I hope you are feeling much better now Nanette 💛 breaks even little one 5min are essential not only for the muscles but also for the eyes (if working digital), i alternate from drawing seated and standing and i feel that helps a lot, plus doing exercises for the wrist are also a nice thing to prevent injuries, my physiotherapist is always reminding me of this one!
Thank you Teresa! Yes, breaks are so important, sometimes I set an alarm to make sure I get up and move around. Wrist and hand exercises are a great idea too! xx
Interesting! I have a thumb injury from a repetitive motion I do while editing videos. I have to change something because even picking up a cup hurts lately. You've motivated me to see if I can change the keys I need to press to do the action, or maybe there's another solution.
Ooh, that sounds sore Marcy. In the videos I linked about animators they talk about positioning your keys so you're not stretching to reach them. It hadn't occurred to me before that something so tiny could add up to an injury! Hope your thumb feels better soon
Thanks Sam! Yes, stretching seems to be so important. I’ve got a stretch routine now too, I can’t quite do all of them yet but I’m nearly there, better every day!
The Plexi Table Top Easel available at John Neal books has a flatter slope and is used by calligraphers. It may be helpful. Or as a much less expensive option a 1.5-2” 3 ring binder notebook might have enough pitch to relive your back but not impact ink flow.
About the chair- if you need it to be high enough to work but your feet don’t touch the floor you can place a box or some other boxlike item under your desk to put your feet upon.
And taking frequent breaks to stretch out in the opposite position in which you work can really be helpful.
I hope you are feeling relief from pain soon. Nothing zaps energy and motivation like pain does.
Tracy, these are amazing tips! Thank you SO much! I’ve tried different pitches of slope but hadn’t thought of a ring binder, that’s a genius idea! I have started putting a box under my feet too. I’ve seen frequent breaks recommended a lot, I’m going to start using a timer to be sure I get up and stretch regularly! Thanks again for the tips!
I like the way you put it: just because you’re drawing fires instead of fighting them doesn’t mean you’re not at risk!
I don't have a solution, but what helps me is that I change where I work all the time during the day, so I'm constantly changing positions, because the heights of desks and seats are different.
I have a small drawing table in my bedroom, where I have the best conditions (perfect light, all my materials and the light box), but I'm sitting on the bed, my back is bent and I have no chair back. But I can just lie down from where I am! I do it often, whenever I'm waiting for watercolours to dry. I have another desk in the living room with an ergonomic chair (and PC, so I'm there especially when I need reference images), but I have to bring the materials I need, and the desk is antique, so I have to be very careful with wet techniques, and the computer as a magic box is always a risk of interrupting my work.
The worst thing is when I'm drawing with soft pastels and charcoal, as they make a lot of dust, so I draw on my knees on the floor on the spread out cloth. I use this technique very expressively and therefore quickly, so I don't stay like this for long, but even half an hour like this kills my back.
About sloping surfaces for drawing - I don't know how I would handle wet techniques, and also when it's a small surface like a desktop easel - I find it strange that my arm doesn't rest entirely on the same surface as the drawing, especially my elbow, as it does on a table.
Thanks Dunja! It sounds like you work in lots of awkward positions too! I think regular breaks and stretching seems to be the best advice, that seems easiest to fit around existing workflow. Be sure to look after your back and knees! x
Thank you for sharing these links! I recently started suffering from RSI / carpal tunnel while I had a tight deadline and it was the worst stress! Hope you are feeling a lot better and in less pain. You can also access physio through the NHS which is helpful! X
Thank you! These are really useful tips! I would also add making small pauses and stretch to give the back and hand a break.
That's such a good tip Patrícia, thank you! It's so easy to forget to take regular little breaks. I like the idea of pausing for stretches!
I hope you are feeling much better now Nanette 💛 breaks even little one 5min are essential not only for the muscles but also for the eyes (if working digital), i alternate from drawing seated and standing and i feel that helps a lot, plus doing exercises for the wrist are also a nice thing to prevent injuries, my physiotherapist is always reminding me of this one!
