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A French easel is a wooden sketchbox with a drawer for paints, a built-in canvas holder and three folding legs. Closed, it is a suitcase with a shoulder strap; open, it is a full standing easel that also works on a tabletop. That combination of storage, stability and portability is why the design has been popular with outdoor and studio painters for generations. For painting crafts, a French easel gives a hobbyist one workstation that stores supplies, holds canvases up to about 34 inches and moves easily from the spare room to the garden.
Quick answer: If you already own paints, the U.S. Art Supply Large Beechwood French Easel is the best standalone French easel here: oil-finished German beech, an 18 inch wooden palette, canvases up to 34 inches and a height of up to 72 inches. The CONDA Large Wooden French Easel is the lower-cost alternative. Beginners who want everything in one box should look at the DJAR 169-piece French easel kit or the larger Modera 163-piece set.
How a French Easel Works
The sketchbox sits on three telescoping legs, two in front and one at the back. The canvas rests on a ledge and is clamped from above by a sliding mast. The box tilts forward or back, from vertical for oils to almost flat for watercolor. A pull-out drawer holds paint tubes, brushes and a palette, and when you are done, the legs fold up against the box and everything closes into a carry case.
Advantages
- All-in-one: easel, storage and palette in one unit.
- Versatile: standing, sitting or tabletop use.
- Stable: heavier and more rigid than aluminum tripods.
- Portable: folds into a case with a strap.
- Multi-medium: angle range suits oil, acrylic, watercolor and pastel.
Limitations
- Weight: usually 10 to 16 pounds for the easel alone, more for kits.
- Setup learning curve: several wing nuts and moving parts.
- Canvas size: most top out around 34 inches.
- Maintenance: wood and hardware need occasional care.
Full-Size, Half-Size and Kit French Easels
Full-size French easels have a drawer wide enough for a standard palette and hold larger canvases; half-size models are lighter and more compact for travel. Kit versions bundle an easel with paints, brushes, canvases and pads, which is convenient for beginners and gifts but usually includes student-grade supplies. If you already have paints you like, a standalone easel is better value.
French Easel Versus Other Easels
| Easel Type | Storage | Stability | Portability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French easel | Built-in drawer | High | Medium (heavy but folds) | Studio and outdoor painting in one |
| H-frame studio easel | Sometimes a tray | Very high | Low | Large canvases at home |
| A-frame studio easel | Usually none | Medium | Low to medium | Small studios |
| Aluminum tripod | None | Low to medium | High | Light travel and display |
| Tabletop sketchbox | Built-in box | Medium | High | Painting at a table |
For a crafter who wants one easel for the spare room, the patio and the occasional park trip, the French easel is usually the most versatile single purchase. If you only paint at home on large canvases, an H-frame studio easel is more stable; if you only paint outdoors on long walks, a lighter tripod is easier to carry.
Caring for a French easel
- Wipe paint off wood and hardware while it is wet.
- Dry the easel fully before closing it after outdoor use.
- Oil or wax wooden surfaces occasionally to keep them sealed.
- Check screws and hinges every few months and tighten gently.
- Store it closed, somewhere dry and away from temperature extremes.
Setting Up a French Easel Without Frustration
- Open the box flat on the ground with the drawer facing you and the legs unclipped.
- Extend the front legs and lock their wing nuts loosely.
- Swing out the rear leg and set the angle.
- Stand the easel up, adjust each leg to level it, then tighten all wing nuts firmly but not so hard that you crush the wood.
- Raise the mast, place the canvas on the ledge and clamp it from above.
- Open the drawer and lay out your palette.
