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Ergonomic Arm Rest for Artists: A Must-Have Accessory for Your Workspace

23/2/2024

Ergonomic arm rest review by Karen M Berisford

As a professional artist, I spend significant time working at my desk. While I have an easel, I only use it when working on large paintings. The easel's adjustability, both horizontally and vertically, is impressive. Still, it lacks arm support, making it uncomfortable to work on for extended periods.

Working at an easel for long hours can be challenging for artists, as it can cause pain and stiffness in the shoulders, arm and wrist. This can affect the quality and enjoyment of the art, as well as the health and well-being of the artist.

A while ago, I bought an ergonomic arm rest which attaches to a solid surface, and use it to support my forearm and wrist when working from my easel. It provides the necessary support to reduce the strain on my hand and wrist as I work and it has helped to improve my posture and reduce the stress on the muscles and joints. It also allows my hand and arm to move freely and smoothly, giving more control and precision over the strokes.

I have provided a video below showing how the arm clamp operates.

My armrest is constructed of metal, which is necessary to support the weight of my arm. The armrests need to have some weight behind them to clamp onto a desk securely while also supporting the weight of your arm. A few companies sell ergonomic armrests, and as I am not endorsing any particular brand, the fittings may differ from one brand to another.

An ergonomic arm rest is adjustable and flexible and the height of the arm rest can be changed to suit the preferences and needs of the artist. There are five different height settings, up to 4 inches, to choose from. The arm rest can also swivel and move with the arm as the artist works. The arm rest has a clamp that fits most easels, and can be attached and detached easily.

The one I have is from BONTEC which I purchased on AmazonUK, however there are others brands available which may differ slightly in their design.

There are numerous arm rest designs available if this style is not suitable.
Here is the link on Amazon.

By sharing this information, I hope others may also benefit from its usefulness. Please note that I am not promoting or endorsing this product but offering friendly advice for those who may find it beneficial.

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5 MUST-HAVE products for the graphite pencil ARTIST

14/10/2022

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Are you a graphite artist, or trying graphite pencils for the first time?
You don't need a large assortment of products. If you enjoy drawing outdoors, you can travel light, with no need for solvents and little to no mess.

The pencils are the most important part of the graphite toolkit, but they are more effective when combined with other products. In this blog, we discuss the five essential accessories for the graphite artist. If you are new to graphite pencils, you may prefer some over others, conditional on the style of your work. Let's take a look at them.

ERASERS/RUBBERS

Erasers are a must for any artist. Not only are they useful for erasing mistakes from your work, they can also be used as part of the creative technique. Highlight areas by erasing, lifting and softening the graphite to achieve the correct definition needed. An eraser is essential, but search any online art store and you will find so much choice. You may see it as overkill, and to a point, you are correct. Many art companies market similar products which they endorse for their own product ranges, so deciding which is the better option can be overwhelming.
Although we don't lean towards any particular brand, we provide images of the products we use ourselves, or have chosen purely for representation.

We discuss five different styles of eraser, that, depending on your artistic style, could be of interest to you. Do let us know in the comments section at the bottom of this page, what your personal favourite eraser(s) is and why.

standard eraser

This style of eraser is most commonly used. The corners, edges and the flat surface can be used wherever you need to erase. Choosing a dust-free option minimises dust drop, and is safer. These erasers do not contain any harmful phthalates (chemical compounds), but contain a mixture of balanced plastics.

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Kneadable putty rubber

Kneaded erasers have great flexibility, allowing you to stretch, compress, split, and mould it into shape to achieve precision. You can create highlights, clean edges and trim lines during the drawing process. You may struggle to remove dark marks, and they can also smear or stick if they get too warm.

PENCIL RUBBER

The Perfection Eraser Pencil is an eraser core in a wood-cased barrel. It is ideal for detailed erasing. The white end erases ink. The pink end erases graphite and coloured pencil.

