Build Your Own Easel for Under $30
There are many reasons that an easel is a key component to the artist’s toolbox. As a beginning painter it can make you feel much more legit, and that mental aspect goes a long way. Also, if you have never painted using an easel before, you will quickly realize that the ability to take a step back to examine your work is very helpful. This will allow you to account for any errors early that could otherwise have ruined your painting. One last benefit that I will add from personal experience is that an easel will keep your painting vertical while you are away, thus preventing domestic animals from expanding your artwork from the canvas to the table, floors and clothing. Not very awesome.
Unfortunately, there is one big reason not to get an easel. The price. Most often I see a decent one hovering the $200 range, which is certainly out of my price range. I want to paint, not take on a second job. To overcome this lone excuse for denying myself the luxury of a vertical painting surface, I set out to build my own for as little money as possible. After some serious browsing at the hardware store I came up with the following list of materials.
Fan Trellis: $10.98
3/4” Square Dowel (3x): $7.32
1” Square Dowel: $2.77
T Hinge with Screws (2x): $5.54
Wood Screws: $0.98
Yarn (Could also use chain, rope, shoe lace, etc.): Free – Had some laying around the house.
Grand Total: $27.59 – A worthy investment!
You will need a hand saw and a screw driver. A drill and a level are recommended.
First step, gather up all of your materials.
Then chop the tips off of the fan trellis. This will be the bottom of the easel.
Attach two of the 3/4” wooden dowels to a horizontal beam on the trellis. Trim the ends to be flush with the bottom of the easel (top of the trellis). This will be the back support for the easel. Cut the third 3/4” wooden dowel into a few pieces. Attach these pieces with screws to the two that are already connected. Add a perpendicular one at the bottom and some diagonal ones to prevent the two posts from being able to sway side to side.
Now loop some yarn (or other material of your choice) around the dowels and the trellis to keep the posts from opening up too far.
The next and final step is adding a bar to set the painting on. For this, use the 1” wooden dowel and screw it to the trellis at a height that works for you. Don’t lose too much sleep over this because you can always change it later. First, place a screw connecting the center of the dowel to the center of the trellis to hold it in place. With the easel set upright, use a level to even it out. Then screw both ends of the dowel to the trellis.
Now all that is left to do is get busy painting.
Have you already tried building this? If so, leave a comment and let me know how it turned out. Did you find a way to make it even cheaper, like by substituting the wooden downs with random pieces of drift wood? Spread the word in the comments section for the benefit of the whole Wisdom Lion community.
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1 Comment July 5, 2009
