Arts

Materials:
Cloth, rags or socks
Rubber bands, cord or tape
A very sturdy stick or tube - longer than the width of the paper or canvas. If the width is very long it should be, at the very least, longer than the area you are working on.

The head is used to lean the end of the stick on and it keeps it from slipping. If you are working on the inside of a very large area, it protects the surface from dent marks and dirty hands.

For this guide a sturdy tube was used. You can use either a sturdy stick or tube. It should not bend when you lean on it.
The closed end of socks was wrapped around one end of the tube. If you are using material, just wrap it around the tube.

Add as many layers needed not to feel the edge of the stick when you squeeze it tightly.
The open end of the outer sock was brought over and down to cover the socks. It is held in place with rubber bands.
If using material or rags, add a layer over the top and hold it in place with rubber bands, cord or tape.

That’s it. Very simple!

How to use the mahl stick:
Place the head outside of the paper or canvas on the same side as the hand you paint with. Use your other hand to lift the other side to a comfortable angle to lean on.

On a very large surface try to place it on a clean dry area. Make sure the head is clean.
If you have no clean area within reach you want to touch as little as possible. Hold the stick with the hand you do not paint with. Lean one or two fingers on the surface with that hand and then lean your painting hand on the stick.