When looking at the stats for the blog, one key phrase seems to appear more than any other for search terms: “artist studio layout” or some other close variation. I did a quick search and found I’m in the Top 10 for that key phrase in Yahoo! So welcome to my studio Yahoo! Search users.
This is an older picture of the main section of my studio, but I still have the same basic layout. My setup includes a spacious, organized (sometimes) desk and comfy leather chair, Alienware Area-51 PC with all the trimmings, 24″ Widescreen and 19″ Standard LCD Displays, 6×8 Wacom Intuos 2 Pen Tablet, Canon i9900 printer, 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers for good painting music, and my trusty, worn keyboard (see the white spots). On the more boring front, I also have storage for hanging files and paperwork, pens, pencils and other office materials. I also have a lot of my own art on the walls including some unfinished canvases in acrylic; maybe I should photograph them and finish them digitally? This space accommodates everything I need to create my art and also surrounds me with some of the things I love which aids in the creative process. Above all, it is “ME” and suits my needs.
Being a predominantly digital artist, my main setup may be a bit different from a traditional artist. Since I draw and paint using my PC, I don’t keep my paints, brushes, pencils at my main desk. These supplies are at the other side of the studio on another desk. The traditional painting desk has canvas storage space, shelving for paint tubes and bottles, various brushes, and all my other supplies. Since this side is less used, it is more compact. Luckily, if I need more space, I can just move some materials to another part of the studio and really spread out.
What do you have in your studio or what have you gathered together for your studio?
Oh, I will need you to come and organize my space. Yours is so beautiful, bright, and cheery. Very uplifting and organized.
Thanks for sharing!
Carrie
Thanks for the comment Carrie! Spending a lot of time in my workspace, it has to be just right to meet my creative needs and also give me a little of that sunshine that I miss from being at my desk so much with the bright colors.
I am 77 yrs of age and with my 6yr old grandaughter have rediscovered watercolour painting. I am therefore, in the process of converting a section of my garden store into a studio.
The size of which is 7ft 6″ x 6ft 6″ .At one end of the length, there is a window, some 3ft 3″ from the floor and 3ft 3″ wide and 2ft 2″ high.
Questions.
The roof at present is clear perspex, but I might change it for something not transparent.
1] Where should I place my painting surface.?
2] What size should it be ?
3]At roughly what height from the ground and at what angle to the horizontal?
Sorry if this all sounds somewhat basic, but I want to get it right from the start,
Any information I should be aware of with regard to my grandaughter would be appreciated.
With kind regards
R.W.Jones
Hi R.W. –
To start off, you may find some of my more recent posts on designing a studio space helpful. Here they are – this details the design of my office and painting studio. There are six parts to the series.
As for your specific questions, these are really a matter of personal preference. What may be beneficial is to pick up a drafting table instead of building something. You can choose the height appropriate for you and your granddaughter, and they can be tilted or flat as needed. You can also move it around to find the best placement for light and comfort in the space. For watercolor, the drafting table would be perfect because you may want to change the tilt of the surface you’re working on to either make the pigment flow in a particular direction, or just let it pool on a flat surface.
Best of luck to you, and come back and let everyone know what you decided on.
I’m living in a renovated barnshaped dbl garage with a loft. Now my bed and bath are upstairs and the rest of living and studio downstairs. Before the renovations{some sheetrocking,insulation and laying a few oriental rugs I seemed to have a setup more ready to work but now its almost to comfy to get splashy and messy and dirty like I like it to create. Back to the drawing board to figure out if must give up warm flooring and a bit of cozy to create!?