Reddit mentions: The best arts & crafts easels

I recently helped with a work party, which included running a photo contest, coordinating prints, and mounting/display.

1. Partner up with a good local printer. Someone who will help you through the file set up, choosing paper, choosing a printing method, mounting/matting. This might mean a Kinko's, but it will often mean a local, well rated, recommended smaller printer. In my experience, avoiding the sales rep and speaking with the guy who actually runs the printers has lead to the best recommendations.
   
   
2. Sizing is... tricky. If you don't have someone who is knowledgeable about DPI/PPI on staff, this is where your good, local printer comes into play. Different sizing means different pricing, but smaller isn't always cheaper. Ask what your options are based on the quality of photos you're submitting, and ask for test prints at 100% size, 200%, etc. Test prints usually involve a small square of the image and run a few buck at most, but are often free.
   
   
3. Overall, framing/displaying can get very, very expensive. Since our event was for one evening and we couldn't mount on walls, we had the printer mount everything to gatorboard (a thinner but denser version of foamcore that doesn't dent easily) and used a combination of cardboard easels that we could hide on display tables with other props and folding metal easels. Make sure to pay attention to the height of your photos and the height of the easels if you go this route. A tall photo can't be supported by a short easel. The metal folding one also comes in a tabletop version, and I honestly loved the way those metal stands looked. If your photos are running on the smaller size, less than 10"x10", most office supply stores and decoration-ey stores (Target included) sell nice tabletop photo display stands for sure cheap.
   
   
4. If you plan on framing or matting, talk to the printer about the largest size at which you can print, then choose a standard frame size. Custom framing and matting will eat your budget like none other. But a simple black frame from almost any large store can easily class up just about anything.
   
   And remember, the printer is supposed to be there to help you, not just deliver a final product. If at any point you are overwhelmed, don't like the finished product, don't trust a recommendation... ask questions and share your opinion. Be nice, but be firm about what you are looking for. Respect their deadlines, ask about their turnaround time, and send files as early as possible. Ask to see examples, ask to feel the paper. If people act like your project isn't worth their time, it's ok to go somewhere else. =) If due to budget issues you have to print with an online printer/Kinko's/etc. I would highly recommend trying to get in touch with someone who can peek at and ok your files beforehand.
   
   Hope this helps, feel free to ask anything else, even technical stuff. My background is in print/graphics. =)

So a mix of cartoonish mix with realism.

Personally oils or acrylics is what she wants, I'm 90% sure group of seven used oils, but it might be easier to use acrylics instead.

If she has a few hours off everyday to spend painting, oils would be best since it takes hours to days to dry.

I'd she doesn't have time, acrylics would be best since it has easy clean up, quick drying, and is cheaper.

oils: long drying, rich colors, thick paint, takes paint thinner to clean.

Acrylics: fast drying(i.e. 30min), mass amounts of colors, butter like paint consistency, takes water to clean, safe for health.

What to buy:

Michaels, is a great place to buy canvases and oils, and acrylics, plus coupons. There are many in North America.

Hobby lobby, variety of synthetic/natural hair brushes,
Some in norther US.

Some websites:

http://www.dickblick.com

http://www.bobross.com

/r/happytrees

/r/art

/r/oilpainting

/r/painting

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Some useful items:

If she'd be interested in bob ross style, I'll be happy to help
http://www.bobross.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SOMKC


https://www.amazon.com/Tangkula-French-Wooden-Portable-Folding/dp/B01DW0A4FA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1503600866&sr=8-3&keywords=French+easels

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Feel free to ask me anything, and hopefully I can help

Have you tried turning the TV cabinet and couch 90 degree so the cabinet is against the wall and the couch is off the wall? Can't really tell if there is room for it.

If there is, I know you said you wont be buying furniture, but if you decided to flip it and still wanted a divider, you could use something like this bookshelf. That way you have a pseudo divider and a lot of added storage, which would be a great place to add some color.

I saw you defended your frisbees in another comment, props to you. Everybody needs stuff that reflects who they are, or else we'd all be living in showrooms. However, you can do way better that hanging off the molding. Check these plate holders out. Using these you can display your frisbees on the top of your kitchen cabinets, which are empty now anyway. Or if you sprung for the bookshelf you could display them there.


