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Hey guys,

After painting for a while - especially when doing detailwork - my neck starts to ache like crazy. Methinks I'm not alone with this problem, so how do you counter it? My workspace is not too horrible. I've got enough light I'd say, the angle of which I can change, and my chair is not too bad but after toiling away on some details where i have to peer over the miniature the joy of painting quickly dissipates. Any ideas?

It sounds like it's your seated pose/posture that's haunting you.
Try lowering you chair so that you don't have to lean over the table when trying to get closer to the models!

Sounds like a stress-induced condition. Your shoulders are probably in a very rounded shape. Try getting up and stretching every half hour.

Huh, you're both right. Will try to change the seat, can't get much lower than it is right now else.

Aye sound tips here. When I smoked I took a smoke break when painting, just stretch with a nice ciggy in your mouth. Now I quit smoking, I usually surf on the internet after a certain time painting, just relaxing for a few mins and never had troubles with an aching back or neck.

In short; Take some regular breaks and stretch

 Kosake wrote:
Huh, you're both right. Will try to change the seat, can't get much lower than it is right now else.

Could raise the table if the chair cant go lower Maybe put it on some blocks.

I had the same issue - was hunching over and couldn't lower the chair. Instead of raising the table (which would have reduced its already tenuous stability without some serious engineering, so I skipped that option), I changed my posture. Whereas I had been bracing my hands/wrists on the table and leaning down, before, I started resting my elbows on the table and my hands/wrists against each other, placing the mini closer to eye level. This allowed me to straighten my back and stop craning my neck down, which greatly reduced my back and shoulder strain.

I still tend to hunch instinctively when I really get into it, but now that my body and brain know that there's a better way, I can easily take ten seconds to sit up, stretch, and reposition myself before it gets bad. Occasional longer breaks are a good idea, but I rarely work long enough in one go to require consciously taking them - they just happen naturally.

One of the things that helped me a ton with this issues was buying a good magnifying desk lamp that allows me to work on miniatures from a bit further away, and with my elbows planted firmly on the desk.

Plenty of good quality light will also help. Try finding daylight simulation bulbs. The more light the less strain on the eyes which may also help avoid back pain.

I have The Wife bring me a drink and give me a shoulder rub when my neck gets tense and sore.

Or, in a reality more in line with the one I live in, take frequent breaks and watch my posture.

I get this as well. I make sure to go get a massage every couple months or so. Health insurance covers most of it so it only costs a few bucks here and there. I feel great after that.

I'd advise just getting out for some fresh air, stretch, take a short break etc.

Like suggested above, take a break every 30 minutes or so. Also, maybe buy one of those huge inflateable yoga balls and sit on the top of it. Then walk forward while lowering your back into a horizontal position. Then keep going back until your head is hanging an inch off the floor. Your back will be curled back wards. Rest there for about 10-20 seconds and slowly get up. It will do wonders for your back. Of course, if there is any pain then stop immediately.

Not only will this relieve any pain but it will help your back become less prone to soreness if you do this regularly.

The second picture down is what I'm talking about:

http://www.andrefit.com/stability-ball-training-why-is-so-good/