During a recent workshop, I found myself in a familiar pickle—reaching into the centre of my pastel piece with no place to rest my hand. My hand wobbled, my elbow hovered, and I crossed my fingers I wouldn’t smudge the layers I’d just built up on the paper. That’s when I really wished I’d packed my mahlstick!
I’ve often been asked about my mahlstick when viewers see me use it in a painting demo. So let’s get into it!
What is a Mahlstick?
A mahlstick (from the Dutch maalstok, meaning “painter’s stick” – from malen, “to paint” and stok, “stick”) is a light stick traditionally used by oil painters to steady the hand and avoid touching the wet surface of the canvas. One end is usually padded or wrapped and rests on the easel or canvas edge while the artist holds the other end with the non-painting hand and balances the painting hand against it.
Here are three paintings where you can see the mahlstick – the Vermeer painting shows it in use.
But here’s the thing: it’s just as helpful for pastel artists.
How I Use Mine
My mahlstick (or mahl stick) is as simple as they come—just a piece of ¾-inch dowel. No padding. No frills. And it works beautifully. (It’s actually a perch from a bird cage!)
I rest one end on the board onto which my paper is taped and lightly balance my hand against it. This gives me control for creating fine details without having to touch the surface. It’s especially handy in those “centre of the painting” moments when there’s nothing to lean on but air.
Why A Mahlstick Is So Useful
- Prevents smudging: No more accidental wrist, side of hand, or pinky marks across your carefully rendered painting.
- Supports fine detail work: It’s brilliant when you need a steady hand for making even or straight lines or painting precise pastel strokes. When you’re refining facial features or adding a perfectly placed highlight, a mahlstick is indispensable!
- Helps with posture: Keeps your arm relaxed and supported, rather than hovering uncomfortably.
- Slows you down (in a good way): Using a mahlstick can help you be more intentional and accurate with your markmaking and stroke placement
This is me working without a mahlstick:
DIY Tips
You don’t need anything fancy. A dowel from the hardware store works perfectly. I like a ¾-inch size. It’s thick enough to support my painting hand comfortably, more so than a thinner stick. I also like wood because of the warm feel of it. The main thing is to find something that’s light and comfortable to hold. You also need it long enough to stretch beyond your paper and be as long as the piece you’re working on. My short dowel wouldn’t work on an 18 x 24 in painting!
You don’t really need a padded end since it’s rare that you’d rest the mahlstick directly on pastel-covered paper. However, you could always get a square of soft leather and stuff it with cotton and wrap that around the end of the stick.
If you just want to buy your own, you could try this one.
A Tool Worth Trying
The mahlstick might not be trendy or techy, but it’s one of those overlooked tools that quietly makes painting easier. It helps you work with more confidence, more precision—and far fewer smudges.
I hope that answers the question of why I use a mahlstick and what’s so great about it!
Have you used one before? Or found another clever solution for keeping your hand steady? I’d love to hear your tips so please leave a comment.
Until next time!
~ Gail
12 thoughts on “A Mahlstick – The Easiest Upgrade for Your Studio”
Hi Gail
I have a stick, I never knew what you called it, but don’t use it that often. I see now looking at your post that it’s probably too long and too thick, making it awkward to use easily. What I do use, instead, is a piece of glycerin paper with a piece of masking tape attached that I move around as needed. Not perfect but does seem to do the trick. But I think I will definitely get another stick, and intentionally get the proper size rather than just picking up one that was lying around, and see how that goes.
Ron
rrose_1717 (on Instagram where I post most of my work)
Hi Ron, Thanks for sharing your experience with what sounds like an uncomfortable mahlstick! I think your option can work well too although I think I might get tired of holding the overlay of paper in place and may accidentally move it!
Let us know how it goes with another mahlstick.
I depend on using a mahlstick! I bought mine at Wal-mart where they have different size dowels to choose from in the arts & crafts department. Mine is 36″ x 1.4″. I like the idea of a 3/4″ diameter. I’ll have to look for that size. Thanks Gail!
Glad to hear you are as helpless without your mahlstick as I am Ruth. Yours does sound a bit large in diameter – try the 3/4 in and see how you like it!
Hello, Gail,
Something to consider:
The bulbous, padded end of the traditional mahl stick is there to comfortably cushion the drawing/painting hand on the stick from its pressure against the back board or support. I know this because I made several of my own and padding does make a difference. Regarding smudging, a mahl stick of any type or size is quite capable of doing that, too. The trick is to always keep the end of the stick off your work in progress.
Best wishes always,
Christina K Gross
Thanks Christina! Yes, the padding is there for a reason and if a mahlstick is used for any length of time, that does add to the comfort of the holding hand. And YES, the mahlstick needs to be on the board, not the surface you’re working on which is why, depending on surface size, you may need a longer stick.
Hi Gail,
I can’t believe the things I forget about! I had a stick….somewhere. I’ve had every problem you mentioned. Smudging, pinkie drag, the wobbles. Now that I am more confident and working bigger, those problems seem to have grown. Much of it stems from trying to work to fast. Now were is that mahl stick of mine? You’ve reminded me of the value of a mahl stick and I have the perfect 18 x 12 painting half done on my easel that is in dire need of this tool.
All my best, Jane
Thanks for the admission Jane – sure made me smile!! Interesting that as your confidence with painting and paper size have grown, so have the problems! Makes sense when it comes to scaling up.
Good luck locating that stick!!
I have three different mahlsticks: one is the Guerilla Painter, it’s very lightweight, with a triangle tip that’s kind of neat (it doesn’t roll when you put it down), the second is a 2 pc (or maybe it’s three?) aluminum with rubber tip, and the third is an extendable back scratcher – this one is great for plein air because it doesn’t take up much room!
Thanks Susan! You are well equipped!!
I love the idea of an extendable backscratcher for plein air work 😀
What a coincidence, I just read your article about the mahl stick today, Saturday. Last Thursday I received the mahl stick I ordered and it just happened to be the one you recommended. I am anxious to try it.
Excellent Marilyn!! I hope you’ll pop back in and give us a report!!