Types of Easels

Learn about 10 different types of easels and find out which one is right for you!

If you want to buy an artist easel but you're not sure which type to get, this handy overview of artist easels can help you to find it out. I'll explain the differences between the various types of artist easels, helping you figure out which artist easel is the best match for your needs.

Each type of easel has its own characteristics and uses, which makes each type specially suited to specific types of art-making processes.

A-Frame or Lyre easels

A-Frame easels (also called Lyre easels) are triangular shaped easels with 3 legs - 2 in front and 1 in back. When you look at them head-on, the shape resembles the letter "A", hence the name. This triangle shape makes it easier to tuck the easel into a corner, if space is at a premium. These types of easels are easy to store because the rear leg can be pushed forward, which flattens the easel for storing in closets or whatnot.

Depending on the specific model, A-frame easels can hold canvases as large as 38" to 75", and they can easily handle anything smaller.They are not as sturdy as H-Frame easels or Giant easels, so if you typically work on a large scale, consider a different type of easel.

The price range for A-frame easels ranges from $50 - $250.

A-frame easels are ideal for: people with limited space who work in a small to medium scale.

H-Frame easels

H-Frame easels get their name because they are shaped like the letter "H". These types of easels usually have a strong base that makes them sturdier than A-Frame easels. The downside is that they take up more room and aren't as easy to fold up and hide (although there are some smaller models available for those who live in tight spaces.) If you have dedicated studio space where you can leave your easel up indefinitely, then an H-Frame easel is well worth the investment.They can handle bigger canvases than A-Frame easels.

Depending on the specific model, some H-Frame easels have handy paint trays for storing art supplies. Some can also be collapsed for storage - although even in a collapsed state, an H-Frame easel will still be more clunky or bulky than an A-Frame easel. Many of them can handle canvases up to 84" - 96".

The price range for H-Frame easels ranges from $90 - $1460.

H-Frame easels are ideal for: artists who need stable easels and the ability to work on large canvases.

Giant Easels

Giant Easels are aptly named because they are designed for artists who work in a large scale. If you frequently work on canvases larger than 8 ft, then a giant easel is for you. These types of easels are extra strong and sturdy, and they can support the extra weight and size of large canvases.

Depending on the specific model, giant easels can handle paintings up to 85" - 120" tall. Giant easels are bulky and heavy, so they are not easy to transport or store like most of the other types of easels.

The price range for giant easels ranges from $300 - $1800.

Giant easels are ideal for: serious artists who regularly work in a large scale in a dedicated studio space.

Convertible or Hybrid Easels

Convertible easels (also called hybrid easels) are one of the most fascinating types of easels because they can "convert" from being a normal easel to becoming a tabletop! This is handy for artists who work in a variety of media. For instance, acrylic and oil painters need to work with their paintings upright on an easel, while watercolor painters and pastel artists may prefer a more horizontal surface, like a table top. If you need both type of surfaces, this easel is perfect for you.

Depending on the specific model, convertible easels can handle up to 84" tall. Some also include a paint tray for holding your supplies.Convertible easels are generally sturdier than A-Frame easels, but they require more space.

The price range for convertible easels ranges from $90 - $750.

Convertible easels are ideal for: people who frequently work in more than one media.

Single mast Easels

Single mast easels are simple and affordable. These types of easels are not sturdy as H-Frame or even A-Frame easels, but they can get the job done for beginning artists, art students, or anyone who needs an easel that is easy to store.

Depending on the specific model, single mast easels can handle paintings up to 75" tall.

The price range for single mast easels ranges from $42 - $550.

Single mast easels are ideal for: people on a budget who live or work in cramped quarters.

Tabletop art easels

Table top art easels are perfect for the artists who work in a small scale. As the name suggests, these types of easels are small enough to place on a table top, which makes them very portable. Since they don't take up a lot of room, they can be easily stored away. 

Table top art easels are available in A-Frame, H-Frame, and single mast designs.

Depending on the model, some easels can hold paintings upto 32" high.

