Which easel do you think is the absolute best for plein air painting?

[Revilo]

I have a craftech Sienna Horizon and love it but I’m pretty sure they are made in the country where the Yellow river flows.

Comments always welcome.
See my WebLog and Gallery:
http://ronaldleeoliver.com

[MattOKC]

No, they’re made in America. Right in Huntington Beach, California.
http://www.siennapleinair.com/aboutme.html

http://www.mattatkinsonart.com - Native American (Ojibway) painter

[Revilo]

Mine has a “Made in China” sticker on it. Maybe the corporation is in Cali, but they outsource manufacture. It’s a good setup, either way.

Comments always welcome.
See my WebLog and Gallery:
http://ronaldleeoliver.com

[Newb]

The sienna horizon looks like a nice set up but as far as I can tell it has been discontinued. Too bad. I just ordered a Safari 2 because of the flat backing for the panel but this looks more versatile and worth the extra money.

[FONT=Verdana]"Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art". -- Leonardo DA Vinci

[cjjohnston]

My vote is for my current setup with 11 X 14 my open box m along with my Heilman BackPack Pastel Box. All of it fits on one backpack, and with my tripod attached to the backpack via a clippy it makes it very convenient and comfortable for longer hikes. I attach the pastel box to the pallet using a bungie cord and I have found it to be a very stable and convenient setup.

Here is my setup. The painting didn’t turn out the way I envisioned but I didn’t mind much with this view…. Ke’e beach in Kauai.

Chris Johnston
Critiques and comments are always welcome..
Blog: http://ugan.com

[jacasteel]

I have finally settled on a Jullian Half French Easel for most of my work and a modified Utrecht Thumb Box with friction hinges. I keep the Thumb Box in the car with sample sized paints in case I come across something interesting.

[kentiessen]

There can be no absolute best- the easel you choose depends many individual factors- your painting sizes and medium, accessibility to locations (drive/hike/etc.), your budget, and many other considerations. I would find a painter who parallels your goals, and ask them.

It surprises me that the Julian is leading the poll- I find it much too bulky, heavy, complicated, and fragile. Openbox M, Easy L (my present equipment), and several others are far better in many respects.

Ken Tiessen

www.KenTiessenArt.com
Comments or Critiques welcomed...always!

[Lifescapes]

So I am an easel collector I have had the Julian. 2 versions, a few other simple wood easels as well as metal – much like many artists as it seems we are always
certain the next tool is the magic one . Anyway, I have a Soltek extra
Tall. I love it’s extra long legs as I am. 5′ 8″ . I love the quick set up and the
all in one design. The canvas support tray is annoying as it always slides down but otherwise, I love this easel. I also have an alla-prima pochade. It is a completely different set-up as it sits on a tripod. I like its magnetic canvas holders . I primarily use it outdoors and the Soltek indoors. Soltek legs are
Prone to jamming in sand and I am in Florida. These easels are both great.

He who eats here must trust to fate,to please his palate and fill his plate! Sometimes there is, sometimes there ain't: I am no cook, I like to PAINT! author unknown

[no-one-home]

None of the above…

[kentiessen]

This is a great thread- regardless of opinion, it is really helpful to hear the contributions of experience, preference, durability, service, and cost. Before buying, I asked some friends at our annual event and bought based on that advice. As with any product, the final decision must factor in what the easel needs to deliver- this will be highly individual. The perfect piece of equipment is always helpful, but not critical to lots of work in the field. I’ve not seen any input about Strada easels…

Ken Tiessen

www.KenTiessenArt.com
Comments or Critiques welcomed...always!

[surfer]

CJ

Your photo of the Napali is just a couple miles from my house!!!!

Pierre Bouret
Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii

http://artkauai.com

[steveoreno]

I use a Craftech Siena pleinair… Works great for me.

[Marcio C]

I am very happy with my Strada Mini easel, with a Velbon LuxiL tripod. Compact, light, expandable, very sturdy and stable, easy to set up and take down. I have used it with both watercolor and acrylics. I like the flexibility that the metal box offers, the two trays increase the work surface a lot, I can use regular clamps to attach a water container, a shade, and other accessories to it.

Facebook: facebook.com/MarcioCorreaArt
Blog: http://marciosart.blogspot.com/

[graz]

Hard to argue with the full size Jullian French easel.
I don’t like the idea of being confined to one size of panel or being confined to only small panels. The pochades all restrict the panel size and that just results in overly tight paintings for me.
I like to stand and paint and I don’t like having a bunch of extra contraptions or boxes at my feet. The French easel is completely self-contained.
Many rave about the Open M boxes but by the time you add a tripod and box or bag to carry it all, you’ve saved no weight and are back to the panel restrictions mentioned above.
The half size french isn’t bad but the folding palette is a real compromise and the narrow shape of the box doesn’t do much to protect the wet canvas that you might be carrying back home. That’s where the extra width of the full size box is beneficial.
Weight isn’t really much of an issue especially if you use backpack straps. Also, I pack light – 7 studio size tubes, 9 brushes. oil and rags. That’s it. I’m painting, not setting up a camp site.

[White Pen]

That’s it. I’m painting, not setting up a camp site.

:thumbsup:

I´m with Tea + cookies :wink2:

Cheers W.P. from Graz,Austria …

Humor is just another defense against the universe.........On-Line Homebase........

[Author]

Posts