Body Positioning for Latte Art

Optimal hand height and angle for latte art

In this article, we will talk about the position of the body at the time of drawing, what are the nuances. First of all, we will consider the position of the elbow, the inclination of the body and, importantly, at what height you need to draw. 

Hand position

‍A very important topic, especially when working in a small bar. Often, the bar doesn't have much space. Elbows in such cases become a real problem. If we talk about the hand with the cup, the elbow is best pressed to the torso. This hand should take up the least amount of space in the space, so that no one accidentally touches it and spoils your latte art.

The pitcher's hand. The first point is that it is better not to press it completely to the torso, this is not very convenient, the arm becomes less mobile. Yes, and you become like a Tyrannosaurus:)

The second point is the opposite, excessive protruding of the elbow. So it's hard to draw, the hand quickly gets tired of holding the pitcher and there is a huge chance that you will be touched and prevented from drawing again. The most optimal position of the elbow of the hand with the pitcher at an angle of 45-60 degrees. 

I will also note the forearm. The higher you raise your elbow, the more curved your hand will be at the base of your forearm, which will also interfere with good latte art. A strongly curved hand overlaps the tendons and your finger motor skills suffer from this. The hand should serve as an extension of the pitcher and lie flat with the forearm.

Torso tilt

‍How much we tilt our torso when drawing doesn't really affect the process itself. As for me, this approach rather affects the overall impression and fatigue of the barista. In addition, it looks more professional when we stand straight and draw calmly, without leaning to the sides, this is superfluous.

Another point is when the cup goes to the side with the pitcher during the strikeout of the drawing. 

The cup should always be in one place, all movements are performed only by the pitcher. Except for the moments when we draw complex drawings, but even there the cup only turns without moving in space. Try to stand straight and keep the cup in the same plane. 

Drawing height

‍At what height to draw. There are two erroneous extremes: either as low as possible, almost on the table. Or as high as possible, almost in front of your nose. Both positions are incorrect and super awkward.

Drawing high is not hygienic in the first place. Holding the cup so close to your face as if you're already breathing into it doesn't look good. Secondly, it is very high and simply inconvenient to track the drawing process

Well, it is inconvenient to draw low because of the brush. As I said earlier, the pitcher's hand should run parallel to the forearm. When we draw very low, the elbow is above the hand and it bends again in an inconvenient direction. Plus, we need to see what level the liquid is in the cup, whether we can tilt it or not. And the lower we draw, the less we see. If you raise the cup a little higher in front of you, you will better see its tilt and where the liquid reaches.

The best option is to hold the cup at the level of the solar plexus. The most convenient location of the cup. You can clearly see the location of the liquid in the cup, in general, masthev, use it!

There is another problem when the barista draws not parallel to himself, but as if from himself. Yes, so you can clearly see the location of the drawing in the cup.  But at the same time, the brush again becomes non-plastic, and the important tilt of the cup is not clearly visible. This makes it harder to pick it up. 

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