Whether it's blank walls to stop yourself from being distracted, a room to keep your supplies, or a place surrounded by inspiration and reference, this space is, for all intents and purposes, a "sacred space" where you can create and do your work.
This space, my friends, is the Studio.
(The studio of the man with the magic pen himself-- Hyao Miyazaki)
I am obsessed with finding new ways to organize my supplies. Especially since I live in a small, small house, it's important that I keep my art supplies as compact, yet as accessible as possible in order to work the way I need to. Of course, I have dreams and aspirations, and someday I want a room devoted to art. I'm gathering ideas now to guarantee that I know what I want so I don't waste money trying things that don't work for me.
Now, a studio for everyone means something different. Most people I know have some sort of "craft room" or "sewing room" in their home, but it's rarely devoted to just that. For them, it's a corner of their storage rooms where they can store their current projects, or tuck it out of sight to work on once in a blue moon... (Now, I know you do this. No point in denying it)
Regardless, the point of this post is to give you an idea on what a studio space needs in order to be motivated to be IN it, and enjoy the space you are in, as well as find the supplies you need.
1. LIGHTING
Every studio needs good lighting. Dark rooms, unless you are doing traditional photography, are impractical.
Why is it impractical to have bad lighting?
A lot of art is all about precision. If you do needlework, you are making tiny incisions with a needle and thread and need to see where your fingers are going. If sewing, you need to see the big picture, not necessarily just where your sewing machine is going. If you are an artist, you need to see the colors you are using and see where your pen strokes are going without having your art covered by your hand's shadow. If you are doing anything that includes recording, you want to have lighting on your face and your work so that the video quality is good and readable to your audience.
I will go over some kinds of lighting for what you need, and their pros and cons
Natural Lighting
This is perhaps the best and most healthy kind of light. Also, having open spaces with wide windows or skylights brings a cheerful atmosphere to any room and reduces stuffiness. Having windows overlooking gardens or landscapes can bring peace and inspiration. The pattering of rain during stormy days can make a wonderful work conducive environment.
Now, a studio for everyone means something different. Most people I know have some sort of "craft room" or "sewing room" in their home, but it's rarely devoted to just that. For them, it's a corner of their storage rooms where they can store their current projects, or tuck it out of sight to work on once in a blue moon... (Now, I know you do this. No point in denying it)
Regardless, the point of this post is to give you an idea on what a studio space needs in order to be motivated to be IN it, and enjoy the space you are in, as well as find the supplies you need.
1. LIGHTING
Every studio needs good lighting. Dark rooms, unless you are doing traditional photography, are impractical.
Why is it impractical to have bad lighting?
A lot of art is all about precision. If you do needlework, you are making tiny incisions with a needle and thread and need to see where your fingers are going. If sewing, you need to see the big picture, not necessarily just where your sewing machine is going. If you are an artist, you need to see the colors you are using and see where your pen strokes are going without having your art covered by your hand's shadow. If you are doing anything that includes recording, you want to have lighting on your face and your work so that the video quality is good and readable to your audience.
I will go over some kinds of lighting for what you need, and their pros and cons
Natural Lighting
This is perhaps the best and most healthy kind of light. Also, having open spaces with wide windows or skylights brings a cheerful atmosphere to any room and reduces stuffiness. Having windows overlooking gardens or landscapes can bring peace and inspiration. The pattering of rain during stormy days can make a wonderful work conducive environment.
(The studio of Rebecca Rebouche)
While many artists would argue that the natural lighting is the best, it DOES come with its cons.
-Sun damage to art
Many mediums and dyes, whether it's art supplies or fabrics, will bleach in the sun. Not only that, some furniture and knicknacks will bleach as well.
-Increased heat
The more the sun shines in the window, the hotter a room gets. Even with drawn curtains, the heat will rise. Unless you have a good ventilation or air conditioning system in place, this may make work conditions absolutely awful.
-No light/ low light conditions
At night, you aren't going to have that cheerful sun. Also, grey and gloomy days, though good for photography, may not be the best kind of light for painting. So unless you have fallback lighting, your workday will end when the light does.
LED Lighting
This has become probably the most common kind of lighting as most countries have started moving to greener energy sources. These lights take up less power than the old school bulbs, and last a ton longer. They also tend to be brighter as well.
Whether it's the lights with the long "bars" or just lamps with LED bulbs, there are plenty of options for lighting up your studio.
Many mediums and dyes, whether it's art supplies or fabrics, will bleach in the sun. Not only that, some furniture and knicknacks will bleach as well.
-Increased heat
The more the sun shines in the window, the hotter a room gets. Even with drawn curtains, the heat will rise. Unless you have a good ventilation or air conditioning system in place, this may make work conditions absolutely awful.
