My creative workspace has been on bit of a journey!
Welcome to my creative haven! I’m Anna Lena Feunekes, and I work from home, sharing an office space with my husband. But it wasn’t always like this! Back when we lived in our old apartment, we each had desks on opposite sides of the living room—mine was filled with art supplies and books, while his was tech-focused. We were both finishing our studies, and I used to store my art supplies in a little rolling cart, which I could move around the house depending on where inspiration struck.
When we bought our current house, it came with a built-in office space—a dream come true! During the early days of the year 2020, I took 'residence' in our other spare room while working from home at my corporate job and balancing my illustration work. It was a strange but exciting time, managing both jobs under the same roof, juggling between Teams meetings and illustration deadlines, along with running my online shop. If you want to see how this paid off at least four years later, check out my portfolio to see more of my illustration projects.
I self-published a kids book I had illustrated in this time as well, which was a blast - it gave me the insight that I could tackle all ends of being an independent illustrator. I ended up quitting my corporate job after experiencing burnout, and worked as a full-time freelance illustrator for two years. After our son was born, we eventually moved into the same office space, which has been an adventure in itself! (Read more about how I juggle motherhood and creativity in my other posts.) We have so many damn books - just figuring out where to put those if not in the office (so I could have a desk! ;D) was a challenge.
Balancing part-time work and freelance illustration: the highs and lows
Freelancing full-time for two years was thrilling but also came with its.. problems. I loved the freedom and flexibility it gave me, but there were days when I felt isolated and uninspired. Especially as a mother, I felt like I needed a type of brain input as well as social time that working from home all on my lonesome just couldn't give me. That’s when I decided to take on a part-time job again. Balancing my corporate work and freelance life was always fun, but it wasn’t easy. Knowing when to take the leap to full-time freelance—and when to step back—was a personal journey. Now, I split my time between freelancing and my salaried position as a UX designer, which brings a new balance to my life. My workspace has been a constant companion through all these shifts, evolving with me. I have two professional lives, essentially, and it works for me. Most days. 0:)
My workspace in a nutshell
Fast forward to today, my workspace is a mix of function and inspiration. And usually, quite a mess, even though it's a big desk I have in there! My partner has an identical desk right next to it, though it's arranged quite differently. Picture that big desk—his side is filled with gadgets and cables of all sorts, while mine is a chaos of art supplies, books, and objects that spark joy. You’ll find a huge amethyst rock, a speculaas cookie mold passed down from my great-grandfather’s bakery in Rotterdam, and random books about mushrooms— I have a slight obsession.
I do most of my work with my trusty Lenovo ThinkPad, iPad Pro for sketching, and an Epson scanner to bring my collage work to life digitally. Even though it’s a shared space, it’s one where creativity usually happens without much hassle.
My essential supplies, and non-essential fun things
I have to confess: I’m an organized chaotic person. My workspace might not be the minimalist, Pinterest-perfect studio you see online, but it’s a vibrant mess that works for me! Some days, everything is in its place; other days, it’s a colorful whirlwind of papers, paints, and pencils. But that’s part of the creative process, right? There’s a certain magic in the disorder that keeps my creativity flowing.
One of my go-to materials for vibrant, opaque colors is gouache, which offers the best of both worlds: the rich, matte finish of traditional gouache and the durability of acrylics. It's perfect for creating bold, eye-catching illustrations that pop off the page. I love how smoothly it blends and how quickly it dries, allowing me to layer colors without waiting too long. For adding fine details and lots of textures, colored pencils are my top choice. Their buttery, smooth application and wide range of colors make them excellent for shading, highlighting, and adding those finishing touches. Whether I’m working on a character’s expressive face or the delicate texture of a pizza crust, these pencils never let me down! :)
When it comes to digital illustration, I rely on Photoshop and Procreate. Photoshop is versatile for adjusting colors, textures, and creating complex compositions, while Procreate on my iPad is perfect for drawing on the go. Its intuitive interface and pressure-sensitive capabilities make it feel as natural as drawing on paper.
For traditional sketches, I use a mix of plain cheap paper for quick ideas and high-quality pressed paper when creating something more polished. Each type of paper serves a different purpose in my creative process, from rough sketches to detailed artwork.
My trusty Lenovo ThinkPad laptop paired with a drawing tablet is essential for my digital workflow. They allow me to seamlessly switch between traditional and digital methods, ensuring my illustrations come out just the way I envision. The Wacom tablet is one of my favorite tools for digital illustration.
