how do you light your workarea?

[The Black Rider]

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?

[JollyBob]

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. 

[Overlord]

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. 

[The Black Rider]

im starting to think it may just be me :S Perhaps i just need to get over this cold! 

[Captain Blood]

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? 

[Chris Steadman]

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.

[Captain Blood]

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! 

[Aaron]

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!

[revford]

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. 

[dampfpanzerwagon]

Two daylight bulbs and a North facing window - see;

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

Tony

[Bako]

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).

[The Black Rider]

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!

[Calimero]

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?

[hhbeast]

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.

[Chuckaroobob]

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.