The main purpose of your studio is to support your creative endeavors. It should be a place free from distractions, but full of motivational tools. Keep in mind that the design of your studio will help you come up with better ideas and lot faster. Here are some tips to consider when organizing your comic studio:
Your Studio is your research library. It is your inner sanctum. You should have a small collection of reference materials that you commonly use during your creative process. This normally includes comics and graphic novels of your most inspirational artists, books on anatomy, perspective, and other "How to" art books. I also include books on writing and publishing because its what I do. Make sure that your collection is customized for you. Keep you space dedicated. Not only should this space be free from distractions, but also be completely dedicated to your comic projects. This space can be a small desk or a full sized room. The important part is that it is just used for your comic projects.
If you work on different different media, keep your projects separated. Have a section for your digital art, another for your acrylic paintings, and perhaps a section for your sketching or traditional drawing. This way you can accommodate your art supplies in a way that make sense to your productivity. Staying organized like this will keep you focused.Have enough art tools out so that you can easily reach for something without losing your train of thought, but not too many supplies that it makes your creative space messy or cluttered. Boxes and carousels make a great organizing tool for your pencils, pens, markers, brushes, and other supplies. Do not use anything toxic in your studio. I'm talking about aerosol sprays or heavy paint thinners. And even if they don't smell it doesn't mean that there aren't any harmful fumes. You don't want to use that in a space that you're going to be constantly in for hours.
Here is a small list of useful thinks to keep in your studio:
- Trash can
- Adjustable lamp
- Dry erase and/or cork board
- Computer, laptop, or tablet
- Portfolio
- Art supply bin
- Pencil/pen carousel