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PEN ERASER

The refillable precision eraser Mono Zero Classic erases fine lines and small detailed corrections, where precision is essential. The classic version is available with round and rectangular tips.

the must-have eraser

Battery powered eraser

If you like detail, a battery powered eraser is the most useful tool to have in your arsenal. Use this alongside other erasers, to get the very best out of your work. There is no other eraser on the market that removes pencil from paper, like a battery powered eraser. It lifts almost all pencil from your paper, removing marks effortlessly, and doing all the hard work for you, leaving you to concentrate on accuracy. We highly recommend you practice how to hold and control this product before trying it on important work, as it is quite powerful!

The white hairs were created with the battery powered eraser

soft brush

Avoid touching your paper with your hands. The natural oils in your skin can transfer onto the paper, leaving behind smears and dirt that can stain. This may cause the graphite to congregate in patches, which you may struggle to remove. We recommend that you use a soft bristle brush to remove excess graphite or eraser dust from your paper, to avoid any surface contact. A make-up brush is a low-cost option. We recommend that you place a clean sheet of paper or glassine, between hand and drawing to avoid the transfer of oils.

Emboss tools

Embossing tools are used to indent your paper before you apply any pigment. This protects the surface of the paper from saturation. This is applied in areas you require highlights, such as catchlights in the eyes and strands of fur/hair, but it can also be applied between layers, to isolate and imprint any contours. Embossing tools are an indispensable product for artists. Sold individually or in multiple packs, each one has a metal ball attached to the tip, each with differing widths. Embossing tools can be used for a whole manner of arts and crafts, so we would recommend you purchase a pack, even if you don't use them for graphite work. Caution should be applied when using on soft papers like cotton as you may damage the surface. Abrasive paper, are not suitable for this technique as it will weaken the grit on the surface.

Royal Langnickel soft grip embossing tools 3 pack

Building up the layers of a graphite drawing of a dog's eye

Indenting is not a challenging technique, although, as you are making a mark in your paper, you do need to plan. If you are new to this technique, practice on a spare sheet of paper first, or why not try our tutorial here, which explains this technique.

blending tools

There are numerous tools that you can use for blending graphite. Tissues, tortillions, cotton buds, even make up sponges. We discuss two of the most effective tools to blend.

paper stumps & tortillions

Paper stumps and tortillions are tightly packed rolls of paper which form a pointed tip, allowing you to burnish your work across both large and small areas. Although you can peel away a layer of the paper when it becomes over-saturated, it can be useful to leave any excess pencil on the tip, as you can use this to apply a softer layer of pencil to your paper.

Paper stumps are pointed at both ends and are available in multiple thicknesses which can be purchased individually or in a pack. Tortillions are shorter and thinner and pointed on one end only. They are sold in multipacks as the are not as durable as the stumps. Stumps and blenders can be used with other mediums such as coloured pencils and pastels, but we suggest you keep them separate and avoid cross-contamination.

tissues

Tissues are the ideal product to use if you do not have any blending tools. Wrap it round your finger to blend larger areas, tear off a strip and wrap it round the tip of a blunt pencil to smudge and blend smaller areas. You should never blend pencil with your fingers as the natural oils will transfer to your paper and can damage your drawing. Pocket tissues are the ideal size to rip and tear to fit your needs, but you can use standard size tissues and even sheets of toilet roll. Kitchen roll may be too coarse, so may not be ideal. We do not recommend tissues that are infused with anything.

fixative

If you work with graphite pencils, we recommend that you fix your drawing once you have finished. It protects from accidental smudging (although it is not smudgeproof) and can add an extra layer of preservation if you buy a fixative with UV protection.

It is important to keep some distance between the can and your artwork (around 12"), in order to achieve an even layer. Make sure you shake the can thoroughly, and give it a light, even spray, using deliberate motion of left to right and up to down. Don't over saturate.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS THAT MAY BE USEFUL

We include a couple of other products that you may find useful, if not for your graphite pencil case, maybe for your other artistic ventures.

Sakura gelly roll pen in white - nib size 08

white gelly pen

If you want to add some really vivid highlights into your drawing, the white Sakura Gelly roll pen is the ideal choice. With 3 nib sizes, it is waterproof, acid free and fade resistant.

ERASING SHIELD/STENCIL

The drawing template shield is made of flexible stainless steel. They are very thin and work easily with an eraser. Good for precise and controlled erasing and drawing.

