Invest in the right lighting

Having the right lighting is crucial when you're creating, especially to ensure that the colours you use are rendered accurately. Otherwise, you risk choosing a colour that appears completely different in daylight than what you intended. Natural light gives the truest representation of colour, but it can be hard to come by when you're working indoors. And when winter arrives, well, then it becomes even more difficult, both day and night.

Luckily, there are solutions! Lighting specifically designed to mimic natural light as closely as possible. Thanks to these lamps, we can create all year round with perfect colour accuracy, no matter the time of day. Daylight is a British manufacturer of task lighting designed to replicate natural daylight. Not only are their lamps of the highest quality, but their carefully considered designs also make for a stylish addition to any studio, workspace, or desk.

In this guide, we’ll explore how lighting affects colour perception, what to consider when choosing lighting, and which lamps we recommend for your creative sessions. And if you're still unsure, feel free to reach out to our customer service team, they’re happy to offer tips and help you choose the lamp best suited for your needs.

Before we dive into the benefits of good lighting, let’s explain a term that often comes up when discussing professional lamps and high-quality lighting: the abbreviation CRI.

What is CRI (Colour Rendering Index)?

CRI, or Colour Rendering Index, is a measure of how accurately a light source, like a lamp, renders colours. Imagine placing a red apple under two different lamps. Under one with a high CRI, the apple will appear just as red as it would in natural daylight. Under a lamp with low CRI, it might look dull or distorted.

CRI is a scale from 0 to 100, where 100 represents a light source that renders colours just like natural daylight. The closer the light source is to 100, the better it is at showing colours accurately.

CRI above 90 is considered excellent and is used in fields where colour accuracy is essential. Professionals who commonly invest in CRI 90+ lamps include artists, designers, photographers, tattooists, nail technicians, makeup artists, and more.

CRI between 80 and 90 is considered good and usually sufficient for home use.

CRI below 80 may be less satisfying, and colours can start to appear more artificial or distorted.

5 Benefits of Investing in the Right Lighting

There’s lighting, and then there’s good lighting. We strongly believe it’s worth investing in the right kind of light, because the benefits are many. But what exactly are those benefits? What type of lamp should you choose? And what are the differences between the options? Below are five key benefits of investing in the right lighting, and some important factors to consider when selecting your lamp.

1. True Colour Rendering with the Right Light

Whether you’re painting a canvas or editing photos, it’s essential that your light source gives you an accurate representation of colour. Daylight’s lamps mimic natural daylight to ensure your work appears true to life, so you can stop worrying about inconsistent results. Thanks to daylight-level lighting, you can feel confident that the shades and tones you’re working with will appear just as intended.

If you’re working with graphic design, layout, or lettering, precise colour matching is especially critical, so that your results remain consistent across different media.

2. Reduced Eye Strain

Long (and perhaps late?) hours spent on a project can be demanding on your eyes. Natural light requires less effort for your eyes to process than standard LED lighting. Eye strain can lead to fatigue and headaches, but with the right lighting, you can avoid all that. Daylight’s lighting minimises strain, so you can work for longer periods, at any time of day. The light is glare-free, a feature particularly helpful for detailed work like embroidery or sculpting.

3. See More Details and Work with Precision

If you’re working with fine detail, such as jewellery making or miniature modelling, high-quality lighting is essential for your eyes to pick up every nuance. Lighting that mimics natural daylight helps you perceive subtle differences in colour and shape. Contrast becomes clearer and sharper, allowing you to work with clarity and precision. Choose a Daylight lamp with a magnifying lens, and you’ll be able to draw on grains of rice. Literally!

4. Boost Productivity and Mood

Research shows that natural light can improve mood, increase energy levels, and enhance cognitive function. All of which can lead to greater productivity and creativity. By simulating daylight, Daylight lamps help you create an inspiring environment where you can focus on your next masterpiece.

5. Adjustable Brightness to Suit Your Needs

Many of Daylight’s lamps offer adjustable brightness settings. Sometimes you need sharp, focused lighting for intricate tasks; other times, a wide, soft light is better, for instance when photographing your work. The versatility of Daylight’s lamps allows you to use the same light for many different projects, adjusting it to suit your needs.

No matter what creative tasks you take on, you can trust Daylight to have a solution that will elevate your workspace. Good lighting shouldn’t be considered a luxury, it’s a necessity for creative work.