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If you want to stop a table easel from moving around rip off a couple wads of kneaded eraser and press the easel down onto them. Instant rubber feet.

I have a well-loved, 80 yr old standing (it looks like the display one you showed but mine is wood) easel that was passed down to me. It was my Dad's. It is cherished.

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One thing you could never be accused of Mike is pushing products on people, or for that matter, the vast majority of your videos help people save money which might mean they don't buy the most expensive paint from Jerry's because you recommended a cheaper paint. That is why you are awesome mate, why I trust what you say 100% and why if I lived in the US, I'd definitely be a regular visitor to my local Jerry's. In fact I'd be there so much, the staff would think I was stalking either them of the products lol. Fantastic video as usual.

When in doubt, build an own easel.

After watching this video, I realized that my correctly chosen studio easel was absolute dumb luck. I had no idea there were so many variations of easels out there & I got myself an H-frame online, believe it or not. & I lucked out: it’s gorgeous, sturdy, and it can fit any size canvas, etc, I’ll ever need. Whew!

Finishes... ? Honestly? My favorite finish is my paint stains and marks on my easel! Am I gonna wash the easel after I make a painting? ummmm no.

I'm a big believer in training your canvas to stay on command. Persistence and patience will reward

I recently purchased the X-Large H frame you have set up in front of Skelly there on the set. The construction is great, it's very sturdy, and accepts just about any size. My only issue with all these easels is how they hold a canvas. First, I prefer to paint the edges, the securement bars are typically an obstruction. Second, pinching the Canvas from the top and bottom causes the canvas to become untaught. I realize that you should not put that much pressure on the canvas to keep it in place, but I am a very heavy-handed painter, I've been known to knock them off the easel fairly easily. I bought extension bars with nails in them that hold the canvas from the edge, they work okay in most situations. But my solution is to come up with some type of securement device that holds the canvas from the back that allows it to float. This will solve the issue of being able to paint the edges of the canvas without any obstructions. I really enjoy seeing how other people set up their workstations, everybody has their own special needs and requirements. My dream easel would be made from extruded aluminum, with countless adjustability options. I've got lots of ideas of how to build it, but unfortunately I do not have a CNC machine shop with all the tools to construct it. And of course it would be so extremely expensive to construct, the average artist would never pay thousands of dollars for an easel. I have nothing against fine wood constructed easels, you are correct that many people view them as a piece of furniture. But to some, fine wood work is old fashion. I'm surprised that in this day and age there aren't more high-tech modernistic artist related products on the market. We artist are using the same basic materials and tools that were used hundreds of years ago. Innovation is driven by supply and demand, I guess the market sells more Smart phones than easels. But to end on a positive note, I'm fortunate that I live close to a Jerry's, a great art store, that always says lots of options, and a plentiful stock of art supplies.

I have a table top easel, which I never use anymore. It sits too high on my desk for comfort, but is too low for standing. I tried getting an adjustable stool, but it was not comfortable for my legs. I need studio now. This was great information.

I've had the Cezanne 1/2 French easel for years now, and it's still going strong. Have several other types of easels too, and a couple of pochade boxes I've collected or been gifted over time. Easels and tilting drawing tables let you see your work unforshortened, which is very helpful. When I was a poor art student, just starting out, I improvised an easel with a large drawing board that I propped up so I could clip or tape pieces of unstretched gessoed canvas to it. That worked great honestly, and if something came out well, I could always mat it like it was paper. Saved me money when I needed it.

These easels represent a lot of historic types that have given excellent service over centuries. What one does not see are modern easels that have the features a lot of plugged in users want today. Just to give one example: many of today's best painters, particularly if they have looked at the issue, paint on a vertical surface, while many, probably most of traditional easels are laid back. And design changes just move on from there. One of the problems about getting the new styles out there is that easels are difficult to sell as they are large objects with low added value in most case. But you can see the contrast when you look at the plein air market. In that field, super light, compact, and feature rich easels are the norm. Many new designs have exploded onto the scene, and are sold by a variety of companies. Because they are compact and high added value, 90% of the weight isn't some kind of "2x4", they readily make it to a willing audience. And some of these micro easels sell for sky high prices. But the Studio easel market remains stuck.

