Studio Refresh: Upgrading My French Box Easel & Organizing My Miniature Workspace
That classic wooden box you see on my desk is traditionally called a French easel (or sometimes a sketching box / field easel). It has been a total game-changer for my workflow, especially since the top opens up to act as a sturdy desktop easel whenever I work on portrait commissions.
Inside, it features two handy compartments: the top drawer holds my miniature-making supplies, while the bottom drawer keeps my glass palette and paints neatly tucked away. But its versatility doesn't stop there—when I’m crafting miniatures right on my desk over my green cutting mat, the box cleverly doubles as a backdrop and holding station for a new build!
Upgrading the "Atelier" Label
For the longest time, I had a simple piece of paper glued to the front of the box that just said Atelier (the French word for an artist’s workshop or studio), and I had been wanting to upgrade it for ages. Last night, I finally sat down to work on it and hand-wrote Atelier—after many, many tries—adding a touch of embellishment to give it a more professional finish.
Upgrading the label wasn't just about aesthetics, though that plays a huge part in making the studio feel inspiring and cohesive. Personalizing your primary tools builds a sense of brand recognition and professional pride. When you look at your workspace every day, having intentional, beautiful details elevates your creative mindset, turning everyday equipment into a signature piece of your artistic identity.
Studio Organization & The Colored Pencil Dilemma
Ever since I returned from my long stay in Europe, I have finally been carving out dedicated time to sort through, declutter, and organize the entire studio. Every tool is finding its proper home, though I’ll admit I'm still trying to figure out where to put my collection of colored pencils and markers—right now, they still feel a bit transient and prone to moving around!
How do you usually store and organize your most-used drawing utensils so they stay accessible without cluttering your workspace?
