Hi, this may be wierd, but my doctor looked at me like I was an alien nerd with three heads when I asked him and said "I don't know what to suggest, ask some artists.", but I have nerve damage and it has left me with only about 60% of the fine motor control I used to have. When I paint, it really shows that my hands shake slightly... just look at my minis and you will see how frustrating it is. I am thinking about getting an air brush to help with the grip problem, but my fingers will still be a bitwobbly. Do any of you know of or can you suggest any tools or methods that might help my keep my hands and/or fingers more stable when painting?
Shakey hands advice
- Thread starter EvilEgg
- Start date
PegaZus
Stealth Freak
Avoid caffeine. There is also someone on here that makes a little mount that has some bracing to support your hands. Sorry, don't recall who. Some put their wrists together and that helps them. Don't work out beforehand. Rest your elbows on the table, wrists together. Try a different brush grip, one that relaxes the muscles a bit.
Sorry for the shotgun list of ideas.
Sorry for the shotgun list of ideas.
freakinacage
Well-known member
Agree with resting your hands on something. I know a load of guys who buy big sponges, put them on the table and rest their wrists on them
This a great question! I am in the same boat and occasionally my fingers will twitch as well. I do better when I rest my wrists on the edge of the table, but not that much better. The coolest part of this has been that I am more accepting of how the mini turns out and am more willing to try new things. It makes it easier to get into a Zen-like state. The downside is that nothing I paint will end up as a WIP thread.
Pogue
New member
I know that it has to be frustrating having this condition, but there are a few painters that have shaky hands that get great results. Jen Haley talked about shaky hands in her miniature mentor video. She has to rest her arms on some kind of little bench or pillow and that seems to help her out.
You might want to look into other types of techniques as well. Some people prime their mini's completely black, then spray just white straight from the top giving their mini instant shadows and highlights. Then they just use washes to color the mini's. This seems to require less precision and some people get amazing results with that style. You might want to look around the web I am sure there are many tutorials on it.
You might want to look into other types of techniques as well. Some people prime their mini's completely black, then spray just white straight from the top giving their mini instant shadows and highlights. Then they just use washes to color the mini's. This seems to require less precision and some people get amazing results with that style. You might want to look around the web I am sure there are many tutorials on it.
Evilegg; What kind of nerve damage are we talking about here?
Can you take any form of pressure on your forearms? If so then there are options.
Wrist supports I've seen used, which restrict movement is one.
But if things are bad then it may be that you need to think about full on support frame.
You would need two lengths of plastic piping cut to the length of your forearms (elbow to base of thumb) "C" shaped in cross section permanently mounted into an inverted 'V".
In those you'd rest your arms, so you'd need some form of padding.
Failing that consider an adaption of the Mahl Stick concept. Where you can rest your hands against a support at an appropriate height to reduce shake. (A bit like a modified towel rail but inverted.)
I'm using a touch pad at the moment or I'd provide a diagram to show you what I mean.
Can you take any form of pressure on your forearms? If so then there are options.
Wrist supports I've seen used, which restrict movement is one.
But if things are bad then it may be that you need to think about full on support frame.
You would need two lengths of plastic piping cut to the length of your forearms (elbow to base of thumb) "C" shaped in cross section permanently mounted into an inverted 'V".
In those you'd rest your arms, so you'd need some form of padding.
Failing that consider an adaption of the Mahl Stick concept. Where you can rest your hands against a support at an appropriate height to reduce shake. (A bit like a modified towel rail but inverted.)
I'm using a touch pad at the moment or I'd provide a diagram to show you what I mean.
RuneBrush
New member
One thing I tend to do when I'm painting a single mini is to hold it in my left hand (having secured it on a paint pot or old 35mm film cannister) and then "nest" the edge of my right hand into the palm of my left. Basic theory behind it, is that if one of my hands shake or move it causes both of them and my mini to move the same amount 
It might not work for you, but it's easy enough to try out.
Also and this is a bit of a random one, focus on your breathing. Make sure you're sat up and not bent over crushing your diaphragm, take slightly deeper breaths and relax as much as you can. Although I know nerve issues are involuntary, that extra bit of calm won't hurt
I'll be interested to see how you get on, I've a friend who suffers from muscular dystrophy and want to help him sort something out so he can paint again.
