The workspace of
A comic book artist
Introduction: There is a certain type of magic that takes place in an artist's work area. Creating the stories, the characters, and the environments of comics has shaped the very culture that we live in today, and all of this had to be created somewhere. Studios can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. It could be a kitchen table, a rented out office space, or that spare bedroom in your apartment. However, no matter how you look at it, the set up of your studio does play a factor in your work. This article will cover my personal workspace, and some my favorites from other artists.
Drafting Table: My parents gave me this as a gift, and it has served me well through many-a-drawing. It has a few accidental nicks in it from some printmaking that I did in college, but other than that it is still in good condition. I don't know that there are any super special features on it, but the table top does rotate to different angles, it has a small side table, and come with a few well placed drawers. I could not even begin to count the number of hours I have spent sitting here, or the number of drawings that I have completed at this desk. I have had this table for about 5 years, and at this point it truly feels like a part of the family. When my wife and I were looking for an apartment to live in, the location of this desk was something that was fairly high on the priority list. Every artist should have a good desk to work on, and when I say good, I am not necessarily referring to the quality. The quality of my desk is fine, but it is the character that comes with having used it for so long that I really enjoy.
Speaking of things that I really enjoy, I would be remiss if I did not mention my trusty desk chair. When I was 10 years old I got my first bedroom all to myself, and I was also able to get my first desk. At the time, my family and I lived on a military base in Alaska, and one of our favorite things to do was go to different thrift stores together. It was on one of these adventures that we picked up this desk chair. I have used this same chair since that time, and it is still holding up strong. A solid and reliable chair is equally important when you think about the number of hours that will take place in it. Again, this chair is nothing fancy, but a lot of work has taken place here and that has made it a part of the family.
Speaking of things that I really enjoy, I would be remiss if I did not mention my trusty desk chair. When I was 10 years old I got my first bedroom all to myself, and I was also able to get my first desk. At the time, my family and I lived on a military base in Alaska, and one of our favorite things to do was go to different thrift stores together. It was on one of these adventures that we picked up this desk chair. I have used this same chair since that time, and it is still holding up strong. A solid and reliable chair is equally important when you think about the number of hours that will take place in it. Again, this chair is nothing fancy, but a lot of work has taken place here and that has made it a part of the family.
Bookshelves and ToyBox: I really enjoy libraries. Being a school teacher probably plays a part in this, and the fact that I have a few relatives who work in them does not hurt either. I have always wanted something of library inside of my house that I could constantly be pulling from and reffering to, and this little set up is a good start. Here is where I keep everything from Story Ideas to Comic Books. Graphic Novels to old Pokemon cards. Art Books to Power Rangers. This shelf gives a decent snapshot into what type of story I am trying to tell, and where my interests reside. I love finding a good art book or a new graphic novel, and this is the culmination of that collection. Eventually, I am going to need more bookshelves, but then again, don't we all?
My toy-box is extremely important to me. This toy-box was made by my grandfather, and I have used it for years. Here, it doubles as a toy-box and a TV stand. A lot of my toys are on display, but I keep a few things in here to rotate with. As a TV stand it works perfect, and this is an ideal set up for our Amazon Fire Stick station.
My toy-box is extremely important to me. This toy-box was made by my grandfather, and I have used it for years. Here, it doubles as a toy-box and a TV stand. A lot of my toys are on display, but I keep a few things in here to rotate with. As a TV stand it works perfect, and this is an ideal set up for our Amazon Fire Stick station.
Walls: Still a work in progress to say the least. I am still trying to decide what exactly I would like to hanging on my office walls, but I do have a few things up and a few things in frames ready to go. On one of my walls I have three pieces by Jason Brubaker. One is a concept page on tracing paper from reMIND, the other ones are two individual panels from Sithrah Book I. Jason has a great shop where he will occasionally sell original panels and pages from his work. If you like the look of these I would encourage you to check his site out!
Some of the other things that I would like to get hung up soon are, my set of 4 X-Men #1's by Jim Lee and Chris Claremont, an illustration of Jim from Treasure Planet, a Future Trunks Watercolor by Shawn Daley, and my Full-Art Venusaur EX Pokemon card. Eventually, I would also like to find something with the Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles to hang up as well. All of these things have been favorites of mine since I was a child, and in some small way I really think that the art I am capable of now helps breathe new life into them for me. I think, sometimes, people lose interest in the things that they loved as a child because they lose the way to connect with them. Even though I may not be as involved with some of these properties as I was when I was a kid, I still feel a connection to them, and they have become a comfort for me. They make wherever I am at feel like home.
