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Lewis Cooper

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I've always been interested in Artist's Studios, and longed to have a room of my own.  That's not going to happen.  Now at the ripe old age of 80, I've finally got myself an art desk (It's my birthday this month).  Previously, I made do with an ancient formica topped kitchen table. I work in a corner of our conservatory.  This is fine as I use water-based paint.  On the rare occasion that I dabble with oils or acrylic I'm banished to the garden shed.  I was interested in Marjorie's painting of her working space, and I hope this may be of interest to some of you. Here's my new art desk.... I've been dithering about this for a few years.  I wanted one with storage drawers and a separate work top for my paints etc.  Finally I found one, very pleased with it so far.  I tend to work flat with my sketchbooks, and on the incline when working with watercolor paper.  I've stuck an A3 sketchbook on it, this board will be plenty big enough for me...20 x 16 inches in about the largest size I work on. So, great for someone like me...you oil-painters will no doubt prefer an easel. Here's an artist's studio I found on Pinterest... I'm sure if I had one this big, I'm more than capable of making the same mess. Here's another...(an artist called Pfaff)... But these studios are just plain Fantasy for me.  However, I'm in good company, one of my favorite artists - the surrealist Magritte - worked in the corner of his spare bedroom.  Here's the great man... I guess most of us are in line with Magritte....all I need now is a suit to work in.  

Tessa Gwynne

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Yup I’m a Magritte person as regards corner of bedroom “studio”.  Your new set up looks very professional and tidy Lew, and a lovely spot in the conservatory. Those others are incredible, I guess the more space you have the more mess you can make! Would be nice though.... X
GS Feb 2022

Gudrun Ståhl Sharpley

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I love you desk.  I also love what is on it.  It's nice to guage the true size of your work.  Good size.  I am not into working very small, although some of my inks are 15.5x11.5cm.  What I would really like is an enormous studio easel with a crank handle so I can go really large, larger than the 80x120cm size I have done so far. My studio is a bedroom in our house that needs renovating so I am anxious to find another space where I can be tidy in layers of dust ... I do my watercolour on the kitchen table.

Edited
by Gudrun Ståhl Sharpley

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Lewis Cooper

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It's only tidy because it's new, Tessa.  I guess I'm in the 'honeymoon' period now, once I'm used to it it'll have stuff left all over it. Yes Gudrun, recently I prefer working in a slightly larger size.   My new sketchbooks are all A3, I have some A4 and an A5 left in the car for when I have to take my wife to hospital...a little doodling helps pass the time.  I've never had especially steady hands and it's got worse as I've got older...at home, an A3 size sketchbook is best for me now...it's easier working larger.   Though I doubt I'll ever work on a larger scale than my new art desk allows.
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Paul (Dixie) Dean

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I work on the end of the dining table in the living /dining room. In the summer I migrate to a 8x7 shed that I have built a desktop into. As the shed is no getting quite dilapidated the plan is to have a corner of the spare room, so I will buy some sort of table when the decorating has been completed. It’s great having the shed as all the grandkids have grown up helping me to paint, they still like to potter about and see what they can find. It won’t be done away with for some time yet, and on warm days it a great retreat. Can’t add photo of the shed as it’s full of boxes whilst the decorating takes place.

Jenny Harris

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Fascinating to see others’ work spaces - and how neat they are!!  I’m lucky enough to have a spare bedroom as a permanent work space,  but am ashamed to say that it’s permanently messy!  (My office desk at work wasn’t much better.)  

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by Jenny Harris

GS Feb 2022

Gudrun Ståhl Sharpley

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Love it!
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Lewis Cooper

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That's exactly how I worked for years. Dixie...as most of us, I guess.  The old kitchen table I've just got rid of was actually an upgrade.  The new art desk occupies the same space and area, but with the drawers and shelf copes with the clutter better. Jenny and Gudrun have 'rooms'...what luxury.  Not that it matters too much, we can draw on our laps if need be...and sometimes I do.

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by Lewis Cooper

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Marjorie Firth

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I'm in Kendal today and tomorrow, to relax and to visit a Colourist Exhibition. I was tempted to photo the room next to the bedroom and lie....say it was my studio. It's really quirky, with 2 windows on different walls, looking out over the river Kent. Think the hotel was formerly a tannery.  Oh how I'd love to paint in here. This thread will be interesting, thanks Lewis. I also love to see where other people paint. When I get back I'll show you the rest of my " garret" - it's not as big as you might think. However, nowadays I always use my easel, I can stand or sit.

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by Marjorie Firth

Fiona Phipps

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That’s very swish Lewis, I wouldn’t want to get it dirty. Do you prefer the tilted top? All you need now is the three piece suit and dickie bow! I’m lucky to have a good sized room to paint in but some times it still isn’t big enough. I would like a room big enough to throw all my empty paint tubes in the corner.....didn’t Lucian Freud do that?

Linda Drury

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That's a lovely work table Lewis, I'm afraid I have to improvise with my old dressing table in the spare bedroom, I pull out the top draws which house all my art materials, then place boards across and work from there but at least I have everything to hand and I can close the door on it all without having to tidy up and put things away !!!

Fiona Phipps

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It wouldn’t let me post more than one photo.
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