A secret weapon of mine for adding unique textures is using old books from thrift stores as collage materials.
Aside from my gear, inspiring things are everywhere in my studio. The books I mentioned earlier—especially the ones on food history and lore—are a huge source of ideas for me. I also love listening to podcasts, from true crime to cooking shows, and even positive affirmations. They keep my brain buzzing with inspiration for days!
Aside from the materials that can be found in my studio, there are some rules I've stuck to for the 10 years or so in which I've been freelancing. For most of that time, I've worked as a designer in companies as well, so these are perfect for those seeking to balance freelance illustration with having a part time/full time job!
My tips for a creative workspace in case you're freelancing alongside a part-time/full-time job.
1. Set clear boundaries and a schedule
When you’re juggling two roles, time management is key. Try creating a weekly schedule where you block out time for your salaried position, your freelance projects, and personal time. Be realistic about what you can achieve and avoid overcommitting. Setting a clear start and stop time for each role will help you stay productive without feeling overwhelmed.
Tip: Use a digital calendar or task management app to track deadlines, meetings, and deliverables. You can color-code different types of tasks to see at a glance what’s coming up. I'm a huge fan of Todoist, and create projects for personal, freelance, job, and long-term things.
2. Prioritize tasks on impact and focus on small wins
It’s easy to feel pulled in many directions, especially when both jobs demand your attention. Focus on prioritizing high-impact tasks for both roles. Break larger projects into smaller, more manageable steps so that you can make consistent progress without feeling overburdened.
Tip: Each day, pick your top three most important tasks. Whether it’s sketching for a freelance job or finishing a report for your salaried position, completing these gives you a sense of accomplishment and focus.
3. Use your freelance work to fuel your creativity
If your salaried position feels less creative, use your freelance illustration work as a space to express yourself. Having this creative outlet will help you stay motivated and inspired in both areas of your professional life. Freelance projects can be a great way to explore new ideas and techniques that you can later apply to other work or personal projects.
Tip: Treat your freelance projects as “creative breaks” to re-energize yourself after corporate tasks, but stay mindful of deadlines to avoid turning it into an additional source of stress. I'm slowly moving away from doing too much client work because I don't need to do it and because I'm making a good stride living off books at the moment - but if you're starting out, and don't need the money, the same applies. (Little flex about my books, but I’m honored to be longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2025 for my book Tasty Tales.”) Just trying to say.. you do you! The rest will follow.
4. Create a focused workspace
Whether you're working on freelance or parttime job tasks, having a designated workspace can boost focus and productivity. Keep your space organized by separating the tools and materials you need for each job. For example, store illustration materials like sketchpads, paints, and pencils in one area and reserve another area for your computer and work-related documents. A bin can be a girl's best friend. Bin there, done that. For more tips on organizing your workspace, check out this video from Minnie Small - I love her youtube account!
Tip: If you share a workspace with others, like a partner or family, define zones to avoid clutter. You can also switch between a “creative setup” and a “corporate setup” as needed, swapping supplies for tools to match the job. It's like switching hats.
5. Make your workspace inspiring yet functional
Your workspace should be a reflection of your creativity, but also functional enough to keep you on track. Surround yourself with items that inspire you, such as artwork, books, or personal keepsakes. However, keep your essentials easily accessible to avoid distractions while you work.
Tip: Consider using small containers, rolling carts, or shelves to keep your supplies in order. A little organization goes a long way when you need to quickly switch between tasks or jobs. I'm never in a place where my desk looks even remotely like those dreamy artist places you see online, but I like what I've done with my desk! That is what counts. If you like a true-life type of sneak peek, follow me on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes content.
6. Embrace flexibility, but also downtime
One of the best things about freelancing is flexibility, but it’s important to protect your downtime. Take into account breaks, evenings off, and weekends where you can unwind and recharge. It’s crucial to maintain a balance so you can give your best to both jobs without burning out.
Tip: Keep your workspace tidy at the end of each day to start fresh the next morning. A quick 5-minute tidy-up before closing your laptop can make a big difference in helping you mentally transition between your roles. Also, I have firm rules of no work/emails on weekends, but weeknights I will often be working or writing still, just because that's the way my brain is wired. I sleep fine and feel antsy if I don't get any sketching/writing in, but it might not work for everyone.
Need more tips & inspiration? Join my patreon!
If you’re curious to see more of my workspace and hear about how I juggle illustrating and writing with a full or part-time job, I’ve got something special for you. Hop over to my Patreon, where I’ll be offering an extended studio tour with exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
Comments