How did Thomas Gainsborough’s preference for candlelight affect his brushwork?

Thomas Gainsborough’s preference for painting in subdued lighting conditions, particularly by candlelight, is widely considered the reason for his characteristic flickering, feathery brushstrokes.1

By working in these low-light environments—often using small model landscapes set up in his studio—Gainsborough moved away from the contemporary artistic preference for a smooth, detailed finish. Instead, he focused on capturing the general effect of his subjects, a technique that required his work to be viewed from a distance to be fully appreciated. This approach allowed him to maintain a lightness of touch and a delicate quality in his paintings that he felt could be lost if the works were displayed or viewed improperly.123