Choosing an Easel
Choosing an easel is one of the most difficult, yet important decisions an artist faces. The way you paint and how you intend to use the easel will influence which easel to choose. Be aware that no single easel will accommodate every painting situation; one has yet to be built that can do that. You need to ask yourself several questions before you begin looking for an easel.
1: What medium? Oils, Watercolor, Pastel, multiple mediums? All require a different angle support.
2: Will you use it inside, outside, or both?
2a: If used outside, will you carry it long distances and do you need it to also carry supplies?
2b: If used inside, can you leave it out and set up all the time?
3: Are you heavy handed or do you have a delicate painting style? Sturdiness and weight are a factor.
4: Do you work large or small? Or both?
5: Do you want wood or metal? Some wood easels are as beautiful as a piece of furniture!
Prices can range from around $15 for a lightweight tripod easel to several hundred dollars for a large studio easel (or even thousands for a crank easel!). Always get the best quality you can afford to invest in - with proper care, a good easel should last a lifetime.
1: What medium? Oils, Watercolor, Pastel, multiple mediums? All require a different angle support.
2: Will you use it inside, outside, or both?
2a: If used outside, will you carry it long distances and do you need it to also carry supplies?
2b: If used inside, can you leave it out and set up all the time?
3: Are you heavy handed or do you have a delicate painting style? Sturdiness and weight are a factor.
4: Do you work large or small? Or both?
5: Do you want wood or metal? Some wood easels are as beautiful as a piece of furniture!
- Watercolor: Most watercolor paintings are done flat, or relatively flat, so the watercolorist will need an easel that can vary angles easily. For studio use, it may be best to actually look into an adjustable drawing table to use as an easel. They have a large, generally laminated surface that is easily angled from flat to 45 degrees (or more vertical in some cases). For use outdoors, a small tripod easel with a built in wooden panel that ranges from flat to vertical may be best. If you are going to work outdoors and need an “all in one” easel that carries your paints, paper, brushes, and other supplies then you may need a French Easel. A French easel can also be used indoors on a relatively permanent basis if your work is generally small; say up to 18 x 24 inches.
- Oil and Acrylic: Studio easels come in a large variety of sizes and the size and sturdiness you need is largely determined by whether you work large or small. Also, if you are heavy handed and like to beat on your canvas or paint surface then you will need a more sturdy easel that doesn’t move easily. Lighter handed artists who work small can have an easel made from lighter weight materials. If you plan on working indoors and will leave the easel out most or all of the time then a large Studio easel is the way to go. If you have a very cramped living space, and work small, then a table top easel may work best. Some table top easels also have a box to carry your materials so they can be carried back and forth to class. Whatever you decide to do, buy the size easel that corresponds to the largest size painting you plan to work on. For an easel that needs to be stored between uses then an A-Frame easel may be best. If you are planning on painting outside then a small tripod easel may work well for you. If you want to work outdoors and need an easel that can also carry your brushes and paints then a French Easel may be just the ticket. A French easel can also be set up indoors on a fairly permanent basis, then snatched up on a moments notice when the urge to paint outdoors strikes you.
- Pastels: Pastels need to be upright, or a little tilted forward so the dust can fall away from the painting. Many Studio easels tilt forward. There are many sizes to accommodate the size painting you like to do. If you work outdoors then a small tripod easel with a wood panel may work for you. Some people like to use French easels that will carry all of their pastels and other materials. The French easel can also be left up semi permanently in the studio and snapped up on a moments notice for that unexpected Plein Aire experience.
- Multi Mediums: If you work in a variety of mediums then you may need a variety of easels. There is no one easel that will do all things. If your studio situation requires an easel that will lay flat as well as stand vertical then a “Lobo” style easel may be best for you. They are quite versatile, and can accept work that is quite large. They can be difficult to adjust, but work for a variety of situations.
- Best of all worlds: French Easels can be a nice compromise if you can only purchase a single easel but need one that can be a Studio as well as an Outdoor easel. They can hold work vertically or flat as well as tilt forward. With practice, they can be folded up and on the go in under sixty seconds. Their drawback is that they cannot hold oversized canvas.
Prices can range from around $15 for a lightweight tripod easel to several hundred dollars for a large studio easel (or even thousands for a crank easel!). Always get the best quality you can afford to invest in - with proper care, a good easel should last a lifetime.