In a blatant act of looting from MoodDuck over at Dysartes.com, I decided I'd show you my work area for painting and modeling. So to get the ball rolling, here is my desk:
The actual desk itself is one I built about five years ago to use as a computer desk. When my wife and I consolidated down from two PCs to one, we used her desk (having two PCs is a bit unnecessary when you have kids, as you barely have time for one person to use it, let alone both). The desk is a bit higher than a normal desk, as I built it so that the keyboard tray, now removed, was at the right height for myself. This makes the work surface of the desk a good height for painting - though it could be a little higher. I'm thinking about building some blocks to raise the desk another 200-300cm at some point.
The shelf on the back is a recent addition - I built it out of MDF about a month ago. Before that I had all my paints in a plastic drawer unit, which kept them out of the way, but made it difficult to find the right colour when I needed it. No problems now, the shelf holds all my paint, and a lot of other bits and pieces as well.
The blue painting tray borrows some design elements from the tray made by Games Workshop, but it's a bit bigger. It's another custom build job, and was actually my first ever wood working project. I've since drilled out a number of additional holes for more brushes and tools.
Some people may see all this as a bit elaborite for paint toy soldiers, but I like to be organised, and the benefits this set up provides are worth it - I spend more time painting, and less time organising each time I paint. I have ruthlessly worked to remove all impediments to painting, and also to remove all inefficiencies. This allows me to overcome the biggest challenge I face in my painting - procrastination. This has to be the main reason I haven't got more models painted and ready to game with. I think it's true for many people. Lets look at an example of this - sya you have 45 minutes until it's time to sit down for dinner. if it's going to take thirty minutes just to dig out the paints, brushes, miniatures, water, newspaper, pallet and lights just to get started, that 45 minute gap you had becomes 15 minutes, and you go from painting ten models in that time down to maybe two or three. Only painting three models in a 45 minute gap feels unrewarding - or much less rewarding. If your painting area also happens to be the dining table, then you'll need clean up time as well and the 45 minute gap is gone before it starts - so you don't bother, and another day goes by with no progress towards completing your army.
This all sounds like a big push to build your own desk - it's not. You can solve much of the problem with just a painting tray and a shelf to keep it on, as it can be quickly picked up and put to use. I have the luxury of a bit of space at home, so I'm able to dedicate a desk to it.
You might notice a few oddities on my desk if you look closely. Have a look at this close up shot of my painting area:
The actual desk itself is one I built about five years ago to use as a computer desk. When my wife and I consolidated down from two PCs to one, we used her desk (having two PCs is a bit unnecessary when you have kids, as you barely have time for one person to use it, let alone both). The desk is a bit higher than a normal desk, as I built it so that the keyboard tray, now removed, was at the right height for myself. This makes the work surface of the desk a good height for painting - though it could be a little higher. I'm thinking about building some blocks to raise the desk another 200-300cm at some point.
The shelf on the back is a recent addition - I built it out of MDF about a month ago. Before that I had all my paints in a plastic drawer unit, which kept them out of the way, but made it difficult to find the right colour when I needed it. No problems now, the shelf holds all my paint, and a lot of other bits and pieces as well.
The blue painting tray borrows some design elements from the tray made by Games Workshop, but it's a bit bigger. It's another custom build job, and was actually my first ever wood working project. I've since drilled out a number of additional holes for more brushes and tools.
Some people may see all this as a bit elaborite for paint toy soldiers, but I like to be organised, and the benefits this set up provides are worth it - I spend more time painting, and less time organising each time I paint. I have ruthlessly worked to remove all impediments to painting, and also to remove all inefficiencies. This allows me to overcome the biggest challenge I face in my painting - procrastination. This has to be the main reason I haven't got more models painted and ready to game with. I think it's true for many people. Lets look at an example of this - sya you have 45 minutes until it's time to sit down for dinner. if it's going to take thirty minutes just to dig out the paints, brushes, miniatures, water, newspaper, pallet and lights just to get started, that 45 minute gap you had becomes 15 minutes, and you go from painting ten models in that time down to maybe two or three. Only painting three models in a 45 minute gap feels unrewarding - or much less rewarding. If your painting area also happens to be the dining table, then you'll need clean up time as well and the 45 minute gap is gone before it starts - so you don't bother, and another day goes by with no progress towards completing your army.
This all sounds like a big push to build your own desk - it's not. You can solve much of the problem with just a painting tray and a shelf to keep it on, as it can be quickly picked up and put to use. I have the luxury of a bit of space at home, so I'm able to dedicate a desk to it.
You might notice a few oddities on my desk if you look closely. Have a look at this close up shot of my painting area:
You'll notice the artists canvas, and the plastic container with a sponge in it. The canvas is an idea I looted from MoonDucks article linked above - go read his reasons for it, as I took his advice and have to say it was a brilliant idea. The plastic container is my wet pallet. This brilliant idea save me more time, and saves me heaps of paint. It allows me to work for hours without my paint drying in the pallet (in fact, if I put the lid on the container, I can come back days later, give the paint a quick stir with a brush, and keep using it). Instructions for making one couldn't be easier:
- Get a sponge, a shallow plastic container (sandwhich size is good), a small square of baking paper (a.k.a. parchement paper) and some water.
- Put the sponge in the container and wet it down so that the water just sits over the top surface of the sponge.
- Trim the paper to fit over the sponge, press it on, let it sit for a minute, press down any paper that is lifting.
- Your wet pallet is ready for use. Using a brush, take some paoint from the pot and put it on the pallet. Wipe off excess paint on a clear spot on the pallet. Thin as needed, but note that you may not need to thin your paints quite as much.
The wet pallet and canvas allow me to stop and start painting in moments, which means I can squeeze the maximum painting time out of any gap I can find, which is not always easy. For those readers with kids, you can really appreciate what I mean.
You'll notice other aspects of my desk that may have obvious benefits - an iPod speaker dock for tunes, adjustable lamps for lots of glourious light (two lamps eliminates the deep shadowing you get when using one - especially important when painting models with a black undercoat). A comfortable chair, and all my brushes and other tools in easy reach.
You may also notice what isn't there - distractions. The one thing I don't like about MoodDucks desk is his PC - this is a big distraction that screams "don't paint them, the web beckons!". I find that the best way to keep myself focused to to remove anything that draws me away from my painting.
Thats enough for now. Next time I'll show you my current project - 184 Orks all being painted at once!
ColdWind Out.
You'll notice other aspects of my desk that may have obvious benefits - an iPod speaker dock for tunes, adjustable lamps for lots of glourious light (two lamps eliminates the deep shadowing you get when using one - especially important when painting models with a black undercoat). A comfortable chair, and all my brushes and other tools in easy reach.
You may also notice what isn't there - distractions. The one thing I don't like about MoodDucks desk is his PC - this is a big distraction that screams "don't paint them, the web beckons!". I find that the best way to keep myself focused to to remove anything that draws me away from my painting.
Thats enough for now. Next time I'll show you my current project - 184 Orks all being painted at once!
ColdWind Out.
No comments:
Post a Comment