But first, let me give you some back-story on it.
In the world of cartooning, I'm sort of a hold-out: A cartoonist who still uses ink-on-paper to create a comic strip. And what that's meant, for the last decade, is that I sit down at a big ol' Mayline drafting table to draw. Here's an old picture of that much-loved desk:
But a few years ago, I started to have repetitive posture problems (I'm sure increasing age and weight didn't help). My back and right shoulder start to hurt, and I had to go through physical therapy for two years to take care of Costoclavicular Syndrome. My drawing hand would go ice cold, numb, and lose it's grip…as a result of circulatory and nervous-system pinching near my shoulder.
Anyway: My thoughts started to turn toward drawing at a stand-up desk. I had read article after article on the health benefits of standing (Short version: we ain't built to sit for endless hours). And at the same time, my memory kept bringing up one of my favorite cartoonists: David Low, who always drew standing up, and raved about it to anyone who'd ask.
So I set out to build myself the ideal standing drafting table: One designed just for cartooning. Or, more specifically, one designed just for my cartooning. One that I would use for the rest of my career. Here's what I sketched out:
You can see from the sketch that the desk has a split level surface, with the left section inclining at various heights, and the right section staying flat for inks, drinks, spillable stuff, stackable stuff, etc. I designed the drawing surface with a clip for paper references, and a "bar" to keep things from rolling down on me. Overhead, I designed a bookshelf hutch for easy-reach books and reference materials. Underneath, I put a storage shelf for larger items; three drawers for art supply storage; three lights for direct, indirect, and lightbox lighting; and a "step" bar like you'd see at a, well, bar -- to shift weight off my hips from time to time. It was gonna be great. I was super excited to build it.
But I realized pretty quickly into it that, while I'm an OK amateur carpenter at building a basic deck or a fence, I was no where near good enough to build this the way I wanted it to look. So I called my brother Thom.
Thom's a master carpenter who's been building homes in San Diego for decades. He's fantastic. And when I showed him the plans, he totally ran with it. He and his associate Kent McGarry built an absolutely stunning desk -- far, far better than I ever could have dreamed, with touches and details that are fantastic for a cartoonist. I don't exaggerate. It's gorgeous.
Here are some pics during construction:
And here's the completed desk:
So allow me to publicly thank Thom and Kent for bringing my sketches to life: This is a desk I will use for the rest of my cartooning life. I could not be more impressed by the craftsmanship with which it was built.
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Post-script: I've had a few cartoonists ask if Thom would be willing to build another one…and he says he is. So! Iff you're a cartoonist in North America, feel free to drop him a line to inquire. Obviously, it'd be preferable if you're within delivery distance of San Diego, but I'm sure heavy-freight shipping can be worked out to points in the US and Canada. Just a friendly forewarning, though: This isn't a mass-produced desk at IKEA prices. This is as custom-made as custom gets, being built by two master craftsmen. So even though my brother wouldn't say it, I'll say it for him: Serious inquiries only, please.
That's a really gorgeous desk! I don't think I could afford your brother's work, but I've done a fair bit of carpentry for a long time and I'm finishing up building a boat right now, and something like this would be a fantastic project. What's the mechanism to hold the work area in place? I see a hinge but none of your photos really show a prop to hold it up under the weight of the light box and your own arms.
That is a simply stunning work of art for your works of art! As someone who has worked with wood for 40 years I can recognize the talent and skill that went into that piece. I wish I had the skills to turn out pieces like that!
I think my favorite thing in a list of favorite things about this desk is the fact that the clip has your initial on it.
Also, I have to say... I really love the fact that you're sticking to ink on paper. I love the effect it has, and I love that it also makes you one of the few artists who can sell originals. Which... I have three.
Clearly artistry runs in your family. :)
I'm a fair dinkum carpenter on my own behalf. I made my own desks for years, improving them as technology improved and changed. That is a great example of the furniture and cabinetmaker's art. Furniture and cabinet makers are a subset of carpenters just as tool and die makers are a very skilled subset of iron workers and machinists. I, too, wonder about the desk mechanism, and what sort of lighting you use for the indirect, direct and lightbox lighting (especially the lightbox, as they can overheat and need to be really bright). I like halogen as it is nearly natural, not harsh blue as are many CFLs and yet more power-conserving than old fashioned bulbs. I am beginning to play with the new LED applications, and wonder if you have used them?
Absolutely beautiful craftsmanship. And to come from one of your brothers is truly special. May it last a lifetime.
Michael
I love it! My husband has also gone to stand-up drafting, except it has to be done on a computer (autoCAD). But when it comes to marking up drawings, he swings his monitor out of the way and tips the board up to the comfortable setting. I can always tell when it's been a "board" day because he's much happier and his back and arms don't hurt!
The old way is still the best way!
Awesome. Congrats, Dave!
I'm a calligrapher(amateur) but I know the importance of proper work positioning. If you're compensating for pain you don't do your best work. We had a session a few years back in which working from the bottom of our feet was shown to affect our work. The best work I've ever done. Congrats on getting a gorgeous table that works.
Sweet table! Now you just need a matching chair.
I really really like this stand-up desk! Just the other day I was commenting to a co-worker about his haphazard stand-up desk at work (just a pile of paper boxes). Yours is definition of high-end!
Would the craftsmen who made this be willing to share their plans/supplies list for the project? Even if it's for a price it would be great to have a starting point to work from for someone who could do the construction themselves. Thanks much!
I am about to buy a drafting table since I can sit and paint and have place to rest my elbow etc.
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