When most folks think of an artist's studio, they picture some monstrous warehouse, filled with gigantic easels and paint all over the place. The artist is there, of course, wandering around with a brush between his teeth, wearing a long white painting coat and a small red beret. That is not reality. At least not for most of us. The vast majority of us will never see such an elaborate setup (or investment) for our hobby. What you can do, however, is create an inexpensive studio arrangement at home. Let's begin. Location, Location, Location... The first thing on the list is to choose a suitable location within your home. If you are lucky enough to have a barn or an old storage shed/building, your decision is easy. If not, try to find a location that makes sense. Do you have a basement or a spare bedroom? Try to avoid using the attic unless its big enough for you to stand and stretch out, and it is free of moisture or excess heat (which disqualifies most attics that I've ever seen, due to the use of insulation). If you don't have a dedicated room or building to set up in, don't fret! You don't really need an entire room, especially if you are just starting out. Some of the most successful artists throughout history didn't have a dedicated studio! At a bare minimum, try to find a corner (at least 20-25% of a single room), to use as your studio. You can set up a small table easel and paint tray, and be on your way! Lighting. Be sure to choose a location that has decent lighting. Natural lighting is the best, although flourescent lighting is not shabby either. Ideally, try to pick a place that offers both, natural light for daytime work, and artificial light for evening work. Ventilation. This is a must if you use traditional solvents, such as turpentine or paint thinner. However, most artists tend to use the odorless turpenoid (and other such mediums and solvents), so this may or may not apply to you. Some folks have horrible reactions to certain solvents - keep this in mind if you experiment with turpentine, etc. Also, the smell of drying oil paint can be a bit much for some folks, too. At a bare minimum, crack the window on nice days.... We hope this little blurb has given you some additional insight into picking the location of your new studio.
If you paint long enough, sooner or later you will want (or need) a dedicated place to paint. This place will become your refuge from the woes of life, and the burdens of society. A place where your thoughts and imagination can run uninhibited. This place is called your studio.