While art can be drawn from any source, you need to have a working environment that allows you to bring your ideas to life. Your environment depends on you. You could set up shop in your home or find a separate studio to do your work. Artists flourish in different spaces, but there are basic things you need to be able to do your craft: supplies, time, and space. Consider these five things to add to your basic list.
Accessible washing area
When you are designing your art workshop, make sure your room is near a washing area. Your washing area can be as simple as having a bathroom nearby. Or you could go the extra mile and install a sink in your main workspace.
Having access to water for general cleanliness and emergencies is essential. When you are working with chemicals, sharp items, and other hazardous materials you need to act quickly and clean up any mess. Having easy access to water makes it easier to clean your materials. You have no excuse to leave your brushes covered in paint only to harden overnight.
Good light source
A good light source allows you to see your work. The shade and vibrancy of your colours, your angles, and line work can be monitored better in a well-lit environment. A good light source depends on your preference. You could have tall windows that let in a lot of natural light, or you could have an extra lamp on your desk. Your art and your eyes will thank you for it later.
Easy to clean surfaces
When working with messy mediums like pigments, ink, paint, or clay, have surfaces that are easy to clean and are low maintenance. For your worktops, you can have a table made of reclaimed wood or stainless steel. Both materials can deal with different temperatures and are easy enough to find in a furniture store.
For your floors, you can use tiles or luxury vinyl flooring. Tiles are often present in areas which deal with water like the bathroom and kitchen. Since your workshop involves a lot of cleaning, tiles could be an easy way to go. If you want to maintain a certain aesthetic and prefer a clean, sleek look, then vinyl floors are a good alternative. Vinyl is waterproof as well. A significant difference between tile and vinyl is the absence of grout. Grout is a porous material, pigments and dirt can seep in and darken the grout. You need to brush over them and reseal it every six months.
A wide desk or table
Regardless of what medium you use, you need to have a workspace that can accommodate your WIPs and current projects. An ample workspace also allows you to have all your materials in one area. You don’t need to worry about avoiding your water cup.
Reference materials
Since your workspace is meant for you to focus on your project, you need to be able to battle creative blocks. Reference materials that are related to your medium or subject can help you deal with your blocks. Having reference materials can help you then and there, you do not have to undo what you made because of missing details.
You can add more items as you go along, like a storage system for your art supplies. You can also create sections in your workspace for different mediums. Before you create your ideas, create the space that will make the process smoother.
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