When it comes to my painting palette, I chose to custom design an entire workstation that would be multi-functional, utilizing my small studio space in the best way possible. Because I am right-handed, my painting pallete workstation is located on the right and perpendicular to my easel. It is made of wood that is supported by metal legs. On top of the wood surface, I have both my oil painting as well as my acrylic painting palletes. When I am painting in oils, I use a beveled edged heavy sheet of glass as my pallete. For acrylic painting, I removed the glass and utilize a large sheet of plastic cut specifically to fit my entire painting pallete surface (52 inches long).
This is the frontal view of my studio painting palette workstation. It is multi functional. I not only use it for both my oil and acrylic painting needs but also for videotaping step-by-step demonstrations for my students and patrons. You will notice the high definition camera above the pallete. I have another camera on my easel. When I am doing demonstrations, students can see both the pallete as well as the easel.
Under the desktop, I have a taboret filled with essentials for drawing and painting. I decorated the drawers with black paint and gold sponging.
To properly see colors when I am mixing, I chose to place a neutral (photo gray) sheet of painted watercolor paper under my glass palette. I painted the gray tone using acrylics and a roller to match the photo neutral gray swatch as close as I could. I have other colors that I place under the palette as well. The gray is the one I use the most.
I have two bins when it comes to washing my brushes. The glass container houses artist quality safflower oil (Gamblin) and I use it to clean my brushes while painting. The metal container, on the other hand, houses grocery store bought safflower oil. I use the metal container at the end of the day when I’m cleaning my brushes. You can see more about my brush care routine here. As I am working, I also use sealable metal cups to contain my oil painting mediums. I typically paint with either purified linseed oil or walnut oil. You can see the metal cups i the picture below.
At the end the day, I close off my painting palette with a custom-designed cover. It is made of solid wood that has been put into a framework with a routered edge, allowing for a clear plastic cover to be placed on top. The plastic is removable. To decorate the palette cover, I painted it black and sponged gold on top to match my taboret and brush holder.
All of my brushes and tools are organized by media and usage. Inside each one of the large glass containers, are other smaller glass containers which separate the brushes by type. I like the clear glass because I can see everything so that nothing gets hidden at the bottom of the can. I also like to stick things inside the glass containers in the front. Shown in the picture above are a few mementos. The metal door lock is from the old New Yorker Hotel that I bought from an antique store and the other is from Illuxcon. In the picture below, I may have every tool imaginable, including ones I’ve created myself. One third of my large painting palette workstation is covered with containers of brushes and tools.
At the back of the desk, I have custom wood boxes that house mediums and other things that I use regularly. Shown above are my oil painting mediums, brush cleaner and restorer as well as varnishes. Below is a picture of some of my acrylic painting mediums, primer and masking fluid. I also custom mixed all of my acrylic mediums based upon what kind of viscosity I’m looking for. They are made fresh when I use them.
To house my brushes while I am painting, I custom designed a brush holder. It is made of solid wood with a decorative rounded edge. There are many hole sizes to fit different size brushes. I painted my brush houlder black with gold sponging on top.
Above is the backside working table. The desk is made of solid wood and designed specifically to fit partially under the backside of my palette workstation. Sliders were put under the legs so that it can easily move in and out when I am working on projects that I would not need an easel for. I have a full sheet of glass that sits on top of the desk. You can see a work-in-process picture of the full desk below.
My husband and I did the entire project ourselves. It was easy to make and we utilized supplies we already had (except for the wood). I now have something special that perfectly fits my needs! If you have a small studio space, I highly recommend designing something to specifically fit your space.
For more of my articles that I have written in the STUDIO BASICS SERIES on Muddy Colors, check out this link:
Painting during the day, when there is plenty of light is an absolute joy. But, during days that are overcast and especially during the night time hours, everything is a completely different situation. Artificial illumination has always been a struggle for artists. In this article, I share with you what strategies I have employed in my own studio to deal with lighting.
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A Unique Approach:
Masterclass is a unique approach to learning, where each artist works on their own projects, whether that be standalone works or works in a series. Unlike a workshop or an assignment-driven class, this online atelier supports each individual artist’s intent on creating works that they really want to pursue.
