Plein air painting, a practice embraced by artists worldwide, thrives on spontaneity and inspiration. Portable easels are crucial tools that support this creative process, allowing artists to paint outdoors with ease. Whether you are a seasoned painter or a beginner, choosing the right easel can significantly impact your artistic journey.
From lightweight, collapsible designs to sturdy tripod stands, the market offers a range of options to suit various needs. This guide explores the best portable easels available, highlighting their features and benefits. Discover which easel fits your style, ensuring your outdoor painting sessions are both enjoyable and productive.
1. Meeden Plein Air Easel For Painting
The MEEDEN Plein Air Easel for Painting is perfect for artists who are always on the move and need a portable yet sturdy option for their painting endeavors. This easel is ideal for adults who enjoy plein air painting or require a versatile stand that can accommodate watercolor and other painting styles. Its collapsible design makes it a great fit for those who travel frequently and want a compact art supply that can be easily set up and taken down.
Pros:
- Adjustable height for personalized comfort
- Collapsible design for easy transportation
- Sturdy tripod for stability during use
- Versatile for various painting styles
- Compact dimensions for easy storage
Cons:
- May not support large canvases
- Setup might require practice for beginners
The MEEDEN Plein Air Easel boasts a number of impressive features that cater to the needs of traveling artists. Its adjustable design allows users to modify the height according to their preference, ensuring comfort and ergonomic painting sessions. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for artists who spend extended periods painting outdoors, as it reduces strain and enhances focus on their work.
Furthermore, the easel’s collapsible nature ensures it can be easily packed into a backpack or carry bag, making it an ideal companion for outdoor adventures. The sturdy tripod offers stability, crucial for maintaining the quality of brush strokes even in breezy conditions. With its versatile application, artists can use this easel for watercolor, acrylic, or oil painting, making it a multi-functional tool in any artist’s kit.
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2. Meeden French Easel
The MEEDEN French Easel is the perfect choice for artists who are passionate about plein air painting and need a portable easel for their outdoor adventures. It’s ideal for adult painters who seek a blend of stability, durability, and convenience in their art equipment. Whether you’re a professional artist or a hobbyist, this easel is designed to meet your needs in various environments.
Pros:
- Portable design ideal for outdoor painting
- Sturdy construction ensures stability
- Adjustable to accommodate different canvas sizes
- Compact and easy to store
Cons:
- May be heavy for extended travel
- Setup can be complex for first-time users
The MEEDEN French Easel stands out with its walnut finish, offering both aesthetic appeal and durability. The dimensions of this easel ensure it can support a wide range of canvas sizes, making it versatile for various painting styles. Its adjustable height feature allows artists to work comfortably, whether standing or sitting, enhancing the overall painting experience.
Moreover, the easel’s compact design allows for easy transport and storage, making it an excellent companion for artists who travel frequently. Despite its sturdiness, the easel maintains a lightweight profile, weighing just over 16 pounds. This balance of strength and portability makes it a standout choice for outdoor artists looking for a reliable and efficient painting solution.
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3. Viswin Portable Plein Air Easel
The VISWIN Portable Plein Air Easel is an excellent choice for artists who enjoy painting in diverse environments, whether it be outdoors or in a studio. This product is ideal for artists, adults, and beginners who are looking for a versatile and easy-to-use easel that can be used both as a tabletop and floor easel. It’s particularly beneficial for those who love to travel and paint, providing a portable and compact solution for creating art on the go.
Pros:
- Portable design makes it easy to transport.
- Comes with 2 nylon carry bags for added convenience.
- Adjustable aluminum tripod offers stability on various surfaces.
- Walnut color gives it a professional and aesthetic appeal.
Cons:
- Weight of 17.35 pounds may be heavy for some users.
- Setup might require some time and patience for beginners.
The VISWIN Portable Plein Air Easel features a robust aluminum tripod, which ensures stability and support for your artwork, whether you are working on uneven outdoor surfaces or the smooth floors of your studio. The adjustable height allows artists to customize the easel to their preferred working position, whether they are sitting or standing. This flexibility not only enhances comfort but also helps reduce fatigue during long painting sessions.
Another notable feature is the pochade box, which is perfect for organizing and storing your art supplies. Its compact design means you can easily carry it along with you, making it a practical choice for artists who frequently travel. The walnut finish adds a touch of elegance, ensuring that it looks just as good in your studio as it does in a natural setting. Furthermore, the included nylon carry bags protect the easel and make transportation hassle-free, allowing you to focus on what truly matters – your creativity.
