Nowadays, artists work at home more often. Since they don’t have their own Art Studio, they create their masterpieces in the kitchen or living room.
By the way on our online course «Your First Watercolor» you can draw wherever and whenever you like. I will guide you step-by-step through the drawing process. And I’m sure the result will pleasantly surprise you. Go ahead and try your first watercolor.
Back on topic sometimes artists buy unnecessary things or art supplies they might use just once. I would like to tell you about my experiences and about the things I should never have bought. I’ve learnt how to setup the perfect workspace after many years.
So, let’s start!
1.Kill two birds with one stone; purchase a portable box easel either for painting outdoors or at home.
If we talk about strange and unnecessary purchases for the artist, mine was the box easel. I bought it Online many years ago; it was super expensive and fancy.
I was picturing myself in front of this box easel at home or outdoors. But it wasn’t comfortable there or here. It was really heavy, around 10 kg. That’s why I was asking my husband to help me or I was using a car to transport it. These moments limit you a lot in your work. Also, it occupied half of the room, well, the room was not that big though. Eventually, my box easel got loose and it didn’t hold paints any more. So, I’ve decided to change it with a table easel. Meanwhile, I used to put the sketchbook on my knees when I was going outside. It was so much better!
2. Keep all the art supplies on the table
French people have an expression “ mise en place ‘’ (means “putting in place”), it’s used in the culinary world. Agree, it is very important to put all pots, spoons etc. on their own places, especially when many cooks are working all together in the kitchen using the same things. If they don’t do that, cooking will become a nightmare.
The same is about the drawing process. I recommend you to use a plastic container. You can put all your materials there: pencils, tubes etc., which you might need in the process.
It is also very useful when you draw a lot of pictures and you need to use some particular colors. Sometimes we forget which colors we’ve used before.
3. Buying big pencil or watercolor sets rather than buying pieces separately
It happens very often when we buy a big set of colored pencils to save some money. Yeah, it is definitely cheaper than buying them separately. The more pencils are in the set, the more interesting is the discount.
But after a while, you will notice what remained untouched: bright blue, acid green and other intensive colors. You won’t need them anyway, because they are used for really rare emphasis. So, you will have to throw them or give them to your kids. After, you buy different natural tints by the piece. Since it’s quite difficult to find ochre or sienna colors in a set, you will definitely need to buy them on your own.
4. Draw when kids can’t see us
If we’re talking about children, all artists know how difficult is to balance between drawing and parenting, especially when their workplace is in the kitchen or living room ;)
Psychologists say that “it’s a very bad idea to draw only after you put your kids to bed”. It looks great on one hand ( the kids are asleep, they can’t see you and you can draw for your own pleasure).
On the other hand, children start to think that their mum only loves to clean, cook and take care of them and, since they constantly see you during these activities, they subconsciously believe that’s what you like. Why not? You’re always doing this!
And when you finally open the album and start to paint in front of them, they bother you and don’t let you draw. It happens because they are not used to it and it looks weird for them.
There is no need to hide yourself from the family. They must be aware of your hobby and they must know that’s important for you, the same as being next to them (but in proportion). :)
During one study in the kindergarten, children were asked: “what does your mum like to do?”. Their answer was: "my mum loves cooking, washing and cleaning!”. Oh, really! But no one saw her doing what she really loves, drawing :)
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