Easel Central

What is an Easel?   by Jason Furrow

An Easel is an upright support used for displaying and/or fixing something resting upon it.
The word is an old Germanic synonym for donkey (compare similar semantics); its equivalent is the only word for both animal and apparatus in various languages, such as Esel in German and Afrikaans and earlier ezel in Dutch (the easel generally in full schildersezel, ‘painter’s donkey’), themselves derived from Latin Asinus (hence ass). However, in for example Danish the word is staffeli and donkey is æsel.
Easels are known to have been in use since the time of the ancient Egyptians. In the 1st century, Pliny the Elder makes reference to a large panel placed upon an easel.
It is most often used to hold up a painter’s canvas or large sketchbook while the artist is working or to hold a completed painting for exhibition. The simplest form of an artist’s easel, a tripod, consists of three vertical posts joined at one end. A pivoting mechanism allows the centremost post to pivot away from the other two, forming a tripod. The two non-pivoting posts have a horizontal cross member on which the canvas is placed. A similar model is fit to hold a blackboard, projection surface, placard etcetera. An easel can be full-height, designed for standing by itself on the floor. Shorter easels can also be designed for use on a table. Easels are typically made from wood, aluminum or steel.
There are two common designs for easels:
Tripod designs are based on three legs. Variations include crossbars to make the easel more stable and an independent mechanism to allow for the vertical adjustment of the working plane without sacrificing the stability of the three legs of the easel.
H-Frame designs are based on right angles. All posts are generally parallel to each other with the base of the easel being rectangular. The main portion of the easel consists of two vertical posts with a horizontal crossbar support, thus giving the design the general shape of an “H.” Variations include additions that allow the easel’s verticality to be adjusted.
There are three common usages for easels:
Studio easels are meant for use in the artist’s studio with limited need for the easel to be portable. Studio easels may be simple in design or very complex including winches, multiple masts and casters. The largest easels are studio easels with some being able to support weights of over 200 lb. and panels over 7 feet in height.
Field Easels are meant to be portable and for the creation of en plein air work. These easels are usually mid-sized or small, have telescopic or collapsible legs and are based on the tripod design. French box easels include a compartment in which to store art supplies conveniently along with a handle or straps so that the French box may be carried like a briefcase or a backpack.
Display easels are meant for the display of finished works. These easels tend to be very simple in design with less concern for the stability needed by a working artist. Display easels can vary in size and sturdiness depending upon the weight and size of the object to be placed on them.

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Rotating Surface Portable Easel-Magnetic Whiteboard w Adjustable Height $168.34 This innovative height adjustable Rotating Surface Easel simplifies your meetings, presentations and tutorials by rotating 360? as needed. The double-sided, magnetic dry-erase surface features smoothly telescoping legs and includes a set of convenient carrying handles to assist portability. This height adjustable Rotating Surface Easel features a double-sided, magnetic dry-erase surface and inclu…

GSI Super Quality Portable Professional 63 Inch Easel Stand With Detachable Holder Bar – For Presentations, Pictures, Posters Etc. – Silver $34.99 Brand New Tripod Stand Line From GSI, Designed With Legendary Craftsmanship And State-Of-The-Art Engineering. Tired Arms Result In Blurry Paintings And Drawings, That’s A Fact. Finally A High Quality, Sturdy Easel That Will Eliminate The Exhaustion And Aches, And Let You Focus On The Art Rather Then Your Hands. Easy, User Friendly And Affordable, This Easel Is A Notch Above Other Standard Model…

GSI Super Quality Portable Professional 63 Inch Easel Stand With Detachable Metal Tray – For Painting, Drawing, Presentations, Display Etc. – Black $29.99 Brand New Tripod Stand Line From GSI, Designed With Legendary Craftsmanship And State-Of-The-Art Engineering. Tired Arms Result In Blurry Paintings And Drawings, That’s A Fact. Finally A High Quality, Sturdy Easel That Will Eliminate The Exhaustion And Aches, And Let You Focus On The Art Rather Then Your Hands. Easy, User Friendly And Affordable, This Easel Is A Notch Above Other Standard Model…

Art 101 Kids 154-Piece Trifold Easel Art Set $19.99 The 150-piece Trifold Easel Art Set is great for art creations on the go. The convenient carrying case keeps all components stored neatly together, which makes traveling a breeze. The pop up easel makes this set perfect creating on the floor, bed, table or car. The 150-piece Trifold Easel Art set makes a truly wonderful gift for boys and girls alike, and is perfect for bringing out the creative mi…

An Artist at an Easel $39.99 An Artist at an Easel Giclee Print by . Product size approximately 12 x 16 inches. Available at Art.com. Embrace your Space – your source for high quality fine art posters and prints.

