What is an Arch lamp?

An arch lamp is a type of lamp that has a curved arm or arch-shaped lamp that allows it to be mounted on an arch shape for painting and photography without shadows. These types of lamps are often used in craft making and other hobbies as a way to provide illumination to small-scale models.

There are many different types available, and they can be used for a variety of purposes. Some of them are designed to be mounted on a workbench or tabletop to stay below your eye line so the light will not blind you when working while providing the best lighting for the model.

When choosing an arch-shaped hobby light for crafts or scale models, it is important to consider the size and scale of the models you normally work with, as well as the type of lighting needed. For example, if you are working on a small-scale model and need precise lighting, you may want to consider using a lamp with a narrow beam or a spotlight. On the other hand, if you are working on a larger diorama and need more general lighting, you may want to consider using a version with a wider beam or a floodlight.

It is also important to consider the power source for the hobby arch lamp. Some of them are designed to be plugged into an electrical outlet, while others are battery-powered which is not really a good choice for long painting seasons. Consider your needs and the type of figures you are working on to determine the best type of arch lamp for your needs.

Advantages of a Hobby Arch Lamp

There are several advantages to using an arc-shaped lamp, for painting models or other small objects:

Lack of shadows: As mentioned previously, one of the main advantages of a half moon light is that it allows painting without shadows since light is coming at different angles all along the arch. This can be especially useful when painting a model, as you can see all the details of the model clearly.

Versatility: They can be used in a variety of settings and can be mounted on a workbench, or tabletop depending on your needs. It also allows disassembly to be able to store or even transport it to other places comfortably. This versatility allows you to use the hobby arch lamp in a way that best suits your workspace and the model you are working on.

Precision: They are designed with a narrow beam or spotlight, which can provide precise, focused lighting on a specific area of the model. This can be especially useful when painting small, detailed areas, as it allows you to see and work on the finer details of the model more easily.

Adjustable intensity: Thanks to the included dimmer, it is possible to adjust the strength of the light to accommodate the needs of each moment. It is especially indicated for people with sensitive eyes.

Ease of use: They are typically easy to use and require minimal setup. They can be turned on and off with the flip of a switch, and many are designed with adjustable brightness settings to allow you to control the intensity.

Overall, hobby arch-shaped lamps can be a useful tool for illuminating and highlighting specific areas of a model or other small object while painting and can help to improve visibility and accuracy while working.

Best Hobby Light for Crafts and Miniature Painting

The best type of light for painting figures is a diffuse, consistent light source that provides even illumination without creating harsh shadows. Natural light, such as sunlight or light from a north-facing window, is often ideal because it is relatively consistent and diffuse. However, natural light can vary depending on the time of day and weather, so it may be necessary to use artificial lighting to supplement or replace natural light. 

In this case, it is important to choose a light source that produces a soft, rather than one that produces harsh shadows or uneven illumination. Some options for artificial lighting include fluorescent lights, LED-lights, and incandescent bulbs. 

Thanks to their low consumption, low heat emission, and low cost, the best option currently would be LED-lights, always neutral/cool white lights in a range of 6000-6500K. Any number of kelvins lower will be warm and the yellow colors will distort the reality of what you are painting.

The green stuff world arc lamp offers a perfect cold illumination of 6400k which is perfect for painting figures, miniatures, and collector's busts. Although the lifetime of an LED strip is 50,000 hours, if you are an artist who spends a lot of time painting collector figures and miniatures, you can find replacement LED strips.