LEAVE US A COMMENT

What is your favourite product when working with graphite pencils and why? Have you changed products or brands over the years, or do you have a product that you have used for many years, even decades? Share with us all below.

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Articles found in our latest Newsletter (Q2)

20/6/2022

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Our newsletter has dropped and we have four new articles, including a brand new medium for our mini tutorials section, the oil pastel. If you haven't tried oil pastels, we would highly recommend you give them a go. Our new tutorial only takes 10 minutes to create a highly effective piece of work, and maybe you will fall in love with the medium too? We certainly love them!
We like to cover a different medium or product, in each article, so this quarter, we provide a list of blending tools for soft pastel artists, a selection of black papers for artists who enjoy working on a dark surface. We have chosen various surfaces and brands, suitable for numerous mediums, not just pencils.
Finally, we have updated the Prismacolor pencil artist. We really delved deep into the history of these pencils and believe us, these pencils have a great history. They span over a hundred years! We also discuss what these pencils can achieve, as we are aware that they are a favourite of many coloured pencil artists.

Click on any of the images below to visit the article and have a read. Why not grab a coffee, as we do throw lots of information into our articles, so we hope you enjoy them.

About the Prismacolor pencil
Updated

In this quarters' newsletter is the Prismacolor pencil. We analyse the claims found on the Prismacolor.com regarding their pencils. We share our personal views, as well as those of other artists', found from online research, and explain the metamorphosis of the Prismacolor pencil, which spans over a 100 years and is fascinating! Click the link to read the article. It is a long one so you may wish to grab a coffee before you start.

10 blending tools for soft pastels

Do you work with soft pastels or relatively new to the medium and require guidance? Have you found a particularly efficient way to mix soft pastels? Did you know that there are many ways to blend pastels? In this article, we provide a list of 10 blending tools that will assist you in your work.

12 Popular black papers for artists

During our search for the 12 black surfaces in this article, we found many more, with companies producing their own ranges, in varying shades of black and different textures. The following article provides you with a selection of the most popular brands, including some lesser known.

Brand new medium added to our tutorials section
Oil pastels

Are you new to oil pastels or wish to try the medium, but unsure where to start? Oil pastels are so easy to manipulate, which make them an ideal medium for the absolute beginner. We provide a simple step by step guide, allowing you to create a highly effective drawing in just 10 minutes.

Juicy strawberry oil pastel painting for a tutorial

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Let us know if you would like to see any other articles or tutorials by leaving us a comment below this article. Also, if you enjoyed an article in particular, let us know so we can do more like it. We always like to hear from you, the reader, so we can continue providing you useful content, and that you become a returning visitor to step by step art.

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Lumi LED task light - personal review

30/7/2021

2 Comments

I have been using a daylight lamp in my art studio for many years but thought it was time to replace my old lamp once the wiring began to fray. As it got worse, no amount of electrical tape would keep it secure and it became a safety risk.

I received an email from the online art store Cassart, notifying me they had a sale on their daylight lamps, an ideal time to replace my old one and get a brand new one for a good price. After much deliberation, I chose the Lumi LED task lamp. It looked sleek and with a 20" wide head and I knew it would provide more light than my previous model.

Here, I offer my thoughts on this product.

With the Lumi light measuring 20" wide, it provides balanced coverage over a large area. The head itself can twist 180° and provide light where you need it most. It can be adjusted both vertically and horizontally, but can be maneuvered into varying positions.
The 'on' button is found on the top of the light. It offers two levels of brightness which can you can adjust by pressing the button twice.

Although the LED lights cannot be replaced which may concern some people, they provide over 50,000 hours of usage. Continuous usage at 8 hours a day, 5 days a week means your light could last around 24 years so this does not seem much of an issue after all. LED lighting also uses less power than bulbs whilst emitting the same amount of light. They are less susceptible to breakage and last far longer than a traditional bulb.

