Airbrush Cramp...

[RuneBrush]

Bit of a strange question here. I'm currently frantically trying to get my GD entry ready for the 25th and a large portion of it is being airbrushed due to it's size. I did a 3 hour airbrushing session last night and about half way in was really struggling with cramp and muscle's bunching in my right hand - clearly I persevered through the pain. I've never had this before and was just wondering if I was just holding my airbrush poorly or it was something else?

pete.

ps Airbush is a dual action gravity fed one

 

[alextheartist]

Sounds to me like a case of you being a big girl

Probs just give it a rest for a bit, i'm always getting my right leg fall asleep from how I sit when painting (although its pretty fun/weird)

 

[ChemicalFencer]

I recently bought an airbrush myself and had the same problem - although it was a new experience for me and it wasn't for 3 hours. One cause may be you're holding it too tight but I doubt that as you would have cramped up quicker, or just the amount of time you're airbrushing. Even the hardiest of writers, mechanics, and other people who use their hands a lot will struggle for 3 hours.

CF

 

[airhead]

gotta give yourself breaks.

I've said many times, the airbrush is one of the least intuitive, least ergonomic tools in our set. You're using muscles that are not used to being used in that fashon.

Do it 10 hours a day, 6 days a week like the T-shirt artists do on the gulf, in season. You'll have calluses one your finger pad.

***
Do you wrap the hose up over your arm? That takes some of the weight off of your wrist.
Try to use your whole arm to wave paint across as much as possible as opposed to wrist motions (dagger strokes).

 

[RuneBrush]

Cheers for the comments (and Alex, I soldiered through the pain - rar )

I did a much shorter session last night and wrapped the airline round my wrist which did make it a little easier to use, no cramps or similar this time either. I'm tempted to remove the inline water trap that's on the bottom of airbrush as I've never see it collect anything (the one on the compressor does).

Guess I'll just chalk it down to a random occurrence and the fact I didn't have proper breaks between colours

cheers

p.

 

[Einion]

Do you wrap the hose up over your arm? That takes some of the weight off of your wrist.

What is this weight you speak of?

Einion

 

[airhead]

What is this weight you speak of?

Einion

You've never spent the day with a 4 oz. bottle of paint attached to an old heavy Paasche?

 

[Shawn R. L.]

My dremel's similar in that when doing a lot of work I like to have the cable running over my shoulder because the tension of the cable wants to turn the work head in a funny direction and it adds weight.

 

[Einion]

Just a little Aztek humour, given they weigh practically nothing. I think I've used fountain pens with more heft!

Einion

 

[airhead]

Just a little Aztek humour...

:doh:
I knew that - really.... honest....