Lighting might not be the first thing you think about when starting a paint-by-numbers project, but it can make or break your experience. Dim or uneven lighting can throw off your view of the numbers, make matching colors tough, and lead to eye strain if you’re working for a while. On the other hand, a good light setup can make painting more relaxing, help you fill in tight spaces with more accuracy, and let you enjoy the process without squinting your way through it.
Whether you're kicking back after a long day or spending a quiet weekend with your latest kit, having the right lighting helps everything come together more smoothly. You won’t be rewashing your brushes to fix color mistakes you didn’t notice earlier. You’ll see details clearly, and your finished artwork will reflect the time and care you put into it. Here’s how to create a better lighting setup so your paint-by-numbers sessions feel a bit more effortless and a lot more fun.
Choosing The Best Lighting Environment
Before you buy a lamp or add another bulb to your room, it’s worth thinking about where you're painting. The location you choose can be just as important as the type of light you're using. Natural daylight is one of the most comfortable sources, especially from late morning to early afternoon. Sunlight during that time can provide clear, even lighting without being too harsh.
A spot by the window with indirect sunlight works great. Direct sunlight might seem helpful, but it often casts sharp shadows and can cause glare. With indirect light, your colors stay true, and the canvas stays easy on the eyes. Just keep in mind that sunlight moves and changes. You don’t want your session to begin with clear lighting and end in a dim corner.
For painting in the evening or on gloomy days, it’s helpful to rely on artificial lighting. To get an even glow that’s easy to work with, remember these tips:
- Skip overhead lights that cast strong shadows and uneven brightness.
- Use rooms with light-colored walls to reflect and spread light naturally.
- Avoid painting in dark corners that swallow up light and make details harder to see.
- Use sheer curtains to soften natural light without losing its benefits.
The goal is simple. Make sure your canvas, paints, and numbers are easy to see without having to adjust your position every few minutes.
Types Of Artificial Lighting For Optimal Results
Sometimes painting at night is the only option, especially if it’s part of your wind-down routine or something you fit in after work. In those cases, lighting is everything. You want a setup that helps you see clearly, show true colors, and avoid straining your eyes during long painting sessions.
Let’s look at some helpful lighting choices for night painting:
1. LED Lamps
LEDs use less electricity, stay cool to the touch, and last for years. Many models come with dimming options and adjustable color settings. This means you can switch between warmer tones and cooler daylight tones depending on what you need.
2. Daylight Bulbs
These mimic natural sunlight and help keep your colors consistent. They don’t give off strong warm or cool tints, which makes it easier to match what you see on your paint chart with what goes onto the canvas.
3. Adjustable Desk Lamps
Ideal for table setups, flexible desk lamps let you direct light exactly where you need it. Aim for coverage that lights the whole canvas evenly, avoiding glare or shadow edges.
When shopping for a lamp or bulb, here are a few features worth keeping an eye on:
- A color temperature between 5000K and 6500K gives you that true daylight effect.
- Adjustable brightness levels allow you to increase or soften the light depending on outside conditions.
- A stable base or clamp design helps keep your lamp secure and out of the way while you paint.
One painter had a hard time working under a ceiling fixture that only lit one side of their table. Once they switched to an LED lamp with a flexible head clipped onto their desk, they were finally able to light the entire canvas evenly. No more spinning their work around to chase good light.
Setting Up Your Workspace
Good lighting won’t matter much if the rest of your space is chaotic. Once you’ve got the right bulb or lamp, work on organizing your area so everything flows together.
Start by giving yourself enough surface space to spread out. Your canvas, brush set, paint-by-numbers kit, water cup, and paper towels should all be easy to reach. If you’re stretching too far across the table to dip your brush or grab a new color, something’s off.
Lighting should come from above or slightly behind and to the side of your dominant hand. This keeps your hand from blocking the light while you paint. An adjustable lamp makes this easier to control.
Think about these additions to fine-tune your workspace:
- A magnifying lamp helps with small or blurry number areas.
- A non-glare surface or white table mat helps reflect light upward without adding bright spots.
- A supportive chair that keeps you upright without leaning forward improves comfort and visibility.
- Keep towels or wipes nearby to deal with unexpected drips or brush overload.
Painting should feel calming. A well-set space takes away unnecessary distractions and lets you focus on each part of your project.
Maintaining Consistent Lighting Conditions
Lighting that changes from one session to the next can cause real confusion. Even if your light source is strong, swapping from a cool light one evening to a warmer bulb the next afternoon might shift how your paint colors appear. What looked nicely blended the day before might seem mismatched now.
Try to stick with one light setup per painting session. If you work during daylight hours, try starting and wrapping up around the same time every day. Your eyes will adjust faster to consistent lighting. If you need to supplement with artificial lighting, use daylight-temperature bulbs that match natural sunlight.
Here are some quick pointers to keep lighting steady and your project looking consistent from start to finish:
- Match your light temperature between sessions. Stick to daylight-balanced bulbs rated between 5000K and 6500K.
- Avoid switching between warm and cool lights mid-session.
- Set up your lamp in the same place every time you paint.
- Close or open curtains consistently if you're relying on sunlight.
- Take short breaks if you've gone from daylight to artificial light or vice versa. It gives your eyes time to reset before diving back in.
One painter realized their background skies looked off depending on the time of day they were painting. After switching to a single consistent daylight lamp, the tones stayed true, and they no longer had to repaint sections they once thought were finished.
Let Your Art Shine Brightly
Lighting isn’t just about helping you see. It’s about creating a space where you can focus, mix colors with confidence, and notice the small details that bring your paint-by-numbers project to life. When your space is well-lit, your hands stay steady, your eyes stay relaxed, and your progress feels smoother.
Take some time to try different lighting options and setups. A flexible desk lamp, a comfortable chair, maybe some light-colored decor to reflect your light source better—each change helps make your space work even better for you.
When painting feels easier on your eyes and less of a hassle to set up, you’ll want to come back to it again and again. A thoughtful setup means fewer paint mistakes, cleaner results, and a more enjoyable creative routine. Whether you paint during coffee breaks or late-night winddowns, good lighting will help you get the most out of every paint-by-numbers kit you use.
When your workspace is set and your lighting is perfect, you’ll be amazed at how much your paint-by-numbers kit comes to life. Explore Ledgebay’s paint-by-numbers kit collection to find designs that match your setup and bring even more creativity to your painting routine.
