Every artist has a different way of working and a different way of organizing their workspace. Carl Wiens is no exception. From a light-filled illustration home-studio space to a hyper-functional sketch-paint-sculpt-woodworking-everything garage space, Carl makes use of every square inch. Come take a look!
Where is your studio?
I have a dedicated workspace for illustration in the house, plus a painting and woodworking studio in my garage. The interior space has a desktop computer, a light table, bookshelves and flat files. I like to move back and forth between the two spaces depending on my mood and the project involved.
What is a must-have for your work space?
My must-have is a light table, for doing rough sketches, refining the drawings and inking. It’s an old government surplus desk with plenty of character and it feels good to work on.
How have you made your space functional for your process?
I like to set up in different places depending on the type of work being done. Sketches require a quiet space, I can work on my laptop and take it anywhere. Increasingly, I set up in the workshop and painting space where multiple projects can be developed on at the same time. When the weather is nice the door can be opened for light and fresh air, you can see my dog Kona in one of the photos - she loves spending time out there, especially when she can see out on to the street.
Tell us a bit about your computer set up.
I have a desktop computer (23” mac) with a scanner for prepping sketches and linework, but most of the finish work is done on a MacBook Pro. It’s great because I'm often out of the studio, travelling or teaching, and can work virtually anywhere.
What ‘decorates’ your space?
My studio space always contains the work of other illustrators and artists. I have prints and paintings that come from trades or purchases, and I've made frames for many of the pieces. I have bookcases full of art books and old reference books collected over the years. I love hunting down obscure technical manuals, textbooks, catalogues as inspiration and reference material.
What do you do to set the mood for work?
Music is wonderful to listen to once sketches are approved and it’s just a matter of sitting down and spending time with the work. Before I sit down to do sketches, I like to go for a ride, walk the dog, or have a nap to allow ideas to flow without distraction. Silence, if possible, works best for creative ideation. I used to do most of that work in the evenings, but now I find mornings are more productive.
What inspirational item is a must for your space?
I built a workshop table that is central to everything. I can clear it to work on paintings (I like to work flat as well as upright on the easel) and drawings, and it has a large vise for woodworking and other creative projects. It came from a section of a bowling alley, reclaimed laminated maple that is 3” thick and is indestructible. The legs are wood that was milled from our woodlot. It weighs a ton and can’t be moved but I love that feeling of permanence. Having built it, I feel a strong attachment to it and it’s made so many things possible. Don’t know how I lived without it.
What if anything would you change about your space? Any dream setups that you aspire to?
In my previous house, I had a dedicated studio in a detached building. It was a bright, beautiful, open studio, and I miss that space. I think most artists have worked in a space that they later realized was special. I’m working towards creating that feeling in my current setup and feel content and happy with what I have built. My focus is moving towards painting and woodworking at this point and I like versatillity and energy in the new studio. It’s always a work in progress.
View Carl Wiens’ illustration. Represented by i2i Art.