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yuumei — PSA for Artists! Don't make the same mistake I did
Published: 2015-12-11 21:10:01 +0000 UTC; Views: 207609; Favourites: 1933; Downloads: 0
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I've been posting some video tutorials to teach aspiring artists my drawing techniques, but I think it's very important to learn from my mistakes as well.
I'm 25 right now, and I've been drawing all my life. I started drawing a lot more and professionally when I was about 19-20. I drew all the time and didn't think much about it. I would draw until I'm in pain, from sitting too long, from not eating because I was in the flow and didn't want to stop. I would get terrible back pains and even heart palpitations from sitting in the same position drawing for so long.
That's when the nails on my right hand started to get weird and lumpy. At first I thought it was a dietary thing, so I took vitamins, went to the doctors, exercised, changed things up but it was too late. It's been years now and 3 doctors later they couldn't fix it.
If it were just ugly nails, I wouldn't really care, but the nails are just the tip of how bad I've been treating my body. One time during a particularly hardcore drawing marathon, my right hand swelled up for a week. Nowadays I try to take it easy and take long breaks in between but the damage that has already been done can't be undone. I can only draw for so many hours in a day before I have to stop or I will get pains from my entire hand, arm, and shoulder.
Now I have a standing desk, ergonomic mouse, hand brace, and all that. I wish I had done these things sooner so I can keep drawing without restraint. I used to update my comics more frequently, but I can't realistically sustain that speed without hurting myself. (Hence I plan on doing a Patreon in the future so I can hire helpers to do some of the comic's background drawings)
In those speed paint tutorials where I paint within 1-2 hours, it may seem like I have it made, dishing out art in hours, but after those hours I have to massage my hand and arm. I can't draw for more than a few hours a day now without hurting.
When I was in college all I could think about is how to improve my skills, practice endlessly, and all that hard work has paid off in some ways but not in others. So please take care of your hands, and your general health. It seems obvious in retrospect but I never thought about it when I was younger that, hey maybe, just maybe, if you overwork and break your body, you won't be able to draw and create all you want anymore.
Take breaks, don't grip too hard, do hand exercises, do general exercises, get ergonomic mouse and a standing desk if you can (I just piled a bunch of books on my regular desk until it was tall enough) These are some of the few ways you can help your hand last in the long run
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Comments: 647
Yup, my nails are fucked too - and my collarbone is killing me. Take care peeps.
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It's too late for me ahaha
I wish I saw this sooner, yuumei OTZ.
I ended up procrastinating for some big projects and then drew them all in one go. Ended up paralyzing my right arm for a couple of weeks. That was about a month ago. It still hurts after an hour or so into drawing. Hopefully, the pain gradually fades away.
I hope your hands get better as well! It's an artist's worst nightmare to have injuries to the hand.
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I don't have nail issues thank god, but I have developed major issues in both of my hands and both my wrists.
I can barely sketch for a half hour before needing a 4+ hour break to allow my joints to stop hurting so badly.
It started months ago but was minor and on and off...within the past 4ish months between personal work/work for DA, and college, my hands are totally giving up on me and in constant dull pain, but worse as I explained if I type or draw too much.
My storyboarding class didn't help (majoring in animation)
I don't have health insurance so I can't see a doctor to get diagnosed but it could be carpal tunnel, repetitive stress injury, arthritis, or who knows..and I'm only 20.
Good on you for putting this notice out there for everyone on the site to see; I wish the best of luck to you and your hands 
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thank you for sharing that
I never really thought about it like that, but I'll make sure to take care and inform others
thanks
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That explains a lot... My nails on my right are bobbly too... Hmmm...
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Really thanks! I'm 14 and I've been drawing since I was four and for a few years now I've been experiencing some of these issues like my fingers hurt and my back does, sleep depriving caused ismonia already because I was desperate to get a piece done and I'm not even 25!
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I found this journal when I was looking at art. I just wanted to say thank you for this information. I have friends who would draw but never take breaks, and I didn't know this could happen. I'm going to show this journal to my friends, so once again I just wanted to say thank you!
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Oops. Already have that it looks like O3O.
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This is such great information, thank you for sharing!! Hopefully this can help other artists keep themselves healthy and drawing! I hope you'll be able to hire some assistants, your art is amazing but it's gotta be tough to be in your situation!
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When I started drawing nonstop I got a permanent dent in one of my fingers because I hold pencils/pens in odd ways and I can't train myself out of the habit. However it's not noticeable unless I point it out.
