Here is an idea I have found useful for holding flats whilst painting. Apologies if it has been offered before but if it has, I have not seen it!
Start with a wooden clothes peg. Select one that does not have a very strong spring, closes straight and when slightly open the circular spring does not project unevenly beyond the edge. (If all your pegs do have this latter problem then pack out the side with card or veneer glued on as shown).
Use a hacksaw or piercing saw to cut off the angled tip so that the jaws are now straight across and then cut a small slit just wider than the depth of the base of your flat (say 1.5 mm) on each side and about 2 mm below the jaws end. The photo will make this clear. (Should the end break off while doing this it can be glued back on with wood glue or a sliver of veneer glued on instead). Tidy up the slots with a fine file if necessary.
Whilst this will now hold a flat in one hand it can also be placed on a flat surface so that you don’t have to hold it in mid-air when painting. To stop it rolling sideways glue a piece of card or veneer about 20 mm by 7 mm or so across the top jaws each side. You now have a device you can hold or lay down flat to paint your figure.
You will have to remove the figure to paint the base but I find this an indispensable tool because it can provide great stability and I hope it is of use to others too.
