Dear Kris, you are so right .I have to Set up my drawing corner every time I want to draw. So I dont realy draw very often because I don't see my paints 😢. I am quite sad about that. Iam very glad that you reminded me. Many greetings Christiane marien Christiane 😊😊
Nice tips! My set-up is similar to yours only I paint with both hand so it's a little different. My paper is directly in front of me with my palette above and just to the left (11 o'clock), my water is next to my palette just to right at 1o'clock. a rag and sponge at 2o'clock. swatch sheet at 10 o 'clock and brushes at 9 and 3. tfs.
I honestly wouldn’t recommend a dining room table unless it’s an extra one that you have and done currently use or it is the only one in your dining room that you actually don’t use at all to actually eat at. This is because if you have to constantly clean it off to eat at for every meal, you’re defeating the whole purpose of dedicating a specific space set aside for you to use where you can just leave it be and come back to you as needed without the extra set up/take down process to use it. I would also recommend cleaning and refilling your water bucket with clean water and setting up a new paper ‘canvas’ for you (assuming you use the same size every time or know your next paper size needed for your next work) when you’re done painting for the day, so that when you come back to paint the next time, all you WILL have to do is wet your paints and go to work! This also gives you more inspiration to do so knowing that every is COMPLETELY set up for you and leaves little excuses not to do so when you come back to it all. This is, of course, if you don’t have children or pets that may come around and play in your supplies. You don’t want your children (especially smaller ones getting into your paints and having a super easy access to them with water, brushes and everything for them to be able to easily do so. For pets, especially cats, you don’t want them to get into a habit of using your water bucket as a water bowl especially if you walk away from your supplies for a moment and come back to find them drinking from your paint water, which can be toxic to them. I also recommend your space being out in the open IF possible. This is so that you can see your work space and won’t have to go out of your way to get to it. If your space is on a 3rd floor bedroom in your closet at the back of your home, you’re just as less likely to use that space as if you only had to re-set up at the kitchen table every time. If that’s the only space you have, then that’s fine, but it recommend setting up an allotted time to get to painting so your don’t have another excuse not to since not seeing your supplies won’t be as much as a visual reminder to do so. And one last thing, if your palette is left out in the open like this, which is recommended to have the easiest access to your supplies, it is recommended, especially in a higher trafficked area, to make sure that you have your palette covered so dust and hair etc don’t get into your paints. If you do not have a cover that comes with your palette, I’d recommend investing in a plate put upside down or a roll of Press and Seal plastic wrap that can be reused if you are careful when removing it and setting it off to the side when not in use. I’ve been using the same sheet for over two years now as to not be wasteful with it. But this product is great because it sticks to the sides of your palette without sticking to your paints-so long as you make sure to thoroughly dry out your paints first! To speed up this process. I personally like to speed up this process and just stick my whole palette in my dehydrator on low for a little while, but wouldn’t recommend sticking it in front of a fan because you could blow dust onto it as it dries. Air drying it is fine, just make sure to come back when it’s dry to cover it back up again.
I added an art rag folded over to the open space of the handle to wipe my brushes on over using a sponge. It saves even more space and is more convenient having it RIGHT there.
Thank you, Kris. I like to watch your videos but I didn't start painting yet. Soon I'll arrange a place and start my favourite subject, now I'm 64 years.❤
Thank you as always, do you have any suggestions on lights? My space is a back corner with very little natural light. Some lights are so expensive, the lighting in my corner is a soft yellow. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
I have seen many videos about stretching watercolor paper. Is this only for thinner paper, less than 140? Do you stretch your watercolor paper before painting? What do you use for your board/surface for mounting the paper? I made the wedge for tilting the watercolor paper, you suggested and it works great.
Hi. I don't stretch my watercolor though some artists feel it is important even for 140lb paper. I instead tape the paper to hard board that I cut to size.
Hi. I actually found mine on Craigslist. Search for "bar height" table instead of a regular height table, if you want to be able to stand and paint, as I do.
I have a dedicated watercolor space, it draws me to it whenever I pass, morning or night. I have an L shaped desk with functional storage and everything I need at an easy reach. Your suggestions are inspiring and make sense. I’m right handed but have my pallet and water on the left of my board. I thought the window on the right was key. Although I paint at night and early morning, it doesn’t matter. I’m going to reverse the placement and see how it works. I used to have a spare hairdryer for drying, and miss it. Definitely going on my thrifting list. I see some artists using heat tools instead of hair dryers, do you have a comment on that? I appreciate your suggestions.
I'm so happy to hear that you found this video to be helpful. Welcome to the channel. I have seen people use a heat gun instead of hair dryer. Seems to work fine. However, my only concern is if the heat gun gets too hot. It could actually dis-color the paper. I think I'll stick with my hair dryer. Have a great day. :-)
I am in the process of setting up my own home studio and these are some lovely points to keep in mind!
Wonderful!
Dear Kris, you are so right .I have to Set up my drawing corner every time I want to draw. So I dont realy draw very often because I don't see my paints 😢. I am quite sad about that. Iam very glad that you reminded me. Many greetings Christiane marien Christiane 😊😊
I hope you can establish a dedicated place to do your art. Best wishes.
Nice tips!