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4. New Wave U.go Plein Air | Anywhere Pochade Box
The New Wave u.go Plein Air | Anywhere Pochade Box is ideal for artists who enjoy painting outdoors or on the go. This compact and lightweight easel is perfect for plein air enthusiasts who need a portable and efficient setup to capture landscapes and scenes with ease. If you’re someone who values portability, durability, and versatility in your art supplies, this pochade box is a must-have addition to your toolkit.
Pros:
- Lightweight design for easy transport
- Compact dimensions make it easy to store and carry
- Durable construction ensures longevity
- Versatile functionality suitable for various painting styles
Cons:
- Limited workspace due to compact size
- May not accommodate larger canvases
The New Wave u.go Plein Air | Anywhere Pochade Box features a lightweight design that makes it incredibly easy to carry, weighing only 2.1 pounds. This is particularly beneficial for artists who travel frequently or prefer to paint in different outdoor locations, as it doesn’t add unnecessary bulk to their gear. Its compact dimensions—Height: 1.18 inches, Width: 11.25 inches, Length: 8.4 inches—ensure that it fits snugly into backpacks or art bags, making it convenient for both storage and transportation.
Additionally, the box is crafted in a rich brown color, which gives it a classic and professional look. The durable construction guarantees that the easel will withstand the rigors of outdoor painting, such as varying weather conditions and frequent use. The versatile functionality of this pochade box allows artists to adjust it according to their painting style, whether it’s oil, acrylic, or watercolor. Its design supports a variety of painting techniques, making it an adaptable choice for artists at any skill level.
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5. Meeden Plein Air Easel
The MEEDEN Plein Air Easel is an excellent choice for artists who love painting outdoors and require a portable and multi-functional solution for their art projects. Ideal for plein air painters, art students, and hobbyists who enjoy outdoor sketching, this easel is designed to provide a convenient and versatile setup for creating art on the go.
Pros:
- Portable and easy to carry for outdoor painting sessions.
- Multi-functional design that can be used as a tabletop or with a travel tripod.
- Sturdy construction with a dark walnut finish, providing both durability and aesthetic appeal.
Cons:
- Heavier compared to some other portable easels, weighing 16.0 pounds.
- Setup might require more time for beginners who are not familiar with its features.
The MEEDEN Plein Air Easel stands out for its robust design and multi-functional capabilities, making it a reliable choice for artists who often find inspiration outdoors. Its sturdy construction ensures that it can withstand various outdoor conditions, providing a solid platform for painting. The dark walnut finish not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also adds a touch of elegance to your art sessions.
One of the key features of this easel is its versatility. It can be used as a tabletop easel or set up with the included travel tripod, offering flexibility to artists who want to work in different environments. This adaptability makes it suitable for both quick sketching and detailed painting projects, catering to various artistic needs. Despite its weight, the MEEDEN Plein Air Easel offers a balance of portability and functionality, making it a worthwhile investment for serious outdoor artists.
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6. U.s. Art Supply Large Beechwood French Easel
The U.S. Art Supply Large Beechwood French Easel is perfect for artists who enjoy both studio and plein air painting. It’s designed for adults who are serious about their art and need a reliable easel that is both portable and versatile. This easel is ideal for those who appreciate a well-constructed and adjustable setup, complete with an artist drawer and palette for convenience during painting sessions.
Pros:
- Adjustable height and angle for customized use
- Portable design with built-in artist drawer and palette
- Made from durable beechwood for stability and longevity
- Suitable for both field and studio painting
Cons:
- Weight may be cumbersome for some users at 11.9 pounds
- Assembly required, which might be challenging for beginners
- Natural color may not appeal to everyone
The features of the U.S. Art Supply Large Beechwood French Easel include its adjustable nature, which allows users to modify both the height and angle to suit their specific needs. This is beneficial for artists who work on different projects and require an adaptable easel that can support various canvas sizes and styles. Additionally, the portable design makes it easy to transport, allowing artists to take their work outdoors or easily move the easel around their studio.
Another standout feature is the inclusion of an artist drawer and palette, which provide convenient storage and organization of painting supplies. This enhances the efficiency of the painting process, ensuring that artists have quick access to their tools while working. Made from durable beechwood, the easel promises stability and longevity, making it a worthwhile investment for serious artists seeking a reliable and versatile easel for their creative endeavors.
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7. Magnetic Sketch Easel
The Magnetic Sketch Easel is an excellent choice for plein air watercolorists and artists who love to paint outdoors. It’s specifically designed for those who require a lightweight and portable easel that can be easily set up in various outdoor settings. If you enjoy capturing the essence of landscapes and need a reliable and easy-to-carry easel, this product is tailored for you.
Pros:
- Lightweight design makes it easy to carry.
- Magnetic feature holds sketches securely.
- Easy-dismantling for quick setup and breakdown.
- Fits on a camera tripod for versatile use.
