How to Make Glow in the Dark Art Glow
There’s something cool about art that comes to life after dark right? Kids are drawn to glow in the dark pretty much anything like little moths to a flame. Glow in the dark paintings add a whole new dimension to a bedroom wall, but getting the perfect glow sometimes takes more than just turning off the lights. Here's how to make your glow in the dark art glow.
How Does the Glow Work?
Glow in the dark materials work through a process called phosphorescence. During the day (or under light), the glowing pigment absorbs energy. Then, in the dark, that energy is slowly released as visible light.
The pigments I use can glow for around 12 hours after being charged. But the strength and duration of that glow also depend on how well they’re charged and the place they’re in.
What's the Best Way to Charge Glow in the Dark Art?
The glow you see at night depends on how much light the pigments absorbed beforehand. Not all light sources are equal, though. Here’s what works best:
Best Light Sources to Charge With:
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UV or Black Light
UV light gives the pigments the best high-energy charge in a very short time. Flood type UV lights or bars around 395nm are excellent and mounted close to the painting they can charge in seconds. UV lights make all the colours pop as they will charge the art to 100%. Avoid any UV that is 365nm. it is not needed and dangerous to use. UV lights can get hot but as a glow in the dark charge they are usually only used for minutes. -
Direct Sunlight
Natural sunlight is strong and effective. Just a few minutes of sun exposure will charge fully... Take care not to keep the painting in constant sunlight through, my paintings are sealed but in some (they are listed as such) constant sunlight can fade colours eventually. Of course depending on the time between sundown and the time you see the art in the dark though you may need to top up the glow before bedtime with bright room lights... -
LED or Fluorescent Room Lights
These work well. White LED bulbs (cool white/blue-toned light) are better than warm yellow ones, the difference is not much though. While the art can be charged to glow all night with room lights, they may not be enough for the colours to be seen, for that you need a 100% full UV charge. -
A bright 2000 - 3000 lumen torch is also great for a fast charge as well but again it doesn't have enough UV light in it to charge all the colours so you can see them as colours.
Tip: Avoid incandescent bulbs or halogen lights - they emit too little UV to do much charging.
Where’s the Best Place to Hang It?
Location matters if you want your glow art to charge and shine properly.
During the Day:
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Hang it in a bright room, preferably one with natural daylight.
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If daylight isn’t an option, install a UV light or bar to get maximum charging.
At Night:
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Make sure it’s displayed in a completely dark room for best effect.
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Make sure no other light source is interfering - even dim ambient light can overpower the glow details.
How to View Glow Art at Night
To experience your glow in the dark art:
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Charge it before dark using by using one of the listed lighting options.
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Turn off all lights and let your eyes adjust to the darkness, this can take a few minutes.
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Use no flashlights or phones when viewing.
Optional: Use dark curtains or blinds if you're setting up a room specifically for viewing glow art - especially needed in cities with strong streetlights.
