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Picking an easel is like choosing the right pair of shoes for a hike — the wrong one can make the journey uncomfortable and slow, while the right one keeps you steady and focused. Whether you’re painting in a sunlit studio, mounting a poster for a talk, or displaying artwork at an event, an easel is the backbone of your setup. The right easel supports your work, gives you the correct viewing angle, and can even protect your posture over long sessions.
Wooden easels bring warmth and tradition to a studio; they feel familiar under your hands and often have beautiful finishes. Metal easels tend to be lighter and sometimes more compact, but they can lack the tactile charm of wood. If you like something sturdy and classic, a wooden easel is usually the go-to. If you need portability and lightweight performance, consider aluminum or mixed-material options.
Wooden easels are stable, often heavier, and provide a reassuring feel when you lean into a brush stroke. They can hold large canvases — many studio wooden easels support pieces 48 inches or more — and the thick timber frame absorbs vibrations, giving steady support. They also age gracefully and can be refinished if scratched or dented.
If you travel for plein air painting, host workshops, or need to transport an easel in your car, a lightweight metal or portable easel is a smarter fit. These can fold down to lengths under 36 inches or collapse to a slim profile for storage. They’re often adjustable in seconds and weigh just a few pounds, making them the canvas artist’s travel companion.
There’s an easel for almost every creative or presentation need. Studio easels, field easels, tabletop easels, display easels, and flipchart or presentation easels each serve different purposes. Understanding these types helps you avoid ending up with a big, bulky studio stand when a compact tabletop model would do.
Studio easels are the heavy lifters. They’re typically over 5 feet tall and can hold large canvases, sometimes up to 60 inches or more. These are ideal if you paint large works or need maximum stability. Many studio models have adjustable columns and trays to move canvases up or down smoothly.
Field easels fold up for travel and are usually under 4 feet when extended. They’re perfect for painting outdoors, quick demos, or moving between classes. Some tripod-style field easels even fold into a compact tube that fits easily into a trunk or closet.
Tabletop easels are small and handy for desk-based work, miniature painting, or when you’re short on space. They typically stand 12–24 inches tall and are great for hobbyists or illustrators who work on smaller surfaces.
For exhibitions, weddings, or corporate events, display easels present posters, framed prints, or signage. These are often adjustable in height and angle and can be wooden for a classic look or metal for a sleek, modern finish. They’re designed to show off your work rather than to be used for painting.
If you’re shopping in the UK, you have a good range of places to find easels — from specialist art shops to big department stores. Below are some popular options where you can compare styles, prices, and delivery choices.
Ebebek appears in several curated lists for wooden easels and is known for traditional timber designs. If you’re after a classic wooden studio easel with a warm finish and solid construction, Ebebek’s wooden easels are worth checking out. They often offer models suited to painting studios and display uses alike.
Cass Art is a specialist art retailer with shops in major UK cities and a strong online presence. They stock studio and portable easels, and their staff tend to be fellow artists who can recommend what suits your medium and canvas size. Expect quality options that are artist-tested.
Hobbycraft offers a wide variety of easels aimed at hobbyists and crafters: tabletop easels, small wooden display stands, and budget-friendly studio models. If you want something affordable for starting out or for kids, Hobbycraft is a convenient place to browse.
John Lewis stocks both timber and metal easels, often focusing on display and decorative options as well as practical art easels. Their products tend to balance quality and aesthetic appeal, and you can expect sturdy finishes that suit home studios and living spaces.
The Range and Argos are great if you want practical easels that don’t break the bank. They typically stock foldable display easels, lightweight field easels, and simple wooden models for general use. These stores are handy for quick purchases and easy returns should you need to swap models.
Amazon offers a huge range from entry-level to professional easels. The advantage here is customer reviews, where you can learn how a model behaves in real life — how steady it is, how easy it is to assemble, and how well it holds larger canvases. Watch for trusted brands and seller ratings when buying.
