How to Build an Art Easel

Given the cost of commercially manufactured easels, and the ease with which a simple design can be built, it's not surprising that many artists and crafty individuals opt to make their own. The plain, three-legged design detailed in this article can be built in a short period of time, at low cost, by virtually anyone. Of course, more intricate designs are available through the resource section below for the more adventurous.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 2-x-3 lumber planks (two pieces about 7-feet long each) 2-x-4 lumber plank (one piece about 4-feet long) 3/4-inch plywood (1 rectangular piece about 3-x-4 feet) 10mm carriage bolts (2 that are 7-inches long and 1 that is 5-inches long with washers and nuts) Drill with 3/8-inch bit Saw Hammer 2-inch nails (6 total) Wood glue

1. Cut out the legs. From the 2-x-3 lumber, cut two identical pieces to serve as the left and right front legs of the easel, and one to serve as the rear leg. The front legs should be approximately 82-inches in length with a 15-degree angle at one end. The rear leg should be slightly shorter, by about 1 1/2 inches, without an angle.

2. Drill holes. Line up the two front legs side by side evenly so the angled ends are side by side with the longest edges touching and the shorter edges facing outward. Using the drill, put a 3/8-inch hole in each front leg, 78 inches up from the bottom. On the rear leg drill a hole in the widest side of the board up 74 inches from the bottom.

3. Connect legs. Lay the three legs flat with the rear leg in the middle so the holes in all three line up. Insert the 5-inch long bolt so it passes through the hole in all three. Attach a washer and nut, spread the front legs about 4 feet apart and tighten the nut on the bolt.

4. Attach cross member. The 4-foot long 2-x-4 serves as the cross member that will hold up the load of the easel. It can be attached to the front two legs by drilling a hole in each leg about 38 inches from the bottom, drilling corresponding holes in the 2-x-4, and attaching with the 7-inch carriage bolts. Tighten the nuts in the rear to hold in place.

5. Attach the backboard. The plywood should sit on the 2-x-4 cross member. Attach it to the front legs with the wood glue and hammer three nails into each leg to secure.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Making an Easel
• Artist's Easel
• Build Your Own Easel!
• Free Artist Easel Plans