Home Forums Explore Media Digital Art Digital art ergonomics – what’s your setup?

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  • #459821
    plnelson
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        I come from a canvas/easel and sketchbook drawing background but in recent years I’ve been doing more and more digital art. I’ve been using a Wacom Intuos digitizing tablet but I recently got a Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 so I can draw directly on my digital art. Of course in addition to that I still have a big 24″ monitor, and I’m trying to find a comfortable working position where I can use my Cintiq comfortably, with fine motor control and and still use my computer monitor and keyboard and mouse comfortably.

        Could other digital artists here please describe their setups, and where can I see pictures of pro artists’ studios and work setups for digital art?

        Thanks in advance!

        #668297
        plnelson
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            Hello? Anyone out there?

            I noticed that so far I’ve got zero responses to this question, and to a similar one I asked in the Deviant Art forum. Why is that? Are digital artists uncomfortable talking about this topic? Is there something taboo about ergonomics among artists?

            #668306
            Elainepsq
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                Sorry, there some site problems right now, as a result of a hack attempt, that are making it hard for people to get to WetCanvas this week, but it is being worked on.

                Although I’d love a Cintque, I’ve always used the smaller Wacoms, I have it on my desk next to my keyboard, but often put it in my lap, like it was a little sketch pad. I enjoy 2 monitors, since graphics programs have so many tool palettes, I’ll keep my work on one and the tools and reference photos on the other.
                Many years ago, we had a larger Wacom at work, and I just felt it was too big and cumbersome, but on the other hand, I know artists who say they couldn’t work on the small one, because they were taught to draw and paint with their whole arm.

                It’s really personal preference.

                #668298
                plnelson
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                    but often put it in my lap, like it was a little sketch pad

                    Thanks for responding! When you say the smaller Wacoms, do you mean the digitizing tables like the Intuos? In other words, when you’re drawing are you looking at the tablet or the monitor?

                    The Cintiq has a built-in low-parallax display so it really is like a drawing tablet, and I’ve experimented with it in my lap but then my head is tilting forward and after awhile it hurts my neck. I’m trying to find a comfortable neutral position so I can work for hours without fatigue or strain.

                    I’m about to re-do my entire studio with new furniture and equipment so this is my opportunity to make everything just right so I can work 40+ hours a week without strain. But I’m trying to work out what “just right” is. I’d love to hire an ergonomic specialist to help me design a good set-up but I’ve had trouble finding one with experience with artists/designers/people–who-draw-stuff. Most of them only know about office-workers with mice and keyboards.

                    #668307
                    Elainepsq
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                        Yes, this is the intuos small. I’ve tried the Cintiq, but never invested in one.

                        #668313
                        dlambson
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                            I’m certainly not a pro but I’ve found my L shaped desk works perfectly for me..the keyboard on the left and draw on the right. It’s very natural..I loved it from the start. I don’t work for hours straight without a break, but its a great set up for me. :)

                            Deborah

                            A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything. :Irish Proverb

                            #668304
                            Milo
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                                I have a Yiynova its big one 22″ with touch. I have tried the desktop arm, the arm is nice movable heavy duty, but wanted it lower and while it is very steady it is still having the monitor in the air and I have a heavy hand/arm :) . I added the anti-slip with rubber stops then I can lower it on the desk and partially slide it over the side kinda in my lap without being in my Lap. I could flatten it to the table, but my desk is a tiny thing and I can’t pull my chair up under the area where the Yiynova is.

                                They have a tripod available , I am tempted to try it once I clear some room around my computer.

                                I bough sleeves off amazon I put on so I rest my arm on it sometimes and some white gloves that I cut off 3 of the fingers and fits just right.

                                Life is good, have fun otherwise whats the point...
                                My Art | My Gallery

                                #668305
                                Milo
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                                    I’m certainly not a pro but I’ve found my L shaped desk works perfectly for me..the keyboard on the left and draw on the right. It’s very natural..I loved it from the start. I don’t work for hours straight without a break, but its a great set up for me. :)

                                    [img]https://i.imgur.com/I9zH5f3.jpg[/img]

                                    Nice setup, I use an iMac as well and have the devices reverse, but thinking about it I my change them to how you have it, it makes more sense.

                                    Life is good, have fun otherwise whats the point...
                                    My Art | My Gallery

                                    #668309

                                    I just have an intuos. I have a corner desk where the keyboard tray is in the corner and there is a raised platform for the monitor and quite a bit of desk space in front of it and that is where I put my tablet.

                                    I recently bought an ultrawide for more screen space. I’m afraid I haven’t been very productive lately but it seems to work well. Nice for gaming too. :D

                                    Not the best picture but you can kind of see my desk here. That’s my old monitor. The new one is about the same height and resolution, but wider.
                                    Being so close to the window is a bit annoying, I have to keep the blind closed.

