mrbuddylee Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 Hello, I was just wondering what kind of desk you guys used for painting? I have a massive work bench in my basement but it's too cold down there to do any painting, so I'm stuck using a little wooden desk that my wife was going to throw out. I'm thinking of building a nice fancy new painting desk, but was wondering what you guys used to paint on. I've found that the desk I'm currently using (about 3ft wide, 2ft deep) just isn't big enough to hold everything and the drawers just suck. I think I'm going to try to build something like this: http://www.nexelshelving.com/Nexel/photos/wls60.gif only in wood form. Not sure if 4ft wide x 3ft deep (on the work area) is big enough though. Sounds big, but I've found you can never really have too much space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodnik Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 There was a thread towards the end of last year that had a bunch of these on it---although I wasn't part of the thread. I'll take a picture of my disaster area and post it up tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pae Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 My painting desk is quite simple. It's an old door sitting on top of two filing cabinets. I used it as a computer desk for a number of years before getting a real computer desk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Froggy the Great Posted January 27, 2004 Moderator Share Posted January 27, 2004 Wow, that's what my dad uses as his main desk at home, and has for years. He got a nice door though, and sanded it down and finished it to a really good high shine, so you wouldn't know if you weren't told. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enchantra Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 I currently paint at my Parent's diningroom table because the basement where my studio is must be about only 45 to 50 degrees farenheit. I try to paint down there and my nose feels like it is freezing off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pae Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 My basement used to be cold duing the winter, but now that my Linux machine with the 1.8 GHz Athlon processor is down there, it's rather comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whizard Hlavaz Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 I use an art desk -- an adjustable drafting desk I picked up on special at an art store some years ago. Very handy. Can be sloped forward or back (I slope mine forward a tad), it's height can be raised or lowered. Has little handy trays on the side (which can be mounted on either side) Here's a pic.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars Porsenna Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 I do all my painting on my computer desk in the TV room, so I can be with my Fiancee while painting, and watch tv without going anywhere in between sessions. I plan to keep this up even when I have kids (with the area suitablu childproofed...I'm confident I can do it). I keep all my paints and materials in large tackle boxes I keep in a nearby hall closet, and minis/unifinished models I keep on a high shelf. This also allows me to surf the net when painting for inspiration/info/questions. I use a large piece of Masonite to paint on, just large enough that I can push my keyboard all the way back, but its stil accessable should I need to type something, and the trackball is right next to me. I would rather do this there than in the basement (where I have an airbrushing/spraypainting booth) because it keeps me active in family affairs, rather than locking myself away for several hours a night in the basement. Damon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePolo Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 I built my desk shortly after moving into my new house last year. It takes up what used to be a kitchenette in the in-law suite upstairs. I use the right side for conversions, butting, and basing (I learned that lead dust in the painting area is bad the hard way). And I use the left side, by the PC for all of my painting. This is my painting area. I've added a few lamps, and lots more paint since these pictures were taken... That, and it's a lot messier now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claymoore Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 I built a new workstation a couple of months ago from two 4x8 sheets of good quality 3/4 inch birch plywood. All of the cuts were made by Home Depot where I bought the lumber. A 24x48 inch footprint may not sound large enough but with a six foot back and two sides to mount a paint rack, tool pegs and parts bins it's just what I needed. The paint rack I mounted on the back holds over 100 bottles and everything can be reached from my chair. Total cost was $100 for materials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladystorm Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 my room wow, sure looks different now, maybe I'll update some pics while I wait for primer to dry... cher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital [email protected] Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 I am selling my 125 gallon fish tank and I am going to use the cash to buy a nice art table similar to Whiz's and some nice cabinets to store supplies and move myself out of the basement. Right now I have left the basement and paint at the kitchen table and store my supplies in the liquor stand. Liquor has to be stored 4' or high for my foster parent license. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital [email protected] Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 If anyone is looking for a 125 gallon fish tank with a nice oak stand and matching hood just let me know. It comes with fish, filters gravel, lights, decorations pumps etc etc. I can make you a special deal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbuddylee Posted January 27, 2004 Author Share Posted January 27, 2004 ThePolo, I cannot believe how many minis you have on your desk. I would be afraid of them taking over one night... :) I've heard of a lot of people using doors, where do you guys get doors? My house is currently missing a few where closets used to be, I wonder if they're work benches somewhere... ladystorm, I like your plants too. Looks very relaxing! I tried painting on our coffee table once and spilt a bottle of paint on it.. Wife won't let me paint anywhere except on my desk anymore. Can't say I blame her although she did get a nice new ottoman out of the deal. I think I might have been set up. ------Edit------ Whiz - If you don't mind me asking how much did you pay for that desk, it looks small, but nice. I'm figuring materials for my own would run me about $50-$100 (depending on how fancy I get), but I might be able to buy a nice new desk cheaper although I kinda doubt it would have everything I want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durak Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 Polo, man you have a lot of minis to paint. Better get those painting monkeys to work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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