| How to Light Artwork on a Wall Posted: 17 Feb 2020 12:00 AM PST When it comes to wall art, lighting can make all the difference! Choosing an appropriate lighting fixture can give your wall art the perfect spotlight it needs to stand out. The type of bulb and the temperature of its light will also make a difference—bright, white lights can add a more modern, gallery-like aesthetic to your home while warmer, more yellow lights can provide a cozy, intimate feel. How you display the artwork on the wall can complement and elevate your design scheme while ensuring the artwork's colors stay vivid over time. [Edit]Choosing a Light Fixture - Install track lighting for flexibility and a modern, industrial look. Track lights can slide along the installation beam, which is useful if you regularly change your art display or decide to move your art pieces around on the same wall. You'll need to consider the height of your ceiling before you install the track lighting to ensure the light hits the artwork at a 30-degree angle.[1]
- If your ceilings are high, install the track away from the wall where the art is hanging.
- For a ceiling high, the track should be away from the wall.
- For a ceiling high, place the track away from the wall.
- Use a wall washer with multiple bulbs to evenly illuminate a large piece. A wall washer is a long strip of several small lights in a single unit. Washers are great for lighting wall art because each bulb ensures even light is projected onto the piece. You can either mount them from the ceiling near where it meets the wall or from the wall itself about to above the top of the artwork.[2]
- Wall washers mounted from the ceiling directly above the artwork are ideal for lighting artwork with lots of texture.
- If you want to use recessed washers in the ceiling, take the height into count. For example, if you have ceilings, mount the washing fixture to away from the wall so the light hits the artwork at a 30-degree angle.
- Mount a picture light on top of art frames for an intimate viewing experience. Picture lights can be more inviting and cozy, which is ideal for a small den or family room. They typically use low-wattage lamps that will invite you to stand closer to the piece to look at it. A picture light won't work if the art doesn't have a sturdy frame that you can attach it to.[3]
- If you're a renter, this is a great option because it doesn't require cutting or drilling holes in the ceiling.
- Note that some picture lamps have cords, so you'll need an outlet nearby. Other types require batteries (typically AAA-size) that you'll need to replace as necessary.
- The shade size of the picture-light lamp should be at least 1/2 the width of the artwork (e.g., do not use a picture lamp that's less than long for a painting that's wide.[4]
[Edit]Selecting the Bulb Type and Temperature - Mimic a professional gallery with bright, white halogen lights. Most art galleries and museums use halogen lights because of their high color rendering index (CRI), which is a number that determines how correctly a light brings out the true color of an object. Halogen lights typically score the highest with a CRI of 95 to 100.[5]
- One downside to halogen bulbs is that they get extremely hot, so it's important to keep them away from flammable materials and the painting itself.
- Halogen bulbs have an average lifespan of 2,000 hours, so you'll need to replace them more often depending on how long you leave them on each day.
- Halogen bulbs are a great choice if you plan to install track lighting because it will be far enough from the painting to provide a spotlight and not so close that the heat might damage the painting.
- Use LED bulbs to showcase oil paintings while using less energy. Many galleries use LED bulbs because they emit a diffused, more uniform light that won't cause uneven streaks and highlights on oil paintings. They're the most energy-efficient bulb and last 10,000 to 25,000 hours (the longest lifespan of any type of bulb).[6]
- LED lights come in a variety of temperatures from warm white light to cool white and daylight.
- Consider using a dimmable LED bulb if you like the flexibility of highlighting or lowlighting your artwork.
- Choose an incandescent bulb for a warm, yellow light. Incandescent bulbs will highlight the red, yellow, gold, and orange tones in an art piece, which can also create a flattering contrast for blues and greens. They're perfect for accenting artwork in a cozy bedroom, den, or dining room.[7]
- Incandescent bulbs typically come in 60, 70, or 100-watt varieties, so choose a wattage that's higher than the other bulbs in the room to make the art piece pop.
