If you’re new to painting, or just moved into a new space, you might be interested in how to set up your space for painting. Here are a few options to consider that will help you complete your work with your preferred conditions and comfort in mind.
Lighting
Natural lighting is great for realistic reference, but less predictable as the time of day and weather conditions make consistency hard. Artificial light can replicate natural light (although some would argue not as well as natural lighting) but is best at creating unique effects. Different colored bulbs and multiple lights around your subject, and illuminating your work, offer interesting options to reference for painting. A few low budget options for clip-on lights exist as well as more expensive set-ups. Think about the limitations of your space, budget and what type of art you want to make specifically.
Something to consider is that a color rendering index (CRI) is a quantitative measure of a light’s ability to accurately show a color’s chroma and value. There are conflicting findings on how effective this type of measurement is for painting as each person’s eyes (and artistic goals) are a bit different and the use of measurements around color in a practical sense is simply subjective. It can still be useful in understanding the way lightbulbs are labeled. For example, you may want to consider that natural light, or the sun, has a CRI of 100 so finding a light with 80-100 CRI or that output a color temperature of 5500k to 6500k (k=kelvin) will be the best way to get close to ‘natural’ light.
Maintenance
Maintaining your space starts with making sure that you’re safe. It also involves making sure that your workspace is tidy, and your tools upkept, to make sure you avoid spills and accidents.
Avoid inhaling fumes and make sure you’re working, ideally, in an open space with moving airflow for ventilation. Inhaling anything caustic should be avoided or minimized as much as possible, such as working with air brushing tools or solvent sprays. Investing in a respirator mask and safety glasses is a good step towards safety if you find yourself using aerosol or particalized paints.
Carve time out at the end of your creative venture to clean all of your brushes and tools. That way nothing hardens and makes the tool or brushes unusable for future projects. We have a full guide on how to maintain your brushes here.
Seating and Posture
It’s important to find a seating arrangement that suits your workflow. There are many different types of seating available on the market for all different types of artists. Visiting a local art store can give you the ability to test out what’s available. A few options include an artist’s horse, which can hold drawing boards and paper pads while the artist sits at the other end. There are also different types of easels, ideal for canvas painting that you can stand or sit in front of. There are also basic chairs and stools that can come stationary or with wheels. The best thing to choose is something you know you can work well in.
Something that is often overlooked is posture, or the way you sit in your chosen seat. It’s important to keep your back straight, your shoulders back and your elbows relaxed to avoid bumping into things as well as avoid long-term pain. If you find this challenging to maintain, I’d recommend practicing awareness with a timer. Set a timer for 15-30 minutes and once it goes off, check your posture to make sure you’re not hunched over or too close to your painting. It helps to bring awareness to your body and see if there are any points of pain. If so, stand up and stretch for a bit.
It is also advised to rest the eyes as well. Often times, our focus can be so great we don’t blink, or we begin to lean in too closely to what we’re working on. This can cause eye strain, which can cause headaches and even blur your vision if done in excess. If you find yourself staring too long at your work, go find a window or walk outside and look into the distance to give your eyes a break from the details.
Time limitations
In addition to setting timers for posture, it’s good to know when to stop working for a few reasons. First, if you find yourself getting frustrated or making mistakes, it can be good to take time away from your work and relax. This makes sure you’re not stressing yourself out, which results in a process of making art that doesn’t feel good.
Secondly, if you’re in the habit of working long hours, you may also find you are overworking your art. Essentially, focusing on details so much that a piece that looked good a few hours ago now look less so. Taking time away from your work and coming back to it with fresh eyes helps you make better creative decisions.
In conclusion, I hope this article has given you some insight into what options you should consider when setting up your workspace for your art. May you remain healthy, engaged and thrive in creativity.