Term: glancing light

In painting and decorating, "glancing light" refers to light that strikes a surface at a very shallow or low angle, typically from the side. This type of lighting—often natural sunlight coming through windows or artificial light placed at an angle—can highlight surface imperfections such as bumps, dents, sanding marks, roller or brush strokes, and uneven textures.

Key points about glancing light:

• It emphasizes surface irregularities more than direct or overhead lighting.
• Commonly encountered on walls near windows, hallways, or ceilings with side lighting.
• It can make even minor flaws highly visible, especially on flat or low-sheen finishes.
• Painters often check surfaces under glancing light during surface preparation to ensure a high-quality finish.

In practice:
Professional painters in Australia and elsewhere often use glancing light during inspections to identify areas that need further sanding, filling, or smoothing before applying the final coat.