Back light paintings

mrdaputer

I had a happy accident with my paintings. Down in my workshop I put my paintings in the window only to realize all the colors just popped out at me. I was wondering would a led strip placed behind my painting give me the same effect? What would you guys recommend to get the same effect as the window back lighting?

Cronenberg89

mrdaputer I had the same idea a while back and was thinking an LED set up behind the painting would show the frame of the canvas. But thought that one stuck on the front might work well. Especially if you could turn them on and off with your phone.

Sunnylady

I would think that colors pop is caused more by abundance of the light overall from that window rather than back lighting. If to think how galleries display paintings ( and they are experts) they always have them lit from the front with individual light set and pointed to the painting.
another thought - light temperature changes perception of the painting. If you have yellow lights 2700K and paint with that light than automatically your painting is made with extra blue color, when the same painting will be placed at 6500K that will increase perception of the blue as this light temperature corresponds to bluish light spectrum. Most of artists in the past would select northern window and diffused light or a cloudy day. This is 5000-5500K temperature. Generally speaking any painting made at 5kK will look great at its original light and at any other temperature light bulb lighting.

Sunnylady

One theoretical thought though: if one paints in fully classical way with glazes of transparent colors then back light might give extra luminance.

but that is if canvas transmits any light. I just tried linen smooth canvas against window and it did not bring any value to perception.

mrdaputer

Thank you all for your replies. The canvases I use are the cheap ones until I get better at it lol. You guys have given me many ideas to try. This was my first big happy accident so I am excited to pursue it further.

Sunnylady

mrdaputer good luck on your artistic journey! Don’t worry there’s nothing bad about cheaper canvas at all, they work perfectly well and inspire to learn!