It might not work for you, but it's easy enough to try out.Also and this is a bit of a random one, focus on your breathing. Make sure you're sat up and not bent over crushing your diaphragm, take slightly deeper breaths and relax as much as you can. Although I know nerve issues are involuntary, that extra bit of calm won't hurt
I'll be interested to see how you get on, I've a friend who suffers from muscular dystrophy and want to help him sort something out so he can paint again.
A lot of good advices here, the only thiung that comes to my mind that I am usin is a table that you can easily adjust the height on. this to get it higher up you can sit straight and easier to reast your elbows arms to the surface and use diffrent texhniques mentioned abouve. My painting is much more stable now that I have this table.
Also I know that Skel had some kind of device that he mounted the figure inside for painting if I remember correctly... Don´t know what it was or if it would be helpful for you.
/Kretcher
Also I know that Skel had some kind of device that he mounted the figure inside for painting if I remember correctly... Don´t know what it was or if it would be helpful for you.
/Kretcher
ChemicalFencer
Lost in the desert
Just to add to PegaZus's post I think he was talking about Derwish's secret.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?50147-derwish-s-secret&highlight=tool
Hope that helps.
CF
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?50147-derwish-s-secret&highlight=tool
Hope that helps.
CF
PegaZus
Stealth Freak
That is what I was thinking of. Thanks!
I`m in the same boat, have had this my entire life, maybe caused by not getting enough oxigen during bith :-(
I use a combination of the little pillow method and "derwishs secret". It takes some time to get used to it, but I think it helps. Other than that, no coffee befor painting, some slight muscle stretching as if I wanted to workout, (but no actual workout directly prior to painting!).
Eating something might help too, because low blood sugar seems to contibute to shaking.
When push comes to shove, I take some mild betablockers, but of cause you should ask your doctor before taking any form of medication (well, maybe a different doctor, since your current one seems to be clueless ;-))
Good luck mate, I have heard of many painters waaay better than me, who have various forms of muscle problems, eye problems etc. who still manage to produce great results!
I use a combination of the little pillow method and "derwishs secret". It takes some time to get used to it, but I think it helps. Other than that, no coffee befor painting, some slight muscle stretching as if I wanted to workout, (but no actual workout directly prior to painting!).
Eating something might help too, because low blood sugar seems to contibute to shaking.
When push comes to shove, I take some mild betablockers, but of cause you should ask your doctor before taking any form of medication (well, maybe a different doctor, since your current one seems to be clueless ;-))
Good luck mate, I have heard of many painters waaay better than me, who have various forms of muscle problems, eye problems etc. who still manage to produce great results!
Einion
New member
I didn't want to rain on his parade at the time but I'm going to say it here, I would recommend you not get Derwish's Secret.
Sure it seems to work great for him but I am certain you can get the same sort of benefit - and I'll go on record here and say I think greater benefit* - from using a much simpler holder that you could make yourself for next to no money.
There are a number of good tips above, any and all of which may help you so it's worth trying all of them. Top of the list for me would me regular exercising and stretching of the hands, nothing strenuous prior to painting (for possibly as much as 1-2 hours) and being in the right mindset for this kind of work. Caffeine may or may not be a factor for you, bear it in mind as a possibility and do some of your own comparisons so you know what's appropriate in your case.
*Less fatiguing of small muscles in the hand, and fatigue of any of them could directly lead to less steadiness in the hand overall.
Einion
Sure it seems to work great for him but I am certain you can get the same sort of benefit - and I'll go on record here and say I think greater benefit* - from using a much simpler holder that you could make yourself for next to no money.
There are a number of good tips above, any and all of which may help you so it's worth trying all of them. Top of the list for me would me regular exercising and stretching of the hands, nothing strenuous prior to painting (for possibly as much as 1-2 hours) and being in the right mindset for this kind of work. Caffeine may or may not be a factor for you, bear it in mind as a possibility and do some of your own comparisons so you know what's appropriate in your case.
*Less fatiguing of small muscles in the hand, and fatigue of any of them could directly lead to less steadiness in the hand overall.
