If you have a painting or other special feature that you would like to make the focal point of the room, it’s important to get the lighting just right. Good lighting will allow you and your visitors to enjoy your artwork to the fullest, and it can really make or break the ambience of the room. Here are some points to bear in mind.
Place the work away from direct natural light
Even sunlight that is filtered through glass contains UV light that will cause your artwork to become faded over time. Therefore do not place your artwork directly opposite a window or glass-panelled door. If you really want to err on the side of caution, choose a north-facing room that has less strong sun exposure.
Decide if you want to directly or indirectly light the artwork
If the artwork has dark tones and a matt texture, it may benefit from a direct light source to bring out the best in it. On the other hand, if it contains bright colours and smooth or glossy surfaces, direct light may be too harsh and create glare.
Make sure the artwork is evenly lit
Whether you opt for direct or indirect lighting, the light source should be evenly distributed to ensure that there are no harsh shadows or darker areas that spoil the subtle nuances of the artwork. The best way to ensure this is to have multiple light sources from different angles.
Picture lights can be mounted on the wall or frame of the artwork to provide a close low-wattage light. Additionally, ceiling mounted lights that are angled to beam directly on the artwork can be used to draw more attention and make the artwork the focal point of the room.
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