While sitting, tethered to my drawing table pretty constantly for three months, I often wondered what it would be like to
stand and draw. That’s what Howard Pyle did, sometimes. Legend has it that he even had a drawing desk custom-made at just the right height so that he could comfortably draw - or write - standing up.
I had pictured it being like an old fashioned, four-legged schoolmaster’s desk, until I finally laid eyes on it (for the first time, I think) this past fall at the Delaware Art Museum. It’s really more of a
lectern (or rostrum, or shtender) and it’s not “Early American” at all. And now I wonder if Pyle had it specially made or if he merely had an existing piece - like
this one - modified. One of Pyle’s
mahlsticks sits on the little top shelf.
While sitting, tethered to my drawing table pretty constantly for three months, I often wondered what it would be like to stand and draw. That’s what Howard Pyle did, sometimes. Legend has it that he even had a drawing desk custom-made at just the right height so that he could comfortably draw - or write - standing up. 
I had pictured it being like an old fashioned, four-legged schoolmaster’s desk, until I finally laid eyes on it (for the first time, I think) this past fall at the Delaware Art Museum. It’s really more of a lectern (or rostrum, or shtender) and it’s not “Early American” at all. And now I wonder if Pyle had it specially made or if he merely had an existing piece - like this one - modified. One of Pyle’s mahlsticks sits on the little top shelf.
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Hi, would you happen to remember the dimensions of the table? I've recently switched to drawing while standing, and over 10 years og back pain are receding, and so I'm looking to make a table along the same lines.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Jonathan
Sorry - I don't have the exact dimensions, but I think the drawing board top is no more than 3' wide and the whole unit is maybe 4.5' to 5' high..? Pyle was about 6'2" (or taller?) so you have to factor that in, too.
ReplyDeleteCan you rig a drawing stand with an adjustable top and see what height and angle would suit you best before committing to something more solid?