Einion
In my case, it is my proprioceptive nerves that are shot. My fingers go where they think I want them to go rather than where I think they should go. It also makes typing interesting. Little detail bits are really problematic. I use lots of really thin coats so a little slop doesn't show. Having one axis of movement restricted might be really helpful. (Shaking is still a problem)
Thank you guys. I will try these.
I tried to be a hero once (6 of them and one had a brick) and ended up with 2 ruptured discs, five broken teeth, hairline fractures to my skull, cheek and the length of my spine that caused 30+ bone spurs to grow into my spinal cord- the docs think that my nervous system is shutting down as a reaction. I take neuropathy medications to slow the nervous systems decay and pain killers that numb me out. I can barely feel my fingers or legs, so I have to be carefull. I've gashed my legs open pretty bad (doing house work and dumpster diving at construction sites- they throw away tons of cool stuff, btw: PVC piping, floor tiles, roofing slates, counter top material, wood etc...) without knowing it a few times and bled like a stuck pig before I noticed it.
So, kids, let the police handle things when you are outnumbered 6 to 1.
I tried to be a hero once (6 of them and one had a brick) and ended up with 2 ruptured discs, five broken teeth, hairline fractures to my skull, cheek and the length of my spine that caused 30+ bone spurs to grow into my spinal cord- the docs think that my nervous system is shutting down as a reaction. I take neuropathy medications to slow the nervous systems decay and pain killers that numb me out. I can barely feel my fingers or legs, so I have to be carefull. I've gashed my legs open pretty bad (doing house work and dumpster diving at construction sites- they throw away tons of cool stuff, btw: PVC piping, floor tiles, roofing slates, counter top material, wood etc...) without knowing it a few times and bled like a stuck pig before I noticed it.
So, kids, let the police handle things when you are outnumbered 6 to 1.
ChemicalFencer
Lost in the desert
I tried being a hero too once, got bottled in the streets of Hull for my part, some lovely stitches and a glued ear. The scar was small and is hidden in my forehead. I do have a lovely Harry Potter lightening scar just above it due to due to a basal cell carcinoma in the same area. But that's not why I'm posting.
I was going a search for finger savers for carrying boxes of paper (people seem to always lift it using the strap) and I saw these http://www.pengad.com/shop-ergonomic/hand-exercisers.html, might they be of use?
CF
I was going a search for finger savers for carrying boxes of paper (people seem to always lift it using the strap) and I saw these http://www.pengad.com/shop-ergonomic/hand-exercisers.html, might they be of use?
CF
EvilEgg; sorry to read about all that. 6 to 1 not good odds. Brave yes.
However reading about 'dumpster diving' makes me think that you may have a solution to hand. (no pun intended)
If you've got 20mm (or there abouts) PVC piping, a length 12 - 15 inches supported between two wooden uprights may have enough strength to take the pressure of your wrists without placing excess pressure on your nerves. You'd need to work out a comfortable height so that you can get your elbows rested on the base.
Its a variation on what I originally suggested, which I've realised I'd seen something similar being used by a Fine Art Restorer to prevent them accidently touching the fragile surface of a Fresco in Florence, only there it was clamped to scaffolding cross members. (Thank you Discovery Channel repeats).
However reading about 'dumpster diving' makes me think that you may have a solution to hand. (no pun intended)
If you've got 20mm (or there abouts) PVC piping, a length 12 - 15 inches supported between two wooden uprights may have enough strength to take the pressure of your wrists without placing excess pressure on your nerves. You'd need to work out a comfortable height so that you can get your elbows rested on the base.
Its a variation on what I originally suggested, which I've realised I'd seen something similar being used by a Fine Art Restorer to prevent them accidently touching the fragile surface of a Fresco in Florence, only there it was clamped to scaffolding cross members. (Thank you Discovery Channel repeats).
You can try having a pillow in a table, rest you arms there and try painting. If there's a good result, then it might work for you! You can try asking for second opinion from a doctor. I'm sure you'll get the right answer from someone who's professional in this kind of condition.
Zab
New member
They will be on sale again at the end of Jan 2013 exclusively over at PK-Pro. Check out rathcore's blog for the new design improvements!
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