There are approximately SEVEN Live Events every month. The Masterclass Saturday sessions (usually held on the first Saturday of the month) are from 11:00am to 1:00pm EST and the In the Studio sessions are from 2:00pm to 3:00pm on the same day. In addition, there is a monthly Paint, Draw + Create Together event (once a month) on Tuesday from 11:00am to 1:00pm EST and the weekly Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration Social events (3 to 4 times a month) are on Tuesday from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.
Patron Art Feedback sessions for Masterclass are conducted four times a year, giving each artist time to create their works. Artists that cannot attend live can submit up to 3 pieces for a live session review. Each review is recorded.
Experimental + Traditional Techniques:
The Masterclass online atelier covers a variety of topics from studio best practices to a vast array of experimental and traditional painting as well as expressive drawing techniques. The instructor provides monthly assistance and guidance through live demonstrations, lectures and group chats. If you miss a class, you can watch the recording at a later date.
Painted Passages: This series of posts and videos on how to employ freeform painting techniques to create magical backgrounds and environments in mixed media.
Collage Techniques: This series of posts and videos on using collage techniques in mixed-media works of art.
Working in Relief: This series of posts and videos focuses on working in relief in mixed media, exploring self-expression through texture-building and bas-relief techniques onto the painted surface.
Studio Basics: This series of posts and videos on artistic best practices for the studio artist, from working surfaces, grounds, painting mediums, varnishes, drawing and painting media to brushes, tools and equipment.
Expressive Drawing Series: This series of posts and videos explores alternative mark-making using drawing materials to create expressive works of art.
Conceptual Development: This series of posts and videos focuses on developing concepts for visually expressive works of art.
Masks, Props + Costuming: This series of posts and videos focuses on how I create unique masks, props and costumes for my figurative subjects.
Insights from the Natural World: This series of posts and videos explores using nature as an inspirational muse for creating artistic works
Just Imagine: This series of posts and videos explore working in a sketchbook as well as creating custom made books. Tactile surfaces, unique designs and engaging presentations stimulate brain activity, allowing artists to drift back to a playful state of mind.
Paint Pictures with Words Writing Club: This series of posts and videos explore writing about our works, creating poetry and prose and using the power of words to assist in the creative process!
Mixed Media Artist Series: This series of posts and videos includes insightful and thought-provoking profiles of leading artists, working in unique techniques and innovative approaches in art.
The Art of Promotion: This series of posts and videos cover artistic promotional strategies and practices.
Check out the complete Collection of Content already on the Navigating the Labyrinth of the Creative Mind site!
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The artist brings you into her studio through live behind-the-scenes access and weekly posts and videos to current projects and creative endeavors.
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Discussions regarding artistic growth and development, nurturing the creative spirit, developing personal content, embracing a multidisciplinary mindset and creating message-driven art are also explored as ways to assist artists on their own creative path.
Throughout this online workshop experience, artists discover a multitude of ways to ignite creativity, opening the door for the artistic spirit to shine! Check out the testimonials above from artists around the globe!
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Every month on the Navigating the Labyrinth of the Creative Mind site, there is new Sketchbook Challenge prompt and directive, allowing artists to discover alternative ways in which to practice art that is more personal. Art created from this endeavor is shared on the private Community Chat with other artists.
Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration Weekly Social
Every Tuesday night from 7:00pm to 8:30pm EST, you can attend an open sketchbook night social event called Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration. We discuss the Rediscovering Your Creative Self podcast episode of the week, setting an intention for our work and making daily lifestyle changes that enhance creativity.
Artists use the Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration weekly get-together as a time to commit to working in their sketchbook, experimenting and discussing with other artists topics that will help in developing a relationship with the creative spirit that resides within. Recordings are available for Masterclass artists if they miss a session!
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Your membership also includes private access to the Community Group, where patrons share art and works-in-progress, post the monthly Sketchbook Challenges as well as the weekly Sketchbook Meditation + Exploration Social art and work from the Paint Pictures with Words Writing Club. They also share inspiration, discuss new artistic tools, products and equipment as well as interesting and informative books on art and so much more!
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copyright 2023 Lisa L. Cyr, Cyr Studio LLC all rights reserved
Your workspace is definitely well organized than mine, I guess I work well in chaos!
I also have my paint palette on the right while my stand up easel is to the left. My brushes and painting water is housed in old Planters Peanuts glass containers before they got switched over to plastic probably a decade ago.
Thank you for sharing a view into your creative world Lisa! 🙂
You are so very welcome!