Whether we live in a teeny apartment (like me) or a palatial mansion (anything over 750 sq. ft) we've all set aside a space where we go to "create". I thought it would be fun to share pictures of our studios. Where and how we work are so much a part of who we are and really provide an added dimension to our output. But the main reason is to play homage to my not-so-little assistant, Cissie, who makes sure that I remember to take regular breaks.

This is also a place to share suggestions for setting up our work spaces -- good ideas for keeping supplies organized, sharing information on neat gadgets and gizmos that we have come across, favorite pencil sharpeners, and the like.

OK, so I'll go first...
I was reading through a forum on "charcoal" (near and dear to our hearts for those of us just finishing up Cindy's Portraiture course and I came across a forum called "Charcoal Drawing, my learning journey" by ElenaM which opened on January 14, 2009. One repondent, "lancruz", suggested in his post of Jan 14th at 10:36PM that Newsprint is good for charcoal work as it "has good tooth to hold down the charcoal." I actually have a ream of it somewhere. I think I'll try and dig it out and give it a try -- AFTER I finish my final Project for Cindy's Portraiture class...

I have to wonder about this "Newsprint" I had a big pad of this to use when first learning how to work an airbrush, it was very low quality paper, not something I would use for charcoal or anything for that matter. I find you should lean a new medium on a high quality support similar to what you will be using for you final work, other wise you may frustrate yourself in the name of saving a few $.

My basement just after it was fixed up.. lot more cluttered now
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Hi Leslie You'll find we had a similar thread here. Regarding our creative areas and equipment.

I agree that Newsprint is not a quality paper for finished art work. I was thinking that it might be good for preliminary sketches and working drawings for those of us who are new to the medium while we play with techniques, strokes, and to identify and understand the various values that we would need to achieve. I have used regular copy paper and even paper bags, but the Newsprint might be easier to keep around.
btw, I'm truly envious of your workspace. Nice job!!

Hi Leslie,
I think that the newsprint idea is probably pretty good for preliminary work... as you say... for practice.

Here is a picture of my workspace that I took a while ago... see the shoe, and the facial features from portraiture? My husband and I built a sunroom with sliding screened windows to let in the breeze last summer! I love it ... the light is wonderful! I live in Northern Alberta, Canada, so the days are very long in the summer with daylight lingering til midnight!

The day the sunroom was completed, we were celebrating with a bottle of wine ( or two) and I decided then and there to make it my space to take up drawing. So, with a couple of glasses of wine under my belt, I went on line and ordered a table... and shortly thereafter I found drawspace, then Cindy's classes.
Funny how things just work out!

Hi, Leslie! This is cozy Your cat is adorable!

Tannis, it looks so professional! Extremely cool...

I work everywhere in the house and have at least four favorite places

Finally I have one.. still a blueprint, but it starts to look like my table where from now on I'll be drawing.

Tomorrow I'm going to start the first unit of the course and only few days ago I could arrange something to work on since I moved in a new house.

These are few pictures of the table, I think I will build a kind of library that I can hang on the wall so that I can leave free the space on the desk and I can move all the stuff (which's just there for the picture) that I have, which is more and more of what I could use to fill the desk

See you next time.

Ciao


P.S. the forum doesn't allow me to attach my pictures
Now I have to go, but I'll try later

Since I'm afraid that something gone wrong with the previous message I try again:


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ZioRip, this looks like a nice well thought out work space... good luck on your first unit! Be patient, at first you'll be learning the basics, but that is necessary to have a good foundation! Have Fun!

Hi Tannis, thanks for the comment.
Your workspace is outstanding!
Yesterday the course begun for me (well... this morning because of the 6 hours of difference with Italy).
Yuhuuuuuu

And here are the picture of my other desk, the one where I spend most of my existence working on my website

Tomorrow, if I don't forget, I'll publish also the pictures of howit is now

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ZioRip, I love your table. I that wall you are painting in your studio? It's really fabulous!

Thanks Donna D.