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This is my primary working area. Notice that I use a drafting table
instead of an easel. I like the sturdy feel of this 42" wide table as opposed to the traditional easel. Once I
get into the next major painting, the big flat table to the left of the drafting table will be filled with reference material.
Notice the computer monitor. I work on this site and answer email
correspondence when I need a painting break. The books I use for the current major project are arranged
to the right in the tall thin bookshelves. I have gone through every book and put sticky note tabs on the pages which I need.
At the time this shot was taken (March 2004), I'm working on the small
oil, Red Dog XII. Notice the pencil study tacked above the painting. Not being a fan of paint/medium/thinner
fumes, I use a window fan to vent out vapors - seen here by the paper palette to the right of the working area.
Here's an updated shot. In the picture at the top of the page, you can see my giant 60" drafting table
on the other side of the smaller table. I have long wanted to use it instead of the smaller one, but it sat too high
for my tastes, and besides, I was "comfortable" in the arrangement. Well, one day I just took the bull by the horns
and took the large table outside and sawed off about 7" from the metal legs. The height was now perfect. You can
see the result here. I've got lots more room now to tape up my reference material around the work in progress!
Another reason I wanted to use the larger table is that I want to do some large pieces in the near future (mini murals).
This is how my table looks when I'm working on the final outline of an aircraft. When I'm painting,
I won't have near this many photos around since by then I'll have done an accurate outline of everything I need and then
a detailed pencil study - both will be the primary references from that point. Here I'm working on the cockpit
area of the lead jet featured in Pressing West at FRISCO, so I've got all my cockpit reference photos tacked up.
Update - March 2007. After a number of paintings completed with the
above arrangement, I really felt like I needed to "push" the entire drafting table, etc, forward a couple of feet to give
me more room. I finally rolled up my sleeves and rearranged things. I have much more breathing room now.
I was long-overdue in giving you a more "complete" tour of my working area anyway, so here's some updated pictures:
(above) Entrance to the second floor studio. With four small kids, the ability to close and
lock the door is a must!
The area behind the main work surface. Notice the entrance to the small walk-in closet to the left.
Also note the large rectangular white panel leaning against the far wall. That's the 20 x 40 blank canvas slated to
become Most Dangerous Game, an Fw 190 painting. There is a large bookshelf full of books to our left behind
the entrance door.
Looking over the easel into the aforementioned small closet. Good place to store drying originals,
among other things!
My main work area. Same arrangement as before, but much more room to stretch my legs without having
to leave the studio! Drawings for Deelen Wolves are on the easel.
Behind the easel chair . . . shelves and a desk chock full o' stuff. Note the shelving unit at the
extreme right of the frame.
It's the second large bookshelf full of books. Both bookshelves total about
25-30% of my reference material - the rest
are in file boxes stored downstairs by subject.
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