Oil Painting Lesson 4: Setting Up a Workspace
The advantage of working on a smaller scale is that your work area doesn’t have to be huge.
For many years, I painted in the dining room of our family home. I bought a small table, a chair, and a trolley, and this became my workspace.
Having a dedicated area and being able to keep all my art paraphernalia in one place made a big difference to my productivity.
Whether you have a similar setup or a dedicated studio, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to get the most out of your workspace.
Lighting
It is important to remember that not all light is the same. Light can have different temperatures and hues that affect how we perceive colors.
In an ideal scenario, an artist’s studio has neutral, even lighting that is constant and bright enough to work in without being dazzling.
Although achieving perfect lighting isn’t always easy, we can control it as much as possible. This is particularly important when painting still lifes.
Drapes or blinds can regulate sunshine if it is too bright. If your space is too dark, investing in a daylight lamp can make a real difference and also allows you to work at night.
Whatever lighting you choose, make sure that both your still-life setup and your easel or painting board are illuminated with the same temperature of lighting.
Table
When I am working on small paintings, I like to be seated at a table rather than standing.
I find it more comfortable, and I am better able to keep a steady hand when painting finer details.
Depending on how large your table is, you may also be able to place your shadow box on it.
Easel
I use a table easel with a drawing board. This allows me to keep my palette and pot of diluent next to me and within easy reach.
If I am working on larger paintings, I use a radial easel or an A-frame easel.
Chair
You don’t need a specific type of chair. The most important thing is to make sure it is comfortable, because when you become immersed in a painting you may be seated for a long time.
Some artists like to use chairs with wheels so that they can easily move backward and assess their work from a distance.
An adjustable chair can also be useful because you can raise or lower the seat and alter the backrest to find a comfortable working position.
Even if you decide to work standing up, or if you don’t have enough space for a table, I recommend having a stool nearby to perch on when needed.
Storage
As well as keeping your workspace tidy and organized, storage is important so that potentially harmful materials can be kept safely out of the way.
A lockable cabinet or box is particularly useful if you have young children around.
Keeping paints, mediums, solvents, fixatives, and other materials in clearly designated places also makes it much easier to find what you need during a painting session.
Trolley
A trolley is really useful for storing jars of brushes, mediums, paints, and any other items that you want to keep within easy reach while you are painting.
A small rolling trolley is particularly practical in a home workspace because it can be positioned beside your table while you work and moved away afterward.
Workstation
Space permitting, a separate preparation area for priming boards and varnishing is extremely useful.
I use an old sideboard for this purpose. The height is ideal, and its cupboards and drawers provide additional storage.
Separating preparation jobs from your main painting table can also help keep your everyday workspace cleaner and better organized.
Safety in Your Oil Painting Workspace
Oil painting can involve working with substances that may be harmful if they are handled incorrectly, so developing good studio habits is important from the beginning.
- Ventilate your workspace. When using solvents and mediums, make sure there is adequate fresh-air circulation. Solvent vapors can cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and irritation when exposure is excessive.
- Remember that “odorless” does not mean harmless. Odorless mineral spirits still require appropriate ventilation and careful handling. Keep solvent containers closed when they are not being used and follow the instructions on the product label.
- Avoid unnecessary skin contact. If solvent or paint gets onto your skin, clean it off appropriately and wash your hands thoroughly. Protective gloves can also be useful when handling solvents or potentially hazardous pigments.
- Be careful with pigments. Some artist paints contain pigments that require additional care, including certain cadmium-containing colors. Read the manufacturer's safety information and avoid getting paint in your mouth.
- Do not eat or drink in your painting area. This reduces the possibility of accidentally ingesting paint, pigments, solvents, or other art materials.
- Never put a paintbrush in your mouth. This is particularly important when working with paints containing potentially harmful pigments.
- Take special care with fixative sprays. Aerosolized products create airborne particles and vapors. Follow the manufacturer's ventilation and respiratory-safety instructions and use an appropriate spray area.
- Store hazardous and flammable products safely. Keep solvents, mediums, fixatives, and other hazardous products securely closed and away from children, pets, heat, flames, and other ignition sources.
A good oil-painting workspace does not have to be large or expensive. What matters most is creating a dedicated area where your essential materials are organized, your subject and painting are properly illuminated, and you can work comfortably and safely.
Even a small table, comfortable chair, tabletop easel, lamp, and trolley can become a highly practical home painting studio.
