Picture From Led-professional

 

 

Now that you know the basic function of different types of lighting, let's get more technical. How does lighting affect your artwork? Is sunlight not enough? 

Natural sunlight actually does more damage to your artwork. It affects the hue, texture, and life expectancy. It's important to know that artworks do age and depending on the lighting, it decides the longevity of the artwork. So as a collector, you want to preserve your art collection for a long period of time. Besides, who wants to store their 6000 euro painting in the dark?  

 

 

Here is a basic chart on the sensitivity of different art mediums and how they are affected by light: 

 

 

Material	Sensitivity	Recommended Lux Level
Prints, drawings, watercolors, old photographs	High	50 Lux
Oil and tempera paintings, plastic, white  photographs	Medium	100 Lux
Stone, ceramic, glass, metal	Low	300 Lux

 

 

Moreover, different artworks have different characteristics such as the medium, therefore we must consider the different lighting that fits with each artwork:  

 

 

Oil painting 

Oil paintings have glossy features which mean there are issues concerning glare when spotlights or light bulbs with a narrow beam angle are used to light them. However, this problem can be avoided by using multiple light sources with lower intensity. 

 

 

    

Creator choice: HEOL11650B by Ziemowit.

 

 

Try out the new AR feature to see how this Oil painting looks on your wall!

 

 

Acrylic painting 

Acrylic paintings do not have many issues with glare however you need to ensure there is optimal lighting. Check for CRI (color rendering index) and ensure that it is nearly 100%. 

 

 

   

Creator choice: Yellow by Dominika. 

 

 

Watercolor Paintings

Despite not having glare issues, they are usually protected by glass. Ensure enough space to prevent issues related to heat or UV. To make it easier, you can also use glass with UV protection or anti-reflection glass. 

 

 

   

Creator choice: HEOL11953. by Ziemowit. 

 

 

Photographs and Prints

 

This is similar to tips suggested for watercolor paintings however it depends on the finish prints. Glossy prints are more prone to glare while matte prints produce less glare. 

 

 

   

Creator Choice: From Brooklyn to Harlem (NYC, USA) by David. 

 

 

Sculptures

Sculptures should be lit from multiple angles to ensure that viewers can view them from multiple dimensions. 

 

 

Image from ERCO. 

 

 

If you still need more guidelines on how to display your precious art collection, you always have the option to hire a lighting designer. They will analyze your space and its features. They will analyze all the properties and decide which area will be lit and which area won't be. 

 

 

Check out our collection to find the one that fits the tone of the lighting at your home and office the most! 

 

 

Overall, lighting plays an important role in displaying your art collection. Take a look at museums or galleries for example, as lighting is used to create a variety of moods in the exhibition space. Some sculptures would have dramatic light on them while some paintings have subtle light. The use of lighting will enhance and give viewers the full experience. If you have an amazing collection of art, why not use lighting to give your collection a finishing touch? 

 

 

If you have other questions about art in general and buying arts, we are here to help you, you can book a consultation session with us.