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To easel or not to easel?

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Hang on Studio Wall
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Lucy Gilmore

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Hi there, in the past i have tended to paint buy laying the board or canvas on a flat surface (i have a piece of wood i use) on my lap that i then shift around when i need to work at slightly different angles. I am vaguely thinking of investing in an easel and I was just interested in what people thought of them in terms of pros and cons, and what you use (if you don't use an easel). Thanks Lucy

Annette Scholefield

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I love my easel, but I paint on a fairly large scale using large brush strokes, so you need to stand back from your work so having an easel is helpful for this. If I do more detailed work I often have to pull up a chair to get closer and keep myself steady!

Michael Robinson

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I used to have an easel years ago when I dabbled with oil painting but it has long since gone. As I now paint watercolours I would rather paint flat or slanted with a piece of wood which suits me best. Like Ellen, I have a space problem and use my dining room table which only gets cleared if we have guests!! In fact the other day I cleared up so as to clean the table (the other half of the table was really dusty 😁......) and my hubby asked if I'd given up painting, he was only joking of course.

Adele Elgood

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I always like to sit while I work, Lucy, and a table easel is just right for that. You can use a fairly large canvas or board with it.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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I've got two easels, one a sketching easel of rather considerable vintage which I use for oils and acrylics, a table easel for when I have to do detailed work or just need to sit down, which I quite often do, and when painting in watercolour I've got a sturdy bit of plywood which sits on the table propped up at around a 30 degree angle. I read a book years ago and being a dutiful lad took its advice, which was to stand up to the easel so you can employ the full range of movement from the shoulder ..... something of a counsel of perfection now I've got arthritis in my shoulders and everywhere else, and I've discovered that sitting down is really no more limiting than standing up and being in pain. So - is an easel essential? In my opinion, for oils and acrylics, it probably is; for watercolour not, at least not in the studio or humble flat ... if you like watercolouring to any size in the great outdoors, though, you'd be struggling to hold a watercolour pad and your brush; I suppose you could always strap it to the back of your loyal sherpa, but you probably do need a lightweight easel you can easily (easelly? Oh what a wit....! I think "wit" is the word, or one that sounds similar) carry. And a camping stool; and preferably someone to help you tote the rest of the gear....

Adele Elgood

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What it really comes down to is what you are comfortable with. I have tried doing watercolour as Robert does which is supposed to be the correct position to use but I find that position very uncomfortable for me as I am short and even with my chair wound up to the highest position, I feel that I am stretching myself over the board. In actual fact I am now doing needlefelting which is normally worked on a foam pad flat on the table and as I can't get on with that position, I have propped the pad up on my easel and am using it in a position normally suited only for painting. For me, this is really comfortable.

Adele Elgood

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I bought mine from Jacksons Art years ago Lucy - try Ebay also. You only need a simple fold-down one and these are not very expensive.

Lucy Gilmore

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Thanks Adele, I've just had a quick look on Ebay and there are loads on there, some second-hand ones for less than £!0. Just need to choose which one now.... Lucy

Lucy Gilmore

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Thanks Syd, I think that's very similar to one of the ones I'm looking at - Windsor & Newton. I'm very envious of your painting space, I seem to move from room to room depending on where the light is, and if i'm in anyone else's way. Need to get that sorted out. Lucy

Peter Davison

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Just a thought but a good place to keep an eye on for easels etc are charity shops. I noticed a practically new sketching easel in our local hospice shop last week priced at £35.

Adele Elgood

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All the above are great tips Lucy, and you are sure to find something to suit you and your budget. As to the lighting, I would decide on the best room to work in and invest in a daylight bulb for the ceiling and one for a desk lamp and then you have got constant good lighting. Good luck with it all and happy painting.

Peter Davison

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It is better than working flat or propped on a piece of wood or a book Lucy. I'd use it until the local charity shops or car boot sales (another good source) throw up a studio easel, if you keep looking they do come up.
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