My set-up is similar to yours only I paint with both hand so it's a little different. My paper is directly in front of me with my palette above and just to the left (11 o'clock), my water is next to my palette just to right at 1o'clock. a rag and sponge at 2o'clock. swatch sheet at 10 o 'clock and brushes at 9 and 3.
tfs.
I'm glad you found what works for you. Happy painting!!
I honestly wouldn’t recommend a dining room table unless it’s an extra one that you have and done currently use or it is the only one in your dining room that you actually don’t use at all to actually eat at.
This is because if you have to constantly clean it off to eat at for every meal, you’re defeating the whole purpose of dedicating a specific space set aside for you to use where you can just leave it be and come back to you as needed without the extra set up/take down process to use it.
I would also recommend cleaning and refilling your water bucket with clean water and setting up a new paper ‘canvas’ for you (assuming you use the same size every time or know your next paper size needed for your next work) when you’re done painting for the day, so that when you come back to paint the next time, all you WILL have to do is wet your paints and go to work! This also gives you more inspiration to do so knowing that every is COMPLETELY set up for you and leaves little excuses not to do so when you come back to it all. This is, of course, if you don’t have children or pets that may come around and play in your supplies. You don’t want your children (especially smaller ones getting into your paints and having a super easy access to them with water, brushes and everything for them to be able to easily do so. For pets, especially cats, you don’t want them to get into a habit of using your water bucket as a water bowl especially if you walk away from your supplies for a moment and come back to find them drinking from your paint water, which can be toxic to them.
I also recommend your space being out in the open IF possible. This is so that you can see your work space and won’t have to go out of your way to get to it. If your space is on a 3rd floor bedroom in your closet at the back of your home, you’re just as less likely to use that space as if you only had to re-set up at the kitchen table every time. If that’s the only space you have, then that’s fine, but it recommend setting up an allotted time to get to painting so your don’t have another excuse not to since not seeing your supplies won’t be as much as a visual reminder to do so.
And one last thing, if your palette is left out in the open like this, which is recommended to have the easiest access to your supplies, it is recommended, especially in a higher trafficked area, to make sure that you have your palette covered so dust and hair etc don’t get into your paints. If you do not have a cover that comes with your palette, I’d recommend investing in a plate put upside down or a roll of Press and Seal plastic wrap that can be reused if you are careful when removing it and setting it off to the side when not in use. I’ve been using the same sheet for over two years now as to not be wasteful with it. But this product is great because it sticks to the sides of your palette without sticking to your paints-so long as you make sure to thoroughly dry out your paints first! To speed up this process. I personally like to speed up this process and just stick my whole palette in my dehydrator on low for a little while, but wouldn’t recommend sticking it in front of a fan because you could blow dust onto it as it dries. Air drying it is fine, just make sure to come back when it’s dry to cover it back up again.
👍
Ha! I never noticed the brush holder on the bucket. 👍
Yes. It's great!!
I added an art rag folded over to the open space of the handle to wipe my brushes on over using a sponge. It saves even more space and is more convenient having it RIGHT there.
Thank you, Kris. I like to watch your videos but I didn't start painting yet. Soon I'll arrange a place and start my favourite subject, now I'm 64 years.❤
Welcome to the channel. I wish you the best as you begin your watercolor journey. :-)
Love your videos Kris, thank you for making them!
You're welcome. Thanks for watching and leaving comments.
Thank you as always, do you have any suggestions on lights? My space is a back corner with very little natural light. Some lights are so expensive, the lighting in my corner is a soft yellow. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
I use LED with a CRI of 95%.
I’ve claimed a portion of our garage….it makes me so happy when I see it. ❤️
Wonderful!!
I use LED 5000K (Daylight) bulbs in my studio. Hope this helps
I have seen many videos about stretching watercolor paper. Is this only for thinner paper, less than 140? Do you stretch your watercolor paper before painting? What do you use for your board/surface for mounting the paper? I made the wedge for tilting the watercolor paper, you suggested and it works great.
Hi. I don't stretch my watercolor though some artists feel it is important even for 140lb paper. I instead tape the paper to hard board that I cut to size.
Here is a video about my boards... ruclips.net/video/DAF-lptBvqY/видео.html
Hi Kris - I need to buy a table like yours for painting on. Any suggestions on where to buy one? Thanks!
Hi. I actually found mine on Craigslist. Search for "bar height" table instead of a regular height table, if you want to be able to stand and paint, as I do.
I have a dedicated watercolor space, it draws me to it whenever I pass, morning or night. I have an L shaped desk with functional storage and everything I need at an easy reach. Your suggestions are inspiring and make sense. I’m right handed but have my pallet and water on the left of my board. I thought the window on the right was key. Although I paint at night and early morning, it doesn’t matter. I’m going to reverse the placement and see how it works. I used to have a spare hairdryer for drying, and miss it. Definitely going on my thrifting list. I see some artists using heat tools instead of hair dryers, do you have a comment on that? I appreciate your suggestions.
I'm so happy to hear that you found this video to be helpful. Welcome to the channel. I have seen people use a heat gun instead of hair dryer. Seems to work fine. However, my only concern is if the heat gun gets too hot. It could actually dis-color the paper. I think I'll stick with my hair dryer. Have a great day. :-)
Foldable desktop from ikea is useful with a cabinet trolley.
Great tip!
Thanks you for this and what desktop easel do you use? 🙏
This is the table top easel shown in the video - amzn.to/3P2D9Do
Thanks so much, Kris.