Arts

Have a painting studio in your home step-by-step

By: Dale Arasa - @inquirerdotnet

Inquirer Los Angeles / 08:41 PM February 27, 2021

As an artist during the COVID-19 pandemic, you need a painting studio in your home. The resulting lockdowns closed campuses and studios. Of course, this shouldn’t deter your passion nor professional work. You can set up a home studio so that you can resume crafting your masterpiece anytime.

Start by finding an ideal location in your house, and ensure it has adequate lighting. Remember to purchase the necessary art supplies and furniture. Your wall color and your preferred color palette should match. More importantly, keep safe by following safety guidelines and coronavirus restrictions.

With the right tools and methods, you could continue your art. Inspiration can strike even while you’re stuck at home. Having a painting studio at home allows you to capture those moments anytime. It enables you to continue earning as an artist while others could use it for a new hobby.

Find the Perfect Space

During this pandemic, most people experience a flurry of emotions. Folks need to release these pent-up feelings, and art is a healthy way to express these.

On the other hand, artists need to continue their trade despite quarantine restrictions. If they have a painting studio at home, they could continue to accept and accomplish commissions.

If you want a home studio, start by finding a vacant room in your house. Perhaps your garage hasn’t been used for a while, or you have a wide space upstairs.

Your general studio area should be clear of clutter. If you can, move unnecessary knick-knacks and furniture out of that space. It should be wide enough to let you move freely.

If you sketch actual objects, make sure there’s room for Still Life subjects. Meanwhile, you’ll need windows if you like drawing your surroundings.

Use Natural Light

Any artist could tell the value of proper lighting for their work. It affects the quality of their art, and it often serves as another factor in paintings.

For example, art connoisseurs laud Johannes Vermeer for his masterful use of natural or “north light.” He used it to instill vibrance and soul into his masterpieces.

Similarly, you could use natural light for your artworks. That painting studio in your home would need proper windows. If you’re using an easel, angle it as close as you want to sunlight.

Better yet, use a balcony so you can bask in the sun and fresh air. Choose direct or reflected sunlight depending on your art preferences. Your choice will significantly affect your art’s quality.

Direct sunlight may seem too harsh, but it’s excellent for vivid works of art. Meanwhile, indirect sunlight may offer subtle lighting needed for somber art pieces.

Consider Artificial Lights

Others can’t access natural light for their indoor painting studio. Thankfully, they could always get bulbs and LEDs for artificial lighting.

Incandescent and halogen bulbs are a poor choice due to their yellowish light. Worse, their heat could cause problems in compact spaces.

Fluorescent bulbs are better, but they dim and flicker over time. They also die out fast and contain mercury. It’s considered hazardous waste, so it requires particular disposal.

Light-emitting diodes (LED) are the best for indoor painting. They produce minimal heat and energy, and they can illuminate consistently for 50,000 hours.

If you want LEDs for the painting studio in your home, check the Color Rendering Index (CRI). Yours should have a rating of approximately 90 or higher.

What’s more, check the size of your light. Don’t use clamp lamps and standing lamps as they provide uneven lighting. Instead, mount a light panel on your ceiling for balanced illumination.

Look for Unique Furniture Ideas

You could leave lots of clutter while you’re engrossed with painting. Eventually, this could be a nuisance as you can’t find your materials in a mess.

You’ll need sturdy furniture that maximizes storage. It should have multiple trays like a closet to assign each with different types of art materials.

Furnishings for your home painting studio should help you clear the room. It should contain your tools and materials, so you can freely move around.

Check your local furniture store if they have the furnishings you need. If not, you could always browse online selections from Etsy, Pinterest, and other websites.

Facebook and Instagram users may have secondhand furniture you could use. While you’re at it, you could post your artworks on those sites too!

Paint the Walls a Vibrant Color of Your Choice

You should also consider the colors of your home studio walls. It will affect your creativity and, ultimately, your art.

No matter how concentrated you are while painting, your mind will notice the wall color. After all, it remains in your peripheral vision, and you’ll eventually glimpse it while working.

The painting studio in your home should have walls that match your color palette. Use warm hues for warm colors, and cool walls for a cool palette.

Light-colored or pastel walls may encourage more vibrant art. In contrast, a room with dark corners might be more suitable for somber themes.

If you want to play it safe, you could simply paint the walls white. An immaculate room won’t skew your art pieces toward a specific set of colors.

Other Concerns and Things to Know

You should consider other factors for your ideal art studio. First, you should be wary of toxic materials and proper waste disposal.

We’re far from the days of lead paint, but some pigments may still contain dangerous ingredients. Leave them haphazardly, and they may eventually become health hazards.

The painting studio in your home should have adequate ventilation. You may want to use a fan while working, so it can direct fumes away from you.

What’s more, use soap and water scrub paint smears and charcoal residue. Then, rub disinfectant on surfaces and spray it on waste materials.

Next, put your trash in plastic or Ziploc bags. Write an indication that they’ve been sanitized before tossing them into a bin.

Finally, wash your hands after cleaning your home painting studio. Read the CDC guidelines to learn how to clean your home during the COVID-19 pandemic.