What Is A Mahl Stick Used For

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.

What is a mahl stick used for.

It is used as an aid in painting particularly in oil painting because it takes so long to dry. It s a very handy tool to have at your disposal for a multitude of applications. But don t underestimate this ubiquitous little branch of cliché. In this article you will learn how to build your own mahl stick.

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. They are one of those iconic artistic props akin to a floppy beret and painter s smock both i blushingly admit to owning myself. This is because the hand is not used to being suspended in the air. Painting on an easel the vertical position of the canvas makes it difficult to paint small details.

The art of painting by johannes vermeer portrait of eva gonzalez by edouard manet self portrait by sofonisba anguissola utilizing a mahl stick. This is useful for both right and left handed people. What is a mahl stick. Users appreciate that the wood comes pre oiled hence lasting for a long time without any worries.

Using a mahl stick can be somewhat tricky but with practice it can be a helpful tool. 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. Loxley mahl stick painters rest at amazon for 16 99. The mahl stick is an essential tool for the professional painter.