| The watercolor painting workspace plays a | | | | the back of discarded spoiled work. Pin a |
| vital part in the success of a | | | | cotton strip 4 inches wide 2 feet long to the |
| watercolorist.It is easier and more | | | | right of the board into the edge of the |
| productive having a private room to work. | | | | worktop for quick cleaning. Also use half a |
| Some painters need more space than others. | | | | hand towel for drying hands.The ground is not |
| Having your own workspace is a great | | | | stretched nor pinned nor fixed to the board |
| privilege. Not everyone has the good fortune | | | | in any way. This will allow the paper to be |
| to have even the desire to paint let alone | | | | quickly positioned in response to the |
| their own workspace where they can experiment | | | | movement of the watercolor.A board tilt block |
| and learn to develop a God given talent.Adopt | | | | should be softwood [resin-free] about 70 x |
| a permanent workspace if you can. At any time | | | | 120mm. The softwood tilt is lightweight for |
| of the day or night the workspace should be | | | | quick removal when required. A good idea is |
| accessible and allow freedom to commence work | | | | to cover the tilt with blanket material to |
| with immediate effect. There should be no | | | | stop board rock.I use a flush door as a |
| need to ask others to leave or remove the | | | | worktop resting on bookcases. Its working |
| belongings of others out of the way. The | | | | height has to suit you - crotch height when |
| workspace should be set aside and dedicated | | | | standing. Suspend a tray shelf below 4 inches |
| for your painting work alone. Think of it as | | | | clear for portfolios.Over the worktop I lay |
| a sort of shrine and be jealous of others | | | | doubled heavy white canvas sailcloth. Below |
| going anywhere near your workspace unless at | | | | the worktop is a basket for waste paper and |
| your request. Privacy cannot be overstated. | | | | unwanted bits. On the floor where I stand is |
| Try to keep the aura of the workplace | | | | a thick rug or strip of carpet to keep the |
| entirely your own. You do not allow the | | | | feet warm and to prevent slipping.I sit on a |
| vibrations of others to invade where you | | | | draughtsman's adjustable height and back |
| paint as young children pets and nosy family | | | | revolve chair. I have a wooden angled |
| members at the wrong time can be a | | | | footrest with a mat on it - for use when |
| pain.Always locate at right angles to a | | | | seated.On the wall is a chalkboard for quick |
| window from your left side. This helps to | | | | idea sketching notesTo the right of board I |
| give a strong feeling of light direction in | | | | have two white enameled gas oven trays for |
| your work. Watercolor painting is all about | | | | palettes and behind the board I have |
| light. Oil and Acrylic painters create their | | | | additional narrower trays for water buckets. |
| own light quality in their work. Watercolor | | | | |
| painters have this for free by retaining the | | | | On these trays are all the painting |
| light already in the paper. It is unwise to | | | | materials for quick removal. To the left |
| paint watercolors in artificial light.If you | | | | behind the board are test papers strips and |
| have a garden erect a lockable well insulated | | | | cleaning paper rolls. A one-sided graduated |
| timber shed. The shed should be located | | | | stainless steel straight edge is wall hung. |
| windows facing north and built to allow for | | | | All white kitchen paper roll is used to dab |
| extension. Direct light from the sun | | | | watercolor clouds painting. Toilet rolls to |
| reflected by the paper up into the eyes will | | | | the right are used to clean and dry the oven |
| cause glare and make it impossible to work. | | | | trays.To the left of board are reference |
| It is better in the case of a garden shed to | | | | books color and other pencils. Also |
| fix a worktop along the whole length of the | | | | draughtsman tools setsquares compasses |
| shed first making sure the distance between | | | | dividers the lot. Build up these supplies |
| the back edge of the entrance door frame and | | | | gradually as needed. Do not waste money. On a |
| the inside face of the window wall is | | | | separate table I let paintings to dry under |
| sufficient to accommodate the front to back | | | | mount and glass. Do not forget the |
| dimension of the worktop.Fix a standpipe near | | | | computer!Try to keep the air at constant |
| the entrance door for water. It will be good | | | | temperature and humidity. Try to position the |
| to connect an electricity power | | | | workplace so you can move around everything. |
| supply.Materials should be ready available | | | | Avoid having the worktop with the long edge |
| and in place. It should not be necessary to | | | | against the wall if possible - except of |
| start cleaning brushes or the work desk or | | | | course in the case of a garden shed studio. |
| looking for lost equipment before starting | | | | It is then easier to keep the studio clean |
| work. If possible lock the door against | | | | and tidy.Please remember painting is a very |
| unwanted entry and only allow others in under | | | | private world where problems arising from the |
| your supervision. Do not lend anything to | | | | difficulties of the work need an advance in |
| anyone. Before starting work the most you | | | | personal development before their solution is |
| should need to do is get fresh water to mix | | | | possible. It is advisable to keep mentally |
| some colors. Start each work session as if | | | | and physically fit. Resist depressions like |
| afresh.Your drawing board on which the paper | | | | the plague. Keep your spirits refreshed and |
| [ground] will rest should be large enough to | | | | positive at all times.My very best |
| accommodate the size of your paper with about | | | | wishes.John Blenkin is a retired architect |
| 5 inches plus all round. Perhaps the optimum | | | | and is now a watercolor painter and article |
| board size is 800 x 600 x 18mm thick - white | | | | writer. His interests are wide covering both |
| laminate faced. The extra space is used to | | | | technical and philosophical subjects. He also |
| rest the hand or to place test strips of | | | | writes online articles on the technique of |
| paper cut from cheaper watercolor paper or | | | | watercolor painting. |