Any tips for alleviating drawing tension?

[acosby]

I'm gonna second the drinkin' solution.
Know your limit. Draw within it.

[Bruce Lee]

Try drawing with side of the graphite instead of the point. Try using your whole arm when you draw also, not just your fingers and wrists. Also try to have fun when you draw. Don't start off with the mindset that it's a chore or that there's a high bar you need to jump over. Relax and see what happens.

[Travis]

I occasionally get serious pains in my wrist. If it's tension pain, you can try this:

Relax the muscles of your forearm in the hand that hurts. Feel the muscles in your forearm. Pay very close attention. You will notice that while most muscles are soft, some are, even when relaxed, extremely rigid. Take some icy-hot (or sombra, that works good) and rub your thumb along those muscles extremely hard (or get someone else to do it). If it is extremely, almost unendureablly painful, then you're doing it right.

These muscles contract due to overuse. This process loosens them up. When I get someone to do that until I can't take it anymore, that will usually make it stop hurting for a few days.

[Travis]

You could also try this:

Excercises

[adultbraces]

Treat it like a lady.

[ENTITY]

Thank you very much to everyones advice! I was shocked that anyone responded to this at all. Hahaha

This won't solve all your problems but have you tried rubber pencil grips? I use them on my mechanical pencils.
http://www.dickblick.com/products/pencil-grips/

I haven't seen these before, I'll try some other shops around town to see if I can acquire a few. Reminds me of the Dr. Grip mechanical pencil I've been using. I've felt the mechanical pencil has been robbing my work of fluidity, these would be cool for a regular pencil. Looks to help a lot with the smashing of the finger tips!

Y'know,I find that my grip's more relaxed and lines are more fluid when I'm inking after I've had a drink or two. This isn't a real solution,a few more drinks and ink's flying everywhere,but it might help you into a habit of a more relaxed grip.

This is true, but I tend to get distracted and lose interest in drawing once I partake in any alcohol.

Hold the pencil higher up.

Tried. I invariably move back down to the lowest. And feel a loss of line control higher up, but I'll practice at this. I can see how it would help.

Try some negative reinforcement like wrapping your pencil in little pins or something, so that every time you tighten your grip it'll sting and you'll be forced to loosen it.

It didn't work, and blood ended up smeared on the paper.

masturbate more

I prefer sex, and as with the booze, it serves as more of a distraction from drawing.

have you tried acupuncture? I've never done it myself but I've heard it can actually be pretty good for relieving joint tension and carpal tunnel and that kind of stuff. might be worth looking into.

I haven't tried this, and that service isn't easy to come by in these parts.

Use softer leads like HB, B or 2B.

I have, creates more dust and broken leads and looks like I am drawing with a crayon.

I'm gonna second the drinkin' solution.
Know your limit. Draw within it.

That's a whole other problem I have altogether! Hahahaha!

Try drawing with side of the graphite instead of the point. Try using your whole arm when you draw also, not just your fingers and wrists. Also try to have fun when you draw. Don't start off with the mindset that it's a chore or that there's a high bar you need to jump over. Relax and see what happens.

The mindset is definitely an issue lately. I have been trying to change my style and preferences of drawing and I think that's been a big mistake. It's made me resentful of what I've drawn. I also stopped drawing for a very long time, so there have been major frustrations getting back at it.

You could also try this:

Excercises

This actually worked AMAZINGLY well! I have moderate pain in my hands and wrists daily; as my 8 fingers have all been broken at least twice, countless strains and sprains through the hands and wrists, permanent damage to ligaments to the wrists and many boxers fractures to both hands. As soon as I did these exercises there was very notable relief. I will be doing these exercises every morning and afternoon regardlesss of drawing. Thanks a million, Travis!! Seriously! I will be passing this info along to others. This is great!

[Inkthinker]

Don't give up on changing style and looking to switch up technique. It's frustrating at first, but that's the hump. Once you can push through and begin to feel comfortable in drawing different ways, it helps you to break down ALL styles and makes you a more flexible illustrator.

[ENTITY]

Don't give up on changing style and looking to switch up technique. It's frustrating at first, but that's the hump. Once you can push through and begin to feel comfortable in drawing different ways, it helps you to break down ALL styles and makes you a more flexible illustrator.

That's why I've tried to start pushing myself ideas and subjects I'm less interested in with different approaches and increased speed. Is frustrating, but I'm sure you're right about the pay off.

Thanks much!

[ThatGracefulledge]

http://davesmechanicalpencils.blogsp....html#comments

Get one of these work on layouts best mech pencil out there kinda like Dr. Grip but made on do layouts on 3X5 area with a harder lead 2h though F on a stack of paper to alleviate tension