                                    Did you try google for ideas?
                                    https://www.google.com/search?q=digital+artist+studio+setup&newwindow=1&client=firefox-b&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi7o7KSkOrcAhWCn4MKHbAzCIgQsAR6BAgEEAE&biw=2560&bih=943

                                    C&C always welcome. Michelle

                                    mkmcreations.com
                                    Every painting is a new adventure.

                                    #668308
                                    Elainepsq
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                                        Oh… this is fun seeing everyone’s studio. I’ve been looking for the motivation to clean up mine.
                                        By the way, I just got a new tablet. My husband found a brand new Intuos pro medium used, and bought it for me. With more touch sensitivity, 8000+ I think it is handling the pencil in art rage better. It’s a little bigger, and getting in the way on my desk. Time to rearrange things a bit perhaps.

                                        #668303
                                        b’anna
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                                            You won’t get a picture of mine because it is just plain scary it is so bad. I have a 10 x 10 room. on one wall I have my computer desk. I have one 22 inch cintiq and one 22 inch monitor next to it. It has a shelf on top that has my big printer and scaner.

                                            At right angle from there on the wall if I turn to my right is my drawing board and table easle and traditional supplies that go in an el shape and on the wall in back of me is shelves for more supplies (one can never have enough supplies) and another printer.

                                            For me this works because I can just slide from computer to art table (if I don’t run over something on the floor._) I also have a rolling kitchen cart with draws. so there is next to no walking room but hey, it is convenient!

                                            and of course the ipad is always with me. I have my new pro which is what i use for most painting apps and I have an older pro that I have at my art table which is great for reference photos.

                                            So since you enter this room at your own risk (i am a very messy painter) I can just close the door and hide it or hide me.
                                            Works !

                                            #668312
                                            falcon012
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                                                I use a Wacom Graphire 4, 4×5 tablet that I have had since 2006. My computer is generally a middle of the road Dell laptop. I can fit the entire set-up on a tv tray so it is portable and easy to produce art just about anywhere. Nothing fancy but I get excellent results.

                                                #668299
                                                plnelson
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                                                    I’m certainly not a pro but I’ve found my L shaped desk works perfectly for me..the keyboard on the left and draw on the right. It’s very natural..I loved it from the start. I don’t work for hours straight without a break, but its a great set up for me. :)

                                                    [img]https://i.imgur.com/I9zH5f3.jpg[/img]

                                                    Thanks for posting that image! So how do you support your arm and wrist when you’re drawing on the tablet with that setup? The tablet looks almost vertical.

                                                    #668300
                                                    plnelson
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                                                        I just have an intuos. I have a corner desk where the keyboard tray is in the corner and there is a raised platform for the monitor and quite a bit of desk space in front of it and that is where I put my tablet.
                                                        Did you try google for ideas?
                                                        [url]https://www.google.com/search?q=digital+artist+studio+setup&newwindow=1&client=firefox-b&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi7o7KSkOrcAhWCn4MKHbAzCIgQsAR6BAgEEAE&biw=2560&bih=943[/url]

                                                        The Intuos is a whole different situation. The thing about the Cintiq is that you are looking at it while you are drawing, whereas with the Intuos you look at the monitor. So I need to have both the monitor AND the Cintiq at a good viewing angle, but I also need to have the Cintiq at a comfortable drawing angle, and still be able to use my mouse and keyboard. So it presents a unique set of ergonomic challenges.

                                                        I did do the web search you suggested and it left me with more questions than answers. For instance, lots of artists who had the new graphical digitizing tablets (like the Cintiq) had them in an almost vertical orientation that I can’t imaging drawing on for long periods of time because you’d have to hold you arms up in the air. There were others who had them in a more natural position, like where a keyboard would be, didn’t seem to have a keyboard. I’ve heard of some artists who have keyboards and digitizing tablets on two articulating arms and swap them as they work. Lots of the images are on PInterest where there’s no way to ask questions or have a conversation.

                                                        #668301
                                                        plnelson
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                                                            You won’t get a picture of mine because it is just plain scary it is so bad. I have a 10 x 10 room. on one wall I have my computer desk. I have one 22 inch cintiq and one 22 inch monitor next to it. It has a shelf on top that has my big printer and scaner.

                                                            Good, so without a picture, can you try to describe where the Cintiq and monitor are WRT each other, and what orientation is the Cintiq in? Is it flat and down low like a keyboard, or more vertical, like a monitor and if so, how do you support your arm and wrist while using it? Where is your mouse and keyboard? Can you access your mouse and keyboard easily while drawing on your Cintiq?

                                                            Thanks in advance for further clarification!

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