Desktop easel: advantages and disadvantages

An easel is an irreplaceable thing for an artist, which must be chosen correctly. Now there is a huge variety of different models of easels, but all of them can be divided into two large groups: floor and table. The latter option attracts buyers with its small size, lightness and functionality.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Desktop Easels

Table easels have several advantages over floor-standing easels:

table easels are more compact and do not take up much space in the apartment;
the price of desktop options is much lower than the prices of floor models;
tabletop models are quite light and you can take them with you on a trip without any problems;
such products are universal - they are suitable for both adults and children, since there are no height restrictions;
they do not need special shelves for creative supplies, since everything is on the table.

Despite all the advantages, table easels have some disadvantages:

can "ride" on the surface of the table if you press hard with a brush while working;
not too stable - there is a danger of overturning the easel and ruining the work;
are only suitable for working with small formats.

Models

There are many different models of table easels. Before choosing the option you want, you need to decide to whom and for what purpose the product is purchased, since models for children are different from products for adults, and options for beginners are different from options for professional artists.

Plastic Models

Children's easels are usually made of plastic. On the one hand, such products have a chalk board, and on the other, a magnetic surface for drawing with markers. You can also attach a sheet of paper to the magnetic board.

The advantage of such structures is their lightness - even if the easel falls off the table, it will not injure the child. But plastic models are also quite fragile - they are easy to break if mishandled.

ELC has a desktop easel for sale, which, judging by the reviews, is very popular among parents. The product is made of plastic and has two sides: one for drawing with chalk, the other for markers.

The weight of the model is about 2 kg. Dimensions: 49x75x41 cm. Includes crayons, drawing sheets and a special sponge for erasing from the board. On the pallet there are special recesses for paint cans.

Wooden tabletop models-clappers

Such designs are ideal for novice artists, including children who decide to paint professionally. The construction of the easel is more stable than that of plastic products and consists of a plywood tablet and a special stand. It is called a “clapperboard” due to its folding mechanism.

The advantage of such models is their compactness - the product is easy to fold and put away, it does not take up much space... In addition, wooden options are highly durable: they are difficult to break, even with careless use. In the manufacture of easels, chipboard or natural wood of such species as beech, pine and birch is used.

An example of this type of children's desk easel is model by Kidkraft, which is equipped with two working surfaces: slate for crayons and magnetic for markers and paper sheets. The product also has a special holder for a roll of paper and an additional shelf for creative supplies with holes for paint cans. This model weighs 4 kg. Dimensions: 60x45x45 cm.

Wooden table structures "Lyra"

The Lira floor easel, which in its shape resembles an ancient Greek musical instrument, is a tripod with a folding back leg. The A-shaped structure of "Lyra" is easy to use and at the same time very reliable and stable, as it is assembled with bolts. Easel material - natural wood or chipboard.

The disadvantage of this type of design is the lack of a tablet, which must be purchased additionally.

The Lyra tabletop design resembles a regular floor easel, but only without legs. The height of this easel is 80 cm, and the width is 40 cm. The upper and lower runners allow you to attach a canvas or plywood tablet to the structure. You need a tablet to attach a sheet of paper to. The folding leg allows not only folding and unfolding the easel, but also changing its angle of inclination.

H-shaped easels

H-shaped easels are also called studio easels, although they can be used not only in a studio. Products of this type have a rectangular frame and base, with which you can adjust the height and angle of inclination of the structure. Such products are even more stable than "Lira" and allow working with large formats. Material - chipboard or natural wood. The disadvantage of n-shaped easels is that they are immobile and not suitable for small spaces.

Easels of this type are half of a large floor model. An example of such a product is the model produced by Pinax. The easels of this company are made of high-quality European beech and are additionally varnished, which greatly facilitates their care. There are several models of tabletop products in various sizes, but they are all in a reduced H-shaped design.

Metal stands

They can partially perform the same functions as a wooden table easel. Since this structure is made of metal, it has properties such as strength and reliability. And the price of such a stand is minimal. True, you will have to additionally purchase a special tablet for drawing, but the height and angle of inclination cannot be changed here.

A metal stand is rather a temporary option that is suitable for children and those who are just trying to paint and have not yet decided to purchase a professional easel. An example of such a model is the Ransby stand from the Swedish company Ikea.

Drawing tablets

They are a box in which the artist can store all the necessary tools. A canvas or sheet of paper can be fixed on the lid or with a special frame. The tablets are intended for a plein airplane, but can also be used as a table easel. The advantage of this type of products is their compactness, lightness and functionality. The disadvantage of such a product is its rather high price.

Thus, it can be said that there are a large number of different models of table easels.

To make the right choice, you need, first of all, to know for whom and for what purpose the product is purchased, since easels for children and adults, beginners and professional artists can differ significantly from each other.