I have a small drawing table in my bedroom (only 40x30cm of drawing space and a bit more for materials!), where I have the best conditions (perfect light, all my materials and the light box), only I'm sitting on the bed, my back is bent and I have no chair back. But I can just lie down from where I am! I do it often, whenever I'm waiting for colours to dry. Space is so tiny that I need to spread part of materials around me on the bed and in my lap. It may seem impractical, but it is a space of my own that I have conquered! The only drawback is that I have to move and close everything up at the end of the day. But I do it very quickly and roughly.
Due to my space my drawings are always small!
We have another desk in the living room with a PC, so I'm there especially when I need reference images, scanning and digitally finishing files. Sometimes I draw there too.
When I'm drawing with soft pastels and charcoal, as they make a lot of dust, I draw on the floor of the bedroom on the spread out cloth, on my knees. I can't stay like this for long so maybe that is why I use this technique quickly and therefore very expressively!
Many years ago I used to complain that I didn't have a big enough drawing table or the right conditions, until one day I saw Helen Stephens in a photo sitting on a tiny desk with a woolly hat wrapped up in a jumper. She didn't even have enough heat where she was drawing! That inspired me not to look for the perfect space, but to find a space of my own where I feel perfectly!
Oh, this makes me grin! So real. Thanks for this snippet of your creative life. I will have a studio when our adult children are gone. We were old parents, and great for young ones, but not good at the launching phase—will we ever get that empty nest we hear about? And it doesn't seem like it's because they enjoy being with us! 😊 But it will happen, and that's where I can spread out the art supplies and play! And you're all invited, because you need to see Whidbey Island anyway.
I do have a writing room which will be more accessible and welcoming when I tame the chaos of its current state. It feels more like being in a small treehouse (we do have one of those, too) with windows on three sides and a sky light, created by an addition where there used to be a balcony off our bedroom. Who needs a balcony when you live on five acres of trees? Thanks for the nudge to make this sweet little room inviting once again, even if that wasn't anywhere near your intention. A new focus to put off sketching? Maybe... But it might help me get there.
I’m glad it made you grin, I wasn’t sure if this was going to be helpful to anyone, but I guess a peak at the mess it takes to create is valuable. Your place of work sounds amazing, and if i was a bird I wouldn’t be vacating anytime soon!
I hear you. I also think (read: I am told) it is more difficult with the last kid leaving. Me thinking otherwise... at that time I have 'paid my due' :) I love and support them, I will always have room for them - and I do also look forward to the phase of empty nest... not sure I fear it :)
I have a small drawing table in my bedroom (only 40x30cm of drawing space and a bit more for materials!), where I have the best conditions (perfect light, all my materials and the light box), only I'm sitting on the bed, my back is bent and I have no chair back. But I can just lie down from where I am! I do it often, whenever I'm waiting for colours to dry. Space is so tiny that I need to spread part of materials around me on the bed and in my lap. It may seem impractical, but it is a space of my own that I have conquered! The only drawback is that I have to move and close everything up at the end of the day. But I do it very quickly and roughly.
Due to my space my drawings are always small!
We have another desk in the living room with a PC, so I'm there especially when I need reference images, scanning and digitally finishing files. Sometimes I draw there too.
When I'm drawing with soft pastels and charcoal, as they make a lot of dust, I draw on the floor of the bedroom on the spread out cloth, on my knees. I can't stay like this for long so maybe that is why I use this technique quickly and therefore very expressively!
Many years ago I used to complain that I didn't have a big enough drawing table or the right conditions, until one day I saw Helen Stephens in a photo sitting on a tiny desk with a woolly hat wrapped up in a jumper. She didn't even have enough heat where she was drawing! That inspired me not to look for the perfect space, but to find a space of my own where I feel perfectly!
Helen Stephen’s is boss!
She is! :-D
Oh, this makes me grin! So real. Thanks for this snippet of your creative life. I will have a studio when our adult children are gone. We were old parents, and great for young ones, but not good at the launching phase—will we ever get that empty nest we hear about? And it doesn't seem like it's because they enjoy being with us! 😊 But it will happen, and that's where I can spread out the art supplies and play! And you're all invited, because you need to see Whidbey Island anyway.
I do have a writing room which will be more accessible and welcoming when I tame the chaos of its current state. It feels more like being in a small treehouse (we do have one of those, too) with windows on three sides and a sky light, created by an addition where there used to be a balcony off our bedroom. Who needs a balcony when you live on five acres of trees? Thanks for the nudge to make this sweet little room inviting once again, even if that wasn't anywhere near your intention. A new focus to put off sketching? Maybe... But it might help me get there.
I’m glad it made you grin, I wasn’t sure if this was going to be helpful to anyone, but I guess a peak at the mess it takes to create is valuable. Your place of work sounds amazing, and if i was a bird I wouldn’t be vacating anytime soon!
Making the space inviting, is so important!
That sounds very familiar. (We have a house filled with teenagers. )
Doesn’t the birds eventually push out the youngsters from the nest? *thinking if that could be aplied* ;)
Actually the oldest spend all his time at his girlfriends - but using his room does not feel right (yet)…
My little bird is 4 and she thinks it’s her next and we are just visiting!
Ha! That's wonderful. You do know she's right, though—right?
Actually, yes, we are applying that! As gently as we're able, and with some support, but geez...
I hear you. I also think (read: I am told) it is more difficult with the last kid leaving. Me thinking otherwise... at that time I have 'paid my due' :) I love and support them, I will always have room for them - and I do also look forward to the phase of empty nest... not sure I fear it :)