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I have just been getting back into the hobby and painting a lot again and I can't seem to find a stable and comfortable painting position that won't bother my neck, back or shoulders when I am done. Anyone have any good tips on position (sitting, light source location, ect)? Is it just one of those things and I should just make smaller paint pots and take more breaks? Thanks

I just change position as much as I can, and take breaks. There's really no way around it, for me.

I've seen a lot of pictures of GW's guys painting. I don't know if they're posed, or what, but it seems like they're doing it up in the air, reclined comfortably in a chair.

Doesn't work like that for me. I have to brace my elbows on my knees, wrists on the table, and lock my hands as well. Also, I have to be under the lights, not leaned back casually. I'm sure I could train myself to paint some other way, but right now if I don't do that, I feel like I'm flopping all over, and I hate it.

All I can do to help myself is move the chair in and out to slightly change how much I'm leaning forward, so things don't bind up in my back and neck. And, as I said, take breaks.

I've looked at getting a taller table, which would take some of the hunch out of the neck, but I really like to rest my elbows on my knees. Just feels wrong if I don't.

Make sure your chair and desk are right - and adjust until it is comfortable.

If your chair is no good and/or wrong heights, it's not going to go anywhere.

Cheers

Yeah I think lowering my chair in relation to my desk has helped a bit as It allows me to rest my wrists on the desk when holding/painting and not have to bend over much.

Any tips on lighting? I have one old lamp with a Daylight bulb so the colors are correct. Would it be a good idea to have multiple light sources to avoid shadows?

tallmantim wrote:Make sure your chair and desk are right - and adjust until it is comfortable.

If your chair is no good and/or wrong heights, it's not going to go anywhere.

Cheers

Chest high walls are the name of the game. They pop up from the ground and drop from the ceiling...

Anyway a proper drafting table will serve your purpose. I recommend using a tall adjustable chair to get comfortable. Remember to take breaks, you'll get irritated if you don't. Some people can get in the zone on command, most can't.

The main thing that helps me is keeping the model I am painting on a holder or in a clamp of some sort. My favorite "model holder" is made out of a cork, a large metal jar cap (rubber lining is usually fine), and a hefty clump of Blue-tac. Simply even the ends of the cork with a razor, then super-glue the cork in the underside of the jar cap; it should look like a candle holder. Knead the Blue-tac for a minute or so to heat it up and activate the glue. Place the Blue-tac on top and you should end up with something like this=

I lay on my couch.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Naked.

I lay on Clthomps' couch.



Seriously, comfort is something I hadn't considered while painting. It probably would improve my skills if I took it into account though.

Treat painting models like you would a lady - take lots of breaks, but come back often.

Treat painting models like you would a lady - take lots of breaks, but come back often.

I think you're doing it wrong.

(not the painting...)

I keep IcyHot roll-on handy. It's saved my creaky old joints, especially my fingers and wrists and the occasional pinched nerve in my neck more than once.