Drawing: Wrists vs Shoulders

[PCofThree]

I have been watching many drawing tutorials recently, and most of them mentioned that I should draw with my shoulder rather than my wrist.

I tried it, but i can't really control it properly. Lines tend to go wild.

Is drawing with the shoulder the proper way of drawing or is it just a matter of preference? If it is the proper way,
any tips?

[carloswebcomic]

Oh for the love of....

Really, draw whichever way it works for you. If you draw better with a fork in your eye and your toe jammed firmly in a power socket, then that's the right way for you to do it.

No one can tell you how YOU should do it.

[ghostnxs]

I heard that drawing with your wrists can cause medical problems more than drawing with your shoulder, Carpal tunnel syndrome I think. And for long quick strokes using your shoulders is better on large canvases. If your drawing digital I think the physical drawing area is too small for it to be used efficiently. I tried it on my intuous and I only use up to my elbow never my shoulder and when I try it doesn't work. So I pretty sure that saying is meant for traditional illustrations that are much larger than most.

[heterodont]

Drawing from the shoulder is only effective/efficient when you're doing large traditional pieces (e.g. life drawing on 18x24 inch newsprint)

Most tablets are too small to utilize it. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome shouldn't be a huge worry unless you literally spend your days drawing with little to no breaks, but everyone's body is different. If you're really worried about CTS, look up 'wrist exercises for cts' and do them during breaks to minimize the risk of developing CTS.

As for not being able to control it properly, it's one of those things you get better at over time. However, draw however you feel comfortable drawing. It's not as if drawing or holding the pencil/pen a certain way will make you become a better artist over night.

[AnnaLandin]

The whole "draw with your shoulder" thing is less about moving your entire arm when you draw (which yes, can result in wild lines going all over the place) and more about trying to make sure that you don't do repetitive, short motions with your wrist, which might result in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - and no one wants Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

My method sits somewhere halfway between, and I tend to move my arm from my elbow and down to my hand. This means that I don't strain my wrist as much, but it ALSO means I don't flail my entire arm when I draw. I find that this actually helps me draw better, steadier lines, especially when it comes to longer, sweeping lines.

But as @heterodont says - if you're working on a very small tablet (assuming you work digitally), you might not have the space. If this is the case - and even if it isn't! - make sure you take breaks. Take them as often as you'd like, but at least once an hour, and just stop drawing for a moment. Put the pen down, and stretch your wrists - and if you can, get up and stretch your entire body. Walk around a bit. Move your shoulders. It doesn't matter how you hold your pen or how you move your arm when you draw, your body will be happier with you if you take breaks every now and then.

[mg78]

learn "how2do" it's always good, but in the end... it's up to you at all.
it's like for the F1 drivers: they build their own seat. some advice for them can help, but in the end... only them can say how/what can work in it. even other drivers cants say too much about it to the driver who is building its own seat.

so... think about the tutorials very well, but find your solution.

[Kayke]

I've had a hard time teaching myself to draw with my shoulder when it comes to working on the tablet, so I've started wearing a wrist brace to kind of force myself to keep my wrist from doing all the work.

It may sound like just a personal preference or stuffy old artist thing, but I know that I used to have days where my wrist would hurt SO bad after drawing a lot, but I'd have deadlines and wouldn't be able to stop drawing. Now that I wear my brace and pay attention to where I'm drawing from and do stretches, I don't have that pain anymore.

It might be annoying or hard at first, but if you plan on doing a lot of drawing it's worth it to try it.

[UzukiCheverie]

Medically speaking, you should be drawing with your shoulder. Not only is it easier on your wrist, but once you get the hang of it (cause come on, you're not gonna know how to do something perfectly the first time), it also gives you a lot more control over your lines (you can control where the lines actually go instead of just randomly swiping with your wrist hoping for the best).

Keep practicing with your shoulder, and if you really can't seem to get the hang of it after a few weeks of practice, keep doing what you're doing, HOWEVER make sure you are aware of the health risks that come with drawing solely from your wrist (it's a lot like the difference between lifting with your back and lifting with your knees). Be sure to practice proper wrist exercises to keep your wrists from getting sore or getting carpal tunnel (because then you'll be out of commission for a long time, worst case scenario, forever; and that's a big risk vs. just gritting your teeth and learning healthier methods and practices).

Drawing from your shoulder though, I will admit, is a lot harder to do if you use a small drawing tablet. I still draw from my wrist when I use my drawing tablet, however I draw from my shoulder when I'm using sketchbooks, pads, etc. And there's nothing you can do about that, unfortunately

[KathleenKelley]

It's awkward to get used to, but drawing with your shoulder is healthier. Once you get the technique down it helps control your lines better. I still struggle with this and have to wear a wrist brace to deal.

Only slightly related, but be careful not to bear down too hard on the paper/tablet. You'll get mad hand cramps from both this and drawing from the wrist.

Be kind to yourself; stretch your arms and wrists often. If your hand is starting to hurt, take a break no matter how much you want to keep drawing. Trust me, you don't want to mess up your long term capabilities for short term productivity.

[abbastudios]

A pencil and pen are from the wrist.

A brush is from the arm

[scythe]

I'm an elbow man myself.

[sleepingmarlons2]

there isn't a rule in drawing. just draw with your heart!

[kazukitakamura126]

I draw with my arm because that with move in the direction I want the line to go.

[bsienk90]

In my drawing/painting classes they said use your body, it creates more motion, less rigid lines when doing traditional work. But digital is totally different. Small areas that doesn't work, BUT I use my entire arm when I'm doing long continuous lines. Makes them smoother and the line look nicer and with less lines it looks super clean. That's how I get my lines to look super straight and clean. artist tips for the week! lol

[L4213]

while drawing with your shoulder is technically more healthy, its not really the best method to draw when illustrating in small areas (small sketchbooks, small tablets) as is the opposite with wrist drawing.

why not apply both to your arsenal! i use both shoulder or wrist depending on the size of my canvas, sometimes both to get the best of both worlds. there is no right way to draw so go crazy with your strokes!

[SpavVy]

I go by wrist, I ink traditionally with dip pens and with my wrist I have a lot more control. The only pain I get is in my thumb from pressing against my drawing tools (sometimes even with rubber grips) or I will get a stretching pain under the knuckle of my index finger, once I feel pain I stop for the entire day, sometimes I give it more than a couple days just to be sure. I rarely experience the pain under my knuckle though.

[MeepandMushrat]

Dont think that there is a proper way of doing anything especially drawing. Truely do what is most comfortable for you. If you are having wild lines and not feeling confident with this new method then dont feel lime you need to stick with it. Then again don't over do the strain on your wrist.