One of the most important tools an artist can have is an easel.There are many different types of easels that can be transported outside.The process of setting up an easel can be a little difficult if you are not used to it.A-frame easels are the most common type and they have legs you can use to stand them up indoors.There are French box easels that open up like a briefcase.The H-frame easels are able to support large canvases.No matter what kind of easel you have, you can adjust it so you are able to paint in total comfort.
Step 1: Pull out the legs by turning the wing nuts clockwise.
The easel will be folded up when you first open it.There is a brass nut at the top of each leg.To get the nuts loosened, swing the legs to the side.At this point, the legs will be folded in half, but you have to turn the nuts clockwise to hold them.A-frame easels are the most common type for studio painting.They come in different sizes so you can find ones that are small and stand up.
Step 2: The wing nut on the sliding part of the legs needs to be loosened.
There are secondary wing nuts at the bottom of each leg.Since the legs won't be fully extended at this point, the secondary nuts will allow you to open them to their full size.Pull the legs away from the tripod when rotating them counterclockwise.If you want them to be locked in position, turn the nuts in the opposite direction.If you have a metal tripod, you may be able tolatch it.The legs need to be extended.When you are done, close them back up.
Step 3: Place the legs on the easel.
Pick it up, then put it on a table or floor.The mast, the long, vertical bar used to hold a canvas, needs to be between the legs.You can lock the easel in place by looking for another brass wing nut near the tray and legs.Make any necessary adjustments to the legs.The easel can be set up to allow you to paint while sitting or standing.You should test it out several times to make sure you can reach it.
Step 4: If your easel has nuts, loosen them.
The front legs will have arms attached to them.There is a separate arm on each leg.A wing nut is behind the legs.Lift the arms and tighten the nuts after turning them counterclockwise.The arms are meant to hold the paint brush.The canvas should be level on the easel if the arms are the same height.There is a shelf for your canvas in some metal easels.You can fit the shelf over the screws in the easel legs.
Step 5: A blank canvas is placed on the easel's tray.
Pick the canvas that you want to paint.Check the easel's arms and tray for a grooves.The canvas should be placed against the rest of the easel.It needs to be secure on the easel and easy to reach while you are painting.You should always adjust the easel with the one you plan on using because canvases come in a variety of different sizes.
Step 6: The easel's mast needs to be raised by adjusting a nut.
The center bar has a brass wing nut or screw.Lift the mast to the height you want after turning it counterclockwise.The head needs to be against the upper part of the canvas.It is easy to identify the mast because it is a single, long piece of wood that is stretching up from the center of the easel.You may need to screw the head to the mast on the easel.The easel has a screw included.The mast is on some wooden easels.You have to turn it around before you put it back on the easel.The canvas should be on the right when the bar is on right.
Step 7: You can tilt the levers on the sides to move the canvas.
The adjustment levers are located near the legs at the bottom of the canvas.The easel will usually lean back when the lever is turned clockwise.The top of the canvas is brought down by turning it clockwise.The canvas should be positioned so that it is accessible while you are working.Some easels require you to use a nut to secure the mast to the legs.Lift the nut and tilt the mast to re-position the canvas.
Step 8: Turn its screw clockwise to lock it in place.
The easel should be on a flat surface.Pick up the easel by the handle to find the front leg.There is a leg inside the box.Pull it up as far as you can, then use a hand to lock it in place.Pull the end of the leg to extend it.The French box easels are great for artists on the go.After unfolding everything, they have storage space on the inside.A French easel has legs, but a pochade box does not.You place it on a table or tripod instead of standing it up on its own.Make sure your French box is big enough to hold the canvas you plan on using.
Step 9: The back legs should be locked with a screw.
Look for the back legs on the easel's sides.To tighten the first screws, unfold the legs and turn them clockwise.Pull the ends of the legs together.To make sure the easel feels stable, position it so that all of the legs are on the ground.There are two screws on the end of each leg.The easel's height can be adjusted with the use of these screws.The easiest way to loosen the screws is to turn them counterclockwise, slide the legs out, and lock them back up.Change the easel's height to compensate if you prefer standing or sitting.Stand or sit in front of the easel to test it.
Step 10: To open the easel, you need to pull the box open.
You can check the sides of the box.The front leg is where they are usually located.Pull the top of the box back as far as you can after snapping open the latches.Turn the screws on the side of the box clockwise to keep it open.There is a compartment in the box to hold art supplies.The tray may be made of wood or metal.
