The ABSOLUTE BEST thing I have IN MY Painting STUDIO! (Besides Paint and Brushes)

[@FlorentFargesarts]

What is YOUR Favorite Painting Accessory ?

[@premavati603]

Your tutorials are at the top of my list of favourite accessories! Maybe we could use a telescopic stick and that way we can adjust the length instead of making new ones? My next favourite accessory is a proportional divider. Thanks for your videos!

[@KillsAll.]

The popular mixing knife is my current fave painting accessory for its vital functions

[@shadowstarr7]

I like that design better than the ball. Thank you for this tip, Florent!

[@jondoh587]

I just discovered my favorite mahl stick -- my hiking staff! It has a hook-shaped handle, kind of like a cane. And has a nonskid rubber tip at the bottom. Plus, best of all, it telescopes so that I can adjust the length. I use it with a tabletop easel, resting the rubber tip on the table so that I don't have to hold the stick. The cane-like handle is smooth enough that it won't scratch the canvas but at the same time textured enough that it isn't slippery. No customization was needed. Your video, Florent, gave me the initial idea of a hook shaped top for a mahl stick. How my mind lept to my hiking staff, I don't know. But I'm super pleased with the result. Thanks!

[@NoName-uh3lp]

I use something resembling an old time "T" square used on drafting tables. The top bar of the "T" rests on the top bar clamp of my easel so it never touches the painting & I just slide it across from one end to the other as needed.

[@RhomanysRealm]

I have the same, but mine runs side to side and repositions up and down.

[@Alexander-q8k]

Excellent to come to know about it very much Appretiated Pecos

[@AlanFurneaux]

I use one every day. But your design looks better. I’ll try it.

[@HondoTrailside]

I use a stick. I start with carbon fiber arrow shaft, as it is light for plein air. In Studio one great option is a bridge built into the easel, so one has easily adjusted side to side support over the painting. Not as flexible as a stick, but the advantage is you can conceptually support your whole weight on it which is an advantage for people who have physical issues. One version is just a a fixed support that works with a system that raises and lowers the painting. Or it can work with tracks built into the easel.

[@Surai00]

My back sucks so sometimes I move my setup to the floor and then put my elbow on an adjustable stool. I can switch between sitting on my but and sitting on my legs to keep my back calm. The stool helps, but I want to try that carbon fiber arrow idea and see if it's durable enough for me. Those are cheap, probably even free if I go find some broken ones at the hunting club.

[@danielcormos7496]

thank you for this mahlstick trick you gave! I have never use, but know I think I'm gonna make one! thank you allot!

[@seahawk100]

I use an old wooden cane. Works perfectly for mid to large sized canvasses. 👍

[@nellykerr]

Absolutely agree....my mahl stick and my cat......for company I hasten to add..not for painting with.😂

[@melindawolfUS]

Upgrading to professional quality paints was a game-changer for me. I used to believe skill was so much more important than paint quality and was a professional using less expensive mid-to-lower level paints. But when I tried some higher quality paints I realized the cheaper paints had held me back for years. My work went up several levels instantly: easier color mixing, less muddy mixtures, less color shifting as paint dried and more. The higher level of pigments and lack of fillers helped me so much, I wanted to kick myself to holding back for so long. The pro paints go further because of the higher pigment load, I don't even feel I am spending more money on paint. I recommend all my students start with pro quality paint now - a learning baker doesn't use sawdust in place of flour! Instead of fighting cheap supplies, my students can just focus on learning skill. And because the results are better we're all building our confidence as we build our skills with fewer roadblocks to both.

[@marcblur9055]

Long in the future, if Florent needs a cane for walking, I know what it will be shaped like. ;)

[@jamesharris3192]

Brilliant. Off to make one right now. Thks again

[@mariusbra5919]

I made mine mahlstick from wood stick and a cork from champagne.

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Simple and effective, never thought about a cork 👍!

[@mariusbra5919]

@@FlorentFargesarts James Gurney made his mahlstick from meter stick. It has length markings and could be used as a ruler for those rays! I use mine all the time: pencil drawings, paintings. Keeps hand above pigments.

[@ubimelibiapes333]

Cool 🤗 I stripped an umbrella of the cloth and “spikes” (?) The whole handle is made out of wood - I think it is an old one from Deli de Luca 😁 I hook it over the canvas or board as I paint. Works like a dream 🌂☂️

[@johnlannon87]

Hey Florent, I highly recommend you try a painting cane. You can make one by drilling a hole in a dowel, screwing in a hardware hanging hook (the small kind that you could bend with your hands) and then bend it slightly towards the open side of the hook. When you hang it on your painting, the curve of the hook should keep the entire stick off the canvas. There will be two contact points at rest - one at the top, obviously, and then one at the bottom. The bottom contact point will be at the easel, not the canvas. Easier to keep it steady with a cane. Edit: I should have watched the whole video before this comment. Leaving it up because I think my design is superior 😈

[@helenedesmarais8697]

I keep thinking of a old golf club.

[@shrinkingviolet3]

Genius idea, I'm getting one. Thank you for sharing xo

[@shelleygrund2615]

Great Idea! I have a self-made maulstick with a ball at one end, but always wished I could hook it over the canvas while in use. After watching your video I went looking through the hardware junk in my house and found a "ceiling mount bracket" left over from changing out a ceiling light sometime in the past. I attached it to the opposite end of my maulstick, covered it with a bit of shipping foam and wrapped it in electrical tape. So now I have one end with a ball, and another with a hook. It works out great!!! THANK YOU!

[@cheezypaintings28]

Mine is an old plunger handle, but I am looking forward to making one of these!

