Comments on: Back in the Studio

By: E gan F

E gan F — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:09:56 +0000

It does Séamus. I use acrylics which struggle to dry below 40F. And because it’s exposed to the outdoors it’s often quite damp in there - especially with the proximity to the river (the Liffey being at the bottom of the hill) - and that also slows the drying process.

So paint that in a normal house would take minutes to dry, on canvas or on the palette, takes several days to dry in the studio. To that end, where it doesn’t matter I paint thinner to speed drying, and I just have to wait a lot - which is why I have somewhere between 70 and 100 paintings on the go.

It changes things basically. Arresting drying is sometimes a good thing so I also try and avail of the opportunities that presents - all a bit odd for me though after spending years getting very comfortable with the almost instant drying that comes with acrylics.

By: Séamus

Séamus — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:14:00 +0000

Nice set-up, except for the temperature .. does the cold temperature affect how you paint on the canvas etc. ?

By: E gan F

E gan F — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:00:57 +0000

Yep, alas the insulation - if any - isn’t for me but for next door. Still though a space next door with any warmth can only be good. In my own space what you can see now is the standard felt under the slates - where there used to be crumbling plaster.

There’s a spiral staircase going up outside - when all the changes are done I’ll post some new photos.

By: savannah

savannah — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:45:45 +0000

you answered my question about insulation, sugar! what an incredible space. xoxo

By: E gan F

E gan F — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:30:59 +0000

Deceptively so. It’s really not.

With the exposed loading doorway to the world it’s still the same temperature inside as out. But an actual door is going in - waiting for glass for it at the moment - and then I can look at blocking the gaps at the windows.

Put that with the space beside me being renovated (to possibly include insulation) and I think come next winter we can start talking, well not cosy, but just not as freezing.

By: Primal Sneeze

Primal Sneeze — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:57:13 +0000

It actually looks cosy now compared to before.