The price range for table top easels ranges from $7 to $200.

Table top art easels are ideal for : artists who work in a small scale and don't need a full-size easel; artists who have limited space; artists wo need a portable easel.

Portable Easels

Portable easels are also called as Plein air easels. These are lightweight easels handy for taking outdoors. It is easy to set up. It folds up and packs away into a bag that's the length of the piece on which the canvas is supported.

Depending on the specific model, some portable easels can hold paintings upto 45" - 78" high.

The price for portable easels ranges from $15 to $200.

Portable easels are ideal for : plein air artists who need a lightweight easel that is easy to carry and easy to set up.

Bench Easels

Bench easels are also called as  Art Horses. This combine a bench and either an easel, a drawing board, or another form of support bar. This allows the artist to sit while drawing or painting.

Depending on the specific model, some bench easels can hold paintings upto 24" high.

The price for bench easels ranges from $230 to $400.

Bench easels are ideal for : artists who paint outside.

Display Easels

Display easels are meant for just that - display. These typesof easels are made for showing a painting and not meant to be used for painting, because they are too flimsy. Also known as Decorator easels, these easels include those that have unusual or whimsical designs, allowing for an aesthetically-pleasing presentation. They are useful for propping up a painting that's drying, but then so is a wall. 

Depending on the specific model, some display easels can hold paintings upto 55" high.

The price range for display easels ranges from $17 to $400.

Display easels are ideal for : artists who need easels to display their work for a show or studio visit. 

Childrens Easels

Let us not forget our tiny budding artists. Childrens easels  are usually adjustable, so they can grow along with your child. Some models are two-sided, so that two kids can make art at the same time. Some also have chalkboards, magnetic boards and/or dry erase boards built-in, with a replacement paper roll that dispenses the paper over the top of the board.

The price range for childrens easels ranges from $35 to $400.

Landscape Painting

Landscapes of works of art that feature scenes of nature: mountains, lakes, rivers, gardens etc. As long as the image has scenery in it, then it is considered landscape art.

Derived from the Dutch word landschap, landscape can also refer to:

• cityscapes: views of an urban setting
• seascapes: views of the ocean
• waterscapes: views primarily featuring fresh water

The earth is a wondrous creation.From barren deserts to lush rainforests; from swelling oceans to cloudy skies... the earth provides endless inspirations for visual artists. Nature's palette is everywhere we look. The end product can be a realistic interpretation of the landscape or even an abstract view of it.

"Landscape format" refers to a picture plane that has a width which is greater than its height.

"While the river of life glides along smoothly, it remains the same river; only the landscape on either bank seems to change." - Max Muller

The machine can never replace the artist's hand, which work in conjunction with the artist's eyes and mind - analyzing the source of light, examining the range of hues and tones, filtering the mass of information and transforming the outer vision into painted reality. They can choose wild, "unnatural" color schemes that are expressive and striking.

Here in this "Landscape Painting", I have used Titanium White, Hooker's Green Hue Permanent, Deep Green Permanent, Phthalocyanine Green, Cerulean Blue Hue, Raw Umber, Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna and Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue.

And finally to protect the painting, I varnished it.

Artist Easels

There are 10 types of easels that artists use, each with a slightly different purpose.

Here are the main types of easels for artists:

• A-frame easels (also called Lyre easels)
• H-frame easels
• Giant easels
• Convertible easels (also called Hybrid easels)
• Single mast easels
• Tabletop art easels
• Portable easels (also called Plein air easels)
• Bench easels (also called Art horses)
• Display easels
• Childrens easels

Acrylic Flower Painting

My paintings are my practice to develope my eyes. But this time, its something special for me. I did this painting to my husband as a gift for his b'day. I think its something good, making gifts by ourselves for our loved ones. 

