My Easels
Because I do not have the luxury of knowing I am going to be remaining in a place for an extended period of time, I find it is very useful to use easels when I paint larger pieces. If I had a long term dedicated studio space, I would probably begin to use the flat wall surfaces for large (and maybe small) canvases. I don’t have that, so an easel is a great help. The largest canvas I am presently painting is 30″ x 40″ (76.2 cm x 101.6 cm), and they absolutely do better for my work when I use an easel (smaller canvases are fine on a table).
A few years ago, when we lived in England, my parents gave me a monetary gift and I used it to purchase my first real easel. I did a great deal of research and chose this one by Mabef.
by Mabef
The company has since discontinued this easel, however they have many excellent choices. I really love the quality and strength of their product and this particular one works well. I knew I needed something which could travel well, since we have a tendency to move about a bit. The adjust-ability is very good on this one and the adjustments hold the grip very well, so the canvas stays sturdy no matter what kind of beating I dish out. The tray really comes in useful when working withfast drying acrylics. Most often there are rags and manipulative tools in there along with an open paint pot when I am working. One negative is the tray is not water tight, so if you spill anything, it will leak through – that is not something unexpected, though. Of course, my personal canvas now has lots of paint splatters and dribbles on it.
Recently, I had a need for another easel. I needed something lighter weight and wished to have an easel I could lay flat as well as sit upright. I did not want to put the kind of money into this one as the Mabef easel, either. After a little research, I found this one by Creative Mark.
Mirage Studio Easel
These larger wheels really make this easel easy to move around even on the old canvas covered rug I have under it. The nicest part about this easel is this:
it works good this way
So if I want to do some thin, drippy washes over heavier paint, I just have to loosen two screws and ease it down to this horizontal position. This easel is not nearly as sturdy and works better for smaller canvases in the upright position or in the horizontal position for larger ones. Basically, the span of the base is not broad enough for larger canvases, which it advertises it can accommodate. Of course, smaller canvases also work well in the horizontal position. I find the parts which hold the canvases in place are also not as good, but at 1/6th the price of the Mabef, it does what I need it to do. I have not done this yet, but I think this would also work well as an easel to move outside on the terrace. I clearly would not be happy with this as my main easel, but it really works well as a secondary piece.
Do you have a favorite easel? Do you use easels at all? What is your favorite?
Check out the page about the Windmill easel, too. In time, my friends, in time…
Thank you to Madison Art Shop and Art Supply Warehouse for the images used here.