Daylight U33200 Professional Artist Lamp, 18W Natural Light Tube Bulb Equals 100W Tungsten, Portable with Flexible Arm, Clamps for Stand, Easel, Table $199.99 Daylight U33200 Professional Artist Lamp, 18W Natural Light Tube Bulb Equals 100W Tungsten, Portable with Flexible Arm, Clamps for Stand, Easel, Table

Beka 01401 PreSchool Double Sided Easel $55.25 Our Preschool easel is specially designed for the halfpint Picasso. Great for preschoolers or when a lightweight portable easel is desired. It features chalk and wipeoff marker are surfaces mounted in hard maple frames. The large center storage tray doubles as paint trays in addition to securing the easel in an open position during use. Our Preschool easel is perfect for the young artist just beginning a career and is priced to be a great gift option. Fully assembled just position the center tray for use. 371/2 high with 16 wide X 18 high art boards. Weight 9 lbs.Adult assembly required

Portrait of the Artist at his Easel, 1660 $49.99 Portrait of the Artist at his Easel, 1660 Giclee Print by Rembrandt van Rijn . Product size approximately 18 x 24 inches. Available at Art.com. Embrace your Space – your source for high quality fine art posters and prints.

Portrait of the Artist at His Easel, 1660 $34.99 Portrait of the Artist at His Easel, 1660 Giclee Print by Rembrandt van Rijn . Product size approximately 9 x 12 inches. Available at Art.com. Embrace your Space – your source for high quality fine art posters and prints.

Alvin RSETOIL5000 Oil Color Painting Easel Set $58.73 12 Essentials Oil Paints in .4 oz Starter Tubes; 6 Assorted Bristle Brushes; Wooden Palette. 11 x 14 Canvas Board; 11 x 14 Stretched Canvas. Plastic Palette Knife. Genuine Hardwood Tabletop Easel; Sturdy Portable Tote. Perfect Holiday Gift For Any Aspiring Artist.

Alvin RSETWAT5000 Watercolor Painting Easel Set $58.73 12 Essentials Watercolor Paints in .4 oz Starter Tubes; 6 Assorted Taklon Brushes. 12 Sheets of 11 x 14 Watercolor Paper. 10Well Plastic Palette. Genuine Hardwood Tabletop Easel; Sturdy Portable Tote. Perfect Holiday Gift For Any Aspiring Artist.

Deluxe Adjustable Aluminum Artist Easel $17.94 This easel is crafted from lightweight aluminum, easily converts from table top to floor height, and is perfect for presentations or displaying your favorite art piece. Heavy duty extension clips allow this easel to extend up to 72″ high, and accommodates a canvas up to 32″ in height. Carrying case included for easy transport.

Sketching & Drawing Easel Artist Kit $68.94 This easel is ideal for any budding to professional artist. The unit features 2 storage drawers that can be closed without having to take the easel down. This Essentials Sketching & Drawing kit contains a plywood easel (folded: 3-3/4″ x 13″ x 10-3/4″), 2 Essentials 10″ x 8″ pads (10-page 108 lb pad for watercolor pencils and paints & 15-page 67.5 lb sketch pad), 12 colored pencils, 6 fluorescent pencils, 4 metallic pencils, 12 color lead sticks, 12 pastel pencils, 12 pastel sticks, a Taklon artist brush, 15 watercolor pencils (3 sketch and 12 color), 3 charcoal pencils, 3 woodless charcoal pencils, 4 charcoal vines, 3 woodless graphite pencils, 12 graphite pencils, 6 lead sticks, 6 charcoal sticks, 1 each: kneaded & white erasers, duo sharpener, sandpaper block and mannequin, and 5 blending stumps. Contents conform to ASTM D4236. 122 Pieces

