Home › Forums › The Learning Center › Studio Tips and Framing › Tips for a disabled painter
- This topic has 9 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 5 months ago by dupliKate.
-
AuthorPosts
-
May 19, 2019 at 3:25 pm #473434
Thanks to a Toyota packed with explosives I have TBI and from an unknown source nerve damage. Bottom line is a severe lack of energy and having to work from a chair (wheel chair or chair I transfer into).
I’ve been working at a table with the canvas flat on it. I noticed today especially that leaning over was really wearing on me.
Any tips for a better way?
May 19, 2019 at 3:59 pm #829915they make table top easels, that will allow you to put your work at an angle.
They range in price from around $10 -up. It’s also not hard to rig up something with books etc.with this one the work extends past the edge of the table, allowing you to work on larger pieces, or lets you keep you arm at a lower level.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/wetcanvas-hdc/Community/images/18-Sep-2019/1999899-sigsmall.jpg
STUDIOBONGOMay 19, 2019 at 5:07 pm #829909There are specialty shops for these, but they tend to be a tad pricey.
If you have any wood working pals they might be able to build you one specifically for your needs.
Something along the lines of one of these:https://abledata.acl.gov/product/convert-able-table-art-easel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npStzw7oqMg
Drafting Tables might also work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SdPqt56YWM
May 19, 2019 at 10:24 pm #829912I would suggest a floor standing or wall mounted easel that will adjust low enough and that your legs will fit under easily when seated.
I use this one with a few modifications to make it more steady as well as able to go as low as touching the tops of my legs when sitting. They do go on sale below the price showing today, every now and then if you aren’t in a hurry. The cross bar in front would probably prevent a wheel chair from getting close enough.
https://www.jerrysartarama.com/saint-remy-studio-easel
I will be glad to share the mods if you end up getting one. You will be able to change the height and angle at will and can get very close to the painting surface with the easel in the vertical position, eliminating all strain from leaning over.
https://www.jerrysartarama.com/saint-remy-studio-easel
Another option, particularly if space is limited, would be a wall mounted system. A TV support would work and is very inexpensive. This one below extends 20 inches from the wall and will fold back against the wall when not in use. Not as adjustable as the floor easel, but a lot less money and should do the job. You would be able to roll right up to it in your wheelchair. To keep it from folding back against the wall when pressing on the painting surface, a simple strap around the extension arms would prevent them from folding, thus locking it in the fully extended position, shown in red (added by me) on the very bottom center image.
All you would need to add is a support board panel where the TV would go. A magnetic system is what I would want to use as shown in the 2nd link below.
https://www.amazon.com/Impact-Mounts-Lockable-Articulating-Bracket/dp/B00P20I33E
https://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1435763
May 19, 2019 at 10:46 pm #829908Leaning over issues.. been there.. the weight of our head can strain the neck muscles.
Plus the arms forward & down add to that problem..If cost is an issue, look around for anything you could prop on a table or modify to hold your surface at a good height & angle for you..
~Joy~
May 20, 2019 at 12:15 am #829916Thanks for all the suggestions. I’m looking and thinking!
May 21, 2019 at 1:14 pm #829913You are welcome. If you decide to try one of those inexpensive TV wall mounts, just make sure that the maximum extension will all you to get far enough underneath it. For me that was at 20″ to have the panel touching my face. Also study the mechanics of it so you can be confident it can be easily locked into the fully extended position. Most of them don’t offer position locking, but like the one I showed, by preventing movement of the arms it won’t be able to move away from you when you apply pressure.
You could add more distance by using some 2×4’s on the wall to attach it to. Another cool option would be to install a “Windmill’ easel adapter so you could quickly rotate the entire panel for bigger pieces that wouldn’t work as well with magnetic attachment.
May 21, 2019 at 7:08 pm #829910There are several good options at hobby lobby– with their monthly 40% off coupon, it should be nicely priced. I Have several of these, 2 tabletop easels, a drafting table with a tilt top, and a tall easel. I’ve gotten 3 of these from Hobby Lobby although I know you can spend 1000 or more for an easel. I don’t like to spend that kind of money if I can get a workable option for 60$ (Art gets expensive, cut corners when you can).
No longer a member of WC. Bye.
May 31, 2019 at 11:04 am #829911I am in a wheelchair and use a tabletop easel. I put something heavy on the back side to keep it stable. I probably got the easel at Walmart for $20 or so….can’t quite remember. I love the tv arm idea for larger work!
sarahrosefineart.com
June 5, 2019 at 3:43 pm #829914Table top easels can be extended a bit over the table top then clamped or screwed down to give more reach towards the artist. I use C-lamps when I want the panel close to me and I can’t get close enough under the table.
This TV wall mount has a counterbalanced arm so you can raise or lower it easily, plus the front bracket rotates! $59 delivered. Like a poor man’s Windmill Easel (just the windmill adapter is $265).
The only problem I am seeing would be how to lock it in place so that it doesn’t move under pressure of your brush, palm or mahl stick. Too bad it doesn’t have locking knobs.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Register For This Site
A password will be e-mailed to you.
Search