The "Lighting" of Fine Art

In the room in which to hang your new Piece, think about the light, the shape of the wall based on the this criteria:  How important is the Piece to you?  Remember, appreciating your art is only up to you.  There is nothing more personal that your choice of Art...  but the difference after you get it home between Graffiti, and Fine Art is lighting!!!

Lighting is the key since 90% of all the tastefully done rooms fall apart because you cannot see the ART.  The decor falls apart, because no track lights, or floor light, or even desk light shines directly on the Piece.   Lighting is key to bring a piece to life! 

The most important thing is lighting:

1.  What angle to light IT from?

2.  What kind of Light to buy? 

3.  Distance to view IT, optimally? 

4.  What type of ART needs what kind of Lighting? 

5.. The dominate piece in the room should be Well Lit in a zone all it's own!

Study your art and decide where the light in the picture is coming from, and place you light from that direction.  If it is an outside picture it most likely will be lit from above since that is where the sun usually is - one sun principal.  Likewise, if the light comes from one side or the other, as in a sunset, set your lighting form that angle. 

I cannot emphasize enough, however, that anything except incandescent bulbs will damage your fine art over time...  If you have not used U.V. Glass to to protect your Art, Sunlight for sure, and florescent tubes, and especially quartz lighting is hazardous to your fine art. 

Distance to view IT, Optimally!!  ...a place where you can go wrong is to place a large piece in a tiny room.  I am talking about a piece that we refer to as a "15 feet or more".  It may look stunning in the Gallery, but when you get it home... do NOT place it in a small room.  If you do not have a large room, place it in such a way that it can be viewed from down a hall, or across the island form another room.  Remember to keep light on it so it won't be lost in the dark. 

You will truly be amazed what the difference shades of bulbs or tubes will do in the way of enhanced ambience.  AFTER EXPERIENCING THIS CHANGE YOU WILL NEVER WANT TO GO BACK.

Finally, to bring that new Piece to life remember that 10% of the game is the correct mats/molding, the other 90% of the game is the correct lighting.