How to Hold a Graphics Tablet Pen Correctly [ ERGONOMICS! ]
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- Опубліковано 6 січ 2017
- How to hold a graphics tablet pen for digital drawing and painting without hurting yourself.
This is basically a video version of an AMAZING blog post by somebody else (linked below). Most of the information presented is credited to the author of that post, while some of it is based on my own digital drawing experience, which is also thanks to that blog post.
Summary points of a good tablet pen grip:
1. Keep the pen VERTICAL (perpendicular) to the drawing tablet surface.
2. Keep your fingers as LOOSE as possible while still maintaining control of the pen. This requires a LOT less tension than you'd expect.
3. Draw with your ARM. Move your fingers and wrist only to adjust to your arm's motion. Fight the urge to draw like you write (with your fingers and wrists in short motions).
4. Use the WEIGHT of your hand to apply pressure, NOT the muscle power of your fingers or wrist. Trust me, no matter how much you arm wrestle, your fingers and wrist aren't strong enough to sustain hours of drawing without getting carpal tunnel.
5. Practice. Practice holding the pen vertically, loosely, drawing with your arm, and using the weight of your hand for pressure as needed. Practicing your grip and pressure is JUST AS IMPORTANT as practicing lines, curves, ellipses, cross-hatching, value drawing... You get the idea.
Mentioned in this video:
How to use a tablet pen without hurting your wrist (EPIC BLOG POST) - p-the-wanderer.tumblr.com/post... - Навчання та стиль
I just got a graphics tablet and after two hours of drawing my hand hurts already. Thank you so much for this video! My lines became smoother and the pain was greatly reduced from your tips!
Happy to hear it! 😁 Keep me updated on your progress if you’d like. I love to see what people are creating.
I've looked through a couple of "how to hold tablet pen" videos and almost closed youtube because no one talked about such important things as unsupported angular pressure and wrist strain. But you did. It's one of those videos where someone really helps out. Thank you very much man!
X-RUST Thanks! Mostly just reporting the details from an article I found (in description), but I was surprised this information hadn't made it to UA-cam!
Hey everyone! 😁 Thank you so much for watching this video. I made this one a long time ago and never expected it to do this well.
These days I’ve been making videos about the science of creativity. If you’re into that, consider checking out the rest of my channel. I think many of you will enjoy some of my newer projects even more than this one!
Cheers! 🙌🏻
A few minutes ago I just used a graphics tablet for the first time and my hand hurt terribly. Thanks to your video I just understood that I was doing everything wrong. I even just realized that I have been using pencil and pen wrong for years. Thank you so much!
I’m glad this was helpful for you! If you encounter any further issues, definitely make sure you talk to a healthcare professional. The tips in this video were helpful to me (hence why I shared them), but nothing can replace professional care if you continue to have problems.
Take care and have fun!
Thank the heavens for this video. i just got into digital art and when i draw, i keep thinking "people can't possibly always draw like this" so i did some searching and i'm so glad i found your video. Holding it verticle make so much sense. Plus i'm sure this will also help the nibs last longer because i'm not pressing down as hard! thank you!
this needs to be talked about more. thank you, sir. i struggled with alot of things, but now alot of things are solved just by changing my grip on the pen. Thank you!
Thank you a lot. I'm so glad that I find out this video sooner rather than latter. I started drawing two weeks ago, my hand hurt a lot and I didn't know I was holding the pen the wrong way. 🙏🙏Other guides told me to draw with my elbow but I kept questioning how is it possible. Now it makes sense.
You sir, are a genius. This has helped me a lot and you didn't make the explanation complicated. Thank you.
Update: if you are using a modern pen tablet/display, most styluses have 60° tilt support - using a Huion HS611 at the moment.
Hey, sorry I replied after a year. How's your HS611? Mine has just arrived and overall I'm pretty satisfied, are you experiencing any issues long term?
Thanks so much for this...I can't stand drawing with the pen tool in general. I just started learning to draw digitaly and now that you've shown how to hold the stylus. I'm finally getting a halfway decent circle. I'm hating on my tablet a little less.
Thanks for the tips - just started drawing for the first time on a larger pen display.
Whole different game.
Wowza.
You're the best, dude! It took me a couple of days to figure out for myself and then I started to looking for the correct way. Turns out I figured it out right but no one never really explains how to hold and apply pressure.
Constantine Yarushkin Thank you! I’m glad you got it all figured out and that this video was confirmation for your efforts 😁
Good information. Interesting enough this grip works wonderfully when you are LEARNING to draw with pen in an horizontal table (both ballpoint and fineliner types). This grip allows to get the pen perpendicular to paper thus improving ink flow to paper. This one also FORCES you to learn to move correctly the whole arm while doing the learning excercises. Once you get all the "whole arm" moves and the pressure value calculations into your cerebellum, you can move easily to other grip you want (or the ones specifically needed to draw with pencil, mechanical pencil and/or big format paper) with no changes in your draw quality.