As for art and what not, AllPosters.com is a great resource. I'd recommend actual art, as opposed to beer pong posters or whatever, but I'm guessing you know that. :P If you do pick some art pieces, read up on the artists for when people ask about them, also a great way to learn some art history. Personally I'm a fan of Rothko and more abstract stuff, but find something that suits you. Also, buying a cheap level works wonders for trying to hang/pin stuff to the wall. One last note on posters, find things that mean stuff to you, if you're not a fine art fan, think about stuff like the skyline from your hometown, or somewhere you traveled etc etc.

As for colors, btvsrcks, has it covered.

Good luck, Let me know if you want to know anything else or have questions, hope I helped. You better post update pics when you are done!

Got that tip from the Two-Inch Brush page in the sidebar! Got some "Wooster Softip Paintbrushes" off amazon for guests, since Bob's 2-inch is expensive.

Don't forget a paint thinner bucket and easels! These easels came out pretty cheap in bulk, but can be a little flimsy. Not horrible though! It worked well for me. If you can find bulk canvas, you can save money there too, be I noticed a significant difference between "value" canvas and the nicer grade ones. Good enough for a paint an sip, and the right bundle could bring them down to $4 a pop! (Check Amazon, Michaels sales. "Cyber Monday" is STILL going!)

It could end up being expensive to front the costs of supplies, but I had each of my friends pay $20 for entry -- still half price of an actual paint and sip -- and with one more class, I should be back in profit. From then on, the entry fee would cover the cost of using my paint and maybe upgrade tools. :)

Watercolor it is done on a flat horizontal surface and not a conventional easel. If she paints in oil or acrylic paint, yes, she probably would want one.

Lots of things to consider. First, how much room does she have? If she is in a small apartment an elaborate table easel might suffice. Some are really nice and easy to work on, plus well under your budget. This would be a step up from whatever she is doing now. Regardless whatever process she employs later a good table easel will always be used as second option. Like these:

https://www.cheapjoes.com/american-journey-field-series-table-easel.html

https://www.amazon.com/Ravenna-Table-Easel-with-Drawer/dp/B000JQQTGY/ref=sr\_1\_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1543148789&sr=8-3&keywords=table+easels+for+painting

If you're set on getting her a floor easel, generally, you want a sturdy easel that doesn't wobble and is adjustable. Tbh, you're not going to get a great easel for $100. If this is her first easel she may be very happy with whatever you give her.

Next time you are with her painting ask some questions to give you a better idea of what she might like.

make it happen! I've only done one true en plein air so far (see here and here ), but it was super fun and i highly recommend.

if you think this is something you'll do again, i recommend purchasing an easel designed for it. there are a ton available of all different types and price points, just search amazon for something like "en plein air easel".

I have this specific french box easel. Then then hand modified it a bit so that I can screw the canvas to the easel and so that there is no wood overlapping the canvas.

I like painting on canvases, so i'm not a lot of help deciding if you're looking at non canvases. There are "carry your wet canvas in a cardboard box" solutions on amazon you could look at, even if just to inform how you build your own.

Reading would definitely benefit from the largest possible display and the highest possible resolution. At under $1000 you might be able to get a Yoga 720 15" with a 4K display, which is perfect for viewing PDFs in portrait mode. You will have to place it on an easel (like this one which requires some wood-sanding and brass-grinding to keep the device flat against the easel). I use it and it's great for reading and annotation, but it is NOT a note-taking device since it is heavy and uncomfortable to hold in one hand. Do not get the FHD model, text will be blocky.

Going smaller to portable note-taking devices, anything with QHD resolution or higher is great, so all the 12"-13.5" Wacom EMR Chromebooks are great, particularly the Samsung Galaxy NotePro and the Google Pixel Slate which are under 1.6lbs/1kg. Wacom EMR is battery-free so it's best from a usability standpoint. At 12.2" you're pushing the size limit for great note-taking, but it's still spacious enough.

The Core m devices (and Core i-Y) offer you a full Windows operating system which would make them a decent, if underpowered, desktop replacement. A refurbished Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is probably the very cheapest 12"+ digital pen device you can find. The (old) Microsoft pen is perfectly fine for note-taking but the wobble on slow diagonal lines make it inadequate for art.

It depends on what kind of art your girlfriend is interested in. Buy the most basic colors like titanium white, mars black, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson whatever you like with good quality. Pick up the good quality Camel hair brush with right shape of brush tip. You may visit an art supply store and feel a few different brushes for a good idea. Find a paper or plastic plate will work just fine as a palette or can buy from paint stores. Finally get an easel. I think French wooden sketch box folding art easel you would like best. [Find it here] (http://www.amazon.com/Best-Choice-Products%C2%AE-Portable-Painters/dp/B00890W7FO). Another option is Martin rolling wooden bench style easel. [See it here] (http://www.artistsupplysource.com/category/37460/easels/?page=2)

This is the one I use

It’s super awesome! I received it as a gift from a family member and absolutely love it.