I first bought a little tabletop easel, but last year was given a travel box easel which I really like! Love your videos!

I didn't feel like you're trying to push sales but explained each type of easel for what it is and what it does. As someone who is looking to purchase one I am now more educated and with the information you shared I can now say I'm after a French easel. Thanks for this guide, love your personality = )

I'm fortunate enough to have a builder for a grandfather and he built me a massive easel for free. The only down side is that it doesn't really adjust, so I have to be sitting down or kneelng

Thanks for vid, I've been recently looking for easels & there's so many its overwhelming, this helped me narrow it down. I think a every artist doesn't need an easel but deserves one because its really useful.

I am looking for a studio easel, but after watching this I only know more about french easels, which I have no interest in. I wish you had moved some stuff and showed how the large ones work.

I love watching your videos. You have a great sense of humor and I learn a bunch. One thing that could be cool, is how to take care of easels, especially the large one that have the ability to go up down, etc., sometimes it get really hard to move the mechanisms. I looked up stuff, and found olive oil was used back in the day. This may be elementary to many, but when I read about it, I had a "Ah ha" moment. 😆

Great video Mike! 😆 I use a travel box easel on my waist high counter. I have 2 (1 is for going and doing demos) and I have been using them for years. Hubby was using an old A frame easel that he used for last 25 years, but recently switched over to his studio wall. Because he is doing such large paintings, he choose to install heavy duty drywall hooks in the wall at different heights. Now he just hangs his canvas there and paints this way. This also opened up more floor space in his studio too.

Just this weekend I got an aluminum tabletop mini-easel, because floorspace is limited and I was tired of using books to prop up my paintings. It was on sale, too~

I got the Mabef M22 full box French style easel for Christmas one year and I love it. I choose a French style easel cause I loved the idea of carrying your art supplies with you when you wanted to paint outside, plus I wanted to have one on hand for different events that required me to use it. I actually got to use it yesterday at the Gasparilla Festival of The Arts and painted at the MacDonald Training Center booth. It worked amazing, was fabulous, and very sturdy. It was kinda breezy and the easel never fell, would definitely recommend Mabef to anyone who needs a French style easel

OMG This guy spent half the video trying to prove how cute he can be. He could have spent that time providing actual worthwhile technical information.

Great advice. Great ideas. I'm buying my first easel this week. And you definitely steered me in the right direction. Thank you.

I have to make my own studio easel, I needed a counterweight easel to make easier to lift and paint the down part of large canvases, normally a counterweights easels are really pricey but I make my own for about 1/3 of the price, it needed a lot of work and craftsmanship but totally worth it

Thank you, I enjoyed this video very much and to answer your question(s) I've been using a card table and a laptop, lap desk to paint/draw on but got tired of all the back & neck aches so yesterday I purchased a 72" French Easel , Folding Portable Beechwood Tripod Floor Easel and Sketch Box with Large Storage Drawer, Wooden Pallet & Shoulder Strap. I am planning to start painting/drawing outside so I wanted something I could easily take with me.

Awesome timing on this video Mike, I am seriously considering getting an easel which I'll have to save up for so I loved this video. Awesome

I have a table top easel, a table top box easel, and a fairly large French easel. I'd love a smaller and more portable pochade box.

I'd love to see the half box French easel compared to the French "full" box easel. Because the half one is double the price lol

G'day Mike not Jerry - Top video, love the content. I live in Australia and am customer for anything I can't get here. And to add, you're also very entertaining and crack me up.

Was not expecting this video to be so funny and very much appreciate it

I love my h frame easel. It's so stable I can keep it out and not worry about my dog bumping into it. And it looks good. I *might* just be watching because you're good looking. Truly, love your videos. They make me happy about doing art.