Step 11: A painting can be put in the tray on the easel.
The box top has a tray on it.The canvas is in the tray and held up by the box top.Make adjustments to the legs and box top after setting your canvas in the tray.Ensure that you can comfortably reach the canvas while painting by checking the easel's height and angle.Since there are so many different types of canvases, it's a good idea to set up the easel with the one you plan on painting.If you plan on using a different size canvas, you can adjust the easel later.
Step 12: The canvas tray can be raised or lowered with the help of the side screws.
The tray can be adjusted on French box easels.To loosen the screws if you need to move the tray, turn them counterclockwise.The tray needs to be pulled to the desired height.The tray can be moved to raise or lower the canvas.If you are going to stand, you may need to raise the tray so the canvas stays at eye level.You would have to bend down in order to paint.
Step 13: The box has a screw on it.
Your painting canvas will be braced by the mast on the easel.There is a screw on the top edge of the easel.Pull the bar up when it is turned counterclockwise.Turn the screw clockwise to secure the mast after setting it.The mast should be against the top of the canvas.The canvas cannot move while you are painting.
Step 14: The 4 smaller pieces of wood form the base.
Refer to the instructions in the box to identify the pieces.There are slots on one side and raised tabs on the other.The flat boards have matching grooves on the ends.Push these boards into the slots.After securing the boards with a screwdriver, turn the screws clockwise.Don't overtighten them, make sure they are firmly attached.If you get confused about which boards are which, check the instructions from the manufacturer.Depending on the easel you bought, the boards may vary in size or shape.H-frame easels are larger than A-frames and are meant for studio use.They are used to support canvases.
Step 15: Attach the frame boards together.
There are 2 long, flat pieces on the end of the remaining boards.Pick up a pair of long crossboards with slots on the sides.The crossboards are much larger than the ones used in the base.Attach them with screws after fitting them together.There are screw holes on the outer edges of the sideboards.If you want to keep the frame together, tighten the screws with aPhillips screwdriver.If you have an easel, you may need to attach a column to it.It is used to hold the mast.There are slots in the center of the frame that connect to the shorter boards.
Step 16: If your easel has crossboards, secure the siding to them.
The boards are the same length.They fit against those boards.Stand the boards up and slide screws through the remaining holes.The screws need to go through the sideboards to complete the frame.The frame boards may not be on your easel.Many easels work without them because they are used to brace crossboards.
Step 17: The mast piece should be secured with the easel's tray.
The tray has a grooves cut into it to hold the canvas while you are panting.A long, flat piece that plugs into an opening on the tray's side is what the remaining board in your kit should be.Put a pin in the hole on the opposite side of the tray.The central hole should be aligned with the pin by placing a metal bracket over it.Place a screw through the hole and turn it clockwise.The tray varies the most on easel models.You will need to assemble the mast first, secure it onto the frame, and then put the tray on the easel.
Step 18: The rachet board is on the frame.
The rachet board needs to be face up.One part of the frame is longer than the other.Push the metal brackets into the opening on the rachet board.The frame should be on top of the mast if you need to screw it to it.The lower frame crossboard has holes on it's back side.
Step 19: The mast has a canvas holder on it.
The canvas holder is a small block that is meant to hold the canvas in place.The flat part should be facing the tray.Pick up one of the black valves that came with your kit after you slide it down to the top crossboard.Attach it through the hole along the top edge of the holder.The canvas holder may be separate from the mast for some models.You will not need to assemble it yourself.
Step 20: Before raising the frame, connect it to the base.
The base should be positioned underneath the frame.Align the legs of the frame with the tabs on the base.To connect the parts, place a black valve on the edge of each tab.The screws will pass through the tabs if they are turned clockwise.You can stand the frame up once the base and frame are secured.Make sure the components hold together.
Step 21: To finish the easel, screw the legs to the slots in the frame.
There are holes through the rounded ends of the last pieces of wood.The wood should be stretched to the back of the base.To secure them to the frames, use more of the valves.Attach them to the base by positioning screws in the holes and turning them clockwise with aPhillips screwdriver.The easel needs to be moved one last time.The legs and mast pieces should be able to move thanks to the valves you used.The easel will be ready once everything is secured.The easel frame can be adjusted by moving the mast or loosen the legs.H-frames don't have as much range of motion as other types of easels.