Best Lightweight Plein Air Easel

A plein air easel, as opposed to a studio easel, is used for when you are painting outdoors ('en plein air') and need something lightweight and suitable for different terrains. They are made from wood, aluminium, or a combination of the two.

So is, what is the best easel for watercolor?

The 10 Best Watercolor Travel Easels

Forbye, how do I setup my plein air easel?

On another note, what is a French easel?

French easels are for the traveling artist. French easels contain a sketchbox, an easel, and a canvas carrier in a smaller package. The sketchbox holds paint supplies and a palette, and the legs and canvas arm collapse for ease of travel.

How do you make a plein air watercolor easel?

BESTSELLER NO. 1 in 2023

MEEDEN Ultimate Pochade Box with Aluminum Tripod Combo, Lightweight French Box Easel for Plein Air Painting, All in One Design，Make Outdoor Painting Easy and Fun

• PAINT ANYWHERE YOU LIKE - This all in one pochade box was designed for travel from sea to summit and anywhere in between. With a sturdy standing tripod, it can be used as Plein air like a french easel. With the rubber bumpers on the bottom, it can be used as a small table easel for studio use as well. Its versatility enables you to paint anywhere you like.
• PERFECT FOR OUTDOOR PAINTING. This Pochade box features three large storage compartments with removable dividers. They provide plenty of room for sufficient supplies. And it is not cumbersome and heavy like a French easel. So you can keep your things organized and travel light, enjoy the breeze and have fun painting.
• TRANSPORT YOUR WET PAINTINGS WITH EASE - The bottom contains an adjustable wet panel storage area that allows you to carry carring 3-4PCS wet panels of any size from 8" x 10" to 9" x 12" during travel. This Pochade leaves you with no need for a wet panel carrier as the panels can be stored conveniently and securely behind a sliding magnetic door.
• INFINITE RANGE OF ANGLES - Thanks to the hinged adjustment arm the lid can be held at any painting angle, and would even go completely flat for watercolor painting. The star knobs on the arm make the adjustments super easy.
• ATTACH YOUR POCHADE BOX FASTER AND EASIER - Aluminum Tripod is specially designed for Plein air painting. The snap-in quick-release plate makes taking pochade box on and off tripod a breeze. The head of the tripod is made of metal which is very sturdy, it can hold your pochade box in a rock solid foundation , no slipping or wobbling.

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BESTSELLER NO. 2 in 2023

Sienna Plein Air Pochade Box, Artists Adjustable Easel and Palette Box (CT-PB-0910) - Medium

• The pochade boxes are built with strong finger joint construction using, poplar, maple, and Baltic birch components. A beautiful cherry stain and lacquer finish transform these painting tools into pieces you will treasure.
• All adjustments of the canvas holders and lid angle arm are controlled with easy to adjust plastic star knobs. Far superior to the common wing nuts found in many plein air easels the star knobs are easy to grip and result in much tighter holding power.
• The Medium pochade box include a removable tempered glass palette ideal for oils and acrylics. The finish provides an easy to clean finish and the light birch color is good for color mixing.
• The canvas holders are designed for ease of use and versatility. Both panels and stretched canvas can be held between the holders. Two star knobs in the rear of the lid adjust the height of your canvas. The maximum height of the M box is 15 inches; the L box is 17 inches. Any width within reason can be accommodated on both boxes.
• The included brush tray is a pleasure to use. It stows away perfectly on the back of the lid with the help of two magnets. During painting it slips over the right side of the palette box and stays put with another pair of magnets. There are indents for seven brushes and a flat area for holding palette cups of painting medium or thinner.

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BESTSELLER NO. 3 in 2023

MEEDEN Artist Watercolor Field Easel Portable Easel, Lightweight Field Easel 17 to 65 Inch for Watercolors, Sturdy Tripod for Tabletop/Floor Painting, Drawing and Display

• Super light and compact, whether you are painting in workshop or hiking the trails on a solo adventure, you can now bring your studio with you. Don't let it's light weight fool you though, this set up is rugged, sets up in minutes, and gives you a secure work platform
• The working surface angle on the Meeden watercolor easel can be easily adjusted from flat to vertical by using the tripod
• No clamps or brackets, simply drops on the legs of the tripod, has a hole for plastic water cup and clip for trash bag
• The easel connects easily to a standard camera mount tripod using a quick release, legs are easily adjustable for painters who prefer to sit while painting
• 100% Money-Back Guarantee - Meeden takes pride in providing their customers with high quality art and craft kits. If for any reason you are unsatisfied with this watercolor easel, please return it for a full refund