30127 – Portable Flipchart Easel – Charcoal $180.16 portable Easel Is Durable, Attractive, Functional And Resistant To Dents And Scratches, Which Will Keep Your Easel Looking Like New After Years Of Use. Board Is Constructed Of Blow Molded High Density Polyethylene. Grab Handles Molded In For Easy Movement From Room To Room. Marker Storage Cavities Located Conveniently On Frame. Easel Pads Securely Mount To Board With Thumb Screws. Powder-coated, Heavy-gauge Steel Legs With Stabilizing Back Leg. Legs Fold For Easy Storage. [ICE30127] Recycled UPC: 674785301272 UNSPC: 44111903 44 x 36 x 3 29 LB

An Ebonized and Carved Oak Artist’s Easel, 1901 $34.99 An Ebonized and Carved Oak Artist’s Easel, 1901 Giclee Print by Daum . Product size approximately 9 x 12 inches. Available at Art.com. Embrace your Space – your source for high quality fine art posters and prints.

Artist at His Easel and Shipping Beyond, 1894 $34.99 Artist at His Easel and Shipping Beyond, 1894 Giclee Print by Or Dommersen Dommelshuizen. Product size approximately 9 x 12 inches. Available at Art.com. Embrace your Space – your source for high quality fine art posters and prints.

Portrait of the Artist at His Easel, Detail of the Face, 1660 $49.99 Portrait of the Artist at His Easel, Detail of the Face, 1660 Giclee Print by Rembrandt van Rijn . Product size approximately 18 x 24 inches. Available at Art.com. Embrace your Space – your source for high quality fine art posters and prints.

An Amateur Artist at the Seaside Plants Her Easel on the Sand $39.99 An Amateur Artist at the Seaside Plants Her Easel on the Sand Giclee Print by . Product size approximately 12 x 16 inches. Available at Art.com. Embrace your Space – your source for high quality fine art posters and prints.

29E – Quartet Portable Easel Stand – Steel – Black $25.93 portable Easel Sets Up In Seconds To Stay In Place. Fits Neatly In Briefcase. Trim, Lightweight, Black Steel Construction Supports Up To 5 Lb. Easel Is Specially Designed For Displaying Graphs, Posters And Lightweight Boards. [QRT29E] UPC: 034138290002 UNSPC: 56101501 4 LB

Quartet 28E Tabletop Instant Easel 14 High Steel Black $30.76 Plan organize collaborate and share essential information and ideas with executivestyle bulletin boards whiteboards calendar boards easels markers art accessories and more from Quartet. Whatever your message communicate with impact on the versatile Quartet Tabletop Easel. This ultracompact 14 Inch portable easel weighs only one half pound creating an easy to carry instant display ideal for travel tradeshows and onthego presentations. This is the lightest weight most portable easel available It folds neatly into any traveling case or briefcase to maximize portability and is 100 satisfaction guaranteed. Turn your thoughts into action and make a lasting impression with presentation organizational and artist products and accessories from Quartet. Color: Black. Material Type: metal. High: 13 .

Alex Toys 21W Magnetic Artist Easel Set $148.72 High quality wooden 48 heightadjustable wooden easel. Features chalkboard on one side magnetic wipeoff board on the other. Molded tray holds cups paints and brushes. Bintray holds chalks and other materials. Collapsible for storage. Includes 18 x 75 paper roll sturdy paper cutter and 2 easel clips. Adult assembly required. Suitable for Ages: 3+.

Easel Banner $13.99 Paint draw create or give class presentations just about anywhere with our portable sturdy Indoor/Outdoor Easel Banner. It holds any size paint cup or paper for exceptional convenience. Save floor space; you can hang it on a door back with regular cup hooks. Display outside on a fence or hang on a cinderbox surface with the hook and loop fasteners. The durable material holds up perfectly indoors or out.

Eh5592Pk – Post-It Portable Wall Easel Holder – 2 / Pack – Black $10.46 post-it Wall Easel Holder Turns Walls Into Meeting Space. Mount With Command Adhesive For a Secure Hold And Clean Removal. Portable Easel Holder Holds And Stores Two Full-size Post-it Easel Pads. Holder is Repositionable For Portability. [MMMEH5592PK] UPC: 051141321257 UNSPC: 44122016 0.5 LB