Artists' Top Pick: Best Lighting for Arts and Crafts
Revealing the tiniest details and matching colors, creative people are obsessed with their vision. Unfortunately, they have always struggled with one key element: LIGHT!
From painters who have discovered the perfect daylight mimicry to artists who have noticed a marked reduction in eye strain, the stories are as diverse as their art forms. These testimonials are not just endorsements; they are experiences shared by artists who have seen a significant improvement in their work and workspace quality.
Read on to discover Artists’ top pick: the best lighting for arts and crafts.
Table of Contents
Illustrators' top pick
Doodle Traffic
Gabriela Niko, also known as Doodle Traffic, is a freelance illustrator and sketchbook artist from Poland, celebrated for her portrait art.
Educated in design at the Academy of Fine Arts, she initially pursued sports apparel design before dedicating herself to full-time drawing in 2020. Niko’s art blends traditional and digital techniques, with a special fondness for sketchbooks.
Her artistic journey, which began with pencil sketches, now encompasses various media including gouache, watercolor, oil paints, and digital art. She has a significant following on Instagram and has worked on commissions like book illustrations and tattoo designs
Esquissewei
Esquissewei is a content creator and artist, deeply passionate about drawing and manga from a young age. He is a graduate of the Beaux-arts de Lyon and has a background in photography, where he worked for 12 years. Today, Esquissewei is fulfilling his childhood dream by drawing his own manga.
His artistic expertise, especially in using shadow and light, has significantly developed over the years. He is recognized under the pseudonym Esquissewei and has gained popularity for his manga-inspired artworks
Jock
Jock is a renowned Scottish comic book artist known for his work on prominent titles such as “2000 AD,” “The Losers,” “Batman,” “Wolverine,” and “Wytches” by Image Comics. He has achieved significant acclaim in his career, including being a three-time New York Times best-selling artist. Jock’s collaborations with writer Andy Diggle on DC/Vertigo’s “The Losers” and “Batman: The Black Mirror,” as well as with writer Scott Snyder on “Wytches,” are particularly notable.
In addition to his comic book art, Jock has also made significant contributions to the film industry. He has produced key art, concept design, and promotional imagery for several high-profile films, including “Iron Man 3,” “The Dark Knight Trilogy,” “Dredd,” “Star Wars: Episode VIII,” and the Oscar-winning “Ex Machina.” His work in both comics and films showcases his versatile talent and innovative approach to art and design
Peter Draws
Peter Draws is an artist known for his unique and intricate line work.
He has published “Peter’s Line Almanacs,” Volumes 1 and 2, which are available on Amazon. Additionally, he authored “Dayfever,” also available for purchase on Amazon.
Peter Draws is active on various social media platforms, sharing his original pieces of art with a broad audience. His works, characterized by detailed line art, have garnered a following for their creativity and distinctive style
Tomas Hijo
Tomás Hijo is a distinguished illustrator and printmaker, as well as a professor of illustration at the University of Salamanca in Spain. He has written and illustrated ten books and provided illustrations for over seventy more, predominantly focused on folklore and legends. Hijo is also renowned for his work in collaboration with filmmaker Guillermo del Toro.
He co-created the “Tarot del Toro” and was involved in the prop design for del Toro’s film “Nightmare Alley.” His contributions to del Toro’s projects have been significant, showcasing his versatility and talent in both printmaking and illustration. Acclaimed by del Toro as one of the great modern engravers, Hijo’s artistic style and achievements have made a notable impact in both the literary and film industries
Miniature painters' top pick
Angel Giraldez
Angel Giraldez is a renowned miniature painter who began his professional career in 2003 with Corvus Belli, creating the iconic painting style for the game Infinity in 2005.
He revolutionized miniature painting with his meticulous approach and has published two best-selling books on the subject. Giraldez launched a successful Kickstarter project, Luxumbra, for miniatures and busts, formed the AG Team, and established an LTD company in 2021.
He also collaborates with major brands, provides painting classes, and manages a popular YouTube channel. Additionally, he supports a young cadet triathlon team in Alcalá la Real, Jaén
Don Suratos
Don Suratos is a highly talented miniature painter and Gundam customizer. He began as a toy collector, notably of Lord of the Rings action figures, and progressed to customizing and painting Gunpla (Gundam models) in 2008. Suratos has won several competitions, including the world championship in Hong Kong.
He ventured into miniature painting in 2014, returning to Gunpla in 2018 and miniature painting in 2021. Suratos, a Fine Arts graduate, draws inspiration from illustrations and uses techniques like glazing with mediums and oil paints. He aims to grow his Patreon to share his knowledge in miniature painting
Fauxhammer
Ross Graham, known as Fauxhammer, is a miniature painter who operates a website dedicated to researching the best tools and techniques for the hobby.
