An easel is an upright support used for displaying and/or fixing something resting upon it, at an angle of about 20° to the vertical. Easels are traditionally used by painters to support a painting while they work on it, normally standing up, and are also sometimes used to display finished paintings. Artists easels are typically made of wood, aluminum or steel. There are different types of easels that artists use, each with a slightly different purpose. Here are the main types of easels for artists:
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A-frame or Lyre easels: These are the most common type of easel and are often used in art schools. They are lightweight and foldable, making them easy to store and transport.
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H-frame easels: These are more sturdy and can hold larger canvases. They are also more expensive than A-frame easels.
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Single mast easels: These are similar to H-frame easels but have a single mast instead of two. They are more compact and easier to move around.
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Tabletop easels: These are small easels that can be placed on a table or desk. They are ideal for small paintings or for artists who have limited space.
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Display easels: These are used to display finished paintings or other artwork. They are often made of metal or plastic and are adjustable to accommodate different sizes of artwork.
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French easels: These are portable easels that can be used outdoors. They have a built-in storage box for art supplies and can be folded up for easy transport.
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Giant easels: These are large easels that can hold very large canvases. They are often used by professional artists who work on large-scale paintings.
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Decorative easels: These include those that have unusual or whimsical designs, allowing for an aesthetically-pleasing presentation.
Easels can help an artist's posture and prevent neck, shoulder, and back pain, and will also give them a firm and sturdy surface for painting on.
