"Painting posture" Topic

I love to paint but I have a bung neck from years of rugby and some degenerative disc disease in the lower back.

I accept that I need to stretch and take regular breaks. Anyone have tips on posture or a good chair or table set up?

Thanks!

Peter

I have a medical condition also and have found that the only relief I get is by taking regular breaks, get up walk around, make myself a drink. I've get a workbench set up at waist height for basing and modeling. I don't paint stood up but by having other projects to move to it gives me a break from sat painting! I've changed my painting set up over the years but still suffer from the same problems, stiff neck seems to be the worst and most commen issue I have.

Yeah, the neck is the killer for me. Leads to severe and chronic headaches.

There are some very good chairs available for those with back / neck issues. Do a google search for ergonomic chairs is my suggestion.
Good luck.

Get a lower chair or a higher painting table, my old workshop had a workbench that was chest high when seated, I could steady my wrists on the edge for painting and have the figure directly in front of my eyes with no bending. I never got neck pain while using it (unlike when I paint at a normal table).

Robert

Try painting standing up, by increasing the hight of your painting area.

I had back problems at work in my office chair so I built a box to put on the top of the desk to raise up my computer screen and keyboard. It was a cheap "standing desk". Been doing this for 6 months and have experienced much less back issues..

You need good supportive shoes and ease into it, but you should feel the difference.

Cheers

Ironlegs
10mmnapoleonics.blogspot.com

thanks chaps, good ideas.

Completely agree with ironlegs solution, SB. I have severe arthritis in my lower back and a milder dose in my neck. I simply stopped sitting down at work and now I paint at a stand as well. You just have to time your sessions.

I've been painting and modelling standing for years and it is more comfortable and 'natural' than sitting. I don't think it has much effect on upper back & neck problems but certainly easier on the lower back.

I have a mix of RSI & mild arthritis and the RSI is only kep at bay by regular breaks and remembering to move every few minutes – just a twist of the head to the side seems to help and stops the neck muscles getting cramped.

A high table and painting standing up is a great idea – I must admit I quite enjoy painting standing up, which I do sometimes in the kitchen to get better light

Get one of those reverse chairs where you lean forward on the back rest so to speak?

I agree with Toaster. Working seated in a regular height chair with a much higher than normal table is the best solution for me. It supports my arms at a more comfortable level, and I can paint looking straight ahead, i.e., no bending the neck and looking down.

John B.
TabletopHistory.blogspot.com

Shameless plug here. Have your work area where you do not roll your shoulders forward while working. Rolling the shoulders foward is the real culprit for as the shoulders go, so goes the neck. However, we do roll them forward more than we think, so get periodic massage from a professional massage therapist trained in orthopedic modalities & take breaks to stretch.

-- Elaine

Yoga works for me. There a couple of positions that stretch and relax the back and neck. Take a break every hour and do the half eagle and the seated twist positions forr a few minutes.

I suddenly have this pic of a new chair design that is slung forward supporting the chest with special arms that support the elbows and forearms. The arms would be glide forward/backward and side to side. Rotate a bit as well. Stops it from going up or down without special adjustment.

The tricky part would be designing it to take gamer guts comfortably :)

He'd like the idea of regular massages.

CorSegEng, now that is a dilemma!

At a convention, there was a gentleman who required TWO SEATS. Due to his immobility, he developed a "Frisbee" throw terrain placing technique and rolled roads and rivers up like ribbons to be thrown across the table.

There might be a market for you!