Daylight Lamp or Bulb for Art & Crafts

[Reynard]

The problem at this time of year is that there's very little good daylight - which is a right pain when it comes to artwork. Drawing (pencil or pen & ink) is fine, but anything to do with colour is almost impossible outside of a very narrow window in the middle of the day. Which is a pain if you're busy.

So I'm seriously thinking about a daylight lamp - or a daylight bulb that's compatible with a basic desk light.

Am wondering if any of you bods on here who do modelling, sewing or who also paint use a daylight lamp, and if so, what would you recommend.

 

[fossyant]

My wife will pop on the Maplin daylight lamp in winter for her sewing. She does mainly use the conservatory where possible , for maximum light.

At least with a stand alone 'light box' you can use it else where - I used it whilst stuck in with my spinal injury - our lounge is quite dark.

 

[sleuthey]

I would just go to Screwfix or Toolstation and buy a bulb that fits your existing lamp. That way if it's not suitable you have not wasted much money.

 

[slowmotion]

Lookee here......

https://www.easy-lightbulbs.com/lighting-guides/colour-temperature/

 

[Reynard]

Thanks for the useful info, folks

I think I'll start as @sleuthey suggests and just buy a bulb as I already have a spare desk light that I can use.

Another thing I should have asked is what wattage to get...

 

[slowmotion]

Thanks for the useful info, folks

I think I'll start as @sleuthey suggests and just buy a bulb as I already have a spare desk light that I can use.

Another thing I should have asked is what wattage to get...

I would get the largest wattage bulb that your light fitting is rated for. Don't go over that limit. You don't want to overheat it.

 

[Reynard]

I would get the largest wattage bulb that your light fitting is rated for. Don't go over that limit. You don't want to overheat it.

That makes sense. It's just that I don't know what it's rated for.

The lamp is one of those bendy stalk lights - bought from Woolies, so shows you how long I've had it...

 

[Reynard]

Update - it's 40 watts.

There's a sticker on the inside of the shade with that info. Silly Reynard.

 

[lazybloke]

Mrs L does a lot of work with fabrics, dyes & paints, and is very keen on a brand of daylight lamps called Ottlite. They have a colour temp of 5000 K.

Not sure if they're any better than getting a generic 5000K bulb from Amazon and sticking it in any old desk lamp.

 

[slowmotion]

Update - it's 40 watts.

There's a sticker on the inside of the shade with that info. Silly Reynard.

I'm not young but even when I was, I used an Anglepoise for close up work. I fitted it with a 100 watt incandescent bulb that put out about 1600 lumens. I suggest you try and attain the same number of lumens. With LEDs etc you can get that with a bulb of a lot less wattage. The problem tends to be finding one.

Edit: I think it was only rated for 60 watts, but I ignored that.

 

[Reynard]

With LEDs etc you can get that with a bulb of a lot less wattage. The problem tends to be finding one.

Tell me about it

 

[annedonnelly]

I bought a proper craft light when they were on offer at Hobbycraft - can't remember the brand but I can check.

Shortly after one of my normal room light bulbs failed & I went to Wilko to replace it. I discovered that the ones available were excellent with nice white light. Technology had moved on since I last bought energy efficient bulbs. So I've rarely used my craft lamp. I'd say try out some of the normal off-the-shelf bulbs available before buying expensive ones.

 

[GM]

My son uses one of these fixed above his easel, he got the 4ft one which works really good.....

 

[Reynard]

My son uses one of these fixed above his easel, he got the 4ft one which works really good.....

View attachment 491736

Looks good, but don't have the space for that...

 

[Salar]

Cheapo Crompton daylight bulbs for me £2.50 each. But they are 60watts.