With a background in drawing and painting in watercolor, I was used to working flat at a table. When I showed up for my first acrylic painting class, I was (almost) surprised to find that everyone had an easel to work at. It felt strange painting at an easel – holding my arm up in the air. After the class ended, I continued to paint more and more in acrylics, always flat on a table or on the floor. I began to wonder if I should be using an easel. Some online research (on http://www.about.com) revealed some interesting points including, “work vertically, because the painting will be displayed vertically.”
Things to consider when deciding to work flat vs. at an easel:
- How large do you work? It’s easier to work on an easel with larger paintings than a table.
- Viewing your painting. You can back away from an easel, to “take in” and view a painting, especially the larger ones.
- Do you add fine details? I find it easier to add details when the painting is flat and I can lean on the canvas.
- Acrylic vs. oils – Oils take longer to dry and dust can be an issue as it dries when a painting is laying flat.
- Do you have a dedicated space for an easel?
I invested in an aluminum easel. It’s lightweight but sturdy and folds up for storing. Learn more here. It looks so professional, and I love displaying my latest painting on it! There’s even an arm that extends to hold my brushes and palette!
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I want to hear from you! How do you prefer to work?
(To date, 90 people have completed this survey and 79% prefer to work flat.)
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April 12, 2015 at 6:09 pm
I enjoy working with a tabletop easel if I’m working on small to medium canvases. I actually have the tabletop version of the same one you bought! I find I enjoy painting most when I can sit comfortably while doing it. I love my table and the easy access it provides.
April 15, 2015 at 4:24 pm
Thanks for your input! Lately, I’ve been working in watercolor. I think I’m most comfortable sitting and painting flat! Whenever I paint in acrylic, I’m all over the place – the floor, the counter top, the easel. Still trying to get comfortable I guess!
May 13, 2015 at 12:02 am
i have only worked flat excepts when I visited, as a guest, a big city studio. My problem is that the perspective is off sometimes and you don’t see it until it’s too late.
May 13, 2015 at 3:22 pm
That is a good point. With the easel you can back up and view it from different angles. Thank u!
November 14, 2015 at 2:34 pm
Now I draw on flat surface. But I wanna draw vertically. It will have a professional look. Besides the entire work can be seen as a whole. While we work on flat surfaces there is a chance to make slight mistakes due to perspective.
November 19, 2015 at 8:54 am
That is a good point. I never thought about the perspective. Thanks for your comment!
January 15, 2016 at 2:07 am
I use both methods, depends on the detail of work, how I feel, if I want the easel to clutter my living room for a week ( my living room is my painting space, so a dust sheet has to roll out too, when the easel appears) 😀
February 12, 2016 at 8:18 am
I was glad to see this entry as I was wondering if there were any others who preferred to paint flat. I’m just a hobbyist and I have purchased both a table top and a regular easel. I use the table top once in a while but I still prefer to just use the table or my lap. The fact that they are displayed vertical is a good one though and one I had not considered.
February 12, 2016 at 10:16 am
Since I mostly work in watercolor, when I do paint with acrylics on canvas, painting flat feels more natural to me. I’m sure if I spent more time painting with the easel, I’d be more comfortable. I think the size you work in is also a factor. I tend to work on smaller canvases. If you work large you may need it on an easel, so you can back away and take the whole canvas in. Thanks for commenting!
November 5, 2016 at 11:13 am
It just depends on what I am working on. I do both. Large paintings I usually use an easel. Small paintings, a flat surface. Thanks! Great topic! =)
January 30, 2017 at 4:18 am
I’m a beginner mainly watercolors and pencil, I like small sizes. I paint flat but oft I stan up to have a better view on what I’m doing.
robert, absolute beginner
January 30, 2017 at 3:02 pm
It’s good to get a different perspective. I notice when I take a photo of a painting I see different things.
May 14, 2020 at 8:42 pm
As a beginner and not a spring chicken, I paint flat. I find my arm is just too tired using an easel. Wish I would have adjusted to it long ago, I’m just a late bloomer
May 15, 2020 at 7:40 am
I was watching a painting video on YouTube yesterday and I noticed the loose way the artist was holding the brush and painting at an easel. It’s the first time I realized that the painting might look different – the brushstrokes – depending on if you use an easel and how you hold the brush. Thanks for your comment!