[@haywardgaude8589]

SUPER helpful - thanks!

[@KillsAll.]

Well I’m definitely gonna make a Darth Maulstick because I have a shaky hand most times, thanks for sharing a great idea!

[@nick636]

I use an aluminium T-track with a cam action clamp if i want to lock it in place, works really well.

[@jadejago7664]

Great idea. I'll make one tomorrow. :)

[@AndresFnt]

Love your art style. I imagine I'd have a similar technique/style if I ever get that far in skill-lvl

[@lucycannon6732]

Mine is an old yard/meter stick I got from my grandmother, but I think the hook at the top would be really helpful, thanks!

[@chiricuttcomepapt5100]

You made me think. My absolute best thing in my painting studio is my scale: 0.01 grams accurate. Thank you for the presentation.

[@Jules_Pew]

Mine is an old walking stick, but I think I'm going to need a bigger one soon, so thanks for the tip.

[@svahas]

I have four different lengths of bamboo (it is hollow) about an inch in diameter. I then got four curved branches from trees, also about an inch in diameter and three or four inches long. I put a hole in the end of the branch and put about a three inch nail through. I put the nail inside the bamboo, with a lot of glue, and wrapped masking tape around the joint. It is very light weight and works like a charm! P.S. I also thanked the tree I got the branches from and told it what they would be used for! It was pleased! All is good karmic action.

[@deaconseptember2002]

You could also use a metal bracket hinge secured in place at the end of the mail stick with masking tape

[@Winteryears]

I have had a few different mahlsticks in my day. A thing I discovered to be useful is an old sectional fishing rod...the base section is stiff and easily modifiable, and if you need extension, you have the next section to socket in its hole to give another thirty inches or so. I've never had the need and have no extension, but the stick is old, light, and comfortable. It also has a nice cork handle.

[@CloudslnMyCoffee]

Well that’s useful! Subscribed!

[@bettychilldres9860]

... and for very hugh easels, you can BUILD a slider bar that rests at one side or the other of the easel until needed... then just slide it left or right where ever needed to rest your HANDS. 😊

[@ShelleyHannaArt]

Why have I never thought to add a hook onto my mahlstick? Thanks for the video. Little stuff like this can really help with reducing frustration during the process.

[@KengKoyArt]

Selfie stick is also nice, and adjustible. I use a window mop handle. It's alluminum so very lightweight.

[@davidaarons2488]

Thanks, Florent. Good advise

[@wd4402]

A retractable curtain rod would work great for this purpose.

[@user-ix6su8zt8z]

Thank u🎉

[@maggietattersfield2859]

Very helpful. Thank you so much

[@MrMalcovic]

I made one with a rolled up sock! :-)

[@wolfgangtoeglhofer1710]

excellent tutorial. Merci

[@ladyethyme]

I looove my mahl stick! But I made my own by buying a cheap, 35 cent dowel. If I wanted to buy an actual mahl stick it would’ve been 70-100$!!! That’s ridiculous. All my work is super tiny, realistic and I paint wet into wet. Without my mahl I wouldn’t be able to paint like this at all. I don’t have any padding on the end of my stick. I just rest the stick across the top edge of the panel, etc like you said.

[@loranefish3489]

Bonjour Florent, je suis vraiment impressionnée quand vous dites que vous peignez 8h par jour, c'est vraiment colossal, ça fait un an et demi quand je prends des cours et je ne suis pas capable de faire plus de 4h par session car je suis littéralement épuisée. Est ce avec le temps que vous acquis de l'endurance ou c'est plutôt dans votre nature ?

[@bettychilldres9860]

I just use my yard stick. 😊

[@PlateformeHorizon25]

Merci pour ces infos concernant cet outil qui va vite devenir très précieux...

[@robert4724]

I use the traditional mahlstick with the round leather end that I made when I was in art school. I have two sizes, one that's long that I use at my easel, a shorter one that I use at my drawing table. I like the L shaped design, what's the name of the flat metal thingy called? I want to go to my local hardware store to pick up a couple of pieces. Thanks for the tip!

[@linegarneau7444]

Très bonne idée ! Personnellement, j'utilise une canne autrefois utilisée par mon père.

[@carmella8594]

Hi there, I will start using my home made stick , thanks for the advice. I have a question, I'm new to doing portraits and lately I have been putting more than one person together. Whew lol, anyways , do you recommend finishing one on the portraits and starting the other or doing them both at the same time, in the same stages of putting them together? Thanks for the advice :)

[@paulmk2290]

I just use a 2" x 1/4" x 3' piece of wood. It works fine for me.

[@theobolt250]

This contraption of yours (mahlstick) is it the same thing as you see sometimes on portraits of the classic/renaissanse masters (Rembrandt etc.)? The hold a stick with a pompon like, ball like object on top in their one hand, the other hand holds the brush.

[@HondoTrailside]

It is the same thing. Some use a hook to rest on a crossbar, and others use a soft cloth tied over some packing, etc, to make something that is scratch proof.

[@cmdesign01]

What do you think of Alpay Effe ?

[@YvesLaRocque-w3z]

Je ne vois aucun lien pour trouver The Pocket-Size Studio :(

[@fardeensaifi3001]

that's interesting.

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Thank you very much ✨👍

[@togetvj]

For those who didn't know what one is, you can see a proper demonstration here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYK7g5KOqctjpaM

[@maletu]

"Besides brushes and paints".... your mahl stick design implies--and requires--a means of holding the painting support upright but not directly against the wall: voilà: the easel.

[@martintimmer8574]

Actually the word is: malen,not mahlen. It should be a " Malstock". Dont want to be a nitpicking ass,just saying.