I have used various colors - Titanium White, Raw Umber, Primary Red, Crimson Red, Red Oxide, Cadmium Red, Hookers Green, Raw Sienna and Gold here to do this painting. I also tried Coarse Pumic Gel[mixed with the color Raw Umber] to get a solid rectangular part, and then when it dried[it took one full night to get dried] I gave some thin strokes with Gold color on it.  

Finally I varnished the canvas to get a complete look. And ofcourse, varnishing helps you to protect your paintings.

Top Three Essential Acrylic Mediums for the Beginning Artist

The Essential Acrylic Mediums for the Beginning Artist are the ones that will be used with each painting. Once these acrylic mediums are used, the acrylic artist will come to rely on their consistent effects.

Acrylic Gesso - Acrylic Gesso is typically a white, opaque liquid mixture used as a absorbent primer or coat for your canvas.  It works to coat, or prime, the painting support. Acrylic Gesso is heavy -bodied and can also serve as an underpainting. Today, lots of ready-made, stretched canvas comes already coated with acrylic  gesso. And some pre-framed canvases come "pre-primed". 

Although usually white, Gesso also comes in other colors too, such as black, blue, gray, gold, red ... even clear.

Retarder - Retarder is an absolute essential acrylic medium. The acrylic retarder actually slows down the drying time of the paint. To maintain the integrity of the acrylic paint, use no more than 15% of the retarder, in relation to the amount of paint. One or two drops is usually enough reatarder to keep the paint wet.

Acrylic Flow Release or Acylic Flow Enhancer - Either of these products will help the paint move more easily on the canvas. Certain acrylic colors will need the addition of acrylic flow release more than others. It is effective for achieving rich stains on a porous surface. It is also useful for wet-in-wet techniques and reducing skinning on the palette.

Guide to Acrylic Mediums and Additives

Acrylic painting involves the use of different types of acrylic mediums.With the help of mediums, acrylics may be used in a fluid, gestural manner (much like water color) or in heavier applications (as with oils) or they can be shaped and carved, used for print making or in virtually any other technique imaginable.

Acrylic mediums are used to control how the paint moves on the palette. Acrylic mediums can also be used to lengthen the drying time of acrylic paint. Still other acrylic mediums affect how matte or glossy the acrylic painting is once it completely dries. Other mediums can also be used to refract light and color, add texture to acrylic paintings, and to adhere collage items to paintings.

Because acrylic mediums can be cost more than the actually acrylic paintings themselves, it is important to start with only the acrylic mediums you need to produce a desired painting effect. Acrylic mediums need to be explored, played with, and used for painting experimentation. The acrylic medium may not behave the way you intended. An artist would rather find that out during the experimentation phase of exploring acrylic mediums than when working on a final painting.

Mediums can help you to:

• Improve durability
• Keep your colours brilliant
• Extend the colour
• Bring transperancy and depth 
• Improve flow and "brush-ability"

Image courtesy: https://www.google.com/

How to Add Detail to the Foreground of your Picture

This post is about the techniques for adding detail to your painting. Trying to create a  sense of depth and distance in your landscape is the key for creating realism in your paintings. Adding extra detail to the foreground of a painting helps to make the background look further away and can give depth to a picture. With acrylics, you can easily paint over any details you want. The closer area is the front of a picture the more detail you can see. So adding some extra details to this area is a good idea.

Painting Surface:

It is very important to consider your painting surface. The amount of detail you can achieve will depend on the painting surface you are using. You will be able to add more detail on a smooth surface than you can on a rough surface.

Techniques that can be used:

• One painting technique to achieve this is to scrape out grassy things in a landscape. Or perhaps scratch out a texture in other subjects. When using acrylic paints I prefer to scrape out the shapes while the paint is still wet.
• The palette knife can be used to scrape out the shape of a subject while using thicker paints. The palette knife can be either flat or edge depending on the effect you want.
• Another thing you can use is the end of a paint brush.This technique is good for thinner paints and smoother painting surfaces.
• You can even use your finger nails to create this effect. 
• Once the paint has dried you can also paint in further detail to the scraped out shapes for highlights and shadows to give the shapes extra definition.