Painting Ergonomics

[AllSeeingSkink]

This may sound like a really odd topic, but does anyone here have issues with ergonomics when painting? I think when I was younger my muscles may have been more tolerant, or maybe I just didn't paint for long stretches before getting bored. These days if I spend an afternoon painting I'll end up with cramp-like pains in my arms. Its not really an issue if I'm just painting one or two models, but if trying to paint a whole regiment over the course of a weekend if can get really annoying.

Anyone else had similar issues? Maybe I'm just sitting and holding my miniatures in an awkward way? (it definitely is worse when painting large models that are more awkward to hold).

 

[brokbrok]

Happy to help with this one. I'm a 3d artist so ergonomics come to be like a second profession.
Here's some articles from someone who knows more than I however.
http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2011/08/hobby-40k-and-ergonomics-part-1.html
http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2011/09/hobby-40k-and-ergonomics-part-2.html

Take-away summary is this, lower your chair all the way. You want your workstation to be just under shoulder level so you have your arms in front of you instead of beneath you.
Also, the best seating position is always the next one. Keep shuffling, put your feet up, put them down, recline, sit up straight, change out every 15-20 minutes or so. My girlfriend is on the computer drawing all day and she doesn't move, now she's got horrible chronic pain between her shoulders that she had to go to the emergency room for and the dr basically told her she's screwed.
Lastly, get an outdoor hobby. Go to the gym. Take Muay Thai or boxing, go to kickboxing classes and stand in the back of the class so you can watch all the ladies. The most important thing to focus on is simply range of motion, if you're not working and stretching every muscle group while doing your exorcizes, you're setting yourself up for body pains. For this reason, the martial arts classes, or swimming, is far and away more important than taking, say, a spin class. Hell, Yoga would probably be great too. 30 minutes a day is fine, you're not trying to lose weight, you're trying to keep your muscles from atrophy. You could even do two 15 minute sessions that you space hours apart, so long as you get motion in you.

 

[AllSeeingSkink]

Thanks for the tips! Very useful. After reading the article I had a look at some watchmakers tables and they have them set up to just below shoulder height so they can rest their forearms on them, I might see if I can set up something like that at my desk. My chair is already kinda low and my table kinda high (too high for computer use really, though that's what I mainly use it for), but I can try and set it up a bit more extreme and see how it goes.

I currently do a bit of exercise, but mostly weights and things, maybe I need to crack out the old heavy bag that has been gathering dust since I was a teenager and do a few minutes on that every couple of days. Never really liked gyms, lol.

 

[T`hinker`er]

Great topic guys! I basically gave up regular freelance sculpting because of degenerative disk problems, much of which I attribute to poor posture and long hours sculpting and painting, and being an amateur body builder throughout the 1990's which put a heck of a lot of mileage on my spine. I have since gotten back into the hobby, but now have a purpose built sculpting table which is at my arm-pit height when I am seated. It actually has a semi-circular cut out so I can sit up close with my elbows resting quite naturally to eliminate all shaking from my hands and tension from my neck. When not sitting up close, I am reclined in a cushioned chair with a high back. I also have a foot stool under the table to take strain off my lower back, and shift positions often. I can sculpt for hours into the night and not have problems the next day.

My painting situation is the reverse - a regular drafting table and I sit on a hard wooden chair. After a painting session my back is usually wreaked for several days despite the fact that I remain active and bike, swim, hike, lift weights and do yoga regularly. I need to fix this, but the fact is that I spend about 80% of my hobby time sculpting and converting and only about 20% painting.

I'll post photos of my workstation if you are interested. It was all made from standard kitchen counter material and didn't cost all that much to have made.

 

[brokbrok]

Do it!

 

[Arli]

That's interesting. I would like to see some pictures of your sculpting set up.

 

[strewart]

I have the same problems these days.. Mostly back pain and lack of attention span. Arms and hands can also cramp up. I have been playing a fair bit of sport lately, but would like to get back into swimming regularly.

 

[T`hinker`er]

That's interesting. I would like to see some pictures of your sculpting set up.

I'll post it later today...I only have to work a half day today and am "chomping at the bit" to spend some time in my studio as I haven't had a chance all week and that mounted Scar Vet needs to be painted ASAP!

...not to mention my Dreadfleet box came in the mail yesterday

 

[T`hinker`er]

O.k., so here is my sculpting desk:



Note the old bodybuilding trophy in the corner, which comes in very handy as an anatomy reference

And here is my "not quite as fancy" painting station:



If you look closely you can see a baby stegadon taking shape among the clutter...