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Am I holding my pen "wrong"?

11:37 AM, Saturday February 18th 2023

I know lesson 1 covers how to hold your pen (tripod grip), but I have been holding pens/pencils a weird way all my life. I believe it is called lateral quadrupod. Here is a picture (don't be fooled by my child hands, I am a grown adult)

My question is: is this going to hinder me when following the Drawabox course and doing art in general, particularly on a tablet? Should I "relearn" how to hold a pen or does it not make much difference?

Bearing in mind I have been drawing and writing this way for over 20 years, it would be hard habit to break! It enables me to write very quickly and fairly neatly too. I do have quite a firm grip and I also have "toe thumbs" (I wonder if other toe thumb people hold their pens this way...?)

Am I overthinking this?

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0 users agree
4:11 PM, Saturday February 18th 2023
edited at 7:08 PM, Feb 18th 2023

In my humble opinion you are overthinking, I have seen some fantastic artists with the weirdest grips but it works for them, as long as your tool can do the job it's made to do, your coordination is improving, and you don't hurt yourself, I don't see why you should change it...but that's just how I see it :)

edited at 7:08 PM, Feb 18th 2023
4:56 PM, Sunday February 19th 2023

Thanks for responding! It's great to get an outside perspective. I will carry on as usual for now and see how I get on.

1 users agree
12:04 AM, Sunday February 19th 2023

https://youtu.be/OwqLzyusElM

I really like this video I think it'll help you.

2:22 PM, Sunday February 19th 2023

very nice video, thanks for sharing :)

4:57 PM, Sunday February 19th 2023

Thanks, this is very helpful! I did notice my tablet pen nib is wearing away quite quickly, I think because I have been holding it at an angle. Hopefully the tips in the video help.

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