What is the purpose of a maulstick?

A maulstick is an essential tool used by artists primarily to steady their hand while painting. It is typically a stick with a padded end that the artist can rest against the canvas, allowing for greater precision and control during the painting process. This is particularly beneficial when working on detailed areas or when the artist needs to maintain a steady hand to avoid unintentional smudging or shifting of paint.

The other choices each describe tools or techniques that serve different purposes in art. An eraser would be used to remove pencil marks, blending techniques are employed to merge colors smoothly, and texture in a drawing is achieved through various methods like cross-hatching or stippling, none of which are functions of a maulstick. Thus, the use of a maulstick directly relates to improving the stability of hand movements during painting, making it the correct answer.