Artist in Residence: Allen Williams

This artist’s studio has a presence in his own house, complete with its own rituals.

There really isn’t any glitz or (non-magical) glamour in my studio. It has, over the years, sorted itself into a functionality that’s specific to me. It is, and will continue to be, a messy place and you’re most likely to end up with graphite on you somewhere if you’re ever in for a visit. I do, to be sure, periodically clean it, or rather sort the materials into their functioning piles.

Sometimes I reorganise the studio just to reacquaint myself with the odds and ends that I’ve collected over the years. I have a degree of object impermanence that I’m told is associated with ADHD and I prefer to subscribe it to that rather than just… ahem, age. I tend to want to see the papers, pencils and paints so that I don’t forget them. I can’t tell you how often I’ve re-ordered a particular tool or supply, only to find it a day later.

My studio is organised in relative stations with much crossover.

I tend to want to see the papers, pencils and paints so that I don’t forget them

Sometimes I paint where I normally draw; sometimes I prefer to draw standing at my easel. Luckily, the digital area is always self-contained but to be honest I have a second monitor on my drawing table and drawing supplies on and around my Cintiq desk. I also have the capacity to sketch on my ipad, although I usually prefer to sketch on paper.

THREE-DIMENSIONAL WORK

On a side note, I have two types of 3D printers: a Form 2 Resin printer I use for making small maquettes for myself, and an Ender 3 PLA printer for making and adapting tools. Recently, I’ve been using the Form to print 3D scans of animal skulls and bones.

As befitting the nature of my work my studio is occupied by many bones, stones, bits of tree roots and of course a few creatures. I’ve recently added a living plant. It’s happy, I’m sure of it.

I’ve recently moved most of my sculpting tools into the front room of the house. It’s to be a second studio space and yes, I will likely keep a small drawing table and supplies in that room as well.

You should know my studio is a collection of things that I’ve been building for years and would likely have more of a cabinet of curiosities feel to it if I were concerned at all for presentation. As it is, it’s more like the lair of a scatterbrained biologist or alchemist with an unrestrained artist wrapping it up. My studio is very much a combination of traditional and current methodology, although for my own work I usually execute the finished pieces traditionally. I use digital means for much of my contract work because it is the easiest format for rapid changes – for me, at least.

Allen is an award-winning illustrator, concept designer and fine artist. His personal work has a strong basis in reality but always flows into otherworldly aspects. He primarily works in graphite, gouache and oils. See more of his art, and details of his latest book Covenant: The Art of Allen Williams, at www.allenwilliamsstudio.com.

As befitting the nature of my work my studio is occupied by bones, stones, bits of tree roots and a few creatures

I keep quite a few bones and animal specimens in my studio mostly for texture reference. I believe this bone is from a bison. I also have an emu leg and a large part of a horse spine. The Moon Thief: “You have taken what does not belong to you. Five days hence I will take the moon.”

Various ipad mounts around the room, on my desk, easel and one holding a platter of oil paints on that metal pipe. My metal shelves have dozens of small and large magnets (lodestones) arranged in arcane ways, used to keep my palette brushes at arm’s length. This is my 3D printer, a Form 2, which is used for small maquettes. Next to it is a bag of bird wings (and some feet) sent to me by an unknown admirer. Over time I’ve acquired many of these palette knives. As I work it’s convenient to just reach out and grab one from this magnetic array. I always have one or two book holders available to hold inspirational artbooks in view.

Yes, I have seven lights on my desk, all 150W equivalent The black apparatus over my drawing desk is a Glide Gear camera mount for photographing art and recording my process. My Aeron chair, purchased about 10 years ago and still the most comfortable desk chair I’ve ever owned. My boutonnière (from our wedding 25 years ago) and to the left a light in my studio that occasionally bleeds.

Some accumulated reference materials: a meat cleaver, a jawbone, aeroplanegrade aluminium nunchaku, a haunted lock and a gladiusstyle machete.

Precariously balanced over my backdoor is a sickle. It is sometimes necessary.

I’ve purchased and mounted a piece of thin metal on my easel, which is covered in paper. I use magnets to hold various things in place as I work. The heavy magnets are for positioning artwork.

Wyrmwood Saint: “It is often in desolate spaces that the spirit may find stillness. Amidst sadness and decay therein is healing. Your pain is not a sin.”

The Book Binder: “…who binds the writings to reality, word to deed. To place a vow in his book is to be bound, body and soul, to its fulfilment. A covenant even Death must give pause to break.” One of my relief sculpts on a tarnished silver tray. This staff was a gift from a friend. We have great thunderstorms here and when I walk in a storm I like to take this staff. I think it’s because the neighbours believe I can control the weather with it. I don’t know where they get ideas like that. My mummified rat, found in the walls of an old house. Note: all biological reference that I acquire is ethically sourced, usually found, and if it’s sent to me I ask that it be so as well. Mr. Kind: “Come see, come and see! Our show will open your eyes. You can call me Mr. Kind and you have nothing to fear!” Here’s a close-up of my monkey.