Easel Types - Characteristics and Differences

An easel is a mostly wooden frame, with which one can paint large picture formats vertically standing. Basically five easel types can be distinguished from each other. Each type has advantages and disadvantages for certain uses:

Easel Types

Studio easel

The essential characteristics of a studio easel:

Stable stand due to H-shaped base, some models with castors / wheels
Heavy (10 to 40 kg)
With slide (picture holder) at the top for clamping the screen
From vertical to approx. 10° inclination, some models can be tilted backwards by up to 90°.
Usually with wide storage area at the bottom of the crossbar (image support)
Suitable for large and heavy formats (depending on model up to 200 x 200 cm)
Models with crank for pushing up and down (heavier) pictures
Of all easel types most expensive (250 - 800 USD)

Portable Easel

The essential characteristics of a portable (academy) easel:

Three-legged, therefore not quite as stable as studio easel
Significantly lighter (5 - 7 kg)
Suitable for formats up to 180 cm high (depending on model)
With wide image formats (more than 120 cm) the whole thing gets wobbly when painting.
Most models with slider (picture holder) on top to clamp the screen (not all)
With a few models the screen can be placed vertically, with most of them the picture is tilted backwards.
Usually you can move the horizontal bar (image support) vertically (with the help of a snap-in drag hook).
Significantly easier to collapse and put away
Some models have a storage area underneath the crossbar.
Few models offer the possibility of tilting the screen backwards by 90° (watercolor relay).
Prices (rough frame): between 40 and 120 USD

Field easel

The essential characteristics of a field easel:

Collapsible, collapsible thanks to telescopic legs and moving parts fixed by screws.
Relatively light (2 - 5 kg)
Some aluminium models (even lighter)
Not very stable, especially not for larger formats (max. 130 x 130 cm)
Some models have enlarged plastic screw heads, making the screws much easier to tighten and loosen.
Some models have a shelf under the crossbar, some have brush holders on the side.
Prices (rough frame): between 40 and 100 USD

French Box Easel

The essential features of a suitcase easel:

Usually a kind of combination of field relay with paint box ( paint case )
Logically somewhat heavier than field squadrons (approx. 4 - 8 kg)
Otherwise comparable features as Feldstaffelei
Only suitable for small image formats (up to approx. 100 x 100 cm)
Very practical to always have everything with you
But: Storage space in the case is only suitable for small paint tubes and brushes.
Is usually a relatively bulky work suitcase, which is not really suitable for the durable Rumtragen
Ideal for hobby painters who want to dismantle their easel and painting utensils from time to time and store them in a space-saving way.
Prices: around 60 to 220 USD

Table easel

The essential features of a table easel:

Different types are offered as table easel
Painting boards, which can be adjusted in the angle of inclination like a bookkeeping
Painting case with a picture holder construction attached to its upper side
A kind of small studio easel, which is not placed on the floor, but raised (e.g. on a table)
Prices: approx. 30 - 180 USD