-No light/ low light conditions
At night, you aren't going to have that cheerful sun. Also, grey and gloomy days, though good for photography, may not be the best kind of light for painting. So unless you have fallback lighting, your workday will end when the light does.
LED Lighting
This has become probably the most common kind of lighting as most countries have started moving to greener energy sources. These lights take up less power than the old school bulbs, and last a ton longer. They also tend to be brighter as well.
Whether it's the lights with the long "bars" or just lamps with LED bulbs, there are plenty of options for lighting up your studio.
(The studio of Adam Lee, who has skylights as well as LED lights)
The cons are that LED lights function by flickering very, very fast. Many people gain headaches from the constant flickering and intense light. People who have issues with seizures or epilepsy, or if people are just sensitive to that kind of thing. After being under LED lights for too long, I start getting headaches as well.
For the long "bar lights" they are often high overhead, and although they don't burn out very quickly, they are difficult to replace.
Swivel Lights
Do you ever wish your lighting was adjustable? Are you recording videos and need light in a couple of places? Then perhaps the Swivel light is best for you.
For the long "bar lights" they are often high overhead, and although they don't burn out very quickly, they are difficult to replace.
Swivel Lights
Do you ever wish your lighting was adjustable? Are you recording videos and need light in a couple of places? Then perhaps the Swivel light is best for you.
(Favorite of animators everywhere)
That's right, this isn't just the cute mascot of Pixar animation. This light has a very practical use. (After all, they chose it as their mascot for a reason.)
This is the kind of light that people like Jazza, or Jake Parker uses for their videos. This allows them to move the light to their face when they are talking, or the paper if recording a drawing and to minimize drawing. This also allows you to work in minimal lighting conditions- having darker rooms may help with concentration and minimize headaches. If the light is too bright, you can pull it back a little. It also tends to be quite inexpensive.
This is the kind of light that people like Jazza, or Jake Parker uses for their videos. This allows them to move the light to their face when they are talking, or the paper if recording a drawing and to minimize drawing. This also allows you to work in minimal lighting conditions- having darker rooms may help with concentration and minimize headaches. If the light is too bright, you can pull it back a little. It also tends to be quite inexpensive.
The cons are mostly in the upkeep. These lamps do have to be constantly moved, turned on, turned off, having lightbulbs replaced, and the most important thing is that to work effectively the rest of the room will have to be lower light, which may not necessarily be what you need if you are constantly moving about with your work and studio. In order to have a happy medium to have moving light, but have a well lit space has to be...
Studio Lights
(Now we're getting all high falutin up in here)
These are often used in museums or galleries to have a "spotlight" effect, focusing the light on the pieces to draw the viewer's eye. This can allow you to have the light where you need it, but without having it as focused or intense as the swivel lights.
The issues are that installing studio lights CAN get expensive. Also, you do have to reach high to move the light where you need it. Also, the higher your ceiling, the less effective this is because the less focus the light will have.
Finally, there is the hipster, shabby chic studio trend...
String Lights
The issues are that installing studio lights CAN get expensive. Also, you do have to reach high to move the light where you need it. Also, the higher your ceiling, the less effective this is because the less focus the light will have.
Finally, there is the hipster, shabby chic studio trend...
String Lights
Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE string lights. But this is probably the least effective as far as practical lighting goes. If you want to do this, it will be purely for aesthetic's sake. Notice how the above picture has normal lighting to go with their string lights. Which leads to the next topic.
2. INSPIRATION
You want your space to make your creative juices flow. This is something different for everyone.
Andrew Huang, music artist and Youtuber in his studio tour said that he wants his space "plain" (By that he means not too much decor or clutter, plain colored walls, furniture that can be moved easily) in order to allow him to not get distracted.
Jazza, youtuber and illustrator said that he painted a big mural with his favorite things behind him to allow him to be in the zone, to remember why he is doing what he is. He is also raising money currently to earn enough to get a bigger and more effective studio space (that doesn't flood):
Jessica Douglas, Fantasy artist said that for her space, she is picky about the art that is put up. She doesn't often get art from other artists unless it really connects with her.
Surround yourself with things you love and that you draw inspiration from, but do not put up things that will distract you from your art. Whether you need color to help you get inspired, or plain floors and ceilings, make it so as best as you can.
For me personally, I need an organized space that allows everything to be found easily. However, I also need more decor and knicknacks- paintings from other artists, beautiful things hanging from the ceiling, music, cozy space, working color schemes--
However, if it gets too cluttered it gives me anxiety. Hyao Miyazaki's studio, shown above, would drive me absolutely INSANE while Rebecca Rebouche's and Adam Lee's studio is far too plain.
I can't say I have found one single studio that is absolutely what I want in my life. I have pinterest "mood boards" for things and ideas that I want which will eventually become something new.
