✨Art Studio Tour I July edition
#64 a drawing and oil painting atelier
Bonjour my little demon,
Welcome to the edition #64 of The Art Missive. We are now 12,080 😈 in this newsletter! Whether you've been here from the start or just arrived, thank you so much for reading ❤.
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In this Missive:
1/ Introduction.
2/ Monday cleanup.
3/ New workstation.
4/ The perfect lighting for art.
5/ Atelier principles.
6/ My best piece of advice.
1/ Intro.
Time for a big cleanup!
Last week, I devoted all my energy to finishing The Color of Vengeance, leaving my studio in complete chaos. To wrap up this project and start a new one, a major cleanup is in order!
My studio has changed a lot.
I think to myself, standing amidst paint splatters and disorganized jars. This space holds a special place in my heart: it is my creative sanctuary, my bubble, where only I (and Tsuki) have access.
Three months ago, I invited you to tour my studio in a dedicated missive. Since then, my space has evolved, especially with my venture into oil painting. And as I'm deep in the cleaning process, I thought it was the perfect time to give you an update.
Welcome to edition #64 of The Art Missive, where I give you a fresh tour of my atelier in the french countryside.
2/ Monday cleanup.
Monday morning, 8 AM. I’m ready to start a new project with the motivation sparked by The Color of Vengeance. But...
I step into my studio and it’s complete chaos! There’s no way to work in this mess.
For the past few days, I’ve been so focused on The Color of Vengeance that I let my studio, and everything else, descend into disorder. On one hand, it’s a good sign—I remember reading in Gary Keller’s The One Thing that a certain amount of chaos is expected when you’re deeply invested in what matters most. And that’s exactly what I did. But now, it’s time to clean up!
As I grab the cleaning supplies, it’s also the perfect moment to set up my new tool board from IKEA, which I got over the weekend.
This is the latest update to my studio, addressing the storage issues I’ve faced over the past few months. With limited space, I opted for vertical storage—using carts, wall shelves, and this board to keep my tools organized without taking up too much space on the floor!
3/ My new workstation.
The most significant changes in my studio come from my new passion for oil painting, which led to a completely new workstation setup.
It might not be the most impressive or visually stunning setup, but it’s perfectly tailored to my needs: my easel, cart, and chair are all on wheels, allowing me to adjust and move the station as needed. In my small studio, this flexibility is crucial. When I paint, I can position the station in the center, where the light is optimal. If I switch to computer work or drawing, I simply move the station against the wall, freeing up space.
I’ve also aimed to keep my workspace as minimal as possible: only the essentials—palette, paints, brushes, tissues, and solvents/mediums—occupy the area. The rest is stored away, keeping my mental space clear of unnecessary clutter.
4/ The perfect lighting for art.
Since your last visit to my studio, I’ve made a few upgrades, including adding a studio light and removing the diffuser from the first one.
All artists agree on one thing: the most critical element in a creative space is the lighting. So, even before getting proper art supplies or studio furnishings, lighting was my top concern.
In the studio, what we need is good, diffuse, natural light: 1) diffuse, because both graphite and oil paint reflect light, and direct beams can be problematic 2) natural, because it provides the best color accuracy.
The problem is, in the French countryside, weather conditions are unpredictable: the sun changes position, and sometimes, like this week, it rains. So I can't solely rely on the sunlight and that's why studio lights are a game-changer.
Studio lights ensure I have perfect lighting 24/7, giving me the freedom to create at any time. In my current studio, I’ve placed them against a white wall to diffuse the light by bouncing it off. Also, I've set the light's temperature to 5000K to mimic natural light as closely as possible.
I know... these studio lights are perfect, but they are pricey. Before I could invest in them, I used a cheap and effective alternative: a simple desk lamp.
For years, I didn't have the space nor the budget for studio lights, so I just used an average lamp and added a bulb with the right light temperature (5000-5500K and 90-100 CRI). If you want to try, you could simply turn this lamp against a wall to make the light more diffuse or position two facing lamps on opposite sides of your working surface to avoid annoying shadows.
5/ Atelier principles.
Of course, there have been many other small changes in my studio, and these past few months, I’ve faced numerous choices. The challenge when decorating a studio is to keep sight of its essential role: facilitating creation. As artists, we’re tempted to add unnecessary elements that can distract or make the space too sophisticated and complex.
To avoid this and ensure I make the right choices, I’ve followed these two principles:
1- Giving up the pretty.
While this aesthetic may feel inviting, it completely detracts you from your artwork. That’s why, professional artists like Chase Langford suggest keeping your art workspace "functionally pure" when possible.
"By that I mean, the only items that should be in your studio are for your artwork, nothing else."
Of course, I’d love for my studio to look like those Pinterest photos showing immaculate spaces reminiscent of scenes from a Ghibli film, packed with charming, cozy items. But I’ve let go of that fantasy to focus on building a space that enhances my workflow.
2- Make it evolutive
As a perfectionist and strategist, I tend to want to create the perfect space as if my setup choices are set in stone. This results in spending hours trying to anticipate my future needs, comparing current solutions, and overthinking the best choice.
With a small studio and an evolving practice like mine, I had to quickly change my mindset and ensure my space was as flexible and adaptable as possible. This way, I can continually adjust my environment to meet my evolving needs.
By following these principles, I’ve created a studio that truly works for me, allowing for efficiency and creativity without unnecessary distractions. Now, I’m ready to embark on my next artistic journey, fully equipped and inspired.
6/ My best piece of advice.
I began my artistic journey four years ago. If I had to share one piece of advice that has profoundly improved my art practice, it would be this: create a space dedicated solely to your art.
Whether it’s a corner of a desk or an entire room, create a sacred space where the only thing you can do is make art.
For me, it started with a small table that I placed wherever I could find a bit of space. But that table will always be the most important space in my life. My home.
Creating a space for art is not only a significant act of self-love but also the best step you can take right now to enhance your art practice and progress.
So, I invite you to create your own refuge, your training ground, your home.
And make it evolutive.
It will grow, change, and expand along with your artistic journey. I hope it becomes the vessel that takes your art as high as your imagination allows.
Voilà, that's all from me.
See you next week! 😈
Léa
Great read, Lea :) - I love the idea of creating a space that is only for creative projects. Apart from curating your creative space, are there any rituals/habits you practice that help facilitate a state of creative curiosity?