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First I'll start of by thanking you all for your time and responses in advance.
With that out of the way I can get on to the topic at hand.

I'm an epileptic. And occasionally I get small hand tremors and more frequently muscle spasms.
The spasms are nothing I can do anything about except repaint when the inevitable happens.
But the tremors are more bothersome.
They aren't that "big" think more micro tremors.
But bothersome none the less since any real semblance of fine detailing ability goes out the window.
And since I basecoat by airbrush I'm left for sometimes days without being able to actually paint anything from tremors.

Do any of you fellow Dakkanauts have any tips I can try?

Again thank you for your time.

What you could try:

If you haven't already, fix your mini on an old paint pot or a big enough piece of wood. Something that fits well into your hand yo you have a firm grip.

Hold your mini in your "off-hand" (left for me) and your brush in your "main-hand". When you paint fine details or similar you rest your "main-hand" on your "off-hand".
One finger on one finger can be sufficient to eliminate the shaking or make both hands shake the same.

In addition you should try to rest both forearms on the edge of your painting desk.

Tremors are not unusual, and generally, as you paint for more months/years, they will subside a bit.

If you use a vice to hold your model during fine detail painting (Dremel makes a nice ball jointed one that points any way), you'll have only hour dominant hand to worry about.

When painting generally, affix your model to a ismall glass jar. This way you can hold your model without getting your fingers on it, but it is also important because it allows you to brace the model against the table, instead of holding it up. It also raises the height to a more comfortable level.

Now, if your dominant (painting) hand is shaking, brace your painting hand against something solid, even if it's just a stack of books. This makes a big difference. 2x4 that is a couple of feet long is great for this.

Now, the medical side of this.

One of the most common reasons for tremors is low blood sugar at that moment. To test, have a candy bar and try again in a couple of minutes --essentially, your muscles don't have enough energy to hold your hands still.

Getting up, stretching, and giving yourself a short break can always make a big difference too.

As I painted more, I found my hands became more steady, and I learned to compensate some, too.

For me changing my desk and chair made a huge difference. If I'm just holding the model up to my face/eyes to paint it I'm a shaky mess.
So I now have a really high desk and corresponding low chair, with a towel taped onto the edge of the desk - so now my hands rest easily on the edge and remain reinforced and steady, while also being close to my eyes.
This also kept me from hunching over and thus helped my back.

Tjomball wrote:
First I'll start of by thanking you all for your time and responses in advance.
With that out of the way I can get on to the topic at hand.

I'm an epileptic. And occasionally I get small hand tremors and more frequently muscle spasms.
The spasms are nothing I can do anything about except repaint when the inevitable happens.
But the tremors are more bothersome.
They aren't that "big" think more micro tremors.
But bothersome none the less since any real semblance of fine detailing ability goes out the window.
And since I basecoat by airbrush I'm left for sometimes days without being able to actually paint anything from tremors.

Do any of you fellow Dakkanauts have any tips I can try?

Again thank you for your time.

I reccomend the old "sniper trick"...it works on the principle of forcing your nervous system back into parasympathetic (or is it sympathetic? I always get them mixed up...) operation. This forces physical calm, which results in steadied hands. I use it routinely to calm hand jitters, but it really shines when you are experiencing anxiety that's producing negative physical response.

Breath out for 3 seconds to clear your lungs.
Hold empty lungs for 3 seconds.
Breath in through your nose for 3 seconds.
Hold the full lungs for 3 seconds.
Repeat 2-4 times.

This is a great trick for painting, exam taking, and dealing with generalized anxiety.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Talys wrote:


One of the most common reasons for tremors is low blood sugar at that moment. To test, have a candy bar and try again in a couple of minutes --essentially, your muscles don't have enough energy to hold your hands still.

Yah, always keep some snacks at the desk. I prefer trail mix myself....has some sugars from fruit & chocolate, but plenty of fats and protein from the nuts.

I have Crohn's Disease and one of the biggest issues I have, whether caused by the disease or all the wonderful medications for it, is shaking hands/tremors. Some days are worse than others, but I've gotten pretty good at countering it.

Lots of good advice already stated and mine is much the same:
- I use attach minis to old paint pots with stick tack to give me something more to hold onto.
- I brace my forearms on my desk, leaning into the project. This also helps stabilize.
- similarly, I make sure to brace my painting hand against the hand holding the mini. It can get a little awkward at times, but it works.
- I don't generally have low blood sugar problem, but if I'm shaking due to Low Blood Sugar I notice it even more when I'm painting. Always have snacks on hand!