He began painting miniatures at age 10 and was inspired by Games Workshop figures. Graham finds great serenity in painting, describing it as a form of active meditation.
Among his achievements, he has had models published in White Dwarf magazine and has been recognized for his work at a Warhammer Open Day. He launched Fauxhammer.com in June 2018 to share his knowledge and experience, growing the site substantially since its inceptionering, a technique he finds time-consuming.
Fauxhammer.com was launched in June 2018, following the success of Graham’s guide on transferring citadel paints to dropper bottles
Apprendre la Peinture Sur Figurine
“J’apprends la peinture sur figurine” is a project by Guillaume, a passionate 32-year-old who loves sharing his enthusiasm for various hobbies, including miniature painting. He started the blog on May 28, 2019, after years of painting intermittently. The blog’s aim was to share his knowledge and experience in miniature painting, which he had resumed with the goal of improving and teaching others.
Guillaume’s focus is on sharing his passion for painting and providing a positive and supportive learning environment.
He offers custom courses and painting services, and his approach combines his background in science and marketing with his passion for miniature painting.
Juan Hidalgo
Juan Hidalgo, a professional miniature painting coach and YouTuber from the north of Spain, is highly respected for his innovative work in the miniature painting community.
Hidalgo is celebrated for his ability to create extreme contrast between light and dark in his work. His commitment to his craft, coupled with his contributions as a tutor and his innovative approach to miniature painting, make him a highly respected figure in the community.
Knarb Makes
Knarb, the artist behind Knarb Makes, has gained recognition for his innovative work in the realm of 3D printing and model making. He is known for creating a detailed tabletop Medieval city in 10mm scale using 3D printed buildings, combined with traditional wood and foam modeling and terrain-making techniques. Knarb also runs a YouTube channel where he shares his creations and techniques.
His work has garnered significant attention, with over 112,668 views and 2,161 likes, indicating a strong following and appreciation for his craftsmanship. Additionally, his store on MyMiniFactory showcases a collection of 17 items, highlighting his prolific output in the realm of 3D printed models and terrain
Lance Allen
Lance Allen is an award-winning miniature painting artist based in the UK, renowned for his skills in competition miniature model painting. He has achieved notable success as a Golden Demon winner, reflecting his expertise and passion for Games Workshop products.
Allen’s journey in miniature painting is marked by his dedication to improving and sharing his artwork, and he actively engages with the community, offering insights into his craft. His accomplishments as a Golden Demon winner underscore his prominence in the field of miniature painting.
Rahul Kohli
Rahul Kohli is an English actor who gained widespread recognition for his television roles, notably as Dr. Ravi Chakrabarti in “iZombie” (2015–19), Owen Sharma in “The Haunting of Bly Manor” (2020), Sheriff Hassan in “Midnight Mass” (2021), and Napoleon Usher in “The Fall of the House of Usher” (2023).
He is also a devoted Warhammer miniature painting enthusiast. His deep knowledge and passion for Warhammer are evident in his model-making and support for related projects. He notably voiced the protagonist in the video game “Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun” and crafted a custom miniature of the character, showcasing his expertise in miniature model-making within the Warhammer universe.
Salaise Figurine
Salaise Figurine Studio specializes in miniature painting, with a notable presence in the field. The studio’s activities include a robust Patreon platform, featuring extensive content like tutorials and videos. They handled numerous paint orders, including large-scale figurine projects, and expanded into 3D printing to enhance their offerings. Additionally, the studio successfully hosted the “Medal of Color” event, focusing on themed miniature painting competitions. With a strong online following and a significant number of students in their painting academy, Salaise Figurine Studio stands out in the miniature painting community.
Tangible Day
Tangible Day is a blog dedicated to tabletop gaming and miniature hobbyists. It is managed by Andrew, a neuroscientist who integrates his scientific insights with his love for miniature painting and gaming.
The blog offers a wealth of resources including pro painting tips, tutorials, photography hacks, product reviews, and editorials. Andrew, the editor-in-chief, brings a unique perspective combining his scientific background with his hobbies, which include painting miniatures, tabletop games, and photography.
His extensive experience in art, including working as a commissioned miniature painter for over 10 years, enriches the content of Tangible Day
Best lighting for arts and crafts
Are you looking for the best lighting for arts and crafts? Look no further! The winner of the 2023 Red Dot Design Award for Best of the Best, the R9 Desk Lamp, is an essential tool for any artist.
It features 96 dimmable LEDs, pure-white daylight, and unmatched color rendition. The R9 Color Perfect technology provides unparalleled color accuracy, making it a game-changer for artists and professionals in illustrations, miniature painting, and crafts.
BORN ON KICKSTARTER
The R9 Desk Lamp was created in 2023. It became the most successful Kickstarter campaign for a desk lamp and has now found its way to some of the most prestigious artists and crafters around the world.
