So here I am laying in my bed, in a giant farm house along with 8 other scenic artists for 3 weeks of learning, painting, and overall just having a great time.
I am currently at Cobalt Scenic Studios. It is everything I could ask for and more.
I will do my best to make a post for each day I’m here but forgive me if some days have shorter posts – sometimes I procrastinate ( gasp).
So today is my official first day stepping in the studio. Yesterday I moved in to my own room in a farm house that can sleep up to 12 people!
My day began with a general discussion on what a scenic artist really was, venues you could find employment in, from backstage jobs.com to painting houses and commercials. Then we moved to the studio where I was blown away by the sheer numbers of supplies in stock. For example, every can of paint was rosebrand – a gallon would run you upwards of $70. I’m not trying to brag, just trying to give you the lay of the land. I was given a list of items a paint shop should have in stock, and what cobalt keeps in stock. The list went on for three pages.
Now you may be thinking I was in this highly monitored store room with white walls and locks on every door… But really it’s just a giant barn. And I couldn’t feel a y more at home. Everything may be organized neatly but all the labels are hand written, the shelves are either a conglomeration of your kitchen wares or hand made contraptions, there are silly pictures and decorations, the paint sinks are old bathtubs, and to top it all off there’s a cat named Winnie, who loves to say hi by rolling on her back.
Aside from the mixing and supply room I just described there is also a lounge filled with visual research, an office that maintains any backdrop rentals or commissions, and a huge studio. The studio is large enough to fit two 60×40 drops stapled on the floor.
You had me at farmhouse and barn/studio.
Cobalt is in a town called White Lake, basically the nearest Starbucks is an hour away. And I love it.
Aside from our tour of the facilities we began a lesson on cartooning, or on enlarging line drawings. Today we learned how to use a grid system. We also learned how to make soft good flats.
While we were working there was a graduate of Cobalt painting a drop of the Saringhetti. It’s just so much fun seeing something come to life as you step back. The artists name is Brian, and he just got accepted into the scenic painters union! No small feat at that!
I should note that I am learning under Rachel Keebler, Kimb Williamson, and Hannah Joy (a recent cobalt grad).