Taking Care of Your Hands as an Artist & Calligrapher
Let's dive into a topic that's close to every calligraphy artist's heart—taking care of your hands. Our hands are the vessels of our creativity, and ensuring their well-being is crucial for both our art and overall wellness.
Below I have listed a few hand care tips and some of my favorite essentials that I have used myself.
HAND CARE TIPS:
Don't Push Past Pain: Ignoring pain signals from your body may lead to aggravated injuries, prolonged recovery, and potentially even chronic conditions. Instead of pushing through pain, it's essential to listen to your body and take immediate action. If you're experiencing discomfort while practicing calligraphy, stop and assess the situation. Rest, gentle stretches, and applying ice or heat can offer relief. If the pain persists, consult a medical professional, such as a doctor or physical therapist
Regular Stretching: Take breaks during your calligraphy practice to stretch your fingers, hands, and wrists. Gentle stretches help maintain flexibility and reduce stiffness.
Hydration: Stay hydrated to keep your skin and joints well-nourished. Drinking water supports overall hand health.
Ergonomic Practices: Invest in ergonomic tools and adjust your workspace to promote a neutral hand position, reducing strain on your hands and wrists. (let me know if you want me to do a full review of ergonomic artist tools)
Balanced Pressure: Apply even pressure when using calligraphy tools to prevent excess strain on specific hand muscles. Avoid the “death grip” by pushing too hard on your pen, engraving tools, and nib holders. Squeezing to hard and pushing down too hard for prolonged periods of time puts excess strain on your hand and joints and can cause cramping.
HAND CARE ESSENTIALS
AESOP HAND BALM
I tried this hand balm once and have never gone back. It is “hands down” my FAVORITE hand cream. It is so moisturizing and has a nice subtle scent that is not over powering. Keeping our hands moisturized helps to prevent from cuts since we work with paper. If you're a calligrapher that does work on-site or creates videos on IG/TikTok…this will keep your hands looking hydrated and not ashy! lol
FINGER RESISTANCE BANDS
This is like a workout for your fingers and hands. Strengthen and support your hand muscles with finger resistance bands. These handy tools help improve finger flexibility and dexterity, essential for intricate calligraphy strokes. Regular use can alleviate hand fatigue and enhance your overall calligraphy experience.
HAND SQUEEZE STRESS BALLS SET
Incorporate stress-relief into your daily routine with hand squeeze stress balls. Not only do they help alleviate tension, but they also provide a gentle hand workout. Squeezing these stress balls can improve grip strength and promote hand relaxation after intense calligraphy sessions. I also like to use them to roll around under my palm for a mini hand massage.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY OTHER WELLNESS RECOMMENDATIONS
**Feel free to explore the recommended hand care essentials through the provided Amazon affiliate links. Your support helps me continue sharing valuable wellness tips with our community. 🌿🎨
Remember, your hands are your artistic instruments, and their well-being is paramount. Incorporate these hand care essentials and practices into your routine to ensure you can continue creating beautiful calligraphy for years to come.
Stay creative and care for your hands! 🙌🏾