The best countertop task light comes from in front of you, between your head and your work surface.
Use recessed downlighting placed to your left and to your right where there are no upper cabinets.
For distance out from the wall, they can be aligned with the other recessed lighting used elsewhere in the room or have their own layout sequence at about half countertop depth. For deep countertops, you might need to make some adjustments.
For where you have upper cabinets, add a second layer to the recessed lighting: countertop lighting mounted to the underside of the upper cabinet.