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BESTSELLER NO. 4 in 2023

Creative Mark Cezanne Half Box French Artist Easel, with Sketch Box Drawer, Canvas Carrying Clips, Brass Plated Hardware Perfect for Plein Air Painting Drawing -Oiled Stained Elm Wood

• This beautiful easel is a faithful replica of the Mabef Backpackers Easel. Made of oiled stained Elm wood, this easel features a self contained, fully divided, sketch box drawer, canvas carrying clips, comfort handle, brass plated hardware, finished wood palette, three telescoping legs and linen shoulder straps.
• Weighs just 10 lbs when empty and accepts canvases up to 32" high and measures a compact 20" × 6.75" × 5.4" when folded down.
• Paint at a sitting or standing position.
• Oiled Beech wood finish; Weight 10 lbs; MINIMUM DIMENSIONS: (w)19"X(d)49"X(h)60": MAXIMUM DIMENSIONS: (w)25"X(d)49"X(h)72" Folded Dimensions: 6 1/2"X12 1/2"X23"
• MINIMUM CANVAS SIZE: 5" MAXIMUM CANVAS SIZE: 34";

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BESTSELLER NO. 5 in 2023

MEEDEN Ultimate Pochade Box, Lightweight French Box Easel for Plein Air Painting, Makes Outdoor Painting Easy and Fun

• PAINT ANYWHERE YOU LIKE - This all in one pochade box was designed for travel from sea to summit and anywhere in between. With a standing tripod, it can be used as plein air like a french easel. With the rubber bumpers on the bottom, it can be used as a small table easel for studio use as well. Its versatility enables you to paint anywhere you like.
• PERFECT FOR OUTDOOR PAINTING. This potable Pochade box features 3 large compartments with 2 removable divider slats for adjust compartments sizes, spacious enough to carry all the essentials for a day of field painting. And it is not cumbersome and heavy like a French easel, So you can keep your things organized and travel light, enjoy the breeze and have fun painting.
• TRANSPORT YOUR WET PAINTINGS WITH EASE - The bottom contains an adjustable wet panel storage area which allows you to carry 3-4PCS wet panels of any size from 8" x 10" to 9" x 12" during travel. This Pochade leaves you with no need for a wet panel carrier as the panels can be stored conveniently and securely behind a sliding magnetic door. This babe's convenience and flexibility will leave your fellow Plein air painters impressed and green with envy.
• Universal Tripod Mounting Plate - This Pochade box comes with a 1/4" tripod socket, which is standard for camera tripods. This means that all camera tripods can be used with this small art easel. N.B: We highly recommend the ones with quick release tripod adaptors because they will make putting the Pochade box on and off the tripod a lot easier.
• INFINITE RANGE OF ANGLES - Thanks to the hinged adjustment arm the lid can be held at any painting angle, and would even go completely flat for watercolor painting. The star knobs on the arm make the adjustments super easy.

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BESTSELLER NO. 6 in 2023

Professional Series En Plein Air Pro Oil & Acrylic Easel Package (1/8" Abrasion Resistant Palette)

• For painters who want to paint larger 'en plein air', up to 22"
• Either Tempered Glass or new lightweight Abrasion Resistant Palette is 9" x 18.5" area, Value scale, plus 2 slide-out shelves and turps jar
• Slik U8000 tripod, Wide stance for increased stablity, quick disconnect included
• EVERYTHING, including tripod, fits in our 60L convertible backpack with room for your extras
• For the Tempered Glass go here: https://www.amazon.com/Professional-En-Plein-Air-Pro/dp/B076KXDPNH/ref=lp_15230820011_1_10?srs=15230820011&ie=UTF8&qid=1519654082&sr=8-10

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BESTSELLER NO. 7 in 2023

u.go Plein Air | Anywhere Pochade Box | 8.4"x11.25 (Multiple Sizes Available)