Choosing an easel comes down to length of canvas, how much you move around, and where you work. Think about the largest piece you plan to tackle and whether you need a full standing easel or something that sits on a table. Ask yourself: will I travel with this? Do I need storage trays for brushes? These questions narrow the field quickly.
Always check the maximum canvas height the easel supports. For example, if you plan to paint murals or very large canvases, pick an easel that supports canvases at least 48–60 inches tall. If you mostly work on small formats, a 12–24 inch tabletop model will be perfectly adequate.
Stability matters more than glossy finish. Look for easels that quote a weight capacity in pounds and have a wide, secure base. A studio easel that lists capacity of 30–50 pounds gives you confidence when working with heavy frames or wood panels.
For presentations and events, your easel becomes part of the display. Wooden presentation easels bring a traditional, gallery feel, while black metal easels offer a modern, minimalist look. Consider the room’s aesthetic and the type of work you’re showing: framed photographs might look best on a sleek metal stand, while fine art prints often pair nicely with a wooden tripod.
Good display easels let you tilt the work slightly toward viewers — a 10–20 degree tilt is common and helps reduce glare. Also check the height adjustment range: you may want the top of a poster to sit around eye level, roughly 60–66 inches from the floor, depending on typical viewer height.
Some easels come with handy extras: built-in trays for brushes, canvas clamps, wheels for moving heavy studio easels, and mounting hardware for display. If you travel, a carrying case or a quick-release mechanism can save time and hassle. Think about what little features will make your creative life easier.
A good tray keeps your palette and brushes within arm’s reach, which speeds up workflow. Clamps are essential if you work outdoors or use heavy paint layers; they prevent the canvas from slipping during windy plein air sessions.
If you’re buying a field easel, a padded carrying case that fits the folded easel makes transport safer and extends the life of your equipment.
Easels can cost as little as a few dozen pounds for a basic tabletop model, or several hundred pounds for professional studio woodwork. Set your budget based on how often you’ll use it. If an easel will be your daily companion, think of it as an investment: a sturdier model often lasts years and performs better under heavy use.
Check the joinery and hardware. Solid wood with dovetail or screw fittings generally outlasts particle board or glued assemblies. Metal easels should use stainless or aluminum fittings rather than cheap bolts prone to rust. Paying a bit more upfront often saves money in the long run because you won’t need a replacement in a year.
Wooden easels are fairly low maintenance. Wipe them down after messy sessions, and avoid leaving wet paint on the frame for extended periods. If the finish gets scratched, a light sanding and re-oiling or refinishing brings it back to life. Treat it like a piece of furniture — a little love goes a long way.
Store your easel upright in a dry place to avoid warping. If you fold it down, give it a quick wipe and loosen any clamping screws so they don’t seize over time. For outdoor models, keep them dry and avoid storing them in direct sunlight for long stretches.
Before clicking purchase, run through this quick checklist: maximum canvas height in inches, weight capacity in pounds, whether it folds down for transport, what materials it’s made from, and whether it includes trays or clamps. If you can, handle the easel in person to test stability and ease of adjustment — your elbows will thank you later.
Where possible, choose a retailer that lets you test the easel or offers a clear warranty against manufacturing defects. A simple 12-month warranty gives you peace of mind that the product is built to last.
With so many options across the UK — from specialist shops like Cass Art and Ebebek wooden designs to practical choices at Hobbycraft, John Lewis, Argos, The Range, and Amazon UK — you can find an easel that fits your style, budget, and workflow. Think about how and where you work, match the easel to your biggest canvas, and choose quality over flash when possible. That way, your easel becomes a reliable studio partner rather than another thing to replace.
Choosing the right easel is less about brand names and more about fit: stability, size capacity in inches, portability in pounds, and the right features for your workflow. Whether you opt for a classic wooden studio easel from a specialist shop, a lightweight field model for outdoor painting, or a stylish presentation easel for showing work, the right choice will make creating and presenting your art easier and more enjoyable. Take the time to compare types and retailers, and you’ll land on an easel that supports your creative journey for years to come.
| Easels | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Wooden Easel | £ 34,99 |
