How to Choose the Best Artist Easel for Your Needs

When purchasing an artist easel, there are several things to consider. An easel is one of the most important tools an artist uses. It must be adequate for your needs, and it must fit your budget. It must also feel comfortable to use.

There are hundreds of different types of artist easels to consider. You'll find everything from large, free-standing easels to small table top easels; simple metal ones to easels made of exquisite woods. As you begin your search for the perfect easel, ask yourself some questions, to ensure that the easel you buy will help you paint happily for many years.

• How do you paint? Consider the type of painting you do. Do you work on really large canvases, or do you prefer to do smaller pieces? What kind of media do you work in? What is your general painting style? You need to be sure the easel you choose will be suitable to your basic painting needs. An artist who does small, delicate watercolor paintings will not need as large and sturdy an easel as an artist who uses a heavy hand and bold strokes on a large canvas.
• Where do you paint? Do you stay in your studio to work, or do you prefer to paint out in nature? Would you like your easel to be a permanent piece of furniture in your studio? Or would you like something that can be moved room to room, or even outside? Do you just need something that will hold your canvas, or do you require an easel with built-in storage? Consider your studio space, and whether or not portability is important to you.
• What's your budget? Artist easels range in price from quite inexpensive to quite extravagant. It's possible to find a basic, no-frills easel for as little as $30, or you can spend thousands of dollars on a deluxe, carved-wood easel that is practically a work of art in itself. The Internet makes it easy to compare prices, so that you can get the most easel for the least amout of money…an important consideration for a starving artist.
• How does it feel? This is an important consideration. Is the easel adjustable to a height that is comfortable to you, so that you aren't hunched over or reaching uncomfortably while working? Does it feel stable, so that you aren't worried about it tipping while you work? It is essential that you feel comfortable with your easel, so that you can focus on your artwork without distraction.

Choosing an easel is not something that should be rushed. Take your time, looking at as many different types as you can, and you will find just the right easel for you.