I've been using this one for 3 years and it meets your needs perfectly. Looks good and stable, while having a deep enough, secure ledge to support boxes like All Things Must Pass and Stadium Arcadium

U.S. Art Supply Carmel 10-1/2 inch Tall Tabletop Wood Display Artist A-Frame Easel (1-Easel) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L5P1MY2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.12kDb5PT12E5

I forgot to tell you, for the desk, I've recently bought something like this, which is really great, but if you need something cheaper, a drawing board is fine too, I've got one large enough to support my a4 sketchbooks, it's good placed on a table or even on your laps.

Okay so i dont really have a question, maybe whats his favorite color is. But from reading comments i think you should get him a easel and since you have a canvas and paint, maybe paint him something like a memory you have with him or something he loves!
T-SIGN 66 Inches Reinforced Artist Easel Stand, Extra Thick Aluminum Metal Tripod Display Easel 21 to 66 Inches Adjustable Height with Portable Bag for Floor/Table-Top Drawing and Displaying https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076X3WZHB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_VHpLDbAKP2P1R

I use the ThinkPad Compact Bluetooth Keyboard. The range is atrocious (1 meter / 3 feet or so) but it's a very comfortable keyboard and it has a trackpoint which is very useful.

I put the Yoga in a tabletop easel and the keyboard beside it.

I like the easel boxes like this or this where you can store limited supplies right in the box. Left to my own nature I could fill a van or cargo trailer with art supplies, but having to keep everything in one very small box makes the system portable and compact and keeps the end product from being huge and cumbersome. It also makes you focus on just a few mediums, but does allow some choice between pencil, pen, watercolor, acrylic or oil, provided you primarily focus only on one or two of those and don't try to do it all.

I'd like to know what that is to. Looks like a plate stand..something like this? http://www.amazon.com/Inch-Wooden-Plate-Stand~-Easel/dp/B0002RWYH8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1342506255&sr=8-3&keywords=plate+stand

That's strange that it doesn't have any mounting holes in the back...

I will say that whatever you use, don't go the cheap route. Better to spend a bit more on securing it up than buying a new monitor, right? If it's on a desk you could try a product like this? https://www.amazon.com/US-Art-Supply-Adjustable-Beechwood/dp/B00EV2JN2O/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1503167978&sr=8-7&keywords=desk+easel

Your OP was so good that I thought I'd help link these:

• Adjustable aluminum easel - $17
  
• 12-piece brush set - $8
  
• 24-color oil paint set - $20
  
  
• 12-pack 8"x10" canvas set - $12
  
• 5-piece plastic knife set - $5
  
• 8-oz paint odorless paint thinner - $8.50
  
  $70.50 total plus tax.
  
  Feeling lazy? Here's an entire set for $70.83.
  
  Obviously I don't vouch for any of this stuff and you can get cheap things but... yeah. Thanks OP. Now I want to paint.

I got a few of these from Amazon and they are legit perfect. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAMU12T?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

I’d get one of those that telescopes like a tripod. They come on bags that you can throw over your shoulder.

Still need a board or a pad with a thick backing.

Artist Easel, Ohuhu Aluminum Field Easel Stand Carrying Bag Table-top/Floor, Art Easels Adjustable Height from 21-inch to 66-inch, Back to School Art Supplies https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0148F5TRQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_csKSBbGXPV73J

I just received this one from Amazon, $110.

French Easel - Portable Wooden... https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B073WVJRGY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I went the easel route

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L5P1MY2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

On the plus side, you could just order an easel if that were the selling point.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01L1PRGCW/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1509512735&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=miniature+easel&dpPl=1&dpID=41AXYidtTxL&ref=plSrch

A little site called amazon.com

Specifically, I bought this one.

good news!

For those wondering, that is called a French Easel.

They're on Amazon. Though for 5 times the price and not being much different.

I have this, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002RWYH8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

Used some tape on the back to keep it open.

http://www.amazon.com/Inch-Wooden-Plate-Stand~-Easel/dp/B0002RWYH8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1342506255&sr=8-3&keywords=plate+stand

Alternatively, you can use plate stands to display or mount your controller on.