Setting up your acrylic painting workspace is an exciting first step in your artistic journey. Whether you live in a studio apartment, have a garage to convert, or prefer painting outdoors, this guide will help you create an efficient, inspiring, and practical environment for your creative process.
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| My Dining Room Setup |
Choosing Your Workspace Location
Small Apartment Setup
In small spaces, maximizing vertical storage and selecting dual-purpose furniture is key.
• Use a Tabletop Easel:
A folding tabletop/plain air easel is perfect for apartments. It can sit on a kitchen table when in use and fold away easily for storage.
• Glass Palette Tip:
Repurpose a kitchen cabinet shelf as a glass palette and store it vertically in a cupboard when not in use.
• Storage Solutions:
Invest in a three-tier rolling cart (like those from IKEA) to keep paints, brushes, and water jars mobile and contained.
• Surface Protection:
Use a vinyl tablecloth or taped-down butcher paper to protect your dining surface.
Garage or Basement Studio
If you have access to a garage, laundry room, or basement corner:
• Standing Easel:
Use a full-size standing easel for larger canvases.
• Permanent Setup:
You can keep a workbench or dedicated table out at all times.
• Lighting:
Add daylight-balanced lamps or LEDs to mimic natural light.
• Ventilation:
Keep air circulating if you're using mediums or sprays.
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| A Rolling Cart For Storage |
Outdoor/Plein Air Painting Space
Painting outdoors adds inspiration, but requires portability:
• Plein Air Easel:
Choose one with telescoping legs and a built-in palette shelf.
• Travel Kit:
Keep a zippered pouch or box with travel-sized tubes of paint, collapsible water containers, and compact brushes.
• Sunshade or Hat:
Protect yourself from direct sunlight to avoid glare on your work.
Workspace Must-Haves
Glass Palette: Provides a smooth surface for mixing and is easy to clean with water and a scraper. Rolling Cart: Use bins to organize brushes, paints, and mediums by type.
Water Containers: Have a large bucket for cleaning brushes and a smaller jar for rinsing.
Paper Towels or Rags: For wiping brushes or spills.
Lighting: If you’re indoors, use daylight bulbs for color accuracy.
Tape & Clips: To secure paper or canvases in place.
Tips for Keeping It Clean and Efficient
Get in the habit of immediately wiping down palettes and cleaning brushes for storage. Laying down drop clothes for floor and table makes clean up a breeze. Trust me, no one wants to scrub acrylic off the dining room table...I know this from experience. And finally, be sure to store canvases off the floor in humid or damp places to prevent mold and moisture damage.
Keywords: acrylic painting workspace, best easel for small spaces, studio setup for artists, painting supplies storage, organizing art space
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