It’s easy to overlook the importance of lighting for art studio. That is until you’ve had to struggle with a dim, grainy light.
Bad lighting can lead to eye strain and makes it harder to focus on your work.
Getting the right artist desk lamp is essential. You want a light that is bright and flexible so that you can angle it towards your work. But you also don’t want it to take up too much space.
A light that is too light will lead you to squint and even lead to headaches and eye fatigue. I know because I’ve been there myself!
That’s why you need to know exactly what to look for! Read on to discover the key features to look out for when shopping for the best lamps for drawing.
Then, I’ll share my top picks when it comes to artistic desk lamps. They fit all the needs of your art studio or workshop!
Jump straight to product reviews >
Related articles:
- Artist’s Guide to the Best Light Box for Tracing
- 10 Best Folding and Adjustable Computer Desks for Small Spaces
- Top 5 Minimalist Desk Chairs to Boost Your Productivity
- 10 Best Easel Stands And Painting Desks For Creative Artists
- 11 Best Minimalist Computer Desks to Boost your Productivity
- 12 of the Most Essential Tools Every Graphic Designer Should Have
- Best Silent Mechanical Keyboards for Creatives
- 5 Best Monitors for Graphic Designers and Digital Artists
- The Best Left Handed Ergonomic Mouses And Keyboards for Designers
How to Choose the Best Art Studio Lamp
You could spend hours comparing the aesthetics and look of desk lamps. But there are other more important factors to consider when buying an artist lamp.
Here’s what you need to know to pick the best lighting for painting studio:
Brightness
First up, the lamp should be bright enough so that you can work comfortably. You should be able to see even the smallest details without straining your eyes.
Having a well-lit environment will allow you to work for longer and at your best. You can’t produce amazing artwork if you’re struggling to see!
You’ll see the brightness of a light referred to in lumen. It’s also shortened to ‘lx.’ As a guide, the minimum should be at least 500 lumens. But the higher this measure, the better.
Ideally, your desk lamp will provide 1000 lx or more. That will ensure that you can see clearly at any time of day!
Some desk lamps allow you to adjust the brightness. This feature is a great addition as you can adapt the environment to your needs.
The Color Temperature
It’s not just the brightness of the lamp that’s critical. You also need to look up the color temperature of the light. That refers to how cold or warm the light will be.
Color temperature is measured in Kelvin and can range from 1000K up to 10,000K. The lower the number, the warmer the light will be. A 1000K light is equivalent to candlelight.
Anything lower than 4000K will have a yellow or orange shade. White light tends to range between 4500 and 6500K. Above that, the light will have a blue tinge.
It’s up to you what kind of light you prefer in your art studio. Blue or bright white light can be harsher. But it’s also shown to increase productivity and concentration.
But if you want a welcoming, cozy atmosphere, you would be better off with a lower Kelvin rating,
Size
There’s only so much space on a desk, and you want to have room for your artwork. So, it’s vital to consider the measurements of a lamp and check whether it will fit.
The best way to do this is by calculating how much space you have for a lamp on your desk. Then, you can rule out any lights that are too large.
Design
You will want a lamp that will fit in with your room design and look good.
Here are some things to think about:
- What color lamp do you want?
- Do you want a specific material like metal or plastic?
- Do you prefer modern or traditional-style lamps?
With so many options on the market, these questions will help you narrow down the choices.
LED Vs. Incandescent/Fluorescent Lamps
LED lights are becoming more popular and for a good reason. LED lights last longer, making them more economical and eco-friendly. They also don’t heat up when in use.
That’s why I’d recommend getting an LED lamp instead of a traditional light. Incandescent lamps use more energy, so you’ll have to replace them more often.
The Best Desk Lamp for Art Studio: My Reviews
Now you know what to look out for, let’s get onto the reviews! Here are my recommendations for the best art studio lamps. There’s something for everyone, no matter what style or price you’re after.
- BenQ e-Reading LED Desk Lamp with Swing Arm
- Phive LED Desk Lamp
- LEPOWER Metal Desk Lamp
- Desk Lamp with Clamp
- Brightech Litespan
BenQ e-Reading LED Desk Lamp with Swing Arm
(Image credit: BenQ)
This stylish and elegant desk lamp is perfect for any art studio. Not only does it look cool, but it’s packed with handy features!
The smart design and curved head can light up a larger space effortlessly. You can adjust the arms to get the ideal angle.
It’s also super versatile, as you can select both the brightness and temperature of the light. So you can adapt the light to your mood or needs on any day.
The light is steady and reliable, with no annoying flickering.
Thanks to smart technology, it can even pick up on the ambient brightness. That means that it will dim the light on a brighter day, saving energy (and reducing your electricity bill!)
You can place this lamp on your desk or stand it on the floor. The weighted steel base holds it steady wherever it is.
It’s one of the best natural light desk lamps around. Not only will it look great in any room, but the customizability sets it apart from other models.