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I appreciate this information, because people dont realise things like this in time if no one speaks up, thank you for being that one cool artist who does your job in the 'help-out-aspiring-and-possibly-dumb-unaware-artists' section haha
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Yuumei, you are the best. It means a lot more than any drawing tips. It is a crucial thing for every artist.
Although I am not a artist, but an art-loving general practitioner.
I once was working as a doctor for a teenager symphonic orchestra. There, i realized how irreversibly damaging to one's body constantly practicing could be. I have been warning every artist & sport-person (athlete) about the risks of it.
This leaflet is belong to British medical association for performing arts. I believe is most of them is suitable & relevant for your art too.): www.bapam.org.uk/documents/A4D…
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Trim your nails! Might help. Plus, just be thankful your talents are recognized. You could have deformed hideous fingers AND be unemployed broke and alone. Everything in moderation, except with sex and death.
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I'm 15 now, but I've been doing the same kind of effort you had been doing, for longer. And now even that could get me a tablet to draw digitally. I get sudden pain in the arms, legs become stiff jabs and constant finger with back pain who do not feel at all until I get up to bed. All this time just thinking about how to improve, and when I fail as thought, and I bother me much effort xD is no laughing matter, but I started to follow because his view of art is very similar to My, how is expressed as results in these beautiful creations, I became one of the many fans who have: 3.
I take my time to keep growing, thanks. Now we just calm the storm to watch the sun again ...
Greetings from Venezuela.
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But you know that you haven´t to press hard with the digital pen? You can adjust it digitally to be extremely sensitive, so even the lightest touch will produce a broad brush-trail. Here, digital media have a clear advantage to trad. ones: anything is adjustable.
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god if i hadnt read this i might have fallen in the same trap. Becuase i was going in the same direction, thats how i can draw so good now in under 4 months of only doing art
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I don't think I have any permanent damage, but I definitely know what you mean. Last year when I was drawing and creating all the time my hand and wrist would get so sore that I had to stop drawing and just not use it for several hours. It was bad.
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my hands does not have a lumpy nails, but my hands have a crocked/curved fingers (3 fingers on the left and 2 fingers on the right).... too late to fix that huh ?;-;
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I guess I learned this super early when I started Crushing my first tablet pen to pieces (Calcomp pens are very hallow in order to contain its button batteries) so ever since then I only grip my tablet stylus lightly (even with the more solid Wacom Cintiq pens)
Since the pen costs hundreds of dollars back then I dare not destroy my pens!
Besides having a lot of caffeine in my system means that my fine motor-skills have started to become less stable so holding the pen lightly also minimizes the shakiness of my fingers. (It makes feather stroking so much easier too..) This incidentally eliminated the carpal tunnel I was experiencing.
This habit followed all the way through even with traditional drawing with pen and pencil. I count myself lucky.
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I actually have huge ass callouses on my fingers from drawing, and I don't draw nearly as much or for long enough to really develop much pain in my hand, my lower back however...Ether way hopefully modern medicine will improve and they'll be able to do something for you.
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Did you ever get it where there was a pain from how your write or draw usually when I draw or color for a while the area between my thumb and fore finger hurts. I don't really think im holding the pencil to hard or anything but I would still would rather like to know from someone who draws a lot in there career about it. also do you know from experience how to get it to stop hurting.
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Maybe you could consider to do some of your are in oil colors
I switch between traditional oil panting and digital painting with photoshop + cintiq, and in my experience the metal process is the same only the handwork is slightly different; but this positive in your case.
You just need to learn a little about pigments and medium but I'm sure that in a month you can express yourself as well on a canvas !
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Ah I wish someone had told me about this earlier ;_;
In May I hurt my right hand by drawing too much and gripping my pencil too hard and I still suffer from the pain, even though the tendovaginitis is gone.
Also, now I learned that in addition to standing desk, ergonomic mouse etc, there's a lot of training you can do to strengthen your hands so they won't hurt that fast. For example now (in recovery) I train with a thing called digiflex or gripmaster, which trains my fingers individually. QiGong balls might help too, or thera-bands (broad rubber bands) for the wrist and fingers. Or even putty.
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Gee... it must be hard to live with those lumpy nails huh?... well I do hope it will get better sooner or later even it may be too late, after all, NOTHING is too late!
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Thanks a lot for sharing this, I was actually thinking of drawing nonstop to reach my goals, but now… not anymore.
Gotta keep my breaks inbetween and do some exercise.
Thanks again and I wish you all the best!
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What do you mean by lumpy nails, I might have something like that but not sure?
