Ways of holding a tablet pen?

[MayMay]

Okay so I'm having art problems. Not just "art block" or something that eventually goes away, this has been going on for months now and is arguably only getting worse. Thing is, I can't draw. And I don't mean "I can't get these things right" rather "It literally hurts whenever I try to do so much a basic sketch" especially my index finger. I haven't even injured it, ever. My left hand's had injuries before but never the right, for all I know it's doing this for no goddamn reason other than to shut out the only thing I'm semi-decent at.

Other problem is, I've seen a few images on google of other ways people hold tablet pens but none of them ever work, I either still get pains or have to grip so hard to even control it at all that it causes pain anyway.

I just really wanna see how some fellow kiwis handle their tablet pens. Preferably pics at several angles? And any other info that might help? I'm just so desperate to find some way to make this work, drawing's all I was ever good for so if I don't even have that anymore...

 

[Surtur]

What kind of tablet do you have?

 

[MayMay]

What kind of tablet do you have?

This thing

I had an Intuos5 that just stopped for no real reason and this was all I could afford anymore.

 

[Surtur]

This thing

I had an Intuos5 that just stopped for no real reason and this was all I could afford anymore.

The Intuos Pen and Touch, I have this exact one. I use it like a normal pen and have no issues, but some feel its pen is a bit small. What I have heard is putting on some of those foam pen grips help.

 

[ZombieGaryOak]

Can you post a pic of how you're holding it? Is it any different from how you hold a regular pen?

 

[MayMay]

Can you post a pic of how you're holding it? Is it any different from how you hold a regular pen?

Spoiler

Please excuse the poor quality, twas the only camera I had. Also my freakishly large hands, they're probably half the problem.

 

[ZombieGaryOak]

I think the problem is that by having your index finger like that, it's putting a lot more stress on it than there should be. Like keep your fingertips where they are, but relax the rest of your hand and let the pen rest against the webbing between your thumb and index. Give that a try and I'll clarify anything if I need to.

 

[MayMay]

I think the problem is that by having your index finger like that, it's putting a lot more stress on it than there should be. Like keep your fingertips where they are, but relax the rest of your hand and let the pen rest against the webbing between your thumb and index. Give that a try and I'll clarify anything if I need to.

Spoiler

Like that?

 

[ZombieGaryOak]

Spoiler

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Like that?

That's better, but try not to bend your index finger at all. See if you can do that and if you can draw like that. Keep your finger tips in place, but index finger straight and relaxed.

 

[Dollars2010]

This thing

I had an Intuos5 that just stopped for no real reason and this was all I could afford anymore.

I have the same tablet and what I recommend is loosening up your grip and relaxing your index finger, since having it bent can be rather stressful on it.

Here's how I usually hold my pen:

Spoiler

I usually have it in a loose, relaxed grip and let the end of it rest against my hand, much like I do when I'm using a sketching pencil. It helps with my hand not feeling sore after long drawing/sketching sessions. I hope that helps!

 

[MayMay]

That's better, but try not to bend your index finger at all. See if you can do that and if you can draw like that. Keep your finger tips in place, but index finger straight and relaxed.

Spoiler

Feels a bit unwieldy and awkward, doing it wrong?

 

[ZombieGaryOak]

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Feels a bit unwieldy and awkward, doing it wrong?

Yeah that's what I meant. Is it more comfortable at all even if it's a little awkward? You can try what Mythos is doing if that's a bit easier.

 

[MayMay]

Yeah that's what I meant. Is it more comfortable at all even if it's a little awkward? You can try what Mythos is doing if that's a bit easier.

WEll I might alternate between the two or something, Mythos' works well enough for control but as far as comfort then yours so far.
It's a bit early to judge right now, when my finger aches like earlier, it lasts. Will probably get better results tomorrow!

 

[ZombieGaryOak]

WEll I might alternate between the two or something, Mythos' works well enough for control but as far as comfort then yours so far.
It's a bit early to judge right now, when my finger aches like earlier, it lasts. Will probably get better results tomorrow!

Alright, find the best fit and update us if you still need any help.

 

[OBAMATRON]

 

[KingofManga420]

Personally I rigged mine to an incline so that I can use the overhand grip.

 

[Jewelsmakerguy]

This thing

I had an Intuos5 that just stopped for no real reason and this was all I could afford anymore.

Funny, I have the exact same tablet too. And I have the "arrow knuckle" problem as well when I hold the pen (or any writing utensil, actually). And somehow, I've experienced no problems so far.

Though I will say, I think I'll take the tips here to heart next time I use it.

 

[HoloSkull]

@MayMay your hands are petite doctor hands, while your Wacom is just small.
Changing up ones grip is difficult with standard tablets excluding the Cintiq ($$$$$$) which just spoils you.
The general idea is to hold the pen without strangling it.

Personally I rigged mine to an incline so that I can use the overhand grip.
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How exactly did you rig the tablet to be at an angle. Is it sturdy? I'm genuinely curious. Thanks.

 

[KingofManga420]

@MayMay your hands are petite doctor hands, while your Wacom is just small.
Changing up ones grip is difficult with standard tablets excluding the Cintiq ($$$$$$) which just spoils you.
The general idea is to hold the pen without strangling it.



How exactly did you rig the tablet to be at an angle. Is it sturdy? I'm genuinely curious. Thanks.

Nothing fancy, there's a few books behind it and behind the books a 10 lb weight. It's crude but it doesn't move around at all when I draw. I really recommend overhand to everyone though.

 

[MayMay]

@MayMay your hands are petite doctor hands, while your Wacom is just small.
Changing up ones grip is difficult with standard tablets excluding the Cintiq ($$$$$$) which just spoils you.
The general idea is to hold the pen without strangling it.



How exactly did you rig the tablet to be at an angle. Is it sturdy? I'm genuinely curious. Thanks.

They are? Huh, people keep telling me they're huge and/or cold. Well I feel slightly less like a freak now! I do find the tablet a bit small to work with (cursor speed, it's hard to control) the intuos5/pro I had was just fine, just wish I had the money to replace it.

@Jewelsmakerguy Oddly enough, I didn't have problems with it before. It just kinda... started. Between a slew of college deadlines (that mainly turn into guessing what the examining body even wants), house moving and several other things, it might be stress/anxiety related muscle weakness or something?