Light for sketching

[Guest]

I'm new and I'd like to do some sketching (if we ever get a clear night again), probably starting with the moon. For normal observation I have a small LED torch with the lens painted with nail varnish. I wondered what other people use when sketching since you have to be able to see the paper. Probably with the moon I can use a brighter light but suppose I wanted to sketch the Orion nebula. I thought one of those head band lamps might be good.

Cheers

Steve

 

[scarp15]

I believe that some use a dim (perhaps with swivel head) single LED red light torch that clips onto a clip board.  The same specification as as a head torch would likely suffice. Whilst I do not use it for sketching, I use a single Red LED Petzl Elite head torch. Sketching at night will probably also require you to respond to your senses a little more, in feeling your way around the paper and as far as possible becoming dark adapted - which in turn will enable you to become more sensitive to see more of your subject. A bright moon will likely provide enough light on those other occasions. 

[Tanglebones]

Here is an interesting little gadget I recently ordered.  It works a charm, and I’m sure others can benefit from it also:

Photon Micro

They have a red light option, and it is fully dimmable.  It has a clip that can attach on to things as well as something I’ve never seen before - a finger strap, so the light can be attached to a finger while sketching.  Very handy.

[Bizibilder]

Try Googling "Music stand light" - should be able to find both battery and maybe USB powered versions.

[Guest]

Thanks everyone. I think this is a case of suck-it-and-see.

Cheers

Steve

 

[Siriusmeg]

I use a small red bike light clipped low on my coat, so it lights up the paper well enough, but doesn't affect observing too much

[baggywrinkle]

I found this baseball hat with LED lights and then used nail varnish on them. Not over bright but good for looking at star charts etc.