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Now I know. I have this bump on my finger on my right hand. I didn't know where it came from but then I was told I was putting too much pressure on it.
I then started doing hand exercises before and after I draw.
This info you wrote proved to be helpful to not only me but, to other artist.
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Never knew. Thanks for this.
Happy Holidays~! Hope you can take long brakes with tea and relax, even for a bit.
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omg! i'm so sorry to hear that.../i'm really sad right now/ because you are my idol all the time ;;;;-;;;; i hope you feel better and thank you so much for sharing!
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Thank you so much for the PSA!
I hope you feel better
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That sucks! I am sorry you had this happen to you and thank you for letting others know. What you're describing is RSI or Carpal Tunnel syndrome on your hand/arm and the nails MIGHT get better if you go to a plastic surgeon and have your nail beds reformed (ouch). Either way - good to know you've taken steps to regain some of what you lost.
I suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome but was aware of it well before I even showed symptoms. Unlike you though it's from using a mouse, which I hide and force myself to use the wacom tablet whenever I can. Don't draw with a mouse - it's like drawing with a brick and can wreak havoc on your poor arm.
As far as your heart having palpitations and stuff - get thee to a heart specialist. That isn't normal and it might be a murmur or something like it. Very small but over time this can have lasting effects on your health.
I hope you're doing better and that you've been able to regain more of your ability over time.
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Lol
I'm twelve and even though I draw a lot, I just have pink calluses on my pinky and the inside of my middle finger...
Besides, your nails aren't TOO bad... it's only noticeable if someone scrutinizes it...
And your pain is just the result of dedication and hard work
IT'S LIKE A REALLY COOL WARRIOR SCAR
You could probably say that to people if they ask lol
Anyway, I think it's cool
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don't forget though, things like that get worse and worse if you don't take care of them! paying attention to the pain is important! if you damage your hands/wrists, you could end up with problems that prevent you from drawing as much (like yuumei has), or if it gets bad enough, they can keep you from drawing completely.
please don't take pride in damaging your body, it's the only one you have.
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Okayokayokay
Still hasn't happened
I SHALL LISTEN TO YOU, Dancing-Kitten, AND TRY NOT TO KILL MY HANDS
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POSTURE. That's the one piece of advice I'd give any young artist/writer/anyone who works for long periods of time over a desk/drawing board/ computer. No slumping or leaning. Your body needs to be at right angles -- knees, elbows, shoulders, chin, and everything supported (feet on floor, elbows on armrests) with good circulation (no desk or chair edges cutting into wrists/thighs/etc). And force yourself to get up once in a while (every hour at least) and walk around. That's what vinyl is good for -- gotta get up and flip that thing every 24 minutes or so. Long walks also build core stomach and back muscles that make sitting up straight easier. ALL RSIs (repetitive stress injuries) are from poor posture and habits, not overuse (per se).
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You should draw an image representing this. I think it could be an amazing piece.
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WHat! I didn't know this was a thing 
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There was this one time that I was really into drawing and I would draw or hours everyday for about a month. I noticed after that month, my ring finger wasn't straight, and I got real scarred. I didn't get it checked out or anything because I'm 2 and I'm tough. (I was dumb and I'm pretty tough.) I stopped drawing for a long time and it eventually went back to normal. I don't think was rom drawing or writing, but I did have most of my fingernails fall off of both of my hands a while ago. So scary! They had another layer underneath though. My toenail did it too. I think that's the one smashed in the door on the cruise ship. I bet the nail is still at the bottom of that pool. (Not really, I think they're required to drain it.)
I also have the problem of gripping the pencil waaaaaaaaaaaaay too hard.
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omg, this is a very good advice, thank you very much for charing it 
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Would it be okay if I shared this journal around? I think it's super important for Artists to know this! I'll probably share it on my facebook and tumblr, if that is okay with you.
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Thanks for sharing, yuumei. Sounds like me. I have slowed down in my art and didn't draw as much when I was studying creative writing, so my hands haven't caused me much issue yet. But, I tend to use my laptop on the floor in the room where my family usually is (I prop myself up with pillows and rest on my stomach). Dining room table is in the other room and my room is too small for a desk. Because I draw with my right hand, I support my weight on my left elbow and shoulder. My tummy stays slightly toned from getting down and up from the floor, but within the last year my shoulder has started to show the abuse I've put it through since I was probably 17, and I turn 25 on Monday. The bones in my shoulder look a bit rough and a spot between my shoulder blades tends to smart at times. Working on correcting things, though.
But yes. Artists can push the limits of their bodies, too!
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Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
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