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Custom grips for paintbrushes?

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Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Thank you Cordelia, unfortunately it’s not as simple as carpal tunnel surgery, I have Dupuytrens Contracture in both hand. I had very successful surgery on the left hand last year as that was the worst one at the time , still have some issues with it but it’s now a functional hand unlike before a curled up useless hand.
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Lynda Green

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 Cordelia, I would suggest wrapping a length of sports bandage around the handle, the blue self fastening type. I haven't used it for paint brushes but it is good for securing my sewing bits and bobs and has a grippy feel.
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Cordelia Campbell

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Thank you Cordelia, unfortunately it’s not as simple as carpal tunnel surgery, I have Dupuytrens Contracture in both hand. I had very successful surgery on the left hand last year as that was the worst one at the time , still have some issues with it but it’s now a functional hand unlike before a curled up useless hand.
Paul  (Dixie) Dean on 21/06/2025 11:06:22
I do know something about Dupuytren's Contracture, Paul as I've been checked out for it as I have Lederhose disease and about 50% of LD sufferers have DC.  LD is quite unusual I'm told, I don't have DC but have had tendonitis on and off for years.  I hope you get on as well as you can with your treatment, it really must be a horrible condition to have but if it can be treated successfully there's room for optimism. 
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Cordelia Campbell

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Thanks for your replies Doug and Lynda.  I will have to experiment and try different things (and always remember to pace myself) as that is half the problem. 🙂
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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I don't think there's an ideal answer to this - but maybe there's a gap in the art market for someone to fill.  It might be useful though to look at aids for the disabled - there are various items to enable a knife and fork to be held comfortably, and aids for the kitchen which might be helpful for us lot too.... I'm fortunate in that my problem hand is the left one (after I broke a wrist) which does contract now and then, whereas my right hand just has a bit of arthritis at the base of the thumb, and the way I hold my brushes, that doesn't really matter.  We'll all know the story of Rénoir, who had his brushes taped or tied to his hands because of rheumatoid arthritis - I can't even imagine that, but then: the Foot and Mouth painters' association members achieve wonderful things when almost completely paralysed; where there's a will.....   Anyway, have a good look online for disabled aids - there MIGHT be something that's ideal for you. 

Sylvia Evans

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New eyes please .
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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New eyes - ah; maybe one day - eye surgery has come on a very long way, but macular degeneration is very hard to treat; the best news I had when I suffered a retinal detachment was when I heard the surgeon say "macula is intact"; AMD is a cruel condition for anyone, but especially for a painter.  

Justin Twigg

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Hi Cordelia, When I was teaching design we used to have to talk about 'smart materials' anyway one of those was a thermoplastic that softened in boiling water. When a little cooler it could be shaped into (usually phallic) shapes by pupils. But its greatest use was for making ergonomically shaped handles. if you soften it and then hold it in your hand in a comfortable shape then push a brush handle in to it before it cools you would have individual custom brush handles. I have made some for some of my outdoor painters who have mobility issues.  You can get it on Amazon if you search for Thermoworx Whitemorph its about £6 for 100g which is probably enough for two or three smaller wrap arounds, or one big 'gear stick' type

Edited
by Justin Twigg

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Cordelia Campbell

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Thanks for your replies, Robert and Sylvia. I'm not sure if I would trust myself with boiling water and plastic, Justin though that could work for some. I've had an idea about using silicone earplugs that I have for swimming and they can be moulded to fit around brushes, can easily be removed too.  Amazon and Home Bargains sell them.  The pink earplugs look a little NHS inspired but it's a way to recycle them.. photos below....
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Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Looks very much like I do with the putty rubber , work a treat , I will have a look at the ear plugs .

Justin Twigg

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That’s a good solution with the ear plugs, other people just add three or four elastic bands along the handle. The plastic I suggested softens at 60 degrees so quite a way of boiling point. If you want to draw and paint there’s always a way. I remember going on holiday to South Wales with all my art stuff, got all set up on Whitehaven beach only to realise I’d forgotten my roll of brushes. I did several paintings, using a collection of sticks, feathers and shells to apply the paint, it was quite liberating.

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by Justin Twigg

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