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Build Your Own Easel
As reported in several places on this web site, for several years Mr. Thomas conducted LIVE oil painting demonstrations in the lobby of the Old Town Gallery, downtown Flagstaff, Arizona. He reports that visitors to the gallery often showed more interest in his home made easel than the paintings. He often remarked, I think I could make more money selling easels."
So, we've decided to do an illustrated article on just how this easel was built, so you can mimic the steps and build your own.
You'll notice that Thomas built his easel by combining one by fours, he actually recycled cedar fence pickets. Anything works as long as you achieve the basic geometry depicted in the 3D renderings.
This simple "A" frame structure is what makes it work.
Through the center and on top of the cross members you insert a table, in his case he used a piece of particle board laminated with shelving formica. This "plastic" surface allowed him to mix his paints right on his tools surface. You'll see this in most of his step by step tutorials on this web site. You'll also notice that this shelf is not permanently attached. While in place it stabilized the unit for work, but when removed it allowed the easel to be folded and stored. See detail photos.
One of Thomas's most innovative features on his easel is a series of holes down each side which allow him to mount a moveable mahl stick. This is indespensible for painting detail in the center of a large painting.
Here is the hinge that allows the easel to be folded and stored.
Braces ate the corners help keep the structure stabile.
Thomas's reputation, and entertainment value, was so well known in the community that for a brief time it was considered by the city to provide him with a permanent painting station in the Flagstaff Visitor's Center, located within the Amtrak Train Station. This simple 3D rendering depicts the proposed workstation that doubles as a storage closet and a public workspace. These plans never became reality.
But we hope this tutorial provides you with enough detail and instruction to help you build your own version of this practical artist easel. JV-webmaster
More Info is on our BLOG