This episode was sooo funny 😁 I love this kind of humour so thanks for making me laugh today. On the easel front, my father in law made of for me and it is really great and as I do not have a studio it makes a great pice of furniture in our dining corner plus I can boast about my talent when we have visitors. Win-win-win 😁

Hi, thanks for all of the tips! When it comes to easels, since I’m currently looking for one, I wonder if you might know how much of the extra width of the canvas or panel can stick out from the sides when placed on the easel, without it losing its grip. The easel I have in mind is the Mabef M07, a medium easel, which has a canvas holder of about 60 centimeters long. I wonder if it can take canvases or panels almost twice its size in width. Thank you!

I am glad I saw this video because I've started oil painting again and i am VERY heavy-handed and I have to physically lower my hand to keep my brush movement from destabilising the easel... it was a cheap ass easel from Amazon

I have a French box easel table top. And I love it I don’t do particularly super large paintings but I mostly wanted it because of the portability and because I wanted to start doing plain air painting. I think I need to get one that has the legs though.😀

I already have an H style easel that folds flat but I DO watch the videos because you're gorgeous! LOL!!

Favorite feature in a studio easel is an H-frame that has mobility with castors/wheels. The French easel looks perfect for just about everything else. Yep, it's an investment, so thanks for the info. Current easel is on its way out...

This video is 6 years old, but it’s the best one that I have seen about easels! I enjoyed it a lot!

I used to have a tabletop easel but I never had any space on my desk because I constantly switched from sculpting to painting and such, so I eventually bought a portable aluminium frame easel for like 20 bucks because all the easels I saw online were around 100 bucks+

I have a Carolina easel from Jerry's. thanks for the great videos. I think I've watched all of yours.

I have a big Bob Ross easel. I like it.

I have a French easel like the one on your left and I really like it.

this guy's not an artist, he's a comedian

Hi I had a question, I have purchased a Meeden H frame easel that has the ability to lay flat as a table surface. It will hold 2 canvases but when I try to use it in an up right position, no matter how tight I turn the knobs it still wants to swing or tilt when I paint on the top canvas. Am I doing something wrong? The only thing I can think to do is maybe get a strip of velcro to place around the bottom so it won't swing back.

Ha! I don't see my easel there. I bought the Tao folding bamboo table top easel. It folds down about the size of a book. Easy to store or carry with me. I have my easel, my paper pad and my pastel box and I'm ready to go. The downside is I have to find something to put it on but I'm creative. It's just nice having something I can take with me that isn't complicated to set up.

Much love from the Netherlands! ♥

I've got a table top easel with a box tend to use for a spare pencil and the things you can never find. Wish it had a clamp like the one on your left as I just started some oil on canvas board. Blue tack instead.

It's nice to see that these comments were entirely unhelpful. Are you all here to be smartasses or to share/get some information? Personally, I"m trying to figure out which damn easel to buy. 🙏

For now I use my huge drawing board propped up against the wall set on top of my folded up massage table in its case. Someday I want an H frame , alumnus or homemade really sturdy easel

My first time watching one of your videos. A lot of fun!!

It was entertaining listening 😁 I am trying to find an easel, maybe 2 types (1 for the desk and another for portability). I'm tired of having my neck looking down all the time and I hope an easel will help me out.

I just got an H table easel, I wanted stability, space saving and since the most large paints I made are 11x17 give or take and I do various works not only painting on my table ir was the best option for me

Your too cute! Great advise on easels...I'm looking, so thanks for the video.

Absolutely love your videos.

Just got the Soho H frame from Jerry's. Love it! ✌💜🎨

I totally watch these just because they're funny and because there's always useful tips! I have 2 easels. My Jerry's tabletop easel was a gift from my parents and I love it for camping too. It has a little drawer and while my acrylic paint tubes won't fit, I can stash my brushes in there with some foam and they won't get crushed. I think it also has a bracket on the bottom to attach a tripod but I don't remember if my dad modified it or it came like that. I also have a field easel that I got from Michaels on sale ($20!!) which is not very sturdy or well made but it holds my canvas at height and I can brace it against a wall to keep it from flopping too much. I dream of owning an H-frame easel but that will have to wait until I move out of my student apt :/

Oh my god. Nice effort, but the little information that is actually in the video could be transported in a 3-5 minute video. I’m a total easel noobie. But I learned nothing new in this video.

