This Incessant Heat is Cramping My Portrait Production

When Will It End?

This incessant heat is cramping my portrait production! If you live in Los Angeles or for whatever reason keep up on weather around the world, then you know that LA is experiencing temperatures of 90+ degrees. That usually means triple digits where I live. That, in and of itself isn’t the real issue, although most of us are pretty tired of it.

The problem with the heat for me lies in determining where to draw. Whichever location I choose must have ample light. That narrows things down to three possible locations.

Location #1

My drawing table

My drawing table with my table lap with a natural-light light bulb is located in a bonus room, which is connected to the garage. The main problem with that? It isn’t air conditioned. The second problem? If someone is doing laundry and running the dryer, the humidity amps up to sauna levels. Fans do nothing to cool things down and humidity is high enough that paper starts to curl with the moisture in the air. Not to mention, sweat and oils from my skin can affect the longevity of the paper I use to draw on. Why do you think museums don’t want you touching the artwork?

Location #2

Patio table

The patio table. I happen to like this option, usually. Daylight is the best light source hands down. The downside is…it’s 90+ outside. Have I mentioned the incessant heat?

Location #3

Using my bed as a table

My bedroom. The window in my bedroom provides plenty of sunlight as you can see in the photo above. Plus, it’s air-conditioned. The problem? I’m limited to daylight hours and there’s no room for a desk. That means I’m either A) sitting on my bed hunched over my portrait, or B) kneeling at the side of my bed hunched over my portrait. Neither position is very conducive for nurturing good back health. I might have gotten by in my 20’s or even 30’s, but now that I’m a few years shy of the big 5-0, my back, neck, and shoulders are screaming after just a few minutes.

The alternative is that I can pack up all of my stuff and head over to a Starbucks and sit there for awhile, which I do every once in a blue moon just for a change of pace. I can use their air-conditioning, so-so lighting, and semi-decent seating arrangements, and only brave the incessant heat to and from my car. But that option does come with plenty of distractions and people stopping me to ask questions.

I never thought I’d hear myself say that I’m tired of the heat, but I’m definitely ready for cooler temperatures! Don’t get me wrong, I still love the summer months. The problem is, we’ve had them here in Los Angeles since February. I’m done!