OMG, so much easier to use the drawing tablet now. thank you so much for making this video.
been using your advice for a year now and its helped me improve alot! thanks~!
Thank you so much!!! I have extremely severe tendonitis in my both my wrists (more so in my dominant hand) but i never could figure out how to hold any writing tool in a way that would alleviate that strain effectively, but this seriously helped! Ive never been told to draw with my arm, and only ever have used finger and wrist movements, but the minute i tried to draw or write using my arm, it felt so natural and took away a TON of that pressure. Just purchased a drawing tablet for college classes (graphic design!) and not only did i learn how to properly hold and use my tablet pen to avoid bad habits and further pain, but also learned something that will seriously help me survive writing more than 2 sentences lol...thanks so much!
You are so welcome! This was a pleasure to read. Best of luck to you in college :D Graphic design is a challenge, but I'm sure you're up to it!
This video is really underrated, so helpful, big thanks for making it!
Thanks for showing up for it! Glad it was helpful for you 👌🏻
I've been trying to adapt to a tablet recently, and I was wondering why it seemed to hurt my hands so much more than traditional drawing. I'll have to try this!
Reemster Go for it! 😁
I needed this video before I gave myself rsi while studying animation. Thank you for finally addresding this issue.
Thanks for the tutorial. You explained it really well. And, I'm sure you will save me from lots of pain down the line.
myozbubble Thank you! I’m so glad it was helpful! 😁
Info provided by this video is priceless. Thanks Zac
Anytime! I’m glad this was helpful 😁
Thanks. I just started last week and kept thinking about this
Day two of using my new drawing tablet and I was like "okay, it can't hurt this much, something must be wrong". Thank you so much for this video! I wil try to keep those principles in mind from now on as I reteach myself how to draw with this thing lol
lol it was a very similar experience for me. I was doing it wrong for at least a few weeks before I finally did the research and made the video. Glad it helped you out!! 😁 Best of luck
I feel so dumb for not realizing on my own, thank you man! I'sub now before you blow up, this the type of content you post is bound to receive the appreciation it deserves
Actually thank you so much. I’ve been scouring the internet for the reason why my hand didn’t hurt when I sketched for hours but it started to hurt and TINGLE after a few hours of digital art. Thank you, thank you ❤
Really well explained, thanks
The other advice is good, but holding the pen vertically due to the problem of angular pressure is unnecessary in most art programs. You can just customize your pen pressure curves in your software based on what works best for your pen grip.
As long as you’re not gripping the pen too tight or pressing too hard, I say go for it 👍🏻
The vertical grip helps with the “rotate your hand to add pressure” method, but I’m sure there are other ergonomic ways of getting the same result.
Thank you! That was really helpful. my pen was driving me crazy and I didn't even know what I was doing wrong.
really great information. Thanks a ton for putting this to place!
bimal nair Anytime 😁 Thank you for your support!
Man accidentally found out this video while searching for putting grip to your tablet pen, thanks for uploading this video just new to digital art and still struggling for months now because of the way I hold the pen this saves my hand for having future strain coz I'm feeling a hint of it now :3
Z i e f hey that’s awesome! I’m glad you found this video and that it was helpful for you 😁
Thanks for these tips Zac!
Sure thing friend! 😁
Brilliant! Thanks so much!
I'm new to digital drawing so when I was trying to find a grip for the pencil, something seemed off. I tried multiple grips but none felt right and most other videos about this subject just seemed to recommend something similar to the writers grip. This video helped a lot as you spoke about correct pencil grip, along with other things that I had not even thought of. Great vid!
you got it about the absence of youtube or any other guidance on holding the graphics pen. thank you very much for showing us!
You’re very welcome Mark! I’m glad this video was able to fill in the gap there 😁
Awesome video! Thank you!!
This video is so underrated. Thank you. I had no idea.
Lyann Duff Thanks for the support! Glad it was useful for you 😄
so helpful! thank you!
My goodness...thanks... This is one of the reasons I stopped painting, and now that I got back to it again my fingers hurt like hell ._.
Really glad I found this video ^^
Robert Renato Hack Thank you as well! I’m so glad it was helpful 😁
Thank you so much for this. Huge help
I've been using a three-finger/ring finger writers' grip for years, so there was very little change when I started using a tablet XD The advantage of drawing that way is that the small muscles in the fingers are already developed so when it comes to very tiny movement and details (which you do NOT want to use your arm for- right tool for the right job, if you think about the shoulder/elbow/wrist/fingers as tools that make different sized curves, it makes it easier to understand which joint you should be using to create what type of line (and why using your fingers to make straight lines is an exercise in frustration))- ahem, when it comes to tiny movement and details, the structure is already in place and doesn't need (as much) development. Great reference video, and glad to know I should definitely never be ashamed when people ask why I write so weird :P
Thanks, this was very helpful.
