What should you look for when buying a new artist easel? Whether you're a beginner starting your artistic journey or an experienced painter upgrading your equipment, choosing the right easel is crucial for your creative comfort and productivity. In this comprehensive guide, we've compiled the 12 most important criteria for selecting the perfect easel for your needs.

1. Which Wood Should I Choose for an Easel?

Most artist easels are made from wood, though some aluminum models are available for those seeking lightweight alternatives. Wood remains the preferred choice for its stability, durability, and aesthetic appeal.

Best wood options:

• Oiled Beechwood: The premium choice - least susceptible to warping and environmental changes
• Elm Wood: Another excellent option offering durability and stability
• Oak: Heavy and extremely durable, perfect for studio easels
• Birch: Good mid-range option with nice grain patterns
• Pine: Budget-friendly but risk of warping over time

Cheap or budget easels are typically made from pine wood. The risk here is that the easel may warp over months and years due to humidity changes, which can affect its functionality and stability. Therefore, invest in oiled beechwood if your budget allows—it's worth the extra cost for longevity.

Pro Tip: While shopping for your easel, consider exploring our paint by numbers collection. Our canvases and paintings can become true eye-catchers for your living room or bedroom once displayed on your new easel!

2. How Tall Should an Artist Easel Be?

The maximum canvas height your easel can accommodate is crucial. Consider both your current needs and future ambitions:

• Beginners: 120cm (47 inches) maximum canvas height is usually sufficient
• Intermediate: 150cm (59 inches) provides more flexibility
• Professional: 180cm+ (71+ inches) for large-scale works

Also important is the width of the crossbar (the horizontal support bar where your canvas rests). When painting wide horizontal formats, the edges can become unstable if the easel's support bar is too narrow. A crossbar width of more than 50-55cm (20-22 inches) is optimal for larger canvases.

Consider your own height too:

• Standing easels should allow comfortable painting at eye level
• Your arm should reach all areas of the canvas without strain
• Account for whether you prefer to paint sitting or standing

3. Is Height Adjustability Essential?

Although almost all quality easels offer this feature, it's worth emphasizing: height adjustment of the crossbar (canvas support) is essential. Depending on your canvas format, this allows you to position your work at the ideal height for comfortable painting.

Key adjustability features to look for:

• Lower crossbar adjustment: Slides up and down to support different canvas sizes
• Upper clamp adjustment: Secures canvas from the top
• Tilt mechanism: Allows angle adjustment for different techniques
• Quick-release mechanisms: Save time during adjustments

Many easels feature a vertical bar with an adjustable clamp at the top. This secures your canvas from above, ensuring it rests stably on the crossbar below without wobbling during painting—crucial for detailed work!

Tip: Check out our painting accessories collection for complementary tools to enhance your painting setup.

4. Storage Drawer Size Considerations

Many easels feature storage compartments below the crossbar where you can place your brushes, paint tubes, jars, and other supplies. While professional painters often use separate carts for supplies, built-in storage can be invaluable for hobbyists.

Storage options to consider:

• Central drawer: Good for frequently used items
• Side compartments: Some wider easels offer these for additional storage
• Brush holders: Side-mounted holders keep brushes accessible
• Palette holders: Convenient for quick color mixing
• Supply tray: Removable trays for easy cleaning

Consider your working style: Do you prefer everything within arm's reach, or do you work better with a separate supply table?

5. Weight of the Easel Matters

Weight requirements vary dramatically based on easel type and intended use:

Studio Easels (Heavy is Better)

• Weight equals stability for large canvases
• Look for models with casters/wheels for mobility
• 50+ pounds provides excellent stability
• Consider models with a crank mechanism for heavy canvases

Portable Easels (Lighter is Better)

• Aluminum or lightweight wood for easy transport
• 5-15 pounds ideal for plein air painting
• Balance between stability and portability
• Look for carrying cases or straps

6. Types of Easels: Which Suits Your Needs?

Understanding different easel types helps narrow your choices:

H-Frame Studio Easels

• Best for: Permanent studios, large canvases
• Pros: Maximum stability, extensive storage, professional features
• Cons: Expensive, space-consuming, not portable

A-Frame Easels

• Best for: Home studios with limited space
• Pros: Good stability, folds for storage, versatile
• Cons: Less storage than H-frames

French Easels (Field Easels)

• Best for: Plein air painting, small to medium canvases
• Pros: Portable, includes storage box, telescopic legs
• Cons: Complex setup, limited canvas size

Table Easels

• Best for: Small spaces, watercolor, detailed work
• Pros: Space-saving, affordable, adjustable angle
• Cons: Limited to small canvases

Display Easels

• Best for: Showing finished work
• Pros: Elegant, lightweight, affordable
• Cons: Not suitable for painting

7. Space and Storage Requirements

Before purchasing, measure your available space:

Space Planning Checklist:

• Working footprint: Easel plus your movement space (minimum 6×6 feet)
• Storage footprint: When folded or against wall
• Ceiling height: For tall easels and large canvases
• Doorway width: Can the easel fit through doors?
• Natural light access: Position near windows if possible

For those without dedicated studios, field easels offer the best compromise—they collapse compactly and include integrated storage cases for your painting supplies.

