Tip: What to Look for In Studio Lighting

When natural northern light is not available to you, here is what to look for in man-made light sources that can be used to brighten your painting studio:

• Kelvin (K) is a unit of measurement for temperature. It is often used to measure the color temperature of light sources. For example, normal daylight is about 5600 K. Look for bulbs with a K value close to this.
• Color rendering index (CRI) is a measure of the ability of a light to reproduce the colors of various objects faithfully in comparison with natural light. Light sources with a high CRI are desirable when painting. Look for bulbs that have a CRI value of 90 or higher.
• You can find expensive "full spectrum" bulbs that have acceptable kelvin and color rendering index values, but you can also find relatively inexpensive incandescent bulbs that also meet this criteria. Look for them in your home improvement store.
• Beware of bulbs that are labeled "daylight" because they may or may not produce a light that is appropriate for painting. Always look for the acceptable measures described above.