Mahl stick

NashvilleArtist

Below is an adjustable mahl stick that I just came up with.  The blue side struts are attached to the bottom of the easel with screws.  I constructed a “U” shaped channel at the top of the struts to allow the easel to be adjusted up and down.

ASCooperband

My easel clamps stretched canvas from the inside of the stretcher bars and doesn't have a place to prop a mahlstick.  So I made a mahlstick prop from 1/8" hardboard, drilling 1/2" diameter holes spaced 1" apart along one edge and sawing cuts in the hardboard on 45-degree tangents to each hole, which I can clamp onto a stretcher bar anywhere I need it with two small adjustable clamps.  For a mahlstick,  I use a 36" length of 3/8" brass tubing (wall thickness 0.017") spray-painted black; wooden dowels and aluminum tubing were too flexible in the thickness I like.

TedB

Nice idea...

dencal

NashvilleArtist

Looks good.

What about a piece of curtain track fixed to the top horizontal bar above the canvas.
A length of dowel with a screw hook runs/swivels to position and out of the way, or detached when not needed.



Denis

NashvilleArtist

Thank you. 

I am unclear as to what purpose the curtain track would provide. 

dencal

NashvilleArtist

A simple, surer means of support for a mahlstick.

Denis

geoffrey_38

Which is more artistic, the subjective engineering or the subjective influence on the canvas. I like the juxtaposition in the the original painting!

NashvilleArtist

Actually the horizontal bar, which is affixed to the blue tracks, slides up and down the tracks. This provides a secure rest area for my hand. I’ll post some additional photos which will clarify what I mean.