Selecting the right easel is crucial for any artist's creative journey. Whether you're a beginner exploring watercolours or a professional working on large canvases, the right easel can make all the difference to your artistic experience and results.

Understanding Easel Categories

Field Easels

Perfect for outdoor painting adventures, field easels combine lightweight construction with excellent portability. These easels are designed to withstand outdoor conditions whilst providing stable support for your canvas.

Studio Easels

Built for serious artists working in dedicated spaces, studio easels offer maximum stability and support for larger canvases. Their heavy-duty construction ensures your artwork stays secure during extended painting sessions.

Table Easels

Ideal for artists who prefer seated work or have limited space, table easels provide comfortable desktop painting solutions. They're perfect for detailed work, small canvases, and compact studios.

Mini Easels

Compact solutions for small artworks, travel painting, or displaying finished pieces. These versatile easels are perfect for artists on the go or those working on intimate scale projects.

Popular Easel Designs Explained

A-Frame Easels (Lyre Easels)

The triangular A-frame design offers excellent stability with compact storage capabilities. These easels feature adjustable legs and are typically lightweight, making them popular with artists who value both portability and stability.

Available at Art Shed Brisbane:

• Student Easel (Pine 122cm)
• Floor Easel with Tilt (Beech Wood)
• Mabef M11 Inclinable Lyre Easel

H-Frame Easels

Recognised by their distinctive horizontal bars forming an "H" shape, these easels provide robust, stable support for various canvas sizes. They typically feature adjustable height and tilt mechanisms, making them ideal for studio work.

Available at Art Shed Brisbane:

• Tilting Studio Easel (Beech Wood)
• Large Studio Easel with Castors (Beech Wood)

Tripod Easels

The classic three-legged design offers excellent portability with collapsible, foldable construction. Adjustable height and angle settings make tripod easels perfect for location work and plein air painting.

Available at Art Shed Brisbane:

• Field Easel (Aluminium)
• Tripod Easel (Pine Wood)
• Aluminium Easel #72

French Box Easels

Combining easel functionality with built-in storage, French box easels are the ultimate portable painting solution. Popular with plein air artists, they often include palette trays and brush holders for complete outdoor painting setups.

Available at Art Shed Brisbane:

• Black French Box Easel
• French Easel

Convertible Easels

These versatile easels transform between different configurations, adapting to various artistic needs. They may convert from tabletop to standing positions or offer multiple angle adjustments.

Available at Art Shed Brisbane:

• Mabef M25 Convertible Lyre Easel

Tabletop Easels

Designed for smaller-scale projects, tabletop easels provide stable support on any flat surface. They're perfect for detailed work, drawing, and compact studio setups.

Available at Art Shed Brisbane:

• Mabef M34 Heavy Duty Table Easel
• Mabef M17 Super Table Easel
• Signature Tabletop Easel (Pine)
• Signature Tabletop Easel with Drawer
• Mont Marte Table Easel with Drawer (Pine)

Display Easels

Specifically designed for showcasing finished artwork, photographs, or signage. These easels are perfect for galleries, exhibitions, retail displays, or home presentation of your completed works.

Available at Art Shed Brisbane:

• Floor Display Easel (Pine 172cm)
• Mini Display Easel (Beech Medium)
• Mini Display Easel (Beech Small)

Choosing Your Perfect Easel

Consider your artistic practice, available space, and preferred working style when selecting an easel. Field artists benefit from lightweight, portable options, whilst studio artists may prefer the stability of H-frame designs. Table easel users enjoy comfortable seated work, and display easel owners can properly showcase their finished pieces.

At Art Shed Brisbane, we stock quality easels from trusted brands including Mabef, ensuring your investment supports your artistic journey for years to come. Our experienced team can help you find the perfect easel to match your creative needs and budget.