I've always loves working with easels, finally started some big pieces and it's now time to upgrade to a H frame studio easel I think, been using this split twig looking easel and it collapses the second my dog goes near it :) Any brand suggestions?

I searched for a pochade box that can be used tabletop or popped on a tripod and is under $100 but the ones available are way over that cost, hence making my own from a wood storage box, new side hinge for top and tripod attachment under the bottom, corner feet added for stability. Box was a yard sale find. I would actually have preferred to purchase this setup but not at the price points of the few out there. Please keep your buyer looking for pochade options as I do believe the folks like me doing plein air work as well as needing a compact easy to tuck away indoor easel could use one that won't break the bank.

I recently tried to convince my wife I needed another adjustable easel but alas no luck! SO I am making do with the one I have and a couple of table easels to do multiple projects and let them dry!

I got 3 different type of easels at yard sales. I was just about to try the one that you said was a display easel. I'm glad i didn't try to use it. I don't want to die. HAHAHA

I have the easel on your far right, the Monet easel. It's really nice except for when I need to move it around and then it's very heavy. Probably shoulda gotten the half box, haha.

Im a Studio artist at Michigan State currently using an office arm chair with casters that I duct taped to not roll and pencils taped to the Arm rests to make the ledge for my work on the underside and leaning on my blinds and the pipe in the corner of my room. I need one now.

I bought a Julian Escort French easel from Jerry's several months ago for the purpose of plein air painting. It was advertised on Jerry's as being made of sturdy beechwood. It is not sturdy, nor is it beechwood. It is flimsy Elmwood that dents and peels when I tighten up the leg supports. Speaking of leg supports, these are very flimsy. I kind of hate to put all this on KZfaq, but you did ask for comments...I have been happy with most of the art supplies I purchased online from Jerry's, but the easel is a store point!

I'm too old to wait and my time is valuable! Get to the point or better yet, do a separate video for "outdoor" and "indoor" easels. Thanks.

Welp, this six year old video literally just sold me an easel from your shop (the half size French easel, FWIW). I want something I can use at home or out and about, sitting at a table or standing. Let's hope it works well!

I have a French easel, love it but setting it up is always an ordeal. My teen granddaughter is into anime sketching. I got her some of my favorite drawing pencils, showed her some tips on shading and she's really taking off on it. Now she wants an easel. Is there any type of sketching easel I can get her?

Before I had an easel, I used to hang my stretched canvas on the wall and paint that way.

I bought an a frame easel, due it provides leg room when sitting and is quick and easy to fold

good energy and well spoken when explaining the easels 👍🏼

You are so funny, man! I f*ing love you! ❤️ Thanks for the video, brilliant work!

I have two small table top (but A shaped) easels, but even those I find too uncomfortable for my space. Also, I make KZfaq videos and I'd like to film from the front, but I don't have any contraptions to make the camera (as small webcam, currently), that can be at the right angle. Also, the lighting I have can't reach my panels when I place the easel on the desktop. I have two of those clipping lamps, but their necks are short. Just telling you all this in case you can come up with some diy to make any of that work. =)

I have been looking for a way to do impromptu sketching. Something like a small foldable chair and perhaps a small board you can have held up by sitting it on your lap (or sit on). I have been thinking of how I would make a monopod easel, or something that would stay up like a sling? Ideas??

The tiny mini easels are great for putting phones on.

I usually just build my own. My newest easel cost around $15 to make. It's floor standing and adjustable height.

I have a bed table tray that I usually just prop up a table or on the floor, hurts by back and feet when I paint so I dont really recommend it but that's what I'm using right now

=) I have several easels... I have a few sizes and types. But all of mine are pretty 'Basic" Studio ones. (A large one for huge paintings, and a few sizes of table top ones. ) And I use a hand stabilizer thingy on my easels...I really like using them. I don't have a French one, but I'd like to have one, someday. Most of the time, I paint on Canvas Boards. I don't like the "bounce" on a stretched canvas. And, I would advise to not get something for the way it looks, because when you are painting, and using it, it'll get paint on it. (At least, mine does, and that looks like a neat abstract painting. ;) I watch and enjoy all your videos. (sometimes not right away, just because of time) I think your videos are great. They're entertaining, educational and cool. =)

Very helpful and entertaining!

