Selecting the appropriate plein air easel is a fundamental decision for any artist transitioning from the studio to the field. While there are countless specialized models available, modern field setups generally fall into three primary design concepts: the French easel, the pochade-style easel, and the Gloucester easel.
The following guide categorizes these professional options to help you determine which configuration best suits your workflow and scale.
The French Easel (Full and Half-Box)
The French easel is a classic “all-in-one” solution that integrates a storage box, folding legs, and a canvas holder. It is a versatile choice for those who want their entire studio to be self-contained.
- Jullian Original French Easel – Full Box — This is the industry standard for a full-sized field setup. It features hand-polished beechwood and a metal-lined drawer for organizing paints and brushes.
- Jullian Full Classic French Easel — A robust option known for its outdoor-dried beechwood construction, which helps prevent warping in humid environments.
- Jullian Plein Air Half Easel — Often referred to as a “half-box,” this model offers the same functionality as the full version but with a slimmer profile for easier transport.
Jullian Original French Easel – Full Box
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Jullian Full Classic French Easel
Pochade and Thumb-Box Easels
Pochade boxes are compact wooden units designed to mount onto a standard camera tripod. They are favored by hikers and travel painters for their minimal footprint and quick setup times.
- Guerrilla Painter Pochade Box — A popular 9×12 model that offers over 80% of the storage capacity of a French easel while remaining much more portable.
- Guerrilla Painter Pocket Box — A specialized “thumb-box” for 5×7 studies. It is perfectly balanced for laptop or tabletop painting when a tripod is not available.
Guerrilla Painter Opens in a new window
The Gloucester Easel
The Gloucester easel (also known as a large format field easel) is engineered for extreme stability. It features a wide tripod footprint and a horizontal support bar, making it the primary choice for painting large canvases in high-wind conditions.
- Beauport Easel: While specialized Gloucester-style easels like the Beauport are often sourced through boutique outfitters, they are essential for artists working on scales larger than 30 inches outdoors.
Comparison Summary
| Type | Best For | Weight Profile | Typical Setup |
| French | Large-scale works; all-in-one storage | Heavy (11–15 lbs) | Integrated legs |
| Pochade | Speed, travel, and hiking | Light (2–6 lbs) | Camera Tripod |
| Gloucester | Extreme wind; oversized canvases | Moderate | Large Tripod Base |
For a professional-grade setup, I recommend starting with the Jullian Original French Easel if you prefer a traditional experience, or the Guerrilla Painter Pochade Box if you prioritize portability.
Here’s a list of compatible heavy-duty tripods for the pochade boxes and specialized aluminum options like the Soltek. Click here.