- Made by Fight Club, a trusted brand in art supplies.
Cons:
- Limited to wood color which may not appeal to everyone.
- Dimensions may not suit larger canvases.
- Slightly heavier than other plein air easels.
The Magnetic Sketch Easel offers a unique magnetic feature that securely holds your artwork in place, allowing artists to focus on their creativity without worrying about paper displacement. This feature is particularly beneficial for watercolorists who need a steady surface to work on while capturing the natural beauty around them. Additionally, the easel’s compatibility with a camera tripod adds a layer of versatility, making it a dual-purpose tool for both artists and photographers.
The design of the Magnetic Sketch Easel is focused on portability and ease of use. Weighing just over 1.6 pounds, it’s relatively easy to carry around, making it ideal for artists who frequently move between locations. Its easy-dismantling capability ensures that setting up your workspace is quick and hassle-free. Despite its compact size, the easel provides a sturdy platform for outdoor painting, ensuring that artists can work comfortably in various environments.
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8. Newzealkids Artist Easel Stand Painting Stand Art Easel
The Newzealkids Artist Easel Stand is perfect for aspiring artists, students, and professionals who require a versatile and portable easel. Ideal for those who work in various locations or need a reliable stand for both painting and displaying art pieces, this easel offers the flexibility and durability needed for various artistic endeavors.
Pros:
- Adjustable height from 20″ to 61″ to accommodate different canvas sizes and user needs.
- Made from lightweight aluminum, making it easy to transport.
- Comes with a portable bag, allowing for convenient storage and travel.
- Includes a folding keg and apron, adding extra value and functionality.
Cons:
- Limited color options; available only in black.
- Might not support very heavy canvases due to its lightweight design.
The Newzealkids Artist Easel Stand features an adjustable height mechanism that is particularly beneficial for artists who work on different scales. Whether you’re painting a small portrait or a large landscape, this easel can be tailored to suit your canvas size, providing the stability you need for precise brushwork. Its lightweight aluminum construction ensures that you can easily move it around your studio or transport it to outdoor locations without hassle.
Additionally, the inclusion of a portable bag makes this easel an excellent choice for artists on the go, allowing for easy carrying and storage. The folding keg and apron are thoughtful additions that enhance the easel’s functionality, making it not just a stand, but a comprehensive tool for any artist’s kit. Despite its lightweight build, the easel maintains a robust structure, ensuring your art pieces are securely displayed or worked on.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes A Good Plein Air Easel?
A good plein air easel is lightweight, portable, and sturdy. Look for features like adjustable height and angle. Quick setup is essential for outdoor painting. Consider storage options for supplies and ease of transport. Durability and stability in windy conditions are also important for an enjoyable painting experience.
How Do Collapsible Easels Benefit Artists?
Collapsible easels are convenient and portable, ideal for outdoor settings. They save space and are easy to transport. Setup and breakdown are quick, allowing more time for painting. These easels are versatile, accommodating various painting styles and mediums. Their lightweight design makes them suitable for artists on the go.
Why Choose A Pochade Box For Outdoor Painting?
A pochade box is compact and integrates storage for art supplies. It’s portable, allowing artists to paint anywhere. The design often includes a palette and panel holder. This convenience makes it ideal for plein air painting. It supports easy organization and quick setup, enhancing the outdoor painting experience.
Are Aluminum Tripod Easels Suitable For Beginners?
Yes, aluminum tripod easels are lightweight and easy to use, perfect for beginners. They offer adjustable height and angle for comfort. Their stability and durability support various painting styles. These easels are often affordable and include carry bags, making them accessible for beginners exploring plein air painting.
How Do French Easels Enhance Painting Outdoors?
French easels combine storage, portability, and stability, ideal for plein air painting. They include a built-in palette and drawer for supplies. Adjustable legs make them versatile on uneven ground. Their design allows for quick setup, maximizing painting time. French easels are a favorite for artists seeking a comprehensive outdoor solution.
Conclusion
Selecting the right portable easel can transform your plein air painting experience. Each easel has unique features to consider. Some are lightweight and easy to carry, while others offer robust support for larger canvases. Artists often prioritize flexibility, durability, and ease of setup when choosing an easel.
The meeden and viswin easels provide excellent portability and versatility. For those who prefer a compact option, the new wave u. go pochade box is a great choice. The u. s. Art supply easel offers a blend of functionality and style with its beechwood design.
Newzealkids provides a budget-friendly, adjustable option suitable for various needs. Finding the right easel enhances your outdoor painting adventures, making them more enjoyable and productive. Consider your specific requirements, whether it’s weight, material, or adjustability. Then, choose the easel that best fits your artistic journey and enhances your creative process.
Happy painting!
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