- Very versatile – you can angle it in any direction
- Youc an adjust the brightness and color temperature
- It’s very expensive
Check price on
Phive LED Desk Lamp
(Image credit: Phive)
Here is another fantastic and more affordable option. If you’re on a tight budget, the Phive desk lamp fits the bill.
It looks sleek and you can change the angle to get the best lighting for your artwork. The body rotates and the lamp head swivels 180 degrees.
With a smooth, even light that doesn’t flicker, you can rely on this lamp. It’s gentle on your eyes and you can set the brightness anywhere from 15% to 100%.
While this lamp isn’t a standalone, you can clamp it onto any section of your desk. The bonus of this feature is that it takes up less space, giving you more room to get creative.
It’s also very affordable and the bulb should last for 50,000 hours. That guarantees you years of use and saves you even more money!
The Phive lamp is made from quality materials from the sturdy metal clamp to the aluminum alloy arm. It’s built to last and al all-round great choice!
- Durable and adjustable
- The bulb lasts a long time, so it’s economical and environmentally friendly
- It’s not a standalone lamp and not portable
Check price on
LEPOWER Metal Desk Lamp
(Image credit: LEPOWER)
The LEPOWER desk lamp is deceptively simple and low-cost. But don’t let the cheap price fool you. It’s an excellent lamp for artists and graphic designers.
This lamp has solid, hardwearing materials, including metal for the base and shade.
The gooseneck design is flexible, allowing you to select any angle. That makes it very versatile as you can shine the light right on your work.
It’s compact, so it won’t take over your desk. The classic black look makes this lamp look timeless and will fit in with any decor.
You can switch this lamp on and off with a flick of the button on the base. But for this price, you don’t get the advanced features and you can’t dim the light, either.
It’s a great desk lamp for anyone on a budget. It’s suitable for drawing, painting, or reading, making it very multipurpose.
- Adjustable neck allows you to get the perfect angle
- Great budget desk lamp
- You can’t dim the light or change the color temperature
Check price on
Desk Lamp with Clamp
(Image credit: AmazLit)
If you’re looking for a customizable desk lamp, grab this user-friendly model. It won’t disappoint!
For a very reasonable price, you get a cool, compact desk lamp with plenty of features. You can adjust both the brightness and the color temperature quickly and easily.
The brightness settings vary from 0-100%, giving you the full range of very dim to bright light.
You can also set the color temperature anywhere from 3000K to 5500K. This runs the gamut of warm to cold light, so you can take your pick.
If you find bright white light harsh on your eyes, you can select a lower setting for a cozier atmosphere. But if you’re working on tiny details, the full brightness and clear white light comes in handy.
As an artist, your needs can vary from day to day. This LED desk lamp can provide exactly what you need for every occasion.
It has some cool extra features like the glare-free illumination to protect your eyes. With one click, you can access specific modes, and the power-off memory comes in handy.
Thanks to the clever clamp design, you maximize the space on your desk so you can spread out your tools. Set up is simple and straightforward, and the metal clamp is sturdy and stable.
Overall, this desk lamp with clamps is fit for any artist or creative professional!
- Excellent range of features including brightness adjustability
- Durable and compact – takes up very little desk space
- You’ll need to fit this lamp to your desk, so you can’t change the position quickly
Check price on
Brightech Litespan
(Image credit: Brightech)
Brightech is well-known for creating excellent lighting solutions. They understand the needs of their customers and their products don’t disappoint.
The Litespan floor lamp is no different! This adjustable, bright lamp makes a great choice for any art studio.
You can alter the height from 42 – 53 inches, depending on your desk setup. The flexible gooseneck makes it even more customizable.
It’s also very bright with 900 lumens. That makes it powerful enough for even the most intricate drawings. You’ll see everything in crystal-clear detail with the Brightech Litespan.
As it’s a floor lamp, you don’t have to give up precious space on your desk. You can also position it anywhere around your desk, making it more versatile than a desk lamp with clamp.
It also comes in a range of cool colors, so you can pick out the perfect shade for you. This lamp even comes with a 3-year warranty for your peace of mind.
All round, this lamp is sturdy, bright, and affordable. It makes a fantastic addition to your art studio and will provide great natural lighting.
- Bright, natural light and has a flexible neck
- It looks great and doesn’t take up space on your desk
- You can’t angle it past 90 degrees for close ups on your work
Check price on
The Wrap Up
So there you have the guide to the ultimate desk lamp for artists. If you’re looking for the best desk lamp for eyes, snap up one of these fantastic lamps today!
You’ll transform your workspace into a brightly lit, welcoming area. Drawing or painting is so much easier when you can see clearly. Wave goodbye to headaches and eye strain.
These lamps tick all the right boxes, and they look cool too! Any of these lamps will be a great addition to your art studio.
Finding the right desk lamp allowed me to get more creative and produce some of my best artwork! So take your pick!
If you found this guide helpful, sign up for the Proactive Creative newsletter today. I’ll keep you up to date with the best resources, tips, and reviews for creatives.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, Proactive Creative may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
