I’m not a lefty or a righty most of the time, I’m a bothy. When it comes to illustrations, however, I use my right hand exclusively, as it is the steadier of the two and just makes working with different mediums a lot easier.
The thing is, after a while, the finger (and yes, I mean The Finger) that the pens rest against begins to resemble mince. So what do I do about this? The most mature thing possible. I go and find bandages that will help protect the poor finger.
I refuse to walk around with an ugly-brown-plaster-finger because I, folks, am a lady and I must be fashionable at all times. Except on Sundays when I look as though I have fallen out of bed and into life, but that is another matter.
Either way, no plain band-aids for this kid. So here’s a current sampling of my finger guards:
I’m particularly partial to the minions. Do you ever get that pen finger thing? How do you deal with it?
Whilst I am here, the book I am currently working on is called “If Animals Were People.” I’m having a lot of fun with it, so I thought I’d show you a work in progress update:
and here is the cover:
So…back to work. Hope everyone is having a great start to their weekend!
J and I Publishing 
Reblogged this on readful things blog and commented:
My first post on J & I publishing. All about “the finger”
LikeLike
The first knuckle on my middle finger used to get very swollen and sore until my gran suggested I use a rubber thimble. It took some getting used to, but it certainly helped…
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s an idea I hadn’t thought of! I think I’m just falling apart a piece at a time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope it works and perhaps that particular piece will start behaving itself:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Julian Froment's Blog and commented:
Check out the life of the Artist at Work, Ionia Martin, on J and I Publishing.
LikeLike
I never thought about using bandages as preemptive measures. I’m an idiot and usually go until I get a blister. Probably why I take so many breaks or stick to the laptop these days. Love the axe-wielding beaver.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol I like the marvel bandages. I think I need more of those. I feel like superwoman.
LikeLike
We had those and they were great. Now the local stores only have TMNT and Strawberry Shortcake.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I should send you some
LikeLike
Yay! Never too many cute band-aids.
LikeLike
It’s probably because you’re holding your pen/pencil/drawing tool too hard. You need to loosed your grip. Get some scrap pieces of paper, a pencil and draw random loose doodles on the paper for about ten minutes to loosen the muscles in your hand and then move onto whatever illustration your working on. I remember getting those sore fingers back in school when I was still learning the ins-and-outs of my drawing style. This definitely helps, as I can’t really remember the last time I had a sore finger from drawing. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree that I definitely do that. I also have rheumatoid arthritis, so it complicates the way I have to hold my hand when drawing. I will try loosening up! Thank you, Dean!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My grandkids talked me into buying them a box of bandages each. Jalina got the Barbie ones and Seb got the Spiderman ones. Twenty minutes after we were home the boxes were empty. Apparently everything needs a band-aide. As a nurse, 75% of my time was spent documenting (before computers came along). I’ve often said I would be a millionaire if I got paid a nickle for every time I signed my name. There’s a callus on my right middle finger knuckle for proof.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel for you. This finger will never be the same. I need it for traffic!
LikeLike