Staying Healthy as an Artist: Preventing Painter’s Elbow

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we gather with friends, family, and a little extra gratitude today, it felt like the perfect moment to share a topic that supports your long-term wellbeing as an artist. Our bodies are the tools we rely on just as much as brushes and paint, and taking care of them allows us to keep creating for years to come. So in the spirit of giving thanks for our creative lives, here’s a practical guide to staying healthy and preventing painter’s elbow.

Spending long hours at the easel or sculpture table can take a toll on your body. Many artists experience stiffness or pain in the elbow and shoulder — often called “painter’s elbow.” It’s caused by repetitive movement and long stretches of time with your arm lifted, especially when working on large canvases or fine details.

The good news? With a few simple exercises and mindful habits, you can keep your joints healthy and your creative flow uninterrupted.

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What Is Painter’s Elbow?

Painter’s elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, happens when the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the elbow become irritated. Over time, this can cause soreness on the outer elbow, stiffness, or even a weak grip.

It’s common among painters, sculptors, and anyone who uses small, controlled hand movements for long periods of time — but it doesn’t have to be a career-long struggle.

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The Y’s and T’s Exercise

One of the most effective and gentle ways to prevent or ease painter’s elbow is by doing Y’s and T’s — simple shoulder-stabilizing movements that strengthen the upper back and relieve stress from your arms.

How to Do Them:

1. Lie face-down on the floor (or on a mat) with your arms extended straight out.

2. T’s: Bring your arms out to your sides, forming a T-shape with your body. Keep your palms facing down and gently lift your arms a few inches off the ground, pulsing lightly. Do 20 repetitions.

3. Y’s: Now move your arms forward so your body forms a Y shape. Again, palms facing down, lift and pulse gently for 20 repetitions.

4. Switch it up: rotate your palms so they face each other and repeat the pulses for another set of 20.

These small, deliberate movements target the stabilizing muscles between your shoulder blades — muscles that often weaken in artists who spend hours painting or sculpting. Strengthening them can dramatically reduce tension in your elbows, neck, and upper back.

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Additional Tips for Healthy Studio Habits

• Take short breaks every 30–45 minutes to stretch your shoulders and wrists.

• Switch hands occasionally when possible to balance muscle use.

• Adjust your easel or table height so you’re not constantly reaching upward or bending too low.

• Stay hydrated — fatigue and tension set in faster when you’re dehydrated.

• Listen to your body. A little daily care keeps you creating for years to come.

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Closing Thought

Art may come from the soul, but it’s the body that brings it to life. Treat it with the same care and attention you give to your craft.