- A disadvantage is that incandescent bulbs aren't considered environmentally friendly—they produce a lot of heat (decreasing their already-short lifespan of 750 to 1,000 hours) and emit carbon dioxide.
- Flatter cool-toned artwork with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. CFL bulbs are the more energy-efficient version of traditional fluorescent and incandescent lights—a 23-watt CFL bulb will emit the same amount of light as a 100-watt incandescent bulb. The light tends to be on the cooler side, which is perfect if you have paintings with a lot of cool colors like green, blue, and purple.[8]
- While they can be more expensive than regular fluorescent bulbs, they'll last about 9,000 hours.
- CFL bulbs also come in low color temperature ranges that emit warmer, yellowish light that flatters paintings with warm colors (red, orange, and yellow hues).
- A disadvantage of CFL bulbs is that they have a relatively low CRI compared to other bulbs (50 to 90), meaning it won't render the colors as true as they're meant to be.
- Note that CFL bulbs emit a small number of UV rays, so it's best to only use CFL bulbs with art that's framed with UV-filtering plexiglass.
- Pick a color temperature that complements the colors of the artwork. The color temperature of the bulb is reported in Kelvins. Look at the painting and assess whether you want to highlight the warm or cool tones (that is, red, yellow, and orange hues versus gree, blue, and purple tones). Look at the bulb's package to determine it's Kelvin value.[9]
- A low range (2700 to 3000K) emit a warmer light much like incandescent bulbs and will enhance red and yellow tones. Cool colors might look a little dull under this type of light.
- Higher values (3500 to 6500K) give off a brighter, white light that will bring out blues and greens in the artwork. At a very high level, reds, yellows, and oranges might look slightly distorted.
[Edit]Displaying Artwork - Place the artwork on a wall that isn't exposed to sunlight. Sunlight can cause colors to dull over time, so hang your artwork on an interior wall that doesn't get any sunlight throughout the day. If this isn't an option, use curtains to protect your artwork from the strong morning and afternoon light.[10]
- Another option is to frame the artwork with UV-filtering acrylic plexiglass instead of regular glass.
- For unframed paintings, purchase UV-protecting varnish from any art supply store and spray it onto the painting.
- Adjust the light so it hits the art at a 30-degree angle. Whether you're using recessed pendants or surface-mounted lights, the light should hit the artwork at a 30-degree angle. Increase the angle to 35 degrees to highlight any textural aspects of the art—just don't go over a 45-degree angle because it will cause a distracting glare either from the frame's glass or the from the artwork's varnish.[11]
- Lighting a piece from a 10-degree angle is too close and may end up casting shadows onto the art.
- If you're using a picture light, choose one that sticks out a little from the painting so it's not being lit from directly overhead. However, feel free to break the 30-degree rule if you like the look of direct overhead lighting on a particular piece of art.
- Hang artwork at eye level or from the center to the floor. Galleries and museums abide by this rule because it's the most comfortable viewing angle for most people. Use a tape measure and pencil to mark a spot from the floor. Hold the painting up to the wall to determine where exactly you need to hang it so that point meets the center of the painting.[12]
- Note that you will not be putting the nail into the center marking—you'll need to make a hole higher on the wall depending on the length of the wire hanger.
- If you're hanging artwork over a couch, the bottom of the painting should be to above the back of the couch.
- However, feel free to break this rule as you like by leaning a tall painting against the wall, hanging a small painting over a doorway, or hanging it higher to create the illusion of tall ceilings.[13]
- If you have different types of bulbs, screw each one into a lamp and point them at the painting to see which type you like best.
[Edit]Warnings - If you want to install track lights, wall washers, or recessed lights, it's best to hire an electrician to install it for you.
