An easel is often the largest and most expensive piece of equipment in an artist’s possession, however a good quality easel can last a lifetime and provide endless hours of enjoyment! To ensure you’re getting the right easel for your artistic needs, there are a few questions to consider…Where do you do your artwork? What media do you use? Do you have limited space? Easels are very personal, and it can be difficult to choose the right one for you among so many options. Here’s a quick guide to choosing the right artist easel for you.

Wooden A-Frame Easels

A-frame easels are named for their triangular framing and resemblance to the capital letter “A”. A-Frames rely on their triangular footprint to provide a sturdy foundation for painting. The single rear leg allows for placement in corners and tight spaces and on slightly uneven ground. For their height, A-Frames have a relatively small footprint so when loaded with a canvas/board they become top-heavy and can act like a sail in the wind, falling over. As a result, A-Frames are most often used in a studio environment as opposed to outdoors.

Environment: Studio easel – mainly used indoors

Storage: In most A-frame models the rear leg is hinged at the top so the easel can be flattened for easy storage.

A-Frame Aluminium Easels

These inexpensive and lightweight aluminium cousins of the wooden A-Frame feature telescoping legs, making them perfect for outdoor/field use because the legs can be adjusted individually for uneven ground. Aluminium field easels share many characteristics with a standard A-Frame wooden easel such as the triangular footprint, and tendency to be unstable and top-heavy when holding a large canvas/board.

Environment: Field easel or Studio easel

Storage: Aluminum easels are extremely lightweight and will fold up to a very manageable size.

H-Frame Easels

H-frame easels are named for their square framing and resemblance to the capitol letter “H”. H-Frames are widely regarded as the sturdiest configuration for studio easels. H-frame easels are bottom heavy by nature and feature a wide, four-point base which makes them resistant to side-to-side swaying and front-to-back rocking even when loaded with the maximum size of canvas possible.

Environment: Studio easel – mainly used indoors (very heavy and bulky)

Storage: most H-frame models will release and fold so the easel can be flattened somewhat for storage.

Single Mast Easels

Instead of a frame resembling an “A” or “H” a Single Mast easel has a single bar running up the centre, upon which your canvas/board rests. Again, the defining characteristic of the Easel will be its ability to adjust the legs individually for use on uneven ground. Single mast easels are available in wood.

Storage: Wood easels are very lightweight and portable. They fold up to a very manageable size

Environment: Field easel or Studio easel – suitable for use as freestanding studio floor easel or desktop easel, or for use outdoors in almost any location or weather.

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