Hey /ic/.
I want to get serious about drawing but my dominant hand is kinda fucked up: low strength in muscle extension and involuntary finger twitches that last for a minute or so once in a while. I can draw just fine but I'm afraid it would be a serious issue when drawing in the future if I plan to get serious.
Should I start drawing with my left hand? How hard would it be to transition? Would it even be possible to be as skillful?
If you do digital and paint rather than do precise lineart you can probably pretty much negate the disadvantage. You can generally be pretty imprecise and just keep slapping layer over layer as you refine, and if you work on a large canvas you can just zoom in really far for precision stuff so even if your hand shakes it won't be a problem.
>>2318522
It can't hurt to start practicing with your left. Just be aware that your left has had a lifetime less of use than your right. When Algenpfleger got wrist issues and switched to his left he did the same volume of drawing and fucked up his left immediately. You'll need to ease into it.
Anyways, it's been done before. Frazetta suffered a stroke and couldn't use his right hand anymore and switched to his left and there was no difference really in his art after that.
I also think that the physical aspect of art is overemphasized. You can simply work larger or use an underhand grip to get around most problems. There's people out there who are paralyzed and can still paint. Unless you are relying a ton on very precisely controlled fine detail like some Renaissance draftsman, you are probably fine.
>>2318552
Have you spoken to a doctor about it? What did they say? Are there options that would reduce strain, such as brace? Or are there exercises to strengthen it?
In the mean time I would start practicing just a bit with your left as a back up plan.
Also if you do draw with your right hand, try doing an overhand grip on large newsprint (preferably vertical on an easel). It should reduce the amount of movement you need to do in your fingers and wrist, and instead put most of the action into your elbow and shoulder.
>>2318554
Apparently it's just from using my hand a lot coupled with severe anxiety. The lack of strength poses no problem at all as it affects only the distension muscles, I was just providing a bit more detail.
Yeah I'll probably change my grip if I continue using my dominant hand. Would an overhand grip work with digital painting though?
