Home Forums Explore Media Oil Painting The Technical Forum Painting injury. Yes, you read that right.

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 22 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #992905

    Hello, everyone. I have a question that I haven’t been able to find the answer to. I am in my late 20’s and I have been oil painting a lot, especially in the past year. In the past couple months I have developed what is called trigger finger, according to the Internet. (not WebMD though, it would have told to go ahead and finalize my will…) This is strange because from what I have read, this usually isn’t a problem until much later.

    My index finger on my left hand will be stuck in a bent position for an hour or so in the morning at the middle joint and will be very sore the rest of the day. This has only been getting worse.

    The only thing I can think of is that when I paint, I always have a paper towel in my left hand and use it to wipe the paint from bristles. Squeezing it between my index finger and thumb.

    I’m not looking for medical advice. I was just wondering if anyone else had had this problem and if there are different solutions to cleaning the brush while painting that would cause less stress to the hand? Thank to all!

    #1223266
    RiJoRi
    Default


        The only thing I can think of is that when I paint, I always have a paper towel in my left hand and use it to wipe the paint from bristles. Squeezing it between my index finger and thumb.

        I’m not looking for medical advice. I was just wondering if anyone else had had this problem and if there are different solutions to cleaning the brush while painting that would cause less stress to the hand? Thank to all!

        While I have not had this problem, perhaps something as simple as not holding onto the paper towel when not using it might help? Or putting a pad made of paper towels on or near your work surface, and just wiping the brush on it??

        I suppose buying 500 brushes and forgetting about cleaning a brush until you’re done for the day is out of the question! :D

        Best wishes,
        –Rich

        So many colors, so little time...

        #1223255
        WFMartin
        Default

            I hold my palette in one hand while I paint. On the bottom edge of that palette, I attach a folded, paper towel, with a bulldog clip. I seldom hold a towel in my hand, but I do hold my palette, which may be as much of a hindrance to you.

            I wipe my brush on this folded paper towel, and I have become quite adapted to using this towel for that purpose.

            wfmartin. My Blog "Creative Realism"...
            https://williamfmartin.blogspot.com

            #1223272

            I hold my palette in one hand while I paint. On the bottom edge of that palette, I attach a folded, paper towel, with a bulldog clip. I seldom hold a towel in my hand, but I do hold my palette, which may be as much of a hindrance to you.

            I wipe my brush on this folded paper towel, and I have become quite adapted to using this towel for that purpose.[/QUOTE

            That’s a good idea WF. For that much pain, I have to be doing something wrong. This is the only reasonable explanation. It’s so stupid, it’s kind of funny and it’s ruining my golf game! Not like that needed any help. I may be trying to wipe the brush too clean without turps, with too much force.

            #1223256
            WFMartin
            Default

                You’re squeezing the brush between folds of paper towel? That’s what I do quite often when I’m changing colors, and want a really clean brush.

                I swish the brush in my cleaning solvent can, and then I squeeze the remaining solvent out with a paper towel held between my fingers, after having set my palette down, temporarily. Just don’t squeeze so hard. You may pull out the hairs of the brush if you squeeze, and pull too hard.:lol:

                Yeah,….really.;)

                In over 25 years of oil painting, I have not felt the need for using a bunch of brushes. I find it much more advantageous to use one or two brushes, and clean them as I need them, while I’m painting. I’ve tried using multiple brushes, and discarded that idea really early in my career, because I prefer the handling characteristics of one, or two, particular brushes, and I was discovering that with multiple brushes, each of them handled differently than the other ones, causing my work to suffer because of that.

                wfmartin. My Blog "Creative Realism"...
                https://williamfmartin.blogspot.com

                #1223263
                dirtysteev
                Default

                    I might suggest something here, bear with my speculation. Many people tend to hold tension in their bodies, and during any kind of focused activity the tension can also become quite (subconsciously or unconsciously) focused. I realized that when I paint (or spend hours doing any really intensely focused work, drafting, playing drums, etc.) my teeth and mouth get ‘cramped’ or tired. It is a totally unconscious physical manifestation of the work I am engaged with. Even knowing that I tend to hold my body in such a manner, I still fall into the habit, and it is a little maddening. Maybe your crampy trigger finger is extremely tensed and grippy the entire time you are working, you are just unaware of it. It is a good reason to take frequent breaks, and relax and stretch. I take 15 min breaks every hour to make sure I am staying in a healthy and relaxed posture. Gives the eyes a rest as well.

