#HTE

Model Painter Truly Re-Thinks the LED Task Lamp

The design of LED desk lamps all have a disappointing sameness to them; their creators seem unable to shake the traditional bulb-using form factor, and still think of a flat, weighted base and a stalk reaching upwards to support the light source. These are essentially just skinner, flatter versions of what existed before.

In contrast, Czech model painting enthusiast Matyáš Hošek came up with something completely different, designed specifically for the nature of his work. Hošek took a two-meter strip of aluminum, lined it with an LED strip and screwed both ends down to his workbench:

Hošek created this because with model painting, the artist will often accentuate the shadows with darker paint; adding this visual pop to the details gives miniatures the appearance of full-scale realism. 

However, it’s difficult to paint shadows that are obscured by real shadows, like those created by lamps that only offer directional lighting. By shaping the illumination into a semicircle, Hošek is able to get the lighting flat from side to side, as you can see in these photos:

The design may not be suitable for paper-pushers or those continually reaching to the edges of their desk, but it is perfect for executing manual work that is centered on the benchtop and of a fixed size range.

Nice work, Hošek!