company sent me a replacement tube with no quibble, free of charge, within 24 hours.

They really are one of those modern British small businesses that have got it so right.
Great products. Great service. Great comms. Just great in fact.
You gets what you pays for.

And no I don't have shares, I just admire excellence when I see it!  ;)
Title: Re: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: Aaron on 29 September 2008, 02:52:43 PM
I got a daylight floor lamp thingie also a couple of years back and my painting improved by leaps and bounds. I got mine as a gift, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't more than $150. I think I have had it about five years and have only replaced the bulb once (when my son knocked it over!). I can't recommend them enough!

Title: Re: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: revford on 29 September 2008, 04:40:14 PM
I have a daylight bulb in an angle-lamp clamped to the table, I just don't have enough windows to get a table under one.  :)
Title: Re: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: dampfpanzerwagon on 29 September 2008, 04:43:25 PM
Two daylight bulbs and a North facing window - see;

http://dampfpanzerwagon.blogspot.com/2008/04/where-do-you-go-to-modelpaint.html

Tony
Title: Re: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: Bako on 29 September 2008, 07:50:08 PM
Well, I live in a basement with a window the size of one you'd find on a bunker and it's on the other end of my rectangular room. I use a combination of my lights and 2 lamps(really bright tower-type and a desk lamp without its shade).
Title: Re: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: The Black Rider on 29 September 2008, 08:03:38 PM
I'm seriously considering one of those lamps. It's not too expensive when you consider the investment i guess. I think it will go on the Christmas list!
Title: Re: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: Calimero on 30 September 2008, 02:25:57 AM
I paint in the dark! Actually, I paint next to a window  but I get very little natural light as time goes by (imitating Homer - stupid earth rotation!)… Anyhow, the light I use is an ordinary desk lamp and I find it more and more difficult to see details on the minis... I’m thinking of buying a kind of lamps/magnifying lens thingy… It would be nice if anybody that use that kind of thing can comment on the pros and cons of such devise?
Title: Re: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: hhbeast on 30 September 2008, 02:42:08 AM
I got a cheap magnifying lamp from work - they were throwing it away. It is leaps and bounds above anything I've ever used before and in a very short amount of time I've improved my painting.

I have to say, I'm intrigued by these daylight lamps. The lamp I have has a standard bulb and it does get hot...which makes me sweat and hastens the drying of my paint.
Title: Re: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: Chuckaroobob on 30 September 2008, 03:48:40 AM
I use a 500 watt halogen lamp, bouced off a white ceiling.  It was about US$50.  It produces a huge amount of heat as well as light, I have to run a fan to keep from roasting.
Title: Re: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: Mindenbrush on 30 September 2008, 11:58:04 AM
I have the Daylight twin tube lamp but relegated it to the cleaning up/ basing area and now have 2 anglepoise lamps from Ikea with the spiral photographic bulbs that you can get on Ebay for about 8-10 GBP each. As with the Daylight Lamp these are not hot to work under and give a clean white light.

One thing my optician advised me not to mix flourescent tubes and normal light bulbs as that can cause eye strain..
Title: Re: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: Orctrader on 30 September 2008, 01:09:09 PM
Erm, I have one of these...

http://uk.daylightcompany.com/art/product/?id=96

VERY expensive, but I have to say, utterly brilliant (in both senses of the word!)

I prefer painting by a window in natural daylight. I could never paint in the evenings under any artificial lights - not even daylight bulbs. But this is really revolutionary - it gives bright natural daylight, and the tubes don't get hot.

I can't recommend it highly enough - and believe me I tried all sorts of desk lamps and bulbs before this. Clearly, it's quite a big investment though...

Something for the Christmas present list perhaps?  ;)

They are much cheaper (Only £50.00) here http://www.optimalowvision.co.uk/    (Go to Shop search and type Twin Fluorescent 30 Watt Task Lamp.)

I use the "Portable Task Lamp" from the same range.
Title: Re: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: Captain Blood on 30 September 2008, 08:36:24 PM
Woweee! That's half the price. If it's the same item (and it certainly looks like it) that is an incredible bargain.
Anyone looking for an evening painting solution - I'd snap one of these up at this price right now!

How on earth do Optima manage to sell them for half the price of the people that make the flipping things  ???

I'm not loving the Daylight Company quite so much any more...  Rip-off merchants!  lol lol lol
Title: Re: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: Bako on 01 October 2008, 04:49:49 AM
Funny that considering most retail sells their stock for higher prices than the manufacturers'.
Title: Re: how do you light your workarea?
Post by: Orctrader on 01 October 2008, 08:35:32 AM
How on earth do Optima manage to sell them for half the price of the people that make the flipping things  ???

Optima Low Vision Services Ltd are the premier distributor of Low Vision Aids in the UK. We supply the majority of Low Vision Clinics, Specialist Optometrists, Voluntary Organisations for people with a visual impairment, Social Services Departments, Education and Employment Services with a wide range of quality and value for money optical, electronic and lighting products.

They have a huge Market.  Personally, I donate some of the savings I make to a Charity working in that field.  The Guide Dogs people, RNIB or similar.