Thanks that was so helpful!
not using your fingers and wrist and the keeping it vertical is a really good tip. it eliminates jitter and i can double click icon's now without moving it ten times to other places before it catches the second click. thank you man.
Glad I could help! ✌🏻
Used my graphics pen to hit that like button. Thanks for the helpful tip!
Thanks Angelo! The like-via-tablet-pen is much appreciated 😎
dude thank you SO much for this simple short video! I keep seeing these long-ass videos going into deep detail and I can't keep focused on them. you saved my hand from more suffering! XD
Thank you for showing up and leaving such a wonderful comment! I’m glad I could help 👌🏻😁
Thank you SO much for this! My goodness, I was wondering why I couldn't get much stability, my wrist/fingers hurt, drawing had become a strange chore. I'm so used to using a regular pencil, but couldn't figure out why things weren't working correctly with my tablet pen. Appreciate all the help!
Charqee You’re very welcome! I’m glad I was able to help out 😁
Such a BIG help! Thank you!
Ashley Bailey You are very welcome! Thank you for your support, and welcome to my channel 😄
THaNK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THIS VIDEO
I've been trying to find a good and comfortable way to draw and this really really helped! I had issues with my wrist/hand and luckily nothing was severe and it was just a huge strain. This video definitely helped me a lot!
C太 Hey, you are so welcome! I had bad cramps for a while myself when I started drawing the wrong way so I totally understand that. I'm glad you were able to fix the problem and not have any actual health issues!
thanks for help man i have Been wondering about this for a few weeks
That was great, thanks for the advice, it will be very useful as I'm just starting our with a graphics tablet.
Thanks a lot for this useful video. Much appreciation brother.
This was actually useful, thank you stranger!
finally! I have been wondering why I was not able to draw properly. I kept trying but it kept jittering. I even wanted to complain to the sellers that the goods must have been damaged somehow but I wanted to see if there was on here about it! And this really helped me! thank you very much for your help!
Happy to help!! Glad this video worked for you 😁
Finally found the video that i need!! Thank you this really helped me. 😀😀😀
I’m glad this was helpful!! 😁 I still can’t believe how many people are finding this video 3 years later.
Thanks for the tips!
Anytime! Glad you enjoyed the video 😁
im a beginner at drawing tablet, and this turns me out! thx dude
Glad I could help!! 😁
Thank you so much i was looking for a way to draw better lines and this totally helped me
Thank you so much for this Zac! This really helps me to work longer time for masking hair and strands. 😄 More power to you bro! 👊
I appreciate your kind words Melvin! All the power right back at yah 👊🏻💥
wow this is so useful to me, thanks a lot!
Thank you so much!
Thanks for this vid. Glad I found it.
very good video, thanks very much for taking the time to do this.
chrisjhart221138 Absolutely! Thanks for taking the time to leave great feedback 😁
I've been drawing on a pen tablet for over a decade now and only now am I finally looking up how to do it without pain...
Great and informative video though. Looking forward to less pain -____-
Happens to the best of us! Thank you for your kind words. I hope your drawing pains and difficulties are completely resolved over time 👌🏻
Excellent 👌
really helpful
very good explanation
Thank you for saving my art career
Hahah I doubt I did *that much* but thank you!! I’m glad this video was helpful 😁
Who else used this vid for osu pen grip lmao
I'm gonna go so far back to get muscle memory with a new grip...
lol
me xd
Meh
Bro my hand hurts after finishing a song because of my grip
4 nerdy ppl after 5 yrs
THANK YOU THIS HELPED SO MUCH
Thanks man, really useful tips.
Happy to help =)
Good points. One thing I would like to add to the idea of not using fingers and drawing with full arm. When you try to hold pen like a traditional pencil and use your fingers too much it is causing too much twist and jitter of the pen in your hand and you will constantly find yourself in position when you fingers are accidentally gripping and pressing the buttons. Many artists are having trouble with buttons and even disabling them completely! But in many apps we really need them. Can't say minimizing fingers usage solved this problem completely, but at least it became much less annoying.
Oh my god!!! Thank you so so much.
It's really helpful.
ahhh I'm new to draw and start to practice drawing straight lines. During the practice I just was bothered by the friction caused by the touch between my palm and the tablet... thanks for your share!!!
OMG ive been lokking for a vid like this thank youuuu
You’re welcome! Thanks for showing up and letting me know that this helped you 😁
Thank you for the video, it helped me a lot!
