The most common is a recessed outlet placed behind the canvas that the light can plug into. The next thing to consider for your picture light is the power source. LED’s have many other benefits to them as well, such as a much lower running cost (about ¼ of the cost of incandescent bulbs) and a longer run time of about 50,000 hours (about 20 years with average use) meaning no replacement bulbs will be necessary. When selecting a picture light we highly recommend using one that has LED’s as they have a low heat source and no UV output, therefore increasing the longevity of your paintings. Heat is very damaging to paintings, pictures, and artworks as it causes the paper, canvas, paint, or ink to dry out and start cracking or fading over a short period of time. Many picture lights use a CFL or incandescent bulb which not only require frequent bulb replacements but also run very hot. The next most important thing to keep in mind when selecting a picture light is the lighting source. Picture lights have an illumination that widens the further it gets from the fixture, so a general rule of thumb is to keep about one foot on either side of the light to the edge of the artwork to compensate for the extra light. Most manufacturers should have a sizing guide or calculator to let you know the recommended size for your frame. We highly recommend removing any glass from a frame, when possible, as the lights can give off a bright reflection or glare.īefore purchasing a picture light you need to know what size would work best for your painting, as you want to keep the focus on the artwork and avoid lighting the wall around the frame.
Some things to consider when choosing a picture light are what you are illuminating, the size of light needed, type of bulb required, and how it will be installed.
Picture lights come in many different styles, sizes, colors, and connection types to fit your needs. A picture light is a low profile lamp that is attached either to the wall or frame to extend out over a painting and provide a balanced illumination onto a piece of art or picture.