8. Budget Considerations

Easel prices vary dramatically. Here's what to expect:

Budget Ranges:

• Entry Level ($30-100): Basic A-frames, table easels
• Mid-Range ($100-300): Quality A-frames, basic French easels
• Professional ($300-800): Studio H-frames, premium French easels
• Luxury ($800+): Professional studio easels with advanced features

Investment tip: Buy the best you can afford. A quality easel lasts decades and improves your painting experience significantly.

9. Indoor vs. Outdoor Use

Your painting location dramatically affects easel choice:

Indoor-Only Easels:

• Can be heavier for stability
• Wood finish less critical
• Storage features more important
• Wheels/casters useful for repositioning

Outdoor-Capable Easels:

• Weather-resistant finishes essential
• Lightweight for carrying
• Quick setup/breakdown crucial
• Wind resistance features (spikes, weight hooks)
• Carrying case or backpack straps

10. Canvas Size Compatibility

Match your easel to your preferred canvas sizes:

Canvas Size Guidelines:

• Small (up to 16×20"): Any easel works, including table models
• Medium (20×24" to 30×40"): A-frame or larger required
• Large (36×48" and up): Studio H-frame recommended
• Oversized (48×60"+): Professional studio easel essential

Remember: Your easel should accommodate your largest anticipated canvas plus 20% for future ambitions!

11. Assembly and Maintenance

Often overlooked but important factors:

Assembly Considerations:

• Tool requirements: Some need only hand-tightening, others require tools
• Time needed: 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on complexity
• Instructions quality: Look for video tutorials from manufacturers
• Single-person assembly: Can you build it alone?

Maintenance Requirements:

• Wood easels: Annual oiling recommended
• Metal parts: Check for rust, oil hinges
• Adjustment mechanisms: Keep clean and lubricated
• Storage: Keep in dry conditions to prevent warping

12. Choosing an Easel as a Gift

If you're buying an easel as a gift for a creative person, consider these factors:

Gift Selection Tips:

• For beginners: A-frame or table easel—versatile and not intimidating
• For students: French easel—portable for classes and home use
• For established artists: Consult them or give a gift certificate
• For children: Adjustable table easel or children's standing easel

Safe gift choice: A field easel works for most recipients. It's easy to assemble and disassemble, stores compactly, and handles canvases up to 100cm high—sufficient for most beginners and intermediate painters.

Consider pairing the easel with our paint by numbers sets for a complete artistic gift package!

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice

Choosing an easel involves many considerations, but this actually helps narrow the vast selection available. The clearer you are about your needs, the easier it becomes to find the perfect easel.

Quick Decision Guide:

• Absolute beginner: Start with an affordable A-frame or table easel
• Serious hobbyist: Invest in a quality A-frame or French easel
• Professional artist: Studio H-frame with all features
• Plein air painter: French easel or lightweight field easel
• Small space: Table easel or wall-mounted option

Essential Easel Features Checklist

Before purchasing, ensure your chosen easel has:

• ☐ Appropriate height range for your stature
• ☐ Canvas size compatibility for your work
• ☐ Suitable weight for stability/portability balance
• ☐ Quality materials (preferably beechwood)
• ☐ Necessary adjustment mechanisms
• ☐ Storage solutions for your supplies
• ☐ Fits your available space
• ☐ Within your budget
• ☐ Matches your painting style needs
• ☐ Easy assembly if required

Common Easel Buying Mistakes to Avoid

1. Buying too small: Better to have capacity you don't use than need capacity you don't have
2. Ignoring weight: Too light means instability; too heavy means immobility
3. Forgetting storage: Where will it live when not in use?
4. Cheap materials: False economy—quality easels last decades
5. Wrong type: Studio easel for plein air painting or vice versa
6. No research: Read reviews and watch assembly videos first

Ready to Start Painting?

Once you've chosen your perfect easel, you're ready to begin or enhance your artistic journey. Explore our collections to find your next project:

• Paint by Numbers Collection - Perfect for easel display
• Landscape Paintings - Classic subjects for your easel
• Professional Brush Sets - Essential tools for any easel setup
• Art Accessories - Complete your studio setup
• Custom Paint by Numbers - Create personal masterpieces for your new easel

Remember: The best easel is the one that makes you want to paint. Choose wisely, and your easel will be your creative companion for years to come!

Share your easel setup and paintings with #SwynkArtistStudio - we love seeing creative spaces in action!