Every painter dreams of working in a wide-open, sun-filled loft. But reality, more often than not, puts easels and supply cabinets into conflict with armchairs, TVs, and kitchen counters. When grand visions are hemmed in by mundane domestic needs, frustration is common and despair lurks in the background.
The solution is a “micro-studio,” or a spatial adaptation that gives artist moderate privacy and stability within a claustrophobic environment. Below, the reader will find suggestions for implementing a micro-studio or creating the components of one.
The Drop-Down Table
Hinged on the bottom edge to one side of a door or wall, a smooth piece of plywood becomes a serviceable drawing table. Inexpensive chain can connect the vertical and horizontal surfaces for support, or a hinged leg can descend underneath the desk.
The Desk Drawer Pull-Out Easel
Space-saving artists can stow a plywood or Masonite board in the bottom of a kitchen or office drawer. Hinging this makeshift easel to the substrate of the drawer is optional. A plastic silverware holder can even sit on top of it… containing either brushes or silverware!
The Cupboard Fold-Out
Swing open a kitchen cupboard and voila, more than one possibility arises. If the cupboard is below the counter, a hinged board can unfold upward into a small drawing table. For a wall-mounted cupboard, try hinging a narrow, furrowed ledge to the door’s inner surface, forming an improvised easel for small paintings.
The Plywood “Laptop”
Whether or not it’s by choice, artists sometimes draw and paint while sitting on the couch, maybe even in front of the TV. In these circumstances one might as well be as comfortable as possible. Instead of paying 20 dollars for a Masonite easel board that’s probably too large, use smooth plywood cut to the desired size, then attach narrow side pieces to hold pencils or brushes.
Drawing Table vs. Dinner Table
Severe space limits often translate into a meal table cluttered with art supplies. This can cause problems with other family members, to say the least. A quick solution is to lay an inexpensive sheet across the table before spreading out drawing materials, enabling a quick wrap-up when it’s time to eat. Another option involves a sturdy wooden overlay (for removing work, finished meals, or both) that can be quickly lifted from the table.
Canvas and Sketchbook Storage
One of the biggest problems with making art in a cramped living space is (surprise, surprise) where to put all the finished work. A few tips for canvases: store smaller ones inside larger ones, mount them back-to-back on the wall (flipping them for variety), and, if push comes to shove, favor narrow, vertical compositions that can be easily racked or stacked.
Most visual artists fill a lot of sketchbooks over the years. From time to time, spouses or partners may complain about “all those ratty-looking sketchbooks.” Here’s one way to clean up their appearance on living-room bookshelves: go to a library sale, buy inexpensive used books that still have decent bindings, cut these off, and paste them over the sketchbook binders. A superficial maneuver, perhaps, but it sure beats long evenings filled with domestic tension.
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