                    #1223260
                    AnnieA
                    Default

                        Hi appalacian! I’m sorry to hear about your problem; it must ba annoying. If I were you, I’d check with my doctor. It probably isn’t anything serious, but if there’s some kind of treatment to relieve the problem, it’s a doctor who would know (actually, he/she might refer you to some kind of specialist, such as a physical therapist). Especially since you are experiencing pain, I think it makes sense to let an expert advise you.

                        [FONT=Arial]C&C always welcome ©[/I] [/font]
                        [FONT=Palatino]
                        “Life is a pure flame and we live by an invisible sun within us.” ― Sir Thomas Browne [/size][/font]

                        http://s3.amazonaws.com/wetcanvas-hdc/Community/images/29-Jul-2007/85002-sig-thumbnail_composite_2.jpg]/img]

                        #1223265
                        Ron Francis
                        Default

                            My suggestion …
                            Put the paper towel down on something to wipe your brushes on. If you feel the need to apply more pressure, fold it over and press with another part of your hand. If the symptoms aren’t significantly better within 3 weeks, I would be going to a GP for advice.
                            In short, if it is an inflamed tendon, it needs to be rested.

                            But to answer your question about brush cleaning, I swish mine in mineral spirits and wipe gently on a rag. I’ve never had any problems like you describe.

                            Ron
                            www.RonaldFrancis.com

                            #1223273

                            Hi appalacian! I’m sorry to hear about your problem; it must ba annoying. If I were you, I’d check with my doctor. It probably isn’t anything serious, but if there’s some kind of treatment to relieve the problem, it’s a doctor who would know (actually, he/she might refer you to some kind of specialist, such as a physical therapist). Especially since you are experiencing pain, I think it makes sense to let an expert advise you.

                            Hi, Anne. My mother in law has the same problem and spoke with a GP. Really only options for treatment is physical therapy, cortisone shots, or surgery. It’s really more of a hassle than anything. I thought more people might have had the same problem, but now I know that’s not the case and I will change how I do things.

                            #1223261
                            AnnieA
                            Default

                                I still think going to the doctor would be wise. If he/she sent you to a physical therapist, that person could advise you about the most effective changes to make. I think it would be worth the little hassle.

                                But maybe you’re a guy… :D

                                [FONT=Arial]C&C always welcome ©[/I] [/font]
                                [FONT=Palatino]
                                “Life is a pure flame and we live by an invisible sun within us.” ― Sir Thomas Browne [/size][/font]

                                http://s3.amazonaws.com/wetcanvas-hdc/Community/images/29-Jul-2007/85002-sig-thumbnail_composite_2.jpg]/img]

                                #1223259
                                ianuk
                                Default

                                    I do the same as others here by wiping my brush on pieces of old towel on a flat surface. I think as Ron writes, you definitely need to rest the finger or it will become exacerbated. Hope it gets better.

                                    #1223274

                                    Annie,

                                    How could you assume that just because….. Yaa, maybe I’m a guy…. Lol. Good stuff.

                                    #1223270

                                    Patient: “It hurts when I do that, Doc.”

                                    Doc: Then stop doing it.

                                    An old joke but good advice. :D

                                    When life hands you lemons, add some tequila, a sprinkle of salt and call me!
                                    #1223269
                                    Amai
                                    Default

                                        I don’t have that specific thing, but I have a few bad painting habits, that I know are bad painting habits, that I don’t even realize I’m doing when I’m doing them, and it isn’t until I get my head back out of my painting that I realize how unhappy my body is with me. I keep trying to fix them, but when it comes to being comfortable or not letting anything get in the way of what I’m doing…. I’m about the same age bracket, and while I’m getting away with my stupidity now, I know it won’t last forever.

                                        I guess the TLDR version is… good luck. And if you figure out how to break bad habits, would you let me know?

                                        #1223275

                                        I think I may try acupuncture. I would have kicked myself if I said that last year, but now my wife is pregnant with our first! I can’t solely credit that, but hey, it moved a step up in my book.

                                        Amai, if I knew a surefire way to break bad habits, I would be writing books and not painting for free! Lol!

                                        Data Design, I should just pay you because I’m sure that’s not far off from the advice I would get anywhere else…

                                      Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 22 total)
                                      • The topic ‘Painting injury. Yes, you read that right.’ is closed to new replies.