The smartest way to build a home studio on a tight budget
As with any job or pursuit, the best results emerge from a well-prepared environment. Art is no exception: a home studio can be just as important to creators as paints and pencils. It should be more than just a space to set up one of the best drawing tablets; it should be an environment that inspires creativity.)
“Artists create their best work when they can do so in an environment that is comfortable, inviting, and practical,” says character designer and illustrator Nuri Durr. “We can spend hours in the same spot toiling away at our art, so it makes sense to customise and tailor our workspace to suit our needs and tastes.”
Getting started
A personal art studio doesn’t have to be a dedicated building furnished with an array of inspiring knick-knacks or the latest monitor for artists. If artists are just starting out and working to a strict budget, even the most humble of spaces can yield effective results.
“To make a good home studio, you need a room you can close off from your living space,” says creature designer and illustrator Constantine Sekeris. “Being able to get away from your work will help you to have a good work-life balance, plus you will be able to miss work and therefore be excited to get back to it.
“The difference between a beginner and a more experienced artist is their tools and workflow. An experienced artist has a definitive process, which allows them to work smart with what they have. Meanwhile, a younger artist needs to learn how to get there and experiment with new tools.”
For Nuri, a small corner that you can work in comfortably is perfect for both beginners and seasoned professionals. “It doesn’t need to be flashy. It just needs to get the job done,” he explains.
“When I was starting out, that space was a dining room table. Later on I had a dedicated room with more space that allowed me to customise and decorate more. No matter how big or small the space is, the goal should always be to create a space that better facilitates the creative process.”
Digital vs traditional
By their very nature, digital and traditional artists have unique workflows. This is reflected in their studio setups, which need to cater to their different needs. Illustrator Chuck Grieb works across both media and has created separate spaces dedicated to each.
“Traditional media requires space and can be messy,” he reveals. “I find that the digital workstation requires less space and is less messy. An iPad alone can serve as a powerful and very portable digital art-making tool.
“My wife, who is also an artist, works predominantly with digital tools. Her workspace is much smaller than mine. She sits at an old steel tanker desk outfitted with her PC and a Cintiq. The desk is set into what was once a closet space. Folding doors allow her to close the space off when she isn’t using it. She loves her small digital studio and works there eight hours each day, every day.”
Meanwhile, Anna believes that artists across the board can benefit from the same essential elements: comfortable, ergonomic furniture, good natural light, and tools that match their medium.
“In my case, that means a good PC and a Wacom Cintiq. For beginners, it’s better to keep costs low – when you’re not yet sure what works for you, there’s no point in overinvesting. For more experienced artists, there’s a stronger case for spending more on specialised equipment. And let’s be honest: the older you get, the more comfortable your furniture needs to be if you don’t want to wreck your body.”
Keeping clean
These core elements can help artists focus when creating a home studio. After all, it’s easy to prioritise aesthetics over functionality. This doesn’t mean that studios have to be clean and tidy, though. As Nuri points out, some artists thrive in organised chaos.
“I prefer a more orderly workspace where I know where everything is, though,” he says. “I like to think that my surrounding area reflects my state of mind. If you don’t have a lot of space to work with, mount as much stuff as you can to free up desk and floor space. Ideally, everything should be close by and easy to find.”
According to Constantine, keeping a studio decluttered is also good for your mental health, as it frees artists up to create in peace. “To keep my space clean, I designate one day a month to organise my studio,” he says. “This makes for a productive environment, and if I have Zoom meetings, I want to make sure that the space I work in looks professional.”
Common mistakes
Separating your workspace from your living space also benefits an artist’s mental health. Anna finds that failing to do so is one of the most common mistakes she sees when people set up a home studio.
“At the very least, don’t eat at your workstation and try to take calls somewhere else,” she says. “Your brain needs clear signals for when work ends and life begins. If you don’t provide that separation, you may feel like you’re mentally ‘at work’ every waking moment, and nobody wants that. I’m fortunate to have enough space for a separate room for my studio, and I think it’s a big reason I’ve been able to avoid burnout so far.”
Get the studio you want, here are some ideas:
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