How organize you desk for drawing

How to organize your desk for drawing

ORGANIZING THE ART STUDIO

Storage Set-Up: Shelves & Bins

Because there are so many small tools and categories of tools, you want a system that provides you with many separate storage locations. The prime candidate for accomplishing that is the magical combination of shelves/ cubbies and storage bins. {You really can’t go wrong using that mix in any space.}

Any type of shelves or cubbies will do, regardless of whether they’re wall-mounted or freestanding. When it comes to the storage containers though, I would advise selectivity. Whereas in other areas a storage bin of banana leaf, wicker, or canvas can look more appealing, in the art studio I recommend sticking to plastics, metals, and woods. These are types that can be easily wiped up should arty things occur (read: paint spills, glue drips, et. al).

Ikea Expedit Bookcase // 9 Cube Storage Cabinet // Galvanized Utility Bins // Stacking Organizer Bin // Sterilite Storage Box // Hobby Box // Clear Square Hinged Box // Frosted Tote // Whitewashed Wood Bin

Sort and categorize all your tools in a way that makes sense to you. You can separate very specifically, storing only one type of object per bin (for example one whole bin just for painting rags), or you can organize by activity (example: one bin for all “painting tools,” including rags, paints, brushes, etc). I would let quantity be the ultimate judge. If you use one medium very infrequently, you’ll likely have only a few items devoted to that activity, meaning that one bin for all relating tools should be appropriate.

Storage Set-Up: Drawers & Carts

Alternatively–or, if space permits, in addition–shallow drawers or carts can be successful in the studio. A cart will obviously make your supplies mobile, a definite asset if you have a larger studio space with multiple work tables. As with the shelves, use storage trays or bins to keep tools sorted, and place those on your cart.

Drawers can work effectively in the studio as well, although I would advise against deeper drawers. Stick to shallow drawers that will inhibit the accumulation of clutter, and ensure you retain access to all those little supplies.

Don’t even think about skimping on the drawer organizers; get yourself some shallow drawer dividers, or some slim, hinged boxes which will fit comfortably inside (some may prefer this option to the dividers, as it allows you to remove all associated tools from the drawer and bring them over to wherever you’ll be working).

Art cart // drawers // 5-Bin Storage Tower // Storage tray // Storage Box // 6-Compartment Box // 1-Compartment Box // Shallow Drawer Organizer

Now onto a few areas of specificity.

– The Essential Supplies

While all tools can be stored in the a for I blogged storage bins, there are a few items that you might like to keep out for easier access [You might still store the brunt of your things in storage bins, but then select a few items from your larger collection to keep out on your work table. Be careful when doing this though, if you fear that having multiple storage locations for one item will trip you up.] This might include paintbrushes, pens and pencils, scissors, markers, etc.

Use glass jars, metal cans- really any cylindrical canisters will do- to hold these things upright. If you want to make those jars mobile, pop them all onto a storage tray and voila, you’ve got yourself an art caddy.

Whitewashed Wood Bin // Glass jars

Image credits: The Creative Salad, Sweet Bestiary, Sight Unseen

– Paints

Paints can be a little puzzling, so we’ll address those directly as well. Let the type of storage space that you have determine the preferable container or system. Below, a few suggestions: