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Case Study - Art Tables?

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Patient Question:
I've been looking at those nice studio tables, the ones whose height and angle can be adjusted. My question is this: Are they worthwhile purchases, or just unnecessary expenses?

Right now I have an ordinary flat top table. It's a bit too high for me to draw on comfortably, even when my seat is all the way up and has a cushion on it, so I have to lean over to use it. Lately I've been just pulling another chair over and putting my reference material on that instead, because it's more comfortable to draw that way.

Also, the table top is plastic, so it's not absolutely smooth. The plastic sags in places. I've learned not to cut quilt pieces on it because I'll never get complete cuts. Obviously that's a drawback for art as well.

I share a small room, so I don't have lots of space. I'm not satisfied with my "drawing space" setup as it is right now, but I don't want to blow two hundred dollars on a non-necessity. However, if it's worth it, I am willing to buy one.

So, should I keep trying to draw on my ordinary table? Or should I try something like this studio set? Is it really worth the expense?

Forgive my ignorance. I'm a mostly self-taught artist, so I don't know a lot about the standard tools and accessories. Any and all feedback would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance for your time and help!


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Staff Advice:

:iconlossingfeathers:
Your question is a great one and I wish I had asked that question LONG ago.

An art table does a few things for you, but the most important, at least in my opinion, are covered below.

My biggest praise is when it came to a drafting (drawing) table was back problems I didn't know were being caused by hunching over a table or my knees. It was almost instantly solved by sitting upright with a inclining table. I no longer have an art table because of a move and I get frequent back pains again X) (Know of anyone in Japan getting rid of an art table? Hehe, just kidding...)

Another benefit of an angle is how you see your art. Most all art teaches will make you draw with an easel or a drawing horse. It being upright or at an angle enables you to see your drawing how you would see the world, not at a 90 degree angle. I didn't believe that this mattered much at first till I was with out my drawing table for a short time. I am big on an incline now and try to stress it with my students (but it's hard. The ones that understand me don't listen and the others... well can't understand me ^.^;; ).

Last is comfort. It's just more comfortable then hunching over a plastic rigid table.

The alternative to a drawing table (or drafting table) is an easel and a chair to sit on. Mom bought me an easel that I can pack up and is very light weight for, ano... less then 30 bucks, I think. Because of that I am not at a complete loss here in Japan. Then get a HUGE clip board for about 15 bucks. Wahla! You spent less then 50 bucks *and* you are saving room in your room (mou... bad pun, forgive it).

I am huge on saving money. I would have never had the money, till recently, to buy a drafting table for myself.

I hope this helps.

~Becca
General Dr.
:ambulance:


:iconshameous:
A drawing table is a MUST for any artist. That is, IF you have the room for one.

If no space is the problem, a drawing board is the next best thing! Figure out about what size paper you usually draw on and get a drawing board that fits. Personally, I like about a foot of board more than my paper all the way around. The good thing about drawing boards is that you can prop up in your favorite chair, lay back, and draw as comfortably as possible.

I don't have a lot of space myself, so I use a drawing board and laptop. My drawing table is folded up and collecting dust under my bed.
:ambulance:


:iconjaggedice200:
Hmm well you mentioned the desk you have already is to high for your standards...

If it wasnt I was going to suggest this neat lil thing I saw once. You put it on your desk and it its elevated, like a triangle on a desk so it would mimic the way a drawing desk is; it also had a light box in if you wanted to ink from a sketch drawing. I'm looking for it now, I hope I find it ...

So far the pricess for drawing desk seem pretty high, if you got money you dont care about then I guess its fine.

This is the light table I was talking about (I'm doing this whole process while typing so excuse the essay that I'm writing.)

[link]

It's cheaper then buying the desk and for the moment its on sale. If this isn't what you want then you can do some searching on epinions.com I use this site when im looking for things:

[link]

The one thing you gotta ask yourself though is how much am I going to use this? I asked myself that before I got my tablet, and I chose "yes" since it had more then one kind of use.
:ambulance:


:iconaljas:
I have learn to draw on several kinds of surfaces, because I get used to draw everywhere I can.

The table is important. It must be comfortable to use (and pencils and other tools cannot run away from it!). In art school we used tables where drawing was at an angle of about 60-80° (degrees) and I never feel too much comfortable when using it (okay it was also because I get used to turn paper when I draw - teachers didn´t like it!). These tables were used because the reference was an object in the area of class, not a picture which could fall from this artistic table.

The thing I am interested the most is surface - I had an old and very coarse table and it made unwanted wood texture on drawings. Other surfaces like not too much damaged plastic, can be solved by using thicker paper (I do not study art, I cannot tell teacher that this table is not good for drawing).

