By Jesper Ejsing
I will follow in the steps of Arnie and show, for this update, my studio space.
I share a studio with 10 other artists. Some of them are children’s book illustrators, others are comicbook artists and concept artists. One of them, Paul Bonner, is a fantasy artist like myself. Our studio is called Pinligt Selskab, which means Embarrassing Company.
It is a great advantage to share a studio. We have been together for over ten years and often help each other out with critique and encouragements. I find it extremely valuable to be able to take an almost finished painting on a quick round about the studio, asking the others one by one if they find anything wrong or unclear. If more than one suggest the same thing, there is usually something true about it. Also being in a fellowship where we contantly talk about process and exchange experiences is really fantastic.
As you can see, keeping order and cleaning is not one of my strongest assets. I do have a lot of references lying about. The books and gaming catalogs pile up around me when I skip through them looking for ideas and details I can use for my own projects.
The T-Rex head was build by Paul Bonner believe it or not. It is shaped by toiletpaper and glue with a frame of wire.
The top shelf above my computer is a display shelf for all the originals I have done most recently. I like to have them close by, comparing them to each other and judging them against the latest. Thus contantly keeping track of my latest mistakes or improvements. If they were just lying in a file I would forget about them.
On my board behind the computer I keep posters of things that inspire me, or small sketches and originals of my own that I like. Hanging them there reminds me of stuff that worked with this particular artwork.
On my shelf you can see my artbook collection. It is clear to everybody that even if Dan dos Santos has many artbooks, he is not nearly as well equiped as I am. Do not ask about the dead plants.
I use wireless headphones for when I am listening to loud RnB and Hip Hop.
seems like a wonderful workplace and environment! 🙂
“It is clear to everybody that even if Dan dos Santos has many artbooks, he is not nearly as well equiped as I am.”
Uh oh!
Them is some fightin' words.
Hehehe… You guys have some neat workspaces.
Looks like that plant has seen better days 😛
Crap. Now I have Studio Envy. Not only great space, not only a view and natural light, not only tons (literally) of books, but a Bonner T-Rex sculpt hanging on the wall!!! But I guess turning green is an appropriate color, given the season. Thanks for sharing, Jesper!
By the by, I'm reminded of Greg Preston's book of photos of (mostly) comic artists' studios, THE ARTIST WITHIN:
http://www.amazon.com/Artist-Within-Greg-Preston/dp/1593075618/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293042962&sr=8-1
I know he has a sequel planned and hope he gets it out soon.
That poor, poor plant. I'm getting studio envy too, Arnie, if only because I'd love to have 10 sources of immediate crit/suggestions at hand!
That, and the t-rex. The t-rex makes it all!
Haha! Dos Santos vs Ejsing. Battle of 2011?
Love the photos, Jesper. I'm glad to see that I'm not alone with the overflow of things in my studio! The last picture is so cool.
Thanks for sharing your space with us!
Look, if there's going to be a book battle I'll throw my hat in the ring. I buy them just to look professorial. Great shots Jesper. Sometimes I wish I could be in a studio with others.
Wow.. not only to share a Studio with other great artists.. but Mr. Bonner at that!
You lucky Devil. I'd (as I'm sure many) would LOVE to See make a guest blog appearance.
Great post Jesper. You are quickly becoming my new hero.
I'd have to agree with ThinkBaker, a Paul Bonner guest spot would be amazing. What a wonderful opportunity to be elbow to elbow with other artists.
It's nice to see a professional artist that allows his space to live and breathe. 🙂
I always love seeing another artist's studio space, it makes seeing their work much more personal.
Thanks for sharing!
A post from Paul may be coming sooner than you expect!
I love Paul Bonner, and I'm immensely jealous of your studio and being able to hang out with such awesome artists!!
Hmmm… I'm taking a closer look at your bookshelf, and it appears that half of that mess is CDs and role playing games!
You faker.
Great post. I am, like many, a fan of PB. It's no secret that he is my favourite contemporary painter. I am, though, also a fan of your work also and as such it was sadenning to see that the websit – http://www.pinligtselskab.dk/ – is not up proper…