Take the pen you want to adapt and measure the foam against it. You don’t necessarily want to add foam all the way across the pen or pencil.

Cut a strip of the foam. We used an A4-piece of foam which we cut into horizontal strips, then used one of those strips to adjust the pen.

You may need to try a couple with different length strips of foam to get the one that’s most comfortable once you have rolled it up. The longer the strip, the thicker the roll will be.

When you’re ready, peel the sticky back off the foam and place the pen at one end. Then, roll it up!

Once your pen is adjusted, give it a go on some paper. Does it feel easier to use? Need to add more foam? You can always cut another strip and add it on top.

You can use any stick that is the right length and thin enough. Try a piece of garden cane, a twig or a wooden stick.

Things to consider:

• It needs to be light enough to hold.

• You need it to be smooth and without splinters.

• If it’s not straight this may affect how it works when you use the brush.

Use masking tape to secure the end of the paintbrush to one end. You will need to position the brush slightly below the top of the stick so that it sits securely.

Follow the steps above to see how to add grip to your extended handle.

Try out your brush. Does it feel more comfortable? Is your artwork easier to reach? You can try a different length stick or add more grip if that helps!