Some of the other things that I would like to get hung up soon are, my set of 4 X-Men #1's by Jim Lee and Chris Claremont, an illustration of Jim from Treasure Planet, a Future Trunks Watercolor by Shawn Daley, and my Full-Art Venusaur EX Pokemon card. Eventually, I would also like to find something with the Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles to hang up as well. All of these things have been favorites of mine since I was a child, and in some small way I really think that the art I am capable of now helps breathe new life into them for me. I think, sometimes, people lose interest in the things that they loved as a child because they lose the way to connect with them. Even though I may not be as involved with some of these properties as I was when I was a kid, I still feel a connection to them, and they have become a comfort for me. They make wherever I am at feel like home.
Digital Work Area: A lot of this equipment is due, in part, to my job as an art teacher. Of my own accord, I have a MacBook Pro, an Intuos Pro, and an Asus monitor to make my screen set up a little larger. In addition to this, over the summer, I have access to a desktop Mac and a Cintiq 13HD Touch. All of these items together make up my digital work station, and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with such great equipment. Most of digital work consists of coloring and lettering. There are an infinite number of choices in Photoshop, and I am still playing with my personal style on this front. Having access to these tools has already helped my increase my color knowledge exponentially, and I hope to learn even more. (Especially this summer.)
Bookshelves: This is where I have my Blu-Ray collection, and the CDs that I like to listen to with some regularity. There is a great little shop about 10 minutes away from where I live that sells used movies, games, and books. I frequent this store, and thus, have built up quite a little collection. My wife would say I am somewhat of a Blu-Ray snob, and I do not deny this claim. Rarely, if ever, will I go out and buy a newly released movie at full price. Most of movies have come used, and that is just fine by me. I am someone who will re-watch a movie when the situation calls for it, but I am more likely to be found on the hunt for something new. This type of bookshelf is a dime a dozen at any big-box-retail store, but it has served me well.
As a side note, on top of this bookshelf is where I house all of my Toy Story paraphernalia. Toy Story in certainly in no need of an introduction, and I love each of the movies dearly. If I had to pick a personal favorite... I would have to go with Toy Story 2. The introduction of the new characters, the fact that the villain is Newman, the Prospector, the old guy who re-paints Woody, the air port scene, the crying over Jesse scene, the introduction of Zurg, the video game scene... The list goes on and on. Seriously, I LOVE that movie. One of the best sequels of any and all time.
As a side note, on top of this bookshelf is where I house all of my Toy Story paraphernalia. Toy Story in certainly in no need of an introduction, and I love each of the movies dearly. If I had to pick a personal favorite... I would have to go with Toy Story 2. The introduction of the new characters, the fact that the villain is Newman, the Prospector, the old guy who re-paints Woody, the air port scene, the crying over Jesse scene, the introduction of Zurg, the video game scene... The list goes on and on. Seriously, I LOVE that movie. One of the best sequels of any and all time.
TV & Stereo: A great little set up. Sometimes, I really just like having music on when I work, and I have had this 3-Disc stereo since 6th Grade. (Again, another gift from my parents, at a time when I was really starting to take an interest in music.) With this I can set up a few CDs and just let them run while I am coloring. Also, this is where our Playstation 3 functions as our Netflix and Amazon Prime device. There is not a ton to comment on for this section, but it is reliable and functional. (Shoutout to the Sandman Overture Statue.)
OTher Artist Studios
Other Work Areas: Here are a few images from some of my favorite artists and their workspaces. Seeing the physical layout of different studios really helps me think about my creative workspace. While there are some considerable differences in these areas, they all feel like highly creative places to be. Seeing how the studio has transformed over time is a part of comic book history, and you can see that transformation in these images. I think that for all of the tools and tricks that a studio can provide an artist with, most would say that no matter where you are you can make your art happen. Your area my resembles Jake Parker's elaborate basement set up, or be in the same vein as Jack Kirby's humble desk. No matter where you work, the important thing is that the work gets done.
Conclusion: I hope you enjoyed this little studio tour, and that it helped you think about your own workspace. While I am coloring my comics digitally, all of my drawings are completed on run of the mill Computer Paper. This is the thesis of the Computer Paper Project, and will hopefully provide a great many stories to come. I hope that my set up and materials tour gives you a little more inspiration to buckle down and start creating your own comics.
Note: I will post better pictures of my work area tomorrow. Today was a bit of a crazy day.