Drawing is one of the most peaceful, steady hobbies. It is hard to believe that it could actually cause lifelong and unbearable physical injuries.
Scary right? Drawing is a primary cause of repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and other related conditions such as Carpal Tunnel. As a hyper enthusiastic artist, you have to take preventive measures like keeping your hand relaxed, and your wrist angled correctly, maintaining a proper posture, using ergonomic tools, and taking regular breaks.
But we all know how this is more theoretical than practical, especially when you are deeply engrossed in your drawing. Well, you can invest in drawing braces as a supplementary solution.
Research shows that drawing braces are effective for alleviating RSI symptoms and preventing them when worn during resting periods. Therefore, you shouldn’t wait to notice painful symptoms to get one.
So, what are the best drawing braces for artists? The best drawing braces for artists should be easy to use and offer comfortable support that will allow you to draw or paint for hours without tiring and help prevent cramps and pain from carpal tunnel or arthritis.
Investing in drawing braces is the smart choice, but it will only yield results if you wear the right one. Luckily, this article is all about helping you in choosing the best drawing braces for artists.
Choosing Drawing A Drawing Brace
If you are an avid sketch artist or perhaps an art teacher, you are most vulnerable to RSI. See, spending several hours every day of the year drawing and sketching puts undue stress on your hand joints and muscles.
In a couple of years, maybe less, you’ll find yourself experiencing pain, numbness, tingling, and stiffness on parts of your hand caused by repetitive motion. This pain is mainly concentrated at the finger joint, thumb, and wrist.
Or perhaps you have arthritis, tendonitis, or other bone and muscular ailments. Braces allow you to continue doing what you love, and that is creating beautiful works of art, minus the pain. But not all braces are created equal. You must follow certain criteria to find the best drawing braces for you.
1. Size
Braces come in various sizes, and for them to work optimally, you must find the right size for your hands. Some types of braces will have standard sizes like extra small, small, medium, large, extra-large, and so on, while others are adjustable to accommodate a range of hand sizes.
Before you begin shopping, ensure that you already have the dimensions of your hands to find the appropriate fitting.
While the brace is supposed to be grippy, it shouldn’t be too tight. It could cut circulation and cause numbness. Too loose, and it becomes ineffective.
2. Design
Drawing braces are available in several styles, and your choice will depend on your pain points. You can choose from thumb braces, wrist splints, and vices that provide support for the elbow.
There are compression gloves as well for warmth and reducing swelling and discomfort at the finger joints using compression therapy. This pain is common with arthritis but also occurs due to long hours of intricate works like drawing.
If you’re already experiencing symptoms, it is also essential to involve your physician for proper guidance for the precise type of brace or gloves that you need.
3. Material
Last but not least, you have to consider the construction material. This is important for three reasons.
For one, the type of material determines the kind of support that you’re getting. If it’s a stretchy material, it gives you elastic support, which provides the resistance needed but doesn’t limit your hand movements so much.
If the brace is made of metal or steel bone, then it will provide rigid or semi-rigid support, which may restrict part of the hand, wrist, or finger mobility.
The second vital aspect of the material is its suitability to your skin. A brace is something that you’ll be wearing for a significant amount of time, from a few minutes to overnight.
It would help if you looked for features such as being hypoallergenic, breathable, moisture-wicking, easy to clean, etc. You are trying to suppress discomfort, so don’t buy something that will only elevate it.
Beware of latex if you have allergies, as it may be used to enhance the stretchability of the brace. Lastly, check if the material is infused or lined with copper or other beneficial components. Copper is commonly used for reducing inflammation and pain.
4. Durability
Braces must be replaced frequently, ideally between 3 to 6 months. However, if the construction is poor, it may not last as long as it should.
You must check the stitching. It should be done firmly and finished professionally. Also, any velcro straps should be fixed sturdily and not tear quickly after repeated use or even washing. Opt for stitched as opposed to glued parts.
The 7 Best Drawing Braces For Artists
The market has a lot to offer in brace technology, but not all braces will produce desired results. That is why we’ve strived to research far and wide for only the drawing braces that have been proven to work effectively.
Rank | Product | Key Features |
---|---|---|
1. | ComfyBrace Support Brace | Adjustable straps, breathable, night brace |
2. | BraceUP Carpal Tunnel Wrist Brace | Minimal restraints, aluminum boned |
3. | Copper Compression Wrist Brace | Copper infused nylon, night or day wear |
4. | ComfyBrace Arthritis Hand Compression Gloves | Full range of motion, lightweight, 3 sizes |
5. | Dr. Arthritis Copper Wrist Brace | Doctor developed, copper lined |
6. | Futuro Compression Wrist Brace | Support + compression, velcro |
7. | Cerbonny Carpal Tunnel Wrist Brace | Breathable, lightweight and sleek |
1. ComfyBrace Support Brace
Comfybrace is the best drawing brace in its class, and you can’t get any better. The quality is impressive and the performance outstanding.
It is a slip-on sleeve with adjustable straps and supports your wrist in a neutral, stable position during sleep or rest.
This brace relieves pain, tingling, and numbness brought by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome associated with drawing. It acts as a therapeutic cushion to any pressure exerted on your wrist.
A therapeutic cushion provides pressure support on your wrist as you sleep. You are flexing it throughout the day while drawing, and repeatedly doing so at night while sleeping can exacerbate symptoms.
It also helps with pain caused by Arthritis, tendonitis, and post-cast wrist pain. So if you are an artist who has any of these conditions, this brace is the light at the end of the tunnel.
