What Is A Mahl Stick Used For

The resting end of the mahl stick is padded so as to ensure there is no damage to the glass or canvas which is being used to create the painting.

What is a mahl stick used for.

Users appreciate that the wood comes pre oiled hence lasting for a long time without any worries. In 16th through 19th century paintings of artists including self portraits the maulstick is often depicted as part of the painter s equipment. In this article you will learn how to build your own mahl stick. But don t underestimate this ubiquitous little branch of cliché.

Mahlstick definition a stick with a padded tip used to support an artist s working hand. Painting on an easel the vertical position of the canvas makes it difficult to paint small details. It is used as an aid in painting particularly in oil painting because it takes so long to dry. Using a mahl stick can be somewhat tricky but with practice it can be a helpful tool.

This is because the hand is not used to being suspended in the air. Loxley mahl stick painters rest at amazon for 16 99. This is useful for both right and left handed people. The mahl stick is an essential tool for the professional painter.

A mahlstick or maulstick is a stick with a soft leather or padded head used by painters to support the hand holding the paintbrush the word derives from the german and dutch malstock or maalstok painter s stick from malen to paint. What is a mahl stick. Rest the soft ball end of the stick on the edge of the canvas some artists even have a ledge for their mahl stick to slide along or on a part of the painting. A mahl stick is a stick or thin pole that is about 1 meter 3 feet in length with a ball shaped pad at one end.