Thank you Teresa! Yes, breaks are so important, sometimes I set an alarm to make sure I get up and move around. Wrist and hand exercises are a great idea too! xx
Interesting! I have a thumb injury from a repetitive motion I do while editing videos. I have to change something because even picking up a cup hurts lately. You've motivated me to see if I can change the keys I need to press to do the action, or maybe there's another solution.
Ooh, that sounds sore Marcy. In the videos I linked about animators they talk about positioning your keys so you're not stretching to reach them. It hadn't occurred to me before that something so tiny could add up to an injury! Hope your thumb feels better soon
Thanks for the info. I'll check it out.
What useful resources - thanks Nanette!
Glad they're helpful Jane! It's so easy to ignore bad habits until they come back and bite you!
Great links, thanks Nanette! It’s surprisingly rubbish for your health, being an illustrator!! I hope your back feels better soon! X
Thanks so much Ella, I'm definitely on the mend! Stay safe out there in illo-land!! xx
Whew - occupational hazards! As a non-artist, this was an eye-opener for me. I hope you find better positioning soon!
Thanks Amy! I’m on the mend. Every job has its hazards I think. Hope you’re doing really well! x
Ahh sorry to hear that Nanette- yes I draw is funny positions too, I’ve taken to doing a 10 stretch routine in the morning and I think it’s helped 🤞
Thanks Sam! Yes, stretching seems to be so important. I’ve got a stretch routine now too, I can’t quite do all of them yet but I’m nearly there, better every day!
Nanette-
The Plexi Table Top Easel available at John Neal books has a flatter slope and is used by calligraphers. It may be helpful. Or as a much less expensive option a 1.5-2” 3 ring binder notebook might have enough pitch to relive your back but not impact ink flow.
About the chair- if you need it to be high enough to work but your feet don’t touch the floor you can place a box or some other boxlike item under your desk to put your feet upon.
And taking frequent breaks to stretch out in the opposite position in which you work can really be helpful.
I hope you are feeling relief from pain soon. Nothing zaps energy and motivation like pain does.
Tracy, these are amazing tips! Thank you SO much! I’ve tried different pitches of slope but hadn’t thought of a ring binder, that’s a genius idea! I have started putting a box under my feet too. I’ve seen frequent breaks recommended a lot, I’m going to start using a timer to be sure I get up and stretch regularly! Thanks again for the tips!
I like the way you put it: just because you’re drawing fires instead of fighting them doesn’t mean you’re not at risk!
I don't have a solution, but what helps me is that I change where I work all the time during the day, so I'm constantly changing positions, because the heights of desks and seats are different.
I have a small drawing table in my bedroom, where I have the best conditions (perfect light, all my materials and the light box), but I'm sitting on the bed, my back is bent and I have no chair back. But I can just lie down from where I am! I do it often, whenever I'm waiting for watercolours to dry. I have another desk in the living room with an ergonomic chair (and PC, so I'm there especially when I need reference images), but I have to bring the materials I need, and the desk is antique, so I have to be very careful with wet techniques, and the computer as a magic box is always a risk of interrupting my work.
The worst thing is when I'm drawing with soft pastels and charcoal, as they make a lot of dust, so I draw on my knees on the floor on the spread out cloth. I use this technique very expressively and therefore quickly, so I don't stay like this for long, but even half an hour like this kills my back.
About sloping surfaces for drawing - I don't know how I would handle wet techniques, and also when it's a small surface like a desktop easel - I find it strange that my arm doesn't rest entirely on the same surface as the drawing, especially my elbow, as it does on a table.
The drawing at the end is absolutely wonderful!!!
Thanks Dunja! It sounds like you work in lots of awkward positions too! I think regular breaks and stretching seems to be the best advice, that seems easiest to fit around existing workflow. Be sure to look after your back and knees! x
Thank you so much! And thanks for the book recommendation, I'll try to find it!
Thank you for sharing these links! I recently started suffering from RSI / carpal tunnel while I had a tight deadline and it was the worst stress! Hope you are feeling a lot better and in less pain. You can also access physio through the NHS which is helpful! X
Ooh Heather, I hope your RSI gets better! I’ve heard of a few illustrators who have trouble with carpal tunnel. Thanks for the physio tip! xx
Thank you!