Need to Know Info for
Choosing an Artist Easel

An artist easel is something that you'll want to add to your drawing tools as soon as you're ready, but you may be asking yourself what is the benefit of using one?

Most professional artists use easels for both drawing and painting. In fact, it is one of the most commonly associated artists' tools. When the time comes and you're ready to be serious about your art, you can really get a lot of use out of an artist easel.

In case you've been living in an art-cave for the last ten years, here's a definition...

...the easel is a 3-legged device that allows you to place your canvas or pads of paper in an upright position in front of you for painting and drawing. It is similar to the tripods that photographers use for holding their cameras. One of the benefits to an artist easel is that it allows you to work "hands free". You have your painting surface in front of you which allows you free hands to hold your paints and brushes or pencils.

Size is Important
If you are choosing an easel, one of the first things you need to know is what size you need. There are many different sizes and styles and the bigger they get is usually the more expensive they get. You don't have to buy a very large easel if you will be working with small canvases. Instead, choose an easel that is adjustable or most suited for your standard canvas size.

Also keep in mind how you intend to store the easel in your house or studio. Some of them will fold to save space when they're not being used. If you plan on travelling and painting outdoors I suggest you carefully see which easel will fit nicely in your vehicle.

What are they Made From?
You will also want to look at the material that your easel is made from. Most are wood and there are now some being made from different types of metals. I prefer the wooden easels personally as the metal ones feel a little cold and flimsy.

Adjustability

You also want to work with an easel that is adjustable to the type of medium you are working in. If you are doing watercolor painting, you don't want an easel that holds your painting straight up or it will cause your painting to drip. An adjustable easel will allow you to use different types of mediums and do different types of painting with the same easel.