• u.go Anywhere Pochade Box was designed for travel from sea to summit and anywhere in between. Portable artist easel for use indoors and outdoors. Connects to any tripod with universal 1/4" tripod mount. Can be held on your lap, but not designed for table top use. Made by New Wave in Pennsylvania, USA. Patent Pending. Size: 8.4"x11.25"x1.25 | Weight: 2.1 lbs, with palette.
• Each tree's inherent beauty, shown in the grain lines, knots, and varying wood tones, combines with our work handcrafting each product to create an item that is uniquely yours.
• Made with Baltic birch wood, stainless steel, aluminum, and non-corrosive hardware. New Wave proprietary finish for maximum durability; non-porous, dense, resistant to water and standard art solvents, crack proof, chip proof, non-yellowing.
• Strong rare earth magnets are used for the closure, panel/canvas holder, removable side wall for palette cleaning/replacement, and accessory side tray attachment. Friction Hinges provide a sturdy 180° range of motion. Compatible with universal 1/4" tripod mounts.
• Ancillary: Includes high density white plastic palette for oil and acrylic paints. Oils clean with solvents and dry acrylic peels off. Maximum Recommended Painting Surface is 10" Vertical from base of lid. Teeth on the stainless steel panel holders are capable of holding panels as thin as 1/16" and stretched canvas up to 3/4" thick. Side Tray and Glass Palette accessories available.

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BESTSELLER NO. 8 in 2023

Soho Urban Artist Aluminum Art Easel & Carry Bag for Plein Air Painting - Lightweight Anodized Aluminum Compact Painting Easel, Indoor Outdoor Use Holds Canvases up to 50" High

• This lightweight black anodized aluminum easel folds down to a compact 24.8" allowing it to easily fit into backpack or bags and weighs a just a tad more than 3.5lbs. Looks like a normal field aluminum easel but has key features for painting outdoors.
• You can set up on a table, for sitting or standing by adjusting legs from 24-66.14" by flipping up on the Sure-Lock height adjustment buttons. It will allow you to securely hold panels, canvas or pads from 2mm to 42mm (.08" to 1.63" thick) by using two very significant improvements to outdoor easels.
• The first is the top canvas holder that is spring loaded to extend to the exact width of your substrate. This top holder has a forward closing locking device to ensure that there is no movement even with wind. The bottom canvas holder allows you to lock the bottom of your substrate in place by loosening bottom screws and sliding the width adjusting rail to a tight hold.
• The strapping belt is 20.83" (53cm) long and can attach to the back leg. This allows the back leg to stay in place during your painting session. Paint anything from 3.5" high to 50" high and any reasonable width.
• No other easel can take 1.5" wide canvases or panels, can take canvases up to 50" high and has straps that keep legs wide apart while painting. Even if you own other Plein Air easels or a French easel you owe it to yourself to buy one of these. We know it will quickly be your go to easel for painting outdoors.

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BESTSELLER NO. 9 in 2023

SoHo Urban Artist Lightweight French Style Studio Easel with Sketchbox & 12" Drawer - 30% Lighter Than Other Portable Plein Air Field Easels Adjustable Tripod Stand for Painting, Sketching, Display

• Easy to assemble, the all wood French easel is finished in a rich mahogany stain and comes complete with a wood palette and supply drawer. It can easily hold a wide assortment of art supplies for watercolor, oils, acrylics, and pastels all contained inside with a shoulder strap and handle for carrying.
• Both the bottom and top canvas holders are adjustable and serve as a wet canvas or panel carrier after painting. The top section is secured by two stabilizer arms. Within those arms are springs so that the top of the box will never accidentally crash down. They also allow for a full range of angles from vertical to flat and locks in securely. It can hold any canvas up to 32" high.
• This easel folds down for storage and can easily be assembled in minutes becoming a great tool for small painting area in your home, studio, office or outdoors! Its perfect for the field and traveling. The three legs fold out to provide a sturdy base for outdoor painting.
• Weight: 9 lbs. - 30% lighter than other French Easels | Folded Size: 21" x 14" x 6" | Wood Palette: 12" x 16" | Supply Drawer: 12" x 16" with dividers | Holds Canvases up to 32" high
• If you are not happy with your item at any time, please contact the seller directly so that they can assist you with your order!

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BESTSELLER NO. 10 in 2023

Sienna Plein Air Tripod Easel (CT-TRI-0158)

• The Sienna tripod comes with a precision machined ballhead
• Sienna legs can be independently locked into place at 3 different angles
• Tripod height can easily be set by a flip of the quick lock leg levers
• A hook located on the bottom allows you to hang a bag or backpack
• Tripod comes with a shoulder strap and carrying case

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7 More Questions Answered

How do I choose an easel?

What should I look for when buying an easel?

Do I need an easel for watercolor?

How do I set up a plein air painting?

How do you make an easy easel?

How do you make an easel for painting?

What is the best artist easel?