OMG the intro!! Get into it! 3 minutes in and I still know nada. Bro, I need one for charcoal.

I love to buy art supplies. So pretty! Big fancy things like easels - oh my! if I only use it once, oh well, I can admire it from across the room. Nice presentation, thanks for the laugh.

I have three easels. I have a nice pretty hardwood one I bought from Jerry's. It's tall, it's nice, it has casters, etc. That is in my studio upstairs. I also have a french easel for downstairs, and I HATE IT. It is unstable and a pain in the arse to assemble and break down. Then I have a 9.99 Jerry's tabletop easel with rubber feet. I have two of them .... I keep one on our boat (I have a set of paints there). The other one is for travel. The $9.99 easel imho is better than the french easel. P.S. with small paintings I don't even use an easel.

I need an easel that I can store my painting stuff in so it's always ready in it's own little studio in my apartment. I am sick of hunching over my table. Plus I want to work bigger and need to get distance on it. So I am very interested in this. :)

HAH!! Love your videos, (so added bonus now follow IG & YT!) I personally have learned quite a bit from you and Jerry's in general. I think with where I am in my art journey ( a couple decades) I didnt need the details of each easel but understand that some might've thought you'd be going in depth about each style. I personally got the info I needed though and enjoyed every second of this. You certainly crack me up ( though I believe I have the same similar weird humor-- off beat. Meh. You get my drift. ;-) So shout out from here ---> the great Pacific Northwest, Lakewood, Washington (Think south of Seattle but way cooler.)

Hi! Im thinking of buying my first easel. Im looking at a studio easel for my drawings. I’d like to get one because I like to eventually start working on bigger pads of paper which I can’t balance on my knees and I’m in a very tiny flat.

I have a french style easel I mostly just use as a easy travel table, often I throw a art board on it and just kinda go at it, I also have a massive A-frame for..well no reason It was a gift as a digital, graphite and watercolor artist it's utterly useless to me but it looks nice.

Like Flowerchild172, I use a music stand. I'm a musician, so it was handy... and I wanted to save my $$for other supplies. I didn't expect to really get into this hobby like I have, so eventually I may choose to get a "real" easel.

I started with a table top easel, but it ended up being too small so I begged for a "real" arteest easel. Bahaha!! I can't get it set up correctly for my height and can only set it up in one part of my room as the top of the thing hits my ceiling fan 😫 No, having this easel has not magically made me a better artist but it sure makes me angry when TRYING to paint!! I'll never learn! I'm very impulsive and should've tried to find a used one! Oh yeah!! Go Will in Progress!!😬

the villain from lazytown. i can't be the only one who sees it

I hope you cover that piece of wood that I need to stop me from destroying my work, I can't find and easel that shows that arm of wood that you lay your arm on to go over an area without destroying the work all ready completed

As a former photographer crap always went missing, even quick releases. Add up tripod, ball head, Box... all to save six/seven pounds at probably twice the cost? Small boxes are a compromise. Leaning towards an all in one French Easel. You still have to haul everything.

Any recommendations for tall people? 6’2 with a higher base?

Thank you!!

What!? No pochade boxes? :)

i bought an inexpensive h frame, which suprisely will hold up to a 90" canvas. will i ever paint that large...doubt it, 72" possibly. but i did find my dream easel....i didnt know they came that expensive!!!!!! makes my current easel look like a childs toy 😂😂😂

I’ve been painting on a display easel for three years. I am the definition of a first world problem

So let me ask are Easel only used for painting only??

You are hilarious! Love your videos.

I have been wanting to paint LARGE (48X60) I am not sure what big easel to get

I want to BUILD an easel. Mostly because I have this very large painting in mind and not a lot of money. I'm slightly terrified about building it though.