Question about North light.

[Chris Saper]

I think that Allan and Tom are on the money. North light is only relevant in the context of your painting hours.

For example, I only paint from 7:00 am to about 2:00pm. A western exposure would do just fine - the point is that you dont' want the directly moving sunlight to wreak havok with your studio light.

If my working time was late afternoon, an eastern exposure would be most suitable. In short, consider your individual easel time, your most productive time, and then make the judgement.

[Sharon Knettell]

My studio has a south east exposure. I paint from life so the lighting is critical. I also live in the North Eastern USA, so the more light the better.

The light on an overcast day on a southern exposure is exquisite, my favorite. I can almost achieve this effect on a sunny day by filtering the light through a cheap gauze curtain which I velcro to the window frame for quick removal. It really helps to have all the light you need to compensate for all those dark New England days, especially the rainy ones. I use a reflector outside to bounce a little more light in on the really dark ones. I like to paint from 10:30 to 2:30.

[Anthony Emmolo]

Thank you Sharon,
About five years ago I had a south light studio. The shadows seemed to be constantly changing on my objects. I don't think it was my imagination, but I also remember the light varying in intensity at different times in the day.The studio I have now, which has north light gives me a consistancy in the light. I paint from 7am to 1pm. So I do feel more at home with traditional north light.

Anthony