How My Workspace Works

Hello! I have had people in the past ask how my workspace looks or operates out of curiosity of where my final products come from.

While I go into depth for my process for each individual model, an overview of my general workflow might be beneficial for others to understand! This is to highlight that you don't need a studio or designated shed to create good models.

Currently I work off of a small bar attached to my apartment's kitchen. I have a bookcase next to me storing larger tools and supplies. Right in front of me is where I work on my models, gluing them together, applying masking tape, hand painting, electronics, etc. To my left and right are where I keep tools I constantly reach for and use for almost every stage of the build.

I usually work on one or two primary models at once, if the space allows. Then I lightly work on smaller models during these main ones. Even though I enjoy doing commissions and building for other people, It is nice to create something for my own display. This also lets me focus on something else when I get burnt out on my primary piece of work.

To my left is a box where I store all of my electronics, small control boards, LEDs, LED tape, etc. Each category is sorted into bags for easy access. This isn't ideal for me but for my space it works and keeps everything out of the way. I have this very tall organizer graciously provided to me by my fiancée. At the top I keep my model glues, CA glue, decal softener, and panel liner. If its a small bottle that isn't paint, it goes here. My primary choice of paint is Tamiya, but I also utilize some Vallejo, Archive-X, and soon Alclad II paints. At the bottom are small tools that fit well in the drawers and are great for quick access. Most of them I don't use often. For example: hobby knife blades, micro drill bits, cutting templates, putty scrapers, and a compass. To the right of the organizer is my power supply. Very useful for lighting models as you can quickly hook them up with alligator clips and has adjustable voltage. It will tell you how many amps your future power supply for the model should be rated for.

To my right is where I keep all of my quick-access items. I have a bucket for my sharps and other hand tools. There is a small platform that should be used as a sprue organizer, but I place tape and sanding pads on it. Also in this area are Q-tips and toothpicks. I keep a small bowl of water because the majority of the substances used in my models are water soluble, or can use water to help with application. Additionally, I keep the model's box here to store parts, upgrade pieces, and masks in. Any object directly related to the specific model gets stored in its box for organization.

Continuing on from there, I have my sacrificial towels where I throw disposed items to while I'm working to be then thrown away. Masking tape and Q-tips are the most common items to visit this area. To end the bar, I store my Cameo 4 Vinyl cutter here. It has been an irreplaceable tool in my armament, and I haven't even used it to it's full modelmaking potential.

The bookshelf. The top shelf stores my vinyl and spare paints. The middle shelf has various tools and supplies such as epoxies, a rotary tool, bits, and multimeter. Lower middle shelf has miscellaneous stuff like wires, drill, pipettes, clamps. At the very bottom is where I store my brass tubing and styrene.

On the other side of the bar is my airbrush and paint area. This is where I will load up my airbrush to go outside and paint the current model. Yes, outside. I place my compressor on our welcome mat and paint just outside the front doorway (there is no back door). Ideally I would have a vented airbrushing booth, vented out of a window, but currently my arrangement does not allow for this. I also prepare testing spoons here where I can see how a paint looks when airbrushed or behaves when reacting to other paints. In this area I keep my alligator clip stand for small parts to dry. I generally keep my mixed paints here.

I also need to keep future models somewhere! These are placed right next to me and stacked underneath the bar overhang.

Finally: My photography "studio". This has been where every one of my models seen in my portfolio as of 2025 has been photographed. I have 2 large tripods usually holding light sources and a small tripod for any other utilization. Most pictures are taken hand-held but often the exposure requires a tripod for stability. The backdrop is a simple frame and a black velvet/felt drape clamped to the top of it. This is placed right between our laundry closet and bathroom.

That is my whole setup! Its not very large, not professional, and certainly not very clean. But it is all I need to create what I do for now.

My goal for this is to outline that you don't need a whole workshop to create good models, but I understand that even what I have right now is quite a lot to some. I'm working out of a kitchen in an apartment, but a lot of my equipment is a little overkill to the average model builder.

Not many people need a photography setup. You may never need a rotary tool because whatever you need to carve away can be taken care of by a knife. You certainly don't need 200 paints, a vinyl cutter, or even an airbrush. But you can definitely create great models from whatever space you have available to you and a few tools.