[Edit]References |
| How to Donate to Locks of Love Posted: 16 Feb 2020 04:00 PM PST Donating your hair after a major cut is a way to provide a great deal of help to people in need. One of the most popular hair donation charities, Locks of Love, is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 21 who suffer from long-term medical hair loss. Once you have double-checked your hair's eligibility, sending a donation to Locks of Love is as simple as putting your hair up in a ponytail, getting a quick trim, and shipping it off in the right envelope. [Edit]Cutting Your Hair for Donation - Start with unbleached, loose hair that's at least long. In order to create hairpieces, Locks of Love has a few limitations on the kind of hair they accept. Among these are bleached hair, which interferes with manufacturing, and dreadlocks, which cannot be combed in the manufacturing process.[1]
- Check https://locksoflove.org/faq/ for a full explanation of hair restrictions.
- Hair that has been bleached in the past and has fully grown back can be accepted by LoL.
- If your hair is layered, you should measure by the longest layer, and if you have curly hair, you can pull it straight in order to reach the limit.
- Be aware that unfit hairs are sold to meet the organization's budget. Grey hairs and strands that are too short are typically sold in order to reduce the operating cost for a non-profit like Locks of Love.[2]
- If you are upset by this practice, you may wish to find an alternative organization.
- Cut your hair at home if you feel comfortable. If you have a friend or family member who knows how to trim hair, you can simply sit in a chair at home and have them make the cut. So long as you feel comfortable with this, it is the easiest way to donate your hair.[3]
- One downside to this is that your friend or family member may not be able to give you a new, shorter haircut right after cutting off the ponytail.
- Go to a hair salon or barber for a professional cut. Some hair salons do free donation cuts, while others charge normally or refuse to do donations. Check with your preferred hair salon to see if they will help you cut your hair for Locks of Love.[4]
- Try a few different salons if one tells you they don't do donation cuts.
- Shower and dry your hair before having it cut. Hair donated to Locks of Love must be fully dry and clean in order to be accepted. You should use shampoo and conditioner as you normally would, in order to remove imperfections and soften the hair.[5]
- Ask your hairdresser not to wet your hair before cutting if you go to a salon.[6]
- Put your hair up into a ponytail or braid. Use a ponytail holder to tightly wrap around the highest point you plan to cut, or braid your hair right up to that point. If your hair is particularly long, put a second ponytail holder on the lower half of the ponytail.[7]
- Hair that has been cut outside of a ponytail, including hair swept off of the floor, is not usable.
- If you are shaving your head, be sure to put the hair into multiple ponytails and cut them off before shaving.
- Cut your hair above the ponytail holder or braid. Once your hair is up, the hair simply needs to be trimmed just above the ponytail or braids, so that the holder does not slip off. A standard pair of scissors is all you need to make this cut.
- Hair that was cut off in the past is usable so long as it has been stored in a ponytail or braid.
[Edit]Submitting Your Donation - Fill out the Hair Donation Form from LoL. This form can be found on the Locks of Love website. While it is not necessary for a hair donation, it allows you to receive an acknowledgement of your donation from the organization via mail or email.[8]
- The form can be downloaded from https://locksoflove.org/get-involved/.
- If you would like an acknowledgement but can't access the form, simply write your name and mailing address or email address and include it with your shipment to Locks of Love.
- Place the hair in a plastic bag. Use a small plastic bag or sleeve to hold the braids or ponytail. You must keep the hair stored in a plastic bag during the shipping process so that it stays together and is easy for the Locks of Love volunteers to remove and sort.[9]
- Mail your hair donation to Locks of Love. The donation address listed on the LoL website is 234 Southern Blvd. West Palm Beach, FL 33405-2701. You should double check that you are mailing your donation to the right place by looking on the Locks of Love page.[10]
- Ship your donation in a padded US Postal Service Envelope. In order to protect the hair as it is in transit, you should purchase a padded envelope online or at your local post office.[11]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Make a Layer Cake Posted: 16 Feb 2020 08:00 AM PST If you're intimidated by stacking and frosting your own layer cake, learn a few simple baking tricks to make it easy. Bake cakes that are flat and even in size. If you get cakes that are domed, trim the excess at the top so the layers are flat. Spread filling or frosting between chilled layers of cake and apply a thin crumb coat to the entire cake. This will trap crumbs so you can frost and decorate a completely smooth cake. Slice your layer cake and enjoy! [Edit]Baking the Cakes - Line or grease your cake pans. Decide what size cake you'd like to make and get out the number of pans you'll need. You'll typically need 2 or 3 pans. Then cut parchment paper to fit the inside of the pans or spray the inside of each pan with baking spray. Greasing or lining the pan will ensure that the cakes don't crumble or tear when you remove them.[1]
- For example, you could use round cake pans.
