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Just a quick question that I am sure has many elegant solutions but I was really hoping for some advice on the ways you all do it what you think the best way is.

Due to working or wanting to paint at random times of day I keep finding myself wanting to paint at night or late evening when it is dark. The desk I currently paint at is in front of a large Victorian window which I normally use the natural light from outside to paint my models however this does not work at night.

I was just wondering how the dakka community paints in the dark. What sort of lighting do you use? I have tried a desk lamp but its just not the same as the light from outside.

I almost always paint at night, past midnight most times. For some reason I just feel more comfortable painting at night than during the day, just feels more quite and serene. As far as lighting goes, I use a normal desk lamp outfitted with 2 daylight bulbs.

 spacewolf407 wrote:
I almost always paint at night, past midnight most times. For some reason I just feel more comfortable painting at night than during the day, just feels more quite and serene. As far as lighting goes, I use a normal desk lamp outfitted with 2 daylight bulbs.

This may be my problem. My light only fits one bulb and what is a daylight bulb?

2 lamps (one on each side of the desk) minimum .. one overhead if you can as well.

Daylight bulbs more closely mimic "real" daylight instead of the yellowish light incandesent bulbs normally give off.

These are the ones I use, I'm sure you can find these or something similar near you. I'm not sure what stores there are in England, but these are available at most Wal-Marts and Home Improvement stores over here. Per bulb these are a bit more expensive, but they are much easier on the eyes than Incandescent, and generally last much longer and use less energy than most regular bulbs.

Also, when you first turn one on, it will seem dim at first until it 'warms up' Don't worry, they are quite bright, though I remember a little bit of transition time getting used to the bluish-white hue of the bulbs when being so used to the yellowish light given off by the cheaper ones.

AS Rorschach9 mentions, two or more are ideal. I use a regular desktop lamp on one side (With a directed hood to keep the light out of my eyes) and another one with a clip instead of a base on the other. (Also with said hood) I have no room for an overhead or I'd use one of those too.

I have too much to do during the day to waste time painting miniatures. I wish I could, but I always end up painting at night.

I use an OTT light, at my home office.

http://www.ottlite.com/p-342-folding-task-lamp.aspx

I agree, I feel Groggy during the day, so i feel like painting in the evenening.
Just get a desk lamp.

Love painting at night. The kids are sleeping and its peaceful and calm. For lighting I use a desk lamp with a flourescent bulb...since most venues where to model is used/viewed typically are lit with flourescents it lets me judge colors by the actual light conditions..

 Alleton wrote:


These are the ones I use, I'm sure you can find these or something similar near you. I'm not sure what stores there are in England, but these are available at most Wal-Marts and Home Improvement stores over here. Per bulb these are a bit more expensive, but they are much easier on the eyes than Incandescent, and generally last much longer and use less energy than most regular bulbs.

Also, when you first turn one on, it will seem dim at first until it 'warms up' Don't worry, they are quite bright, though I remember a little bit of transition time getting used to the bluish-white hue of the bulbs when being so used to the yellowish light given off by the cheaper ones.

AS Rorschach9 mentions, two or more are ideal. I use a regular desktop lamp on one side (With a directed hood to keep the light out of my eyes) and another one with a clip instead of a base on the other. (Also with said hood) I have no room for an overhead or I'd use one of those too.

Exact same ones I use.

Back in the day my dad used incandescent daylight bulbs, they had this awesome blue filter over them

Now I just use some ultra-bright white-light LED lamps.

I use two cheap led lights from ikea. The colour is blueish but as I know roughly the real hue of the paint and as I'm painting orks it's not too much of a prob

Thanks for the replies everyone. I know the bulbs you mean now. Pretty sure they are in my local store. Bring on the night time painting