Crimsona Glad I could help out! Thank you for the support and welcome to the channel 😄
Now my line art is on another level
Oh man, just WAIT until you see my "Line Accuracy" video 😆 (Shameless Self-Plug)
ua-cam.com/video/Xl2EKwI68Ow/v-deo.html
Thanks so much!
I subscribed from my personal and this account, so that i dont miss on your content while switching devices! 😁 That was such a brilliant video! I watched while waiting for my wacom pen tablet to arrive and tried what you said with a regular pen, these tips work so well! Thank you so much for this video! Really appreciate it :) Have a great day and best of luck for your channel!
Wow thank you! 😁 I’m honored that you’re here and twice as honored by your support from both accounts. Keep up the great work with your practicing!
Such a great video! Exactly what for I was looking for, because unfortunately I also have some pain after 2-3 hrs of digital sculpting. I can't wait to start the practice with this tips and hopefully it will be a huge help on the long run (: Thank you!
Dude..thank you so much.
Holy heck, this is amazing. My wrist has been hurting all day (due to unrelated nonsense at work), but I still have work to do! Drawing like this made it so easy (yeah, I should give my wrist a wrest, but I was really feeling it today). I had tried to adjust my grip before, and it just didn't feel as right as this!
That's awesome! I'm glad you found this more comfortable for you. I don’t blame you for working through your inspiration, that’s always a good time! Just try not to overdo it 😉
Thank so much for this video, it helped me a lot! God bless you :)
For your first point, you could also asjust the pressure curve, so less force is neccesary to create a mark. This works very well for me, as the upright grip looks really uncomfortable and unnatural to me. The loose grip is important though, but I find, that when I control my sitting position, sit quite upright, I have no problem with strain on my hand. Only the drawing using the whole arm is something I often forget, and I tend to zoom in and out, and use only smaller parts of the tablet to draw.
It's so weird to hear people have wrist or hand injuries while drawing on a tablet. I made my pen be almost insanely sensitive. I use the writer grip and have no issue, but I put extremely low pressure when I draw. I also hold my pen very lightly so that I can press those 2 buttons on the pen easily. The digital world helps so much that you can draw very thick lines with very little pressure, but you need to check your graphics tablet settings. At first I swapped pressure settings a lot, but I got at the stage where I can keep it low and still get thin to thick lines easily with so little pressure that sometimes I think I barely even touch the surface.
@@MrBooghyMan how do you do that, how do i make my pen more sensitive?
You're a hero. 😢
Thanks for the advise.
Happy to help! 😁
Zac, Thank you for this.
Excellent and extremely thorough. This Intuos pen doesn't feel natural trying to press the side buttons, but primarily because the thing is extremely light plastic (seems like it'd be easier if heavier like a nice pen). Your explanation of how the pressure-sensitive tip works is extremely informative and helpful!
munkeepilot Thank you for your kinds words! Glad I could help. You guys all leave such fantastic comments 😁
this whole time ive been wondering why my drawing felt so different with this vs with real drawing
I didn't know these were meant to be help vertically 😭😭
Thank you very much for this video. After some hours even the drawings got better with this method :)
That’s awesome! Always nice to get better results =)
I finally found a video that explains this 🙌🏻 thanks!!!
Sure thing, Brayan! I’m glad I could support you 🙌🏻
Thank you so much!!
Thank you for being here! Happy to help out 👍🏻
OMG Thank you, I have been having issues with the pen!
You’re most welcome! Glad I could help 😁
this helped me so much!! i just got a drawing tablet [my first one at that] and my hands and fingers hurt after making just one drawing so think you so much!!
XSmile 2004 Ah the same thing happened to me when I started! I’m glad it was helpful 😄
Thank you so much it’s really really helpful!!!
Thanks for showing up! I love seeing this video continue to reach people so many years later 😁 Happy painting!
So helpful, also my lines are a lot smoother now. An unexpected upside of using this method
Thank You man !! Great job ;)
wow! thanks. Just started with a tablet and you right never saw a video dedicated for these stuff. And sure enough my wrist is hurting after only 3 days of sketching.. Thanks!
So glad this video reached you when you need it! Gotta stay safe and healthy to make those awesome drawings.
@@CreateWithZac well.. not so awesome yet :/ tablet is really hard to get use too..
Thanks for this! I just got my first drawing tablet and was feeling very frustrated. These tips are helping me though.
Jaycee Jellies happy to help! Those tips really came in handy when I was starting out as well.
i am using a quite unique pen grip. my pinky ring and pointing finger are in front of it while my long finger is behind it. the pen is pushes as far in toward the hand as possible. the grip is a vertical grip for both the hand and the pencil. as someone who gets easily elbow and wrst pain this is MUCH more comfontable than a standerd grip for me
Hey, Thank you very much.