If you want to go in for drawing professionally, I think it will be okay, but if you draw just for fun, it would be, I think, like buying a professional camera to take some souvenir shots during holiday (which wouldn't necessarily hurt, but a compact camera would work too).

By the way the problem with my old rough table was solved simply by plexiglass or glass, which is cheap and really good surface. And normal table is, I think, useful for many more purposes than specialized artistic, when it is comfortable to use. (Maybe you can ask your parents to kick in - a comfortable table is necessary to your health!)
:ambulance:


:iconaddjenius:
This is the spiel of someone who used to have one for about 4 mos, then sold it cheaply (to a friend who was looking to buy one, lol).

I used a board with an adjustable rising slope. Those boards are made so that at the end of the day, your lower back doesn't hurt from hunching so much [from making so many calculated and precise drawings]. So, your drawings may look better solely because of posture.

It was helpful for me for about 2 drawings - Drawing 1 and Drawing 2.
-note: though it doesn't look it, I used so many reference lines [using 2-3 sources to ensure accuracy].

After selling it, I saw a decrease in quality of my work, but the quality is rising to its original form again. I guess, it doesn't seem like it makes a difference at first (though it does), but it feels ever so slightly awkward drawing on different surfaces when you stop using it (but you will adjust).

Side note: Mine had a little lamp too (the reason why i bought it was so I didnt have to wake up the whole house). Don't use the lamp alone -- used alone, it will create a shadow of your hand. Used in the light, it will elliminate any shadows from your hand.

If you have any questions regarding my personal experience, I'll try to help out as best as I can. =)
:ambulance:


:iconintergrativeone:
Half the time I sit in bed with my current piece I am working on , or at the kitchen table. The thing is to work where you are comfortable. I have had nice drawing tables from way back. Currently I just paint on an easel. If you are working with a T-square and angles you should by all means have a table that is perfect for dimensions. You might take a drafting class at school. They have tables there and this would totally help you with all your skills. I can't say enough about understanding 3d... So that does look like a nice table. You also need a comfortable seat and good lighting. Art supplies can be pricey. I buy all my stuff from Hobby Lobby when they run sells... If you are where you can go to one that is a good idea. Best of luck to ya....
:ambulance:

Volunteer Advice
:iconsupaslim:
*cough* If I may input...

I have one of those lap desks, with the cushion on the bottom and, like, a school desk top on the top. If I sit with my knees up on my bed or in my squishy round chair, it works perfectly to sketch on... So if you use pencils/pen and don't have a lot of money...

[link]
[link]

Took a few photos. I'd venture to say it cost $20, but I tore the tag off months ago, so I couldn't tell you the brand name or anything. XD
:ambulance:

Patient Follow-Up
I did purchase the Berkeley table (not the set, just the table), and am really happy with it. I got a lamp and side tray at the same time and am glad I did; the lamp especially is indispensable. All in all it was definitely worth the expense.

My one quibble was that there was no way to prop references on the table. I screwed a thin strip of wood along the bottom left edge and now it'll hold magazines, books, or whatever I need to reference from. (:iconlossingfeathers: suggested kneaded erasers, but I only had one ancient one that was just about fossilized, so...) I am slowly reorganizing my other supplies around the table and can finally claim a working art area. Now my biggest problem is keeping my cat off the chair. XD

Case Studies Index
Image size
800x569px 121.47 KB
Make
Canon
Model
Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
Shutter Speed
1/400 second
Aperture
F/14.0
Focal Length
55 mm
ISO Speed
400
Date Taken
Aug 24, 2007, 11:56:36 AM
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DeadenedDreams's avatar
Let's see...

What you see on DA is my writing, but please credit me as I am an artist as well. (I don't know how to scan. Yet.)

I've never used a drawing table, primarily because I never felt the need for one. I draw wherever and whenever, and if my back hurts, too bad. It comes with everything I do (horseback riding, writing, computer work, schoolwork, exercise, and art), so after a while you will get used to it...

However, should you feel some extreme need for an angle, get an office chair (you heard me, an office chair) with or without arms, in accordance with your preference. Lean back, brace one leg straight against your desk, brace the other leg on your knee (or mid-shin) for a supportive backboard to your sketchpad, put your sketchpad there, and work.

It helps in these cases to have sketchpads with thick, noncorrugated cardboad backing or an actual book-type sketchbook.

However, this is just my opinion. Should I ever come across the money, I might just buy myself an art desk to do all my work on.

Maybe it'll eliminate my back problems.

Then again, maybe not.