Easel

An easel is an erect vertical support, usually made from wood, plastic or metal, that can be used for purposes of displaying and/or for resting and fixing something on it. Perhaps the most common usage of an easel is as a support for a painter’s canvas, a task for which an easel has been used since centuries. Also after the completion of the work, the easel may be used for display and exhibition of the painting. Easels are of two types: three tripods and four legged H-frames. A tripod easel consists of three vertical posts which meet each other at the top, while the H-frame easel has a rectangular base such that the four vertical posts are parallel to each other. In a tripod easel, the non-pivot posts feature the horizontal cross member which is used to place the canvas, whereas in an H-frame easel any two posts may feature the horizontal cross member. Often the horizontal cross member features a height adjustment mechanism which can be used to move it up or down. Easels may be of full-length or may be short in height (such that they are better suited for usage on tables).

Easels are also used as toys as they can also be used to hold and display projection surfaces, blackboards, placards, etc. Toy and child easels are often made from plastic and they are sport bright colours with decorations. Magnetic kids’ art easels are also available.