puffin Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Every time I do some painting I end up stopping fairly quickly with a stiff neck and sore shoulders. I'm looking for your advice in setting up my workspace or tips on how best to paint to avoid this. Thanks! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/256040-ergonomics/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterdyne Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 A good seat that you can lean back in with back support, work table at slightly above the height of your elbows when sat. Good light, and frequently stand up for a stretch, rotating your shoulders and neck. Basic desk work deal really, for the most part. Lift the model to work on it, do not bend down to it. I find resting my elbows on the desk works well, forming a triangle with the top/model at eye level. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/256040-ergonomics/#findComment-3115202 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShinyRhino Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I get the same thing, moreso now that I run of far less sleep (kids hurt sleepy time). As winterdyne said, it's mostly from leaning over the work surface, or "hunching" your posture. My eyesight is god-awful, even with glasses, so I tend to bring my face to the model instead of model to face. Partly for vision, and partly becuase head-to-model allows me to put my forearms on the edge of the desk for support of both model and brush. One thing that also contributes to sore necks and shoulders is a cluttered, tight work space. If the only place you have to paint on your desk is right in front of you because the rest is cluttered with projects, books, and junk, you'll find yourself leaning over the model more often as you don't have the room to stretch out. I'm actually suffering the effects of painter's neck today from my painting session yesterday. :lol: Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/256040-ergonomics/#findComment-3115579 Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdeptusDavidus Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 I built a little rig that sits on my desk and holds one of those "extra hand" gizmos about a foot off of the desk surface. That puts the model right at eye level for me, and frees me up from actually holding it, meaning that I'm less inclined to prop myself against my desk. Placing my elbows on my work surface tends to encourage hunching, and that causes a lot of back, neck, and shoulder pain. (I also use a backless chair, though, which helps discourage me from slouching or hunching) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/256040-ergonomics/#findComment-3116975 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucien Eilam Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 I sit back, pretty much bolt upright, elbows together and in to my chest, and wrists together too. Apart from being better for my back and neck, it's a very steady, braced position, which helps brush control. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/256040-ergonomics/#findComment-3117548 Share on other sites More sharing options...
puck Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 I watch movies while I paint so that I can take frequent breaks for my hands and eyes. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/256040-ergonomics/#findComment-3119747 Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon-042 Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 I'd agree with Puck, films in the background to provide a break are a good idea - as is standing up occasionally and stretching! I used to do this all the time when studying at Uni to make sitting for long periods reading bearable. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/256040-ergonomics/#findComment-3119908 Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhg033 Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 3rded for frequent breaks and use the position Lucian Eilam suggests - someone recomended this on B&C a few years ago and it made detail painting much more precise when i first got into 40k, pre-teenager (oh i feel old!), i used to paint in my bedroom sitting on the edge of my bed and would be fixed hunched over for hours ending up with dead legs, painters neck etc. in my old age i'm far more sensible and use the dining table much to my other half's annoyance. height wise its perfect to rest my elbows on and have the model in front of my face - especialy if i blutack the model on top of an old paint pot to hold it so my fingers arent all over the model all the time, another good tip - mount what you paint so you dont get greasy fingers all over it. pin vice works great for heads/helm sized pieces, paint pots with blue tack for marines/terminators etc. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/256040-ergonomics/#findComment-3124162 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConfessorTurpin Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Sounds dumb, but I have a stool, about 18" in height, under my paint table that I prop my feet on. I then prop my elbows on my knees so instead of hunching over my table, I'm actually sitting more upright and still have stability. As far as mounting models. I can't. I have to have the model in my hand so I can manipulate it freely as I paint. To avoid greasy rub-off, I use hand sanitizer. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/256040-ergonomics/#findComment-3127557 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShinyRhino Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Sounds dumb, but I have a stool, about 18' in height, under my paint table that I prop my feet on. You must have one heck of a tall desk. ;) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/256040-ergonomics/#findComment-3127745 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConfessorTurpin Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 Lol! Oops... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/256040-ergonomics/#findComment-3128130 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montuhotep Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 Having a desk at a slightly higher level than normal - 38" - does wonders. Tall enough that you can rest your elbows on it and yet still hold the mini at eye level without bending over it with your neck extended. It's the weight of your head unbalanced which is what kicks in faster than anything else. As to actually holding the mini itself, blue-tac it's base onto an old paint pot! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/256040-ergonomics/#findComment-3128414 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subtle Discord Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 As with most problems, there are several ways to address the issue, and most people are hitting on the same things. Light. Stability. Height. Light is straight forward enough. Have lots of Cool White light, coming from different directions if possible. This helps in general, but also keeps you from needing to get in really close to see any obscure details that needs painting. Stability is gained by a matter of preference. Elbows down, wrists locked works well on its own, but better is having a surface to brace your elbows and/or wrists on for added stability. That's why, if you can setup a long-term painting area, consider the next point... Height is something I learned about only in the last few years. If you've ever seen a Silversmith/Goldsmith work bench you's notice it is very tall (38"+), has a drop tray (a thin drawer you can pull out to catch falling bits), and pull out braces that you can lean your elbows on. All great ideas, and that's where I got the idea to put a smaller table on top of my painting desk. I have a normal desk that's 30" tall, and on top I have a smaller table that's another 10" tall. Combined with a short chair, when I place a miniature on the upper painting spot it sits right at my eye level. Then, I can lean my elbows on the desk, and brace my wrists on the edge of the small table that sits on top, while I paint. I'm sitting upright, and my arms/hands are totally supported and steady. As an added bonus, you gain a large area on the desktop that you can keep paints, brushes, water, pallets, tools, and drying miniatures, since your actual work area is sitting above the desk. Once I got used to painting with a surface at ~40", I find it very hard to paint at a normal desk/table. It's spoiled me. :( Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/256040-ergonomics/#findComment-3128456 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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