Here are some of my "mood board" pins for my future art studio:
You want your space to make your creative juices flow. This is something different for everyone.
Andrew Huang, music artist and Youtuber in his studio tour said that he wants his space "plain" (By that he means not too much decor or clutter, plain colored walls, furniture that can be moved easily) in order to allow him to not get distracted.
Jazza, youtuber and illustrator said that he painted a big mural with his favorite things behind him to allow him to be in the zone, to remember why he is doing what he is. He is also raising money currently to earn enough to get a bigger and more effective studio space (that doesn't flood):
Jessica Douglas, Fantasy artist said that for her space, she is picky about the art that is put up. She doesn't often get art from other artists unless it really connects with her.
Surround yourself with things you love and that you draw inspiration from, but do not put up things that will distract you from your art. Whether you need color to help you get inspired, or plain floors and ceilings, make it so as best as you can.
For me personally, I need an organized space that allows everything to be found easily. However, I also need more decor and knicknacks- paintings from other artists, beautiful things hanging from the ceiling, music, cozy space, working color schemes--
However, if it gets too cluttered it gives me anxiety. Hyao Miyazaki's studio, shown above, would drive me absolutely INSANE while Rebecca Rebouche's and Adam Lee's studio is far too plain.
I can't say I have found one single studio that is absolutely what I want in my life. I have pinterest "mood boards" for things and ideas that I want which will eventually become something new.
Here are some of my "mood board" pins for my future art studio:
3. STORAGE/ORGANIZATION
This is BY FAR the MOST important part of the studio if you want to function in the slightest. On top of having an inspiring space, you need a PRACTICAL one. A place for everything, ease of cleanup, a place to put finished pieces so they do not get damaged...
Now, to be completely honest, no matter how much organizational stuff you buy, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COMPLETELY OPTIMIZE YOUR SPACE UNLESS YOU DIY IT.
There's just far too many art supplies out there, and far too many organizational tools that they CLAIM work, but as you go forward you will find that you STILL don't have enough, and that your space is starting to get cluttered by organizational stuff.
Luckily there are THOUSANDS of space-saving DIY ideas on pinterest, whether it's putting magnets on your paint and hanging it upside down on a metal cookie sheet, using jars or buckets, or the ingenious pegboard.
The best thing I could suggest is MAKE DIVIDERS, whether in your box, bucket, drawers, etc. That way you can sort things by color or size. Also LABEL things with what they are.
-Use file tabs in box dividers to state a size or color.
-Use washi tape, office labels, or chalkboard stickers to label each drawer and box.
-make sure that it is legible and visible.
Other things I would suggest is to make sure things are always in reach, so you don't have to waste time digging for the right box or right tool. If it becomes too much of a hassle, re evaluate your organization and move things around as necessary.
4. WORK SPACE
There are spaces for storing and holding supplies and projects, and then there's your space to work. Depending upon workstyle, this could be different for everyone. For me, I need my space to be large enough to draw on and keep my current tools out on, as well as have my computer/ipad nearby. I also want to have an angled surface or a drafter's table so that I can draw things upright. Wile I intend to have an easel, that will not be my primary workspace, though I will need it accessible for streaming and recording videos without too much effort.
Probably the best example of what I'd like for my workspace is the studios of Jake Parker or Howard Tayler.
Jake Parker has the drafting table with the swivel light as well as recording equipment, the computer with the cintiq nearby to see what he is doing. It's also very easy for him to angle his monitor near his workstation for the sake of using reference.
Unfortunately I could not find photos of Howard Tayler's studio however I have gotten to see it in person because I am friends with his daughter. He has a drafting table with a nightstand by it for supplies, swivel lights, and two monitors on swivel platforms that have the capacity of moving closer or further away depending upon what he needs it for. His studio is much smaller than many of the ones I've seen, but it's very effective.
Unfortunately I could not find photos of Howard Tayler's studio however I have gotten to see it in person because I am friends with his daughter. He has a drafting table with a nightstand by it for supplies, swivel lights, and two monitors on swivel platforms that have the capacity of moving closer or further away depending upon what he needs it for. His studio is much smaller than many of the ones I've seen, but it's very effective.
Size of your workspace is different for everyone. Some of the studios I have seen are HUGE, others have a corner of the living room and that's all they need. Others eventually graduate to bigger spaces depending upon their need to help them work more effectively.
To sum it all up and wrap it with a neat bow, STUDIOS ARE DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE depending upon their need. My need is different from other artist's needs. It's a matter of taste but also a matter of using your space effectively and organizing in the most effective way possible so you have access to your tools. Lighting is a big part of the mood of your room, though your work space is THE most significant and should be the center of your space. Size can vary, but it needs to be for your needs. If you outgrow a space, change as you need.
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