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Whether you’re a complete newcomer interested in cozy sketching vibes, or a professional painter working on large-scale projects, choosing the right easel is a pivotal decision.
With such a broad variety of options available, it can be difficult to find the “right” easel, especially when factoring in the individual needs, space & available budget of any artist. So today we’ll be exploring our diverse range of easels, providing some suggestions which will hopefully help to guide you down the right path.
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Understanding Your Needs
Before we start, it's best to ask yourself...
“Where Will I Be Creating?"
For instance, are you working in a dedicated studio space, at home or outdoors?
“What's My Budget?”
We offer easels of all types ranging from basic, budget-friendly options up to professional-quality varieties. All offer benefits, but this is to be determined by yourself.
“What About Storage?”
The majority of our Field & Display easels are fully collapsible, allowing for storage or transport in a backpack. When not in use, larger easels (like the Broadwick) can fold flat, but do not decrease in size.
“What About Adjustability?”
Remember, there’s no such thing as a “perfect” easel straight from the box. Each easel is adjustable in its own way, with most allowing for the height, width or angle (amongst others) to be changed to suit your own preferences or needs.
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Types of Easels
The wide & varied world of easels can be broken down into a several refined categories, each ideal for particular circumstances. Below are a handful with some examples, to help you find your way.
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Cowling & Wilcox
Brewer
The Brewer is a lightweight wooden easel with a convenient lower shelf for your canvas or pad & a fully adjustable mast able to accommodate a canvas up to 68cm in height. Requiring no instructions or previous experience, it simply folds open from the box & can be adjusted as needed from there.
Cowling & Wilcox
Frith
A small classic H-Frame design (like our Broadwick or Shaftesbury), the Frith table easel can be adjusted to 83cm in height & features a flat, sturdy base that can be collapsed down flat for convenient storage. A smaller version dubbed the Rathbone is also available in either a natural or white finish.
Jakar
Aluminium Table Easel 6625
Ideal for students & professionals alike, this lightweight aluminium easel from Jakar features a fixed rear leg & rubber-tipped feet. Able to comfortably hold a canvas up to 40cm in height, it’s suitable for most sketchbooks, pads or drawing boards.
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Cowling & Wilcox
Beak
Able to accommodate a canvas up to 45cm in height, the Beak is a compact, portable easel with a comfortable Vegan carry handle. Able to be locked via the two external clasps, the padded internal storage space offers a convenient, protective area to store your materials. When open, it can be adjusted to a wide range of working angles easily & includes a removable canvas shelf. The Livonia, a more robust version, is also available.
Cowling & Wilcox
Berwick
A classically designed "French Style" easel, the Berwick combines a sketching box, storage case, palette & easel into one simple, portable form. Like other Box easels the Berwick includes a convenient internal storage space to keep your materials safe and within reach as you work. However, unique to the Berwick are the 3 adjustable telescopic legs, making it an ideal choice for plein air painting.
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Cowling & Wilcox
Cavendish
Made using rust-proof aluminium with a stylish silver finish, the Cavendish is a lightweight, fully collapsible A-Frame easel that ranges between 20 – 63" in height. Each of the three telescopic legs is independently adjustable & ends in a rotating rubber “foot” that helps to provide a stable working surface, regardless of how uneven the ground may be.
Jakar
Aluminium Watercolour Easel 6627
Made using robust aluminium in a stylish black tone, the Aluminium Watercolour Easel 6627 collapses to a mere 66cm in length & includes a convenient carry bag. It features a unique, fully adjustable “swivel arm” able to be hold a variety of surface positioned in a range of angles or orientations.
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Cowling & Wilcox
Piccadilly
A classic “lyre” style A-Frame easel, the Piccadilly is made using strengthened beechwood supported with steel fittings. Measuring approximately 190cm when fully heightened, it can comfortably hold a canvas up to 43” in height & features an adjustable back leg allowing for it to be easily set to a variety of comfortable working angles.
Cowling & Wilcox
Shaftesbury
A standout choice for artists working on large-scale projects that are seeking both quality & affordability. Measuring over 250cm when fully heightened, this robust H-Frame beechwood easel can accommodate a canvas up to 120cm, includes a convenient tray for your materials & even features wheels for additional mobility.
Bob Ross
2-in-1 Metal Studio Easel
As seen on his classic “Joy of Painting” TV series, this sturdy metal easel from Bob Ross includes a spacious shelf for your paints or materials. Able to be easily converted from a full-scale studio easel to a smaller table easel, both the height & angle are fully adjustable, with the four-legged design offering additional stability.
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Cowling & Wilcox
Marshall
Available in either Black or White options, our Marshall Display Easels feature a fully collapsible, lightweight wooden body secured using galvanised metal fittings. Whilst the 3 legs of this A-Frame easel are fixed at a particular height, they can be repositioned to a variety of angles for consistent, reliable support.
Cowling & Wilcox
Black Aluminium Folding Easel
Made using sleek black aluminium, our Folding Easel features an in-built elastic rope that ensures quick, simple set up anywhere. Collapsing down to 38cm for easy transport, it stands at a full height of 168cm & weighs only 1kg.
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Remember, these are a small selection of the easels we have available, be sure to click here to browse our full range & find the right one for you!
Hopefully this guide has helped to clear up any confusion regarding easels, however, you're more than welcome to contact our Customer Service team via the details below for more!
Email: admin@cowlings.com
Telephone: 01303 290550
