A drawing-related injury could be carpal tunnel, wrist pain, tennis elbow, or any other type of injury that results from drawing too much, or in an unhealthy way. These are shockingly common amongst artists! Unfortunately I’ve experienced some strain from drawing in the past, but managed to overcome it by making changes to my workflow, mindset, and routine. The most important thing is to slow down, take breaks, and give yourself time to rest and recover. This is easier said than done – artists often panic that they won’t be able to keep up with their work or learning process. However, you must get rest, because a drawing-related injury is a sign that you are overworking yourself! Take a moment to realize that whatever urgent task you are doing is completely irrelevant compared to the long-term use of your arm. It’s important to prioritize your health – and if you do that, you will most likely recover and be able to draw without pain!
Here are some things that I found helpful in dealing with my injury:
- Mindset: The main thing that’s helped me is to become aware of thought patterns that intensify stress. Stress would cause me to squeeze my pen too hard, have a bad posture and ignore breaks – all of which exacerbated the problem. Over time, I’ve learned to realize when this is happening and take better care of myself when it does.
- Sleeping position: So much healing happens at night, during your sleep! If your arm is hurting, don’t sleep on it at night. This can obstruct bloodflow to the injured area. Also, make sure you don’t bend your wrist into a sharp angle while you sleep. A wrist brace can help with that!
- Frequent breaks: Take breaks regularly! Workrave can help with that. It’s a program that forces you to take frequent micro-breaks and also longer breaks throughout the day.
- Stretches: Be sure to stretch your arm, shoulders and neck throughout your workday. You’re often carrying way more tension in your body than you realize!
- Workspace: Try to configure your workspace ergonomically. Things like a good chair and desk, the height of your screen, and the angle of the screen have a huge impact on how much strain you’re putting on yourself while working.
- Routine & structure: Keep a steady daily routine where you plan your drawing hours ahead of time. This will prevent you from getting stuck in an activity that causes strain. If you can, try to include exercise in the routine, as well as rest and calming activities. Implementing a healthier routine in my life has been the main solution to being more productive! For more information on what I consider to be a healthy routine for artists, check out my Patreon tutorial about creating an artistic routine.
Most importantly: speak to a doctor or physical therapist if you’re feeling pain, rather than power through it. An expert can identify the problem and give specific solutions that will help you! Remember that all bodies are different and what works for me might not work for you, so don’t hesitate to consult a professional for help if you’re struggling with a drawing-related injury.