I have had an awful time with the doc figuring out why I shake as much as I do. Some of the first things they will ask you about is how much caffeine you intake and if you drink a lot. I cut out both these vices as much as possible due to illness, but do you notice the shaking problem getting worse after a cup of coffee? Alternatively, the doc said a little alcohol may help take the edge of the shaking - said she didn't recommend I drink to deal with it, but said that many people with tremors report that a drink of preference helped calm the tremor.

T

I don't know if this will help but don't drink to much coffee or cafinated drinks when you want to paint. I'm serious even if you are used to coffee and caffeine some people just get slight tremors/shakes/sweats/shivers etc etc if they drink to much caffeine.

Other than that I really recommend like others have said getting something whether it be a paint pot, cork, or anything that fits well in your hand to hold the miniature while you paint. Helps a ton.

I just posted about this! Well, my issue is medication related.

Stability is key though. I took a few days off and things still weren't better. I like the idea of resting your brush hand on something though.

So far removed from what you are actually asking, but for epilepsy (and tremors) have you considered a ketogenic diet?

I have heard some very positive things from a mate whose wife was/is a sufferer.

For a more direct answer, the low chair/high desk is a big deal - being able to rest both forearms on a desk, and your hands on each other, while having your work nearer to your face is really the best chance you have.

The cheap option is a painting box/stand of some kind that elevates your work, and is stable enough to lean on.

I can't address the issues with your medical condition.

A few techniques I use to minimize muscle tension and straining my joints when painting.

Ensure my legs and feet aren't under any tension. Totally relaxed state, no crossed legs or bending at severe angle.

I lean on my painting table, most of the weight on my elbows or forearms. I hardly every "free hand" unsupported unless I'm painting something big like bases that doesnt have much detail or small areas. It's much like firing a weapon(I was in the military). The more of your body you can get on the ground or resting against something solid, the less strain your muscles and joints will be under, and the less shaky your arms and hands.

I leave the model on the table, and steady it with my hand left(non brush) hand. Change angles of the model according to which side your're painting. Now my models are are "pinned" into cork of various sizes. I place the miniature on its side usually, and rest my fingers on top of or on each side of the cork. DONT grip the model/cork, just rest your fingers on it so it cant move.

For my right hand, I use small containers I use for storing parts, of different sizes, or sometimes rest my hand directly on the table. If I need a higher angle down onto the model, I grab a container and rest my right hand on the container. If I need more of an angle, I get a slightly larger container.

I was a sniper in the military. Controlling your breathing and body positioning is essential in a steady hand. I use the same breathing and body placement techniques when doing very fine detailed work on very small parts.

Set the model and angle, test strokes with a dry brush(whatever brush you're using with NO paint). If it doesn't feel right, readjust your mini or your "stand" under your right hand. Once you're angle is set, and your brush sits naturally pointing towards your "target" area prep the brush with paint, Then rest that brush hand on your "stand" at the same exact angle, take a deep breath and think "relax" and start hitting the area you want to paint at the end of your exhale.... then breathe normally a few seconds, then repeat. Now the breathing part can get tricky and you can make yourself light headed. If you throw off the O2/CO2 levels in your blood, you'll get the opposite effect you're looking for and you'll shake more. Dont take HUGE deep breaths every few seconds. Just take that deep breath when you're "lost" in your painting, and when you're feeling unsteady.

If you're still very shaky at this point, it may be time to take a break. Stand up and walk around... "shake it off". Take a 15 minute break then come back fresh and ready to paint!

Going in for a brushstroke on the exhale will also steady the hand....never go in for detail work with your lungs full and your breath held. IMO anyway.

 Peter Wiggin wrote:
Going in for a brushstroke on the exhale will also steady the hand....never go in for detail work with your lungs full and your breath held. IMO anyway.

Painting like a sniper. Love it.

Thank you all so much for the response.
Really.. THANK YOU ALL!!!

I will have to do some more research on a couple of the tips.
As for using the breathing techniques used when shooting..
Why didn't I think about that? I'm from a hunters family..

I will also look into improving the ergonomics of my workstationmaybe even go as far as getting an entirely new adjustable one.

As for the bloodsugar tips. I'm horrible at keeping a steady calorie intake I eat once or twice a day.. I think a change is gonna come.. :p

There was also a tip that involved alcohol.. Well I use Vodka for paint thinners.. So I may as well takea swig from my "paint thinner"

A ketogenic diet was suggested. I am looking into that. But that will be a challenge to maintain. But worth a try none the less..

Caffeine should not be an issue for me. Since I only drink at the most one cup of coffee a day. And hardly any caffeinated sodas..

I have a lot to look into.
So my fellow Dakkanauts who took the time to reply.
Thank you all.
Tor-Arne

 pfibp wrote:
In addition you should try to rest both forearms on the edge of your painting desk.

This. Simplest and best tip for steadier hands.