I’m sure you’ve heard how soft, northern light (or southern, if you’re on the other side of the equator) in your studio is critical. But it’s all too easily an excuse, another aspect of Never Moving Beyond Liking the Idea of Being Creative. Work around what light you’ve got; your paintings aren’t going to be hung in unchanging light anyway.
This photo shows sunlight blazing through the northwest-facing window near my easel (and sunlight isn’t as rare on Skye as many believe!). Yes, I could moderate it with a blind, but that would not only shut out the view over the sea, but upset studio cat who enjoys lying on the wide windowsill.
I just settled in my studio (at last I have a studio, not a corner in the bedroom or dining room!!!) with 2 easels and handy table (originally designed for PC). I have western light there, but I arranged a huge “day-light” bulb on the opposite wall and and both light sources mixed together result in soft even light without undesirable lights and shadows on the canvas.
Interesting how natural daylight can inspire, when painting in a south facing conservatory – and by choice under a cloudy sky – as it can lead the brush and mind into slightly different directions. Light and shade have their own dynamics and it is possible to end up with a painting that is quite dramatic and interesting.