Getting a grip on things

A few weeks ago Lemniscaat pronounced the winners of the illustration contest and I wasn’t among them. I anticipated this so no worries. I’m happy I found out so much about myself during the (creative) process.
The whole experience left me with one more very practical surprise. Even after working such long hours at the time I was still able to draw. My hand did not hurt like it would have in the past!
In 2008 I injured my hand (mostly my thumb) after a rush job and I neglected to give my hand a good rest. For about a year I couldn’t do anything. Writing, drawing, even holding a book during reading was a challenge.
Over time things got better but I still couldn’t work long hours, I had to stop all printing activities and I switched from pencil and pastels to drawing inks.
While I was working on the illustrations my hand would hurt after a long day in the studio but then I would give my hand a rest for a day and it was fine again!

So now new ideas are bubbling up in my head, I will be able to mix inks with pastels, pick up my pencils again! Yay! I worked with this mix before but at the time it was too soon and sure I have to be careful not to overdo it again but this prospect makes me very happy.

Last week I went to Van Beek, my local art supply shop and I found a pencil extender by Derwent. I’m not going to use it to extend my pencils but to broaden my pencils. A broad grip lessens the chance of injury because it is more relaxed to hold.
Thursday is studio-day, I can’t wait!

Derwent 8mm Pencil Extender (grip is 12mm)