Ask An Artist — How Do I Create A Studio?

Many artists, artisans & crafters, have far more to offer the art and craft community than only their art. They have considerable other expertise, too. It's our pleasure to reprint this excellent article by Brenda Hoddinott. May this article be some help to those of you who do not yet have your “personal creative space”.

Planning a Personal Creative Space

In this article, I offer numerous suggestions for setting up your very own in-home studio or expanding your current workspace, as well as ideas for planning and packing a portable studio for taking your art outdoors or traveling.

PLANNING AND DESIGNING A BASIC IN-HOME STUDIO —

With the onset of home based computers and a resurgence of art-based businesses, came an exciting and virtually limitless choice of options for furnishing a home art studio.

Finding Studio Space In Your Home:

With a little innovative thought and planning, you can easily find some sort of space in your home for your creative endeavors. When you consider potential locations for your studio, take your surroundings into account, such as its proximity to your computer, phone, and windows. Your special artistic place should also be peaceful and free of distractions. Consider the following two options:

• An unused corner of any room can be turned into a creative space. If friends or family use the same space, compromises, careful planning, and respect are critical. Choose a working time that provides minimum inconvenience for others. Of course, if you have your own room, it will be even easier to create a small personal studio in a corner of this space.




• With a serious commitment to making art, and ample space in your home, comes an opportunity to set up a fully equipped in-home art studio, which you can design and customize to suit your needs.

Shedding Light On Your Art:

To see your works-in-progress properly, and prevent your eyes from becoming tired or strained, always make sure you have adequate lighting. Consider a natural light source from a window in the daytime and from artificial light on overcast days and during evenings. In addition to utilizing available light sources, you may also need a flexible-neck lamp to focus light directly on your working surface. Try and stay away from florescent lighting as it may cause eye fatigue or even headaches. If you work in an art discipline involving color, you may find incandescent (and some florescent) lighting distorts the actual pigment colors. An ideal lighting for artists is one that mimics natural daylight, such as halogen which shows true colors and reduces eyestrain. Read the packaging carefully before you buy!

Choosing Working Surfaces:

You can easily fashion a surface on which you can comfortably work. If you are a tidy artist working on small projects, consider such options as the kitchen or dining room table, or a computer or study desk. Larger projects require a different approach and a lot more space.

For example, an ideal surface for drawing is slightly sloped, and can easily be set up by using books to prop up one end of a piece of plywood. An adjustable sloped table top or drafting desk may provide additional comfort. Other visual art disciplines, especially those involving large projects, may require other more practical options such as a large worktable. Check out art supply stores, yard sales, or the classified ads of your local newspaper to find something that fits your budget and space.

Selecting Basic Studio Furnishings:

A basic comfy studio space requires resourceful planning. Before you go shopping, make a list of your needs, and measure and sketch a rough outline of the space in which you will be working. With an adequate budget and a realistic concept of the size of your artistic space, you will really enjoy designing your studio.

• Seating — A comfortable and adjustable chair saves your back from becoming tired. Make sure your chair and working surface are conducive to proper posture. An ergonomically correct chair, with or without wheels, is a necessity if you spend several hours a week on your creative projects. Within a larger studio space, you can add a good reading lamp, and comfortable chair in which you can sit, read, and research your creative projects.




• Storage — Adequate space for storing your materials and tools is essential for keeping your studio uncluttered and organized. You may have some storage containers or shoeboxes already lying around your home. If not, you can find inexpensive plastic or cardboard containers in most department or craft stores. Storage containers can be easily put away under a bed, in a closet, in a drawer, or on a shelf. A small table or storage cart (preferably on wheels) can hold your creative materials as you work. A sturdy shelving unit is ideal for storing your art books. If floor space is at a premium, consider adding a wall mounted shelving unit to hold various art supplies.




• Display — Bulletin or display boards are relatively inexpensive and provide display space for your inspirational images, photos, and art articles. You can even designate a specific wall or shelving system in your home for an ongoing exhibition of your art.

Spoiling Yourself With Some Extras:

With a serious commitment and adequate space in your home, comes an opportunity to add additional items to your creative space.

• Easels — If you are a painter, studio easels of various sizes can hold and display the paintings you are currently working on. Having your artworks, in various stages of completion, highly visible may provide inspiration and motivation.




• Comfort — A small surface on which you can make coffee and lay out snacks for guests (or yourself) is a convenient addition. A small television set can keep you company as you work.




• Technology — From a simple set of headphones connected to a small music player to an elaborate sound system, a collection of your favorite music is a fantastic addition to any creative space. Your access to information and creative subjects is greatly enhanced with technology. A computer, printer, scanner, digital camera, and photography supplies can enrich your personal creative space and your artistic experiences. A stereo system hooked into your computer allows you to utilize various music media.




• Organization — A filing cabinet or a set of binders can keep your reference materials and files organized.

Decorating Your Creative Corner:

Be creative! You will enjoy customizing a creative space to meet your individual needs. Make it a place in which you enjoy spending time. Keep your color schemes light and bright to ensure your special creative place is hospitable and pleasurable. Look through some decorating books and magazines for potential options for customizing your art space. Visit some furniture, stationery, art supply, business, and department stores.

PUTTING TOGETHER A PORTABLE STUDIO —

If you enjoy creating your art outside, consider putting together a portable set of art supplies so you’re always packed and ready to travel. You can easily customize your portable studio to your own artistic needs. As you are no doubt already aware, drawing is the foundation for many visual art disciplines. Quick sketches done on location can provide you with excellent visual references for later creating masterpieces at home.

Packing Up the Bare Necessities:

First of all, you need something in which to carry your art stuff. A briefcase, knapsack, or even a toolbox or fishing box (available at most hardware stores) is ideal. Select something large enough to hold everything you need, such as sketchbooks and drawing materials.

If you like to draw on sheets of paper, you may want to invest in a drawing board. Most art supply stores sell lightweight boards in various sizes. You can even make your own by cutting plywood, Plexiglas, or Masonite to a size slightly larger than your paper and then sanding the edges. Your paper can be taped or clamped to this surface. At most art supply stores you can find special tape specifically designed for this purpose, or clamps which are available in various sizes.

A hardcover sketchbook is a great alternative to a drawing board, and will often fit inside a briefcase or knapsack.

Adding Comfort and Enjoyment:

You should leave a little space in your knapsack, or pack up a second light bag, for a few other practical items. A portable music player with headphones blocks many distracting noises, and helps keep spectators from interrupting your work! A couple of plastic bags can protect your art (or you) in case of rain or can be used to sit on if the ground is damp. You may also wish to carry an old blanket to sit on, and maybe even beverages, snacks, and/or a lunch. Depending on where you plan to go, you may also need bug repellant.

Don’t forget your sunscreen!