Mine are yellow. (In case you didn't notice from the previous post.)
Regina left a comment on the last post asking this:
"I have a question about your photo, not the actual post. I'm getting an
addition put onto our house so that I can have a studio instead of just
the dining room table and closet space. I wanted to paint the walls
yellow (and I see that's what you have). Another artist suggested white
so that there isn't any color reflection on photos or on the fabric and
the true colors are seen. Do you find any problem with having yellow
walls?"
Good question. Thought we'd give it a little talk.
My studio used to be my bedroom. I'm fond of the color yellow, find it peaceful so I painted it that color when I slept in there. I admit, I was too lazy to change it when the space became my studio and now that I'm so deeply entrenched in that room, I shudder to think of the effort and fortitude that will be needed to empty it so the walls can be patched and painted.
Do I like the yellow for a studio wall color? Yes. And no.
I love color. I'm actually a bit of junkie about it. So I like being surrounded by something so lovely.
At the same time, it does create issues when I take photos. The camera does not appreciate the competition and it often adjusts itself to take it into account.
Last April I decided to have my artwork photos professionally done. Best decision I ever made. There were a lot of factors involved with that - mostly revolving around wanting to work larger - but I admit that the color issues I had with taking photos in my studio contributed. Can I blame it all on the yellow walls? No. There is inadequate lighting and my undying optimism that I don't actually have to hang a piece on the wall to get a good photo to take into account as well. But, yes, the yellow walls didn't help.
I really don't think it effects my color selection when working with fabric. I'm really myopic when I'm working on something. A bomb could go off next to me and I wouldn't notice.
I guess this is the long way of saying that when I finally do muster the courage to do an overhaul of the studio - one that involves emptying the room and patching/painting the walls - I'll most likely go with a neutral color wall. White or off white of some sort. I am more often finding myself wanting barer walls, maybe to offset the riot that goes along with art making.
How about you? What color are your studio walls? Do you think it matters?
8 comments:
My studio walls are paneling that came with the house. Since I was repainting every single other room, I didn't feel like tackling the basement paneling. Now I wish I had! I'd like to have light neutral design walls and hot pink or lime green walls behind the shelves and stacks of things. Combo of neutral and bright--reflection of my Gemini nature, I guess!
Mine are a nice happy green - not quite chartreuse and but not a bluish green. One whole wall about 16 feet is a design wal - half covered in black and half in light gray. The green does not interfere. I have big photography lights and usually do photography for shows after dark with no ambient light. I don't get my work done early enough to have it professionally photographed!!
My walls are a golden yellow because that's what I painted it or my daughter before sh came from university one time. It is a warm sunny room and it makes me feel good. I'm not enough of a photographer to worry about the yellow. I don't have much that needs it. I could use a change of color but white or off white would not inspire me. I would need some color.
My studios have been recently repainted and I used color because I can't abide white. Color inspires and invigorates me. I do my photography in a different room altogether so the walls there (also colors but softer and lots of natural light) aren't an issue for that. As far as seeing the 'real' colors I'm working with and having them influenced by reflected color off of the walls... I've long been in the habit of doing color matching on the front porch or the at the glass sliding door for the natural light they provide. It's an extra step but it works for me.
To answer the question; my fiber studio walls are a medium intensity aqua and a vibrant chartreuse with a teal trim. My glass studio has two walls painted periwinkle and two walls painted gold with a dusty purple trim. I love being in both rooms as the colors just make me feel creative and happy :o)
Thank you all for your replies. I was hoping you'd say that the yellow didn't interfere at all. But I have to go with reality. I guess I'll paint my studio walls white so that I can get good photos. I have some very vibrant colors painted in other rooms of the house and I'll have art quilts hanging in the studio for color inspiration. Better to paint and do it right before I move everything in.
My walls are also a sunny yellow and also because this large room was once my bedroom. I repainted when we made it over into my studio and I stuck with the cheery wonderful yellow that makes me feel glow-ee when I walk in. I'll keep it yellow, very likely. I hang a large black fleece length of fabric on the front on my covered front porch which faces West. Good light. Best in mid-morning before the sun comes around. SOOOO..... I rarely shoot photographs in my studio but closeups in the studio are fine. Other than that - outside I go with my outdoor setup. Do what makes you feel good!
I'm in the process of a sewing room re-do. I painted everything white and love it. (Walls had been blue.) My new built-ins are white and filled with fabric folded up for all to see. That brings the color into my room. Room process can be seen on my blog, www.dsignsbyds.blogspot.com
I have off white and taupe walls with lots of windows and two door walls. The large design wall and wall that stores fabrics (has sliding barn-door styled doors)are covered with off white flannel. Color corrected recessed lighting makes photographing quilts a simple task. There is one bank of lights directed to that design wall. I turn all the lights on when photographing--great photos.
Carpeting is commercial, tightly woven burber in black & beige. The works in progress & finished quilts hanging in my studio provide the color; the walls provide a nice neutral backdrop. I would avoid stark white walls; cream is best.
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