The sleeve is made of porous fabric, and the straps are ideally placed to allow smooth circulation of blood and aeration. The design allows you to wear it for long hours without sweating or feeling irritated. The brace is designed to fit in both your left and right hand and is adaptable for a variety of hand sizes.
2. BraceUP Carpal Tunnel Wrist Brace
Carpal Tunnel wrist brace by BraceUP is expertly designed for pain relief as you proceed with your daily activities.
This wrist stabilizer by BraceUP helps soothe symptoms associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by securing the wrist with a firm splint, reducing pain and irritation from weak or sore wrists.
The stabilizer offers firm wrist support with three straps, but it will not hold you back. It allows for free movement of fingers so you can go about your day and provides comfortable palm cushioning.
With the help of three straps, it keeps your wrist firm with minimal restraints on your hand. The splint is built of lightweight aluminum, which gives rigid wrist support and can be removed for custom fitting for varying support needs.
The covering fabric is meshed, which releases excess heat and moisture to keep you cool, dry, and comfortable throughout the day.
This brace is made for both male and female hands and offered in various sizes ranging from small, medium, large and extra-large, meaning everyone is catered for. The brand offers left and right-hand design options depending on your orientation.
3. Copper Compression Wrist Brace
Another terrific option is the copper compression brace by Copper Compression with a natural and high quantity of copper.
The copper is infused directly to its nylon instead of being sprayed on it. This innovative approach ensures your brace lasts longer.
The brace is designed to remedy wrist pain and provide support simultaneously without restraining your mobility. It frees your fingers so you can still go on with your activities.
If you are suffering from pain, irritation, or numbness brought on by drawing, this brace quickly remedies that. It helps compress the median tendon, which causes the Carpal Tunnel syndrome pain on your wrist/hand. It can be worn both during the daytime or at night while sleeping.
The Copper Compression wrist brace is comfortable, adjustable, and non-intrusive, enabling you to carry on drawing without it getting in your way. Interior lining is soft and stretchy, expanding and contracting appropriately for a snug fit.
The brace is designed for both male and female wearers, with sizes ranging from small/medium to large/X-large. There’s also an option for custom-made braces for specific measurements.
4. ComfyBrace Arthritis Hand Compression Gloves
For more stylish gloves, go with this pair from ComfyBrace. They are fingerless arthritis gloves that relieve pain by supporting finger joints using compression therapy.
They have a low-cut open finger profile that liberates your hands and doesn’t limit your activities. The flexibility allows a full range of motion.
You can choose to wear them at night for unbothered sleep or during the day while drawing. They are so lightweight you might even forget you are wearing them.
Each glove is made from high-quality breathable fabric that prevents sweat build-up and odor, allowing palms to breathe naturally. The tidy and sturdy construction also features durable stitching with cleverly placed non-bulging internal seams that don’t irritate the skin yet fit snugly.
The compression gloves come in three sizes, small, medium, and large, plus an informative eBook for your enlightenment.
5. Dr. Arthritis Copper Wrist Brace
Next is this high-quality brace developed by medical doctors. Made with the knowledge gathered from years of experience treating hand pain conditions in an FDA-approved facility, this one is sure to meet your high expectations.
The brace is made of both nylon and Neoprene and lined with copper for wrist support. It is well built, with a thick and stretchable fabric for elastic backing.
It is a one-size brace that wraps around the wrist and is secured via Velcro strap to conform to any hand size, big or small.
While drawing, your hand makes repetitive motions, which often result in pain, stiffness, and swelling. This wrist brace helps immensely with hand trauma stemming from such actions and can be worn as you immerse yourself in drawing.
It is very minimalist, which makes it light and comfortable; you can wear it daily for weeks, and it never gets annoyingly cumbersome or uncomfortable.
The top-notch quality inner lining is breathable, durable, and flexible and stays relatively clean and dry even after long hours of wear. The best part is that it comes with a free handbook that teaches you about hand/wrist pain and how to manage it correctly.
6. Futuro Compression Stabilizing Wrist Brace
Futuro is the maker of various braces and wrist supports, and this particular one is the best for artists already experiencing wrist pain.
This brace model differentiates itself from competitors by not only providing wrist support but also compression around the hand.
It keeps your hand pain-free and relaxed as you continue working by ensuring the right amount of pressure is exerted on specific points on your wrist.
The brace provides reinforcement to the wrist, thanks to a metal splint, and alleviates pain caused by strenuous drawing, carpal tunnel syndrome, or other injuries.
At the top are open cutouts that release your fingers to enable artists to carry on with daily activities like drawing more naturally.
Its lightweight construction and gel padding underneath the joint is super comfy and permits you to wear them while working. You’ll barely remember it’s there. However, it is not recommended for night use while sleeping.
The size is adjustable and fits a couple hand widths using Velcro straps. The straps are three, so it hits a few different pressure points once secured. Just don’t make it too tight, or else it will numb your hand.
7. Cerbonny Carpal Tunnel Wrist Brace
Do you need a brace that would give maximum support but does not interfere with your drawing? Then the Carpal Tunnel wrist brace fits the bill.
It is innovatively designed to relieve pain for a wide range of conditions and is suitable for artists who strain their wrists or have already damaged their tendons and ligaments.
The brace supports the wrist but without the tight vice-like grip of metal splints. It gives room for comfortable flexing of your wrist and also relieves existing pain with its comfortable padding.
This brace can be adjusted using the fitted straps, making it stable. It is also lightweight and not bulky like other brands.
The construction fabric is of good quality neoprene and nylon that is cotton soft, breathable, non-irritating, and cushy enough to wear for long hours without discomfort. This wrist brace is suitable for both men and women. It is sold in pairs, so you get one for each hand.
Up Next: 9 Best Chairs For Artists