- Since you bake several cakes you can either stack them and frost them to make thick layers, or slice each cake in half horizontally to make even more thin layers.
- Make the cake batter. For a homemade cake, choose your favorite recipe and mix the cake batter. Ensure that the cake will make as many layers as you need or plan on doubling the recipe. To save time, combine 2 purchased cake mixes according to the packaged instructions.[2]
- You can make a layer cake that has the same flavor of cake layers or use a different flavor for each layer.
- Use a digital scale to divide the batter evenly among the pans. Once you've mixed your cake batter, set a prepared cake pan on a digital scale. Spoon some of the batter in and then set another pan on the scale. Keep filling each of your cake pans while you weigh them so the batter is divided evenly.[3]
- Dividing the batter evenly will ensure that all of your cake layers are the same thickness.
- Wrap cake strips or towels around the outsides of the cake pans. Secure cake strips to the outside of each filled cake pan. If you don't have cake strips, tear an old kitchen towel into long strips and wet them. Wrap the damp strips around the outside of each filled cake pan.[4]
- The cake strips or towel will help the cake bake slowly from the edges towards the center. This will prevent the cakes from forming domes in the center.
- Reduce the temperature to and increase the baking time. To bake flat cakes that are easily to layer and frost, turn the oven temperature down and bake the cakes for a little longer. Doing these things will prevent the cakes from cooking quickly in the center and puffing up.[5]
- For example, if your recipe calls for baking the cakes for 30 minutes at , turn the oven down to and bake them for 45 minutes.
- Plan on increasing the baking time by one half when you reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees.
- Test the cakes and cool them completely. If you think the cakes have finished baking, insert a cake tester or toothpick into the center and pull it out. If it comes out clean and dry, the cakes are done. Then you can remove the cakes to cool completely.
- If the cake tester comes out with batter on it, return the cakes to the oven for a few minutes and check them again.
- Chill the layers for up to 5 days. Once the cakes are completely cooked, remove them from the oven and turn them out onto a wire rack to cool. When the cakes are at room temperature, cover them with plastic wrap and put them in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to 5 days.[6]
- Chilling the cakes will make them easier to slice and frost. Never try cutting or trimming warm cakes because they'll tear more.
[Edit]Cutting the Layers and Making the Frosting - Trim away the excess dome from each cake. If your cakes baked faster in the center and domed up, you'll need to slice off the excess tops so each layer is even. Hold a serrated knife so the blade is horizontal and gently saw across the top of the cake so it's completely flat. Do this for each cake.[7]
- Discard or snack on the cake dome once you've trimmed it away.
- Cut the cakes into layers. If you'd like thin layers, use a serrated knife or cake leveler to cut each cake in half horizontally. This will also double the number of layers your cake will be.[8]
- For example, if you baked 2 round cakes, instead of having 2 thick layers, slice them in half to make 4 thin layers of cake.
- For thicker layers, skip cutting the cakes in half and just plan on stacking them.
- Mix your choice of filling and frosting. Decide what flavor and type of frosting you'd like to use in between the cake layers and on top of the cake. For a variety of flavors, use one flavor for the filling and a different flavor for the top and sides.
- If you're short on time, purchase a few containers of ready-made frosting.
- For example, fill the cake with a raspberry filling, but frost it with a chocolate ganache. You could even fill the cake with custard or cream cheese filling before frosting it with a lemon or strawberry frosting.
