Gallery lighting made my art look 3 different colors in 1 afternoon
I hung a new piece at a small show in Portland last Saturday and walked past it at 10am, 2pm, and 6pm. The LED track lights shifted the warm tones so much that the reds went from muddy to hot to almost orange. Has anyone else matched their digital prints to a specific bulb temperature, or do you just hope the venue has decent lights?
Ever tried printing a test strip with a clear glossy varnish over it? The sheen changes how much light bounces off the surface at different angles, which can mess with perceived color even more than bulb temperature. I've got a piece that shifts from cool to warm just by walking past it. If the venue has any window light mixed in, that varnish will make it even more unpredictable.
That varnish thing got me thinking about a piece I hung near a north facing window last year, @ross.lily. The shift was wild, almost like the print had two different moods depending on where I stood. I totally feel that frustration, especially when you think you've finally locked in the color.