Insider 1-20-2011 Meg Maples

[brotherscott]

Meg discusses lighting-

http://privateerpress.com/community/...ider-1-20-2012

I am by no means a studio-level painter-

One fluorescent style lamp I have found useful is the full spectrum compact- not near as blue as as the daylight and not too warm. The colors seem to come across pretty well from paint pot to model.

I also have one or two halogen desk lamps that have done well by my over the last 5 or so years I have been painting. I like to have a lot of light at my desk, so I use a combination of sources when I am working.

[Hashmal]

I have one daylight fluorescent lamp and one incandescent lamp on my table. I turn both on at once. The incandescent lamp is a cheap-o one I got at Ikea (looks like the Pixar logo lamp, but without a base - attaches to my desk) and it sits much higher, so that heat is not as big an issue.

I have the same problem with her about compact fluorescents in general - too blue!

[Archimedes the Dog]

I'd love to hear what Meg finds for home! I use a single bulb daylight CFL in a lamp with a magnifying glass built in, and the overhead light in the room is a warm blulb, and the room has four huge windows so if painting during the day I get lots of natural light as well. That said, I'd kill for a dual lamp witgh the magnifying glass.

[PG_Harliquine]

I often find too much light gives me headaches when painting. So I started moving my lamps further and further back. Now I just use day light bulbs in my 4 bulb celling fan lamp and a small lamp on my desk for detail work. Seems to give me the best balance. If anyone knows what brand and where to get one of those 2 bulb lamps that can use both a fluoresent bulb and an incandesent bulb that would be great. I could use a little more light and to be able to turn off my over head so that I can hear my infant son sleep and keep painting across the hall without disturbing him.

[Schmapdi]

How should the ambient light in our room effect our choices though? I use compact CFLs for my room lighting - so shouldn't I just use a warm bulb in my painting lamp so that both cancel each other out?

[Siranaul]

Any one else think that Meg Maples looks like Dirty Meg?

Hint: Imagine shorter hair and covered in grease instead of paint.

[marxlives]

The article was informative but honestly Meg and Jen are such babes their Insider reports always take longer to read. Especially when my computer shorts out from excess drool. It always good to hear from you ladies, keep on bringing awesome articles!

[GreenJello]

I've got an Ott light upon the recommendation of my gf. While a bit pricey it's at the perfect level, and the "color" seems to be a perfect balance of near daylight.

Further, having a strong light directly over my models allows me to get a very good idea where the shadows are.

BTW, serious kudos to Meg for mentioning this, I agree, I seldom see discussions about light source. I was skeptical about getting the light at first, but it's really turned my painting around. I could believe how much better I could see, verses the overhead ceiling light I was using.

I think it's important to stress Ottlight. Having tried a few different types, it's the truest to natural light I've seen, which is probably the reason why the bulbs are so expensive. I believe they're primarily used by crafters and sewers, where the products are going to be out in the sun.

http://www.ottlite.com/t-why-ottlite.aspx

EDIT: This copy is beyond cool: No matter what your interest—reading, sewing, working on the computer, or assembling battle robots, you’ll find OttLite 508® Illumination makes it easier and more comfortable. And if your hobby really is building battle robots…can we come over?

[PPS_Meg]

I'd love to hear what Meg finds for home! I use a single bulb daylight CFL in a lamp with a magnifying glass built in, and the overhead light in the room is a warm blulb, and the room has four huge windows so if painting during the day I get lots of natural light as well. That said, I'd kill for a dual lamp witgh the magnifying glass.

Actually, I just went out and bought the same lamp that we use in the studio. I'll make sure when it arrives at the house that it has 2 different bulbs--one that is a bit more on the blue spectrum and one that is warmer. The lamp I'm sitting under right now for the studio has that sort of set up with the bulbs and it has been the best light to work under. Even during our snow storm here this week I brought that lamp home to my basement "studio apartment" (just a big room really) and it was just about all the light I needed.

Now another thing to mention with regards to light is don't sit directly under a window. The light outside will probably fight with the indoor light and cause eye strain, headache and possibly glare. This again, is all from my experience. My desk is currently under a window and I've had to take up a dark sheet to keep the light out during the day. If you primarily work at night then sitting under the window doesn't matter.

Any one else think that Meg Maples looks like Dirty Meg?

Hint: Imagine shorter hair and covered in grease instead of paint.

LOL! Well I'm going to chop my long locks off soon and well, I still know how to apply camo paint from my days working with the military. Maybe this should be a costume for halloween. Adam can go as a light jack in need of repair :P

[PPS_Meg]

How should the ambient light in our room effect our choices though? I use compact CFLs for my room lighting - so shouldn't I just use a warm bulb in my painting lamp so that both cancel each other out?