[Edit]Assembling the Layer Cake - Place the first cake layer on a cardboard cake round or turntable. Cut a piece of cardboard to the same size as your cake pan and set it on a turntable. Spoon a dab of frosting on the center of the cardboard then set the bottom layer of chilled cake directly onto it. Put the cake top or cut-side down.[9]
- The frosting will anchor the cake layer in place.
- If you don't have a turntable, set the cardboard on your work surface or a cake plate.
- Spread frosting or filling over the bottom layer. Spoon 1/2 cup to 1 cup (125 to 250 g) of frosting onto the cake layer. Use an offset spatula to spread the frosting evenly across the top of the layer, but don't try to frost the sides.[10]
- If you prefer, you can use a piping bag to pipe the frosting onto the cake layer.
- If you're using a soft filling like a fruit curd or jam, pipe frosting around the edge of the cake layer. Then spread the filling. The frosting will prevent the soft filling from spilling out.
- Stack another layer of cake on top. If you're using a cake layer that you cut, lay it so the cut-side is facing down. It's fine if some of the frosting below the cake layer spills out over the sides.[11]
- Spread frosting or filling over the layer. Add another 1/2 cup to 1 cup (125 to 250 g) of frosting or filling to the newest cake layer and spread it so it's evenly covered. Continue to stack the cake layers and spread filling in between them until you've added all of your cake layers.[12]
- Leave the top layer of cake unfrosted for now since you'll be covering the cake with a crumb coat.
[Edit]Frosting the Top and Sides - Spread a thin crumb coat over the top and sides of the cake. Put a large dollop of frosting onto the top of the assembled layer cake. Use an offset spatula to spread the frosting across the top and sides of the cake. The crumb coat should be so thin that you can see through to the cake.[13]
- The crumb coat will trap the crumbs in the thin layer of frosting. This way, you can easily add frosting without getting crumbs in it.
- Chill the cake for 30 minutes and frost the top and sides. Put the cake in the fridge to chill until the crumb coat firms up. Then remove it and spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake. This layer of frosting should be much thicker than the crumb coat.[14]
- Spin the cake turntable slowly as you work. This will make it easier to frost the sides of the cake.
- For very smooth sides, run a bench scraper against them so the frosting level is even.
- Chill the cake for at least 30 minutes. Place the frosted layer cake in the refrigerator and let it chill until the frosting sets. This will make it easier to pipe frosting or add other decorations without the frosting sliding or melting.[15]
- You don't need to cover the cake as it chills. The frosting will prevent the cake from drying out.
- Decorate the cake. Once your cake has been completely frosted, pipe frosting embellishments on the top and sides. If you like, sprinkle cocoa or candy sprinkles over the top. Consider garnishing the cake with flaked coconut, mini-chocolate chips, or chopped nuts.
- For a botanical look, place fresh flowers on the cake. Remove the flowers just before slicing and serving the cake.
- Transfer the cake from the turntable to a cake stand. Slide a cake lifter or large spatula under the cardboard base for your layer cake. Carefully lift it up in order to move the whole cake from the turntable. Set it down on your cake stand. Then slice and enjoy the layer cake.
- Use a chef's knife to slice the cake into pieces.
- Store the layer cake at room temperature for up to 3 or 4 days. For the best texture, cover the layer cake with an overturned bowl or plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature. If you'd rather refrigerate it, store it in an airtight container for up to 1 week and let it sit out at room temperature before you serve it.[16]
- If your frosting has cream cheese or whipped cream, plan on refrigerating it instead of storing it at room temperature.
- If you get cake crumbs make their way onto your spatula as you frost, you may not be using enough frosting. Scrape the offset spatula on a bowl to remove the crumb-filled frosting. Then load the spatula again with a large amount of smooth frosting.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Round cake pans
- Cake mix or recipe
- Frosting
- Digital scale
- Cardboard platform
- Wire cooling rack
- Plastic wrap
- Cake strips or old kitchen towels
- Cake stand
- Offset spatula
- Serrated knife or cake leveler
- Cake decorations
- Cake leveler (optional)
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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