TECHNICAL DETAILS:

Model no: D33500
88 LED lights
A+ Efficiency
6000k
15w
2 steps touch dimmer: 3,800 and 1,750 Lux
Average lifespan 50,000 hours (20 years)

Metal, heavy duty support arms
Height: 58.5 cm (23″) - Width: 51 cm (20″) - Depth: 70 cm (27″)
Maximum reach: 100 cm (39″)
Weight 2kg
Cable length: 2.1 m (83″)
LED lighting do not contain harmful substances and can be safely disposed of with household waste

" Light is a natural resource that is mostly taken for granted. We know, however, that the right light in the right place can have a dramatic, positive effect on your life and work. We also know that natural daylight can help improve work performance and efficiency. Since the 1980’s, we have made it our mission to design the best lamps we can, to make a significant improvement to people’s lives. "

www.daylightcompany.com

My personal rating: 8/10

I give 8 out of 10 for a few reasons. I am quite sensitive to bright light and personally find it too bright even on the lowest setting though this is not the fault of the manufacturer, so I remedy this by positioning it at a distance. The second concern is the plastic head which is not as durable as the rest of the light. I feel it may weaken over time when twisting the head, especially if you are turning it the wrong way, so it is important to do this with care. The lights cannot be replaced so should they become damaged, you would need to replace the whole light.

My old lamp, the D33200 model. The metal gooseneck is sturdy and holds firm, the Lumi light is much more lightweight, but as it rotates, it is easier to direct the light where you need it.

For anyone interested, here is my old light - now a discontinued model.

My previous studio light also from the Daylight Company, was the D33200 model which was released in 2008. It had a heavy duty, flexible gooseneck arm with a metal clamp which attached safely to an easel or flat surface. The circular light could rotate 360° allowing you to direct the light in the area needed most. Previous to the LED light system of today, the daylight lamps in this range used low energy daylight bulbs which you could replace. I bought my D33200 light in 2010 and the 18w bulb (D13621) lasted almost as long as the light. An 18w bulb was the equivalent to an 100w bulb. Having used it for 12 hours a day, 5 days a week on average, the bulb provided up to 30,000 hours of usage.
To access the bulb, you had to remove the four chunky screws from the plastic cover and then slide off.

View the 2008 Daylight Company product list

Which light do you use in your home/studio for your craft/art? What do you love about it or wish you could adapt to make it perfect for you?

Comment below and share your experience

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Ergonomic Arm Rest for Artists: A Must-Have Accessory for Your Workspace

Ergonomic arm rest review by Karen M Berisford

5 MUST-HAVE products for the graphite pencil ARTIST

standard eraser

Kneadable putty rubber

PENCIL RUBBER

PEN ERASER

the must-have eraser

Battery powered eraser

soft brush

Emboss tools

blending tools

paper stumps & tortillions

tissues

fixative

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS THAT MAY BE USEFUL

white gelly pen

ERASING SHIELD/STENCIL

LEAVE US A COMMENT

Articles found in our latest Newsletter (Q2)

About the Prismacolor pencil
Updated

10 blending tools for soft pastels

12 Popular black papers for artists

Brand new medium added to our tutorials section
Oil pastels

Lumi LED task light - personal review

My personal rating: 8/10

For anyone interested, here is my old light - now a discontinued model.

Author

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HOW TO SUPPORT US

Ergonomic Arm Rest for Artists: A Must-Have Accessory for Your Workspace

Ergonomic arm rest review by Karen M Berisford

5 MUST-HAVE products for the graphite pencil ARTIST

standard eraser

Kneadable putty rubber

PENCIL RUBBER

PEN ERASER

the must-have eraser

​Battery powered eraser

soft brush

Emboss tools

blending tools

paper stumps & tortillions

tissues

fixative

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS THAT MAY BE USEFUL

white gelly pen

ERASING SHIELD/STENCIL

LEAVE US A COMMENT

Articles found in our latest Newsletter (Q2)

About the Prismacolor pencilUpdated

10 blending tools for soft pastels

12 Popular black papers for artists

Brand new medium added to our tutorials sectionOil pastels

Lumi LED task light - personal review

My personal rating: 8/10

For anyone interested, here is my old light - now a discontinued model.

Author

Archives

Categories

QUICK LINKS

HOW TO SUPPORT US

Battery powered eraser

About the Prismacolor pencil
Updated

Brand new medium added to our tutorials section
Oil pastels