Not too much. For instance, the lights at work are all fluorescent. The lamps we use for closer work are also fluorescent. Really the light in the room shouldn't make too much different. Your lamp that you want to work under will really be your primary light source and once you are used to working under it you'll not even notice the ambient light.

The only time warm and cool cancel each other out is if they are coming from the same level of light source. Ideally, if you have a lamp that allows for 2 bulbs try a warmer bulb and a cooler bulb for the best white light.

[PPS_Meg]

I've got an Ott light upon the recommendation of my gf. While a bit pricey it's at the perfect level, and the "color" seems to be a perfect balance of near daylight.

Further, having a strong light directly over my models allows me to get a very good idea where the shadows are.

BTW, serious kudos to Meg for mentioning this, I agree, I seldom see discussions about light source. I was skeptical about getting the light at first, but it's really turned my painting around. I could believe how much better I could see, verses the overhead ceiling light I was using.

Exactly! Having a good light source while painting will allow you to see what you are doing more clearly AND you can use the lamp as your light source on the mini so you know where to place highlights and shadows better. I wanted to get a better light for home use because my Ottlite is a folding travel one and it's a bit too low for even a shorty like me. It's great for travel--it folds up, wrap the cord around and stick it in a bag. But I was having really bad neck, shoulder and back problems. So I wanted to get a lamp that could really be overhead.

If any one has any other questions for me, always feel free to PM me. I'm open to any questions, any time.

Next up for the blog is a series on color theory. So, watch for that in a couple of months. Hopefully that will be just as helpful.

[GreenJello]

I wanted to get a better light for home use because my Ottlite is a folding travel one and it's a bit too low for even a shorty like me. It's great for travel--it folds up, wrap the cord around and stick it in a bag. But I was having really bad neck, shoulder and back problems. So I wanted to get a lamp that could really be overhead.

I got the floor model, which puts it about 2' above my table.

Next up for the blog is a series on color theory.

Looking forward to it. Saw some interesting stuff in an airbrush forum post on color theory about adding colors other than black/white to darken lighten. It would be cool to see some information on mixing colors. Unfortunately they appear to be down atm or I'd post a link.

[PPS_Meg]

I've received a lot of inquiries regarding the lamp I bought for home use.

It's a lamp made by Lite Source and the model number is LSF-150BLK. It takes 2 15w T12 fluorescent bulbs. If you use the power of the internet you should be able to find it easily. Even comes with 2 bulbs!

[dracphelan]

For those who have them in their area, you might want to go to Michaels. They have Ott light bulbs (look like cfls) for 40% off in my area.

[Mavwick]

Has anyone found some decent lamps any cheaper? I'm really looking to pimp my workspace, but $150 is a bit much for me right now.
Have the Ott-Lite Lamps proven solid in the long run for people? The portable ones look nice for desktop work. Is 13 watts enough? http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/...-light-596429/
How about Sunlight brand lamps? http://www.amazon.com/Sunlight-Natur...ef=pd_sbs_ac_5

[Gemetzl]

I have an OTT light and I really like it. I also have a more traditional desk lamp that has an 8 in round flourescent tube (cooler) and in the center I have another CFC "bulb" (warmer). Overhead is a incandescent spot (real warm) and behind are 8 4ft tubes above my wife's sewing kit. It's about as balanced as I think I need.

[PPS_Meg]

Has anyone found some decent lamps any cheaper? I'm really looking to pimp my workspace, but $150 is a bit much for me right now.
Have the Ott-Lite Lamps proven solid in the long run for people? The portable ones look nice for desktop work. Is 13 watts enough? http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/...-light-596429/
How about Sunlight brand lamps? http://www.amazon.com/Sunlight-Natur...ef=pd_sbs_ac_5

The portable Ott lite is the one I currently have at home. It's a folding travel light. It's an ok lamp but it's so short that I am constantly hunched over and end up with an achey neck and shoulders. If you are going to get an Ott lite get one of the taller ones. That's still going to run almost $100 unless you manage to get them on sale.

If you go to the right place though, the lamp I bought is a little bit cheaper than $150. I'd say it's well worth the investment too.

[PG_Tadgo]

I use the Ott light bulbs in regular lamps. Works fine.

[DelmontTheDestroyer]

Due to this thread I went out and bought an Ottlight (local store had them for half off so why not) and they are absolutely fantastic!

[dracphelan]

Tadgo beat me to it. I use my bulb in a swing-arm magnifying lamp I bought for $20.