To pack up, reverse the order: remove the canvas, lower the mast, close and latch the drawer, then fold the legs and clip them. Practice at home a few times. Once the sequence is familiar, setup takes only a few minutes. Wooden easels also benefit from a little maintenance; see our guide to cleaning and maintaining a wooden easel, and if you mostly paint seated at a table, our tips on using a tabletop easel correctly apply to a French easel with its legs folded.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- U.S. Art Supply Large Beechwood French Easel — Best standalone French easel
- CONDA Large Wooden French Easel and Sketchbox — Best lower-cost standalone easel
- DJAR 169-Piece Wooden French Easel Art Kit — Best French easel kit for beginners
- Modera 163-Piece French Easel Painting Set — Best deluxe kit with canvases
- ARTALLY 188-Piece Art Kit with French Easel — Best kit with apron and brush basin
- Best Choice Products Easel with 32-Piece Art Set — Best budget kit for casual painters
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Art Supply Large Beechwood | Standalone easel | German beech, up to 72 in, canvas up to 34 in, 18 in palette | Classic full-size design | $$$ |
| CONDA Large French Easel | Lower-cost standalone | Natural wood, canvas up to 34 in, drawer and palette | Floor or tabletop | $$$ |
| DJAR 169-Piece Kit | Beginner kit | Beechwood easel, 96 paints, 30 brushes, 12 pencils | Oil, watercolor and acrylic included | $$$ |
| Modera 163-Piece Set | Deluxe kit | Hardwood easel, 100+ paints, 8 canvases, 30 brushes | Canvases up to 16 x 20 in | $$$ |
| ARTALLY 188-Piece Kit | Kit with extras | German beech easel to 72 in, 96 paints, apron, brush basin | Bonus apron and cleaner | $$$ |
| Best Choice Products Kit | Casual painters | Pine easel 48-69 in, 12 acrylics, 3 canvas panels | Lowest-cost kit | $$$ |
How We Chose
We compared these French easels and kits using Amazon listing details and specifications checked in October 2026: wood type, height range, maximum canvas size, storage, included palette or supplies, weight and carrying options. We also considered how widely each product is reviewed by Amazon buyers. We have not used these easels; specifications come from the listings, which sometimes describe the same kit at different prices.
- Build quality: beech or pine, hardware type.
- Adjustability: height, angle and canvas range.
- Storage: drawer size and dividers.
- Portability: weight, strap and handle.
- Kit value: usefulness of included supplies.
Best French Easels for Painting Crafts Reviewed
1. U.S. Art Supply Large Beechwood French Easel — Best for a Standalone Easel
U.S. Art Supply’s large French easel is a classic sketchbox design in natural oil-finished German beechwood. It converts to a tall tripod stand up to 72 inches, adjusts to any incline, holds canvases up to 34 inches and includes an 18 inch wooden palette.
Inside, three removable dividers and extra space below the drawer hold paints, brushes and pads, and canvases can also be carried externally. Folded, it measures about 17 x 22 x 6.5 inches with a leatherette handle and shoulder strap, and adjustable legs have rubber feet. It weighs about 11.9 pounds.
Best suited for: Painters who already own supplies and want a full-size French easel.
Key features:
- Oil-finished German beechwood
- Up to 72 in tall, canvas up to 34 in
- 18 in wooden palette, 3 removable dividers
- About 11.9 lb, handle and shoulder strap
Pros:
- Classic full-size design
- Good storage layout
- Rubber feet for stability
Cons and limitations:
- Heavy for long walks
- Mid-to-high price tier
- Wing nuts need care not to over-tighten
Buying consideration: Rub a little paste wax on the sliding parts once a year to keep them moving smoothly.
2. CONDA Large Wooden French Easel and Sketchbox — Best for a Lower-Cost Standalone
CONDA’s large French easel is natural wood with an integrated artist drawer and a painting palette. The adjustable tripod accommodates canvases up to 34 inches, and it works as a floor easel or converts to a tabletop easel.
It folds compactly for transport and the listing positions it for travel and outdoor painting as well as studio work. It weighs about 10.4 pounds.
Best suited for: Hobbyists wanting a full French easel at a lower price tier.
Key features:
- Natural wood construction
- Canvas up to 34 in
- Drawer and palette included
- About 10.4 lb
Pros:
- Lower price than many standalone French easels
- Slightly lighter
- Floor and tabletop use
Cons and limitations:
- Wood species not specified
- Fewer details on hardware
- No dividers mentioned
Buying consideration: Check the leg locks after the first few sessions and tighten any hardware that has settled.
3. DJAR 169-Piece Wooden French Easel Art Kit — Best for a Beginner Kit
DJAR’s kit includes a solid European beechwood French easel with a shoulder strap, dual storage compartments and anti-rust metal hardware, plus 96 paints across oil, watercolor and acrylic, 30 brushes, 12 sketch pencils and paper pads for each technique.
For a beginner who wants to try several media without shopping for each, it is a single purchase that covers everything. The listing appeared at two different prices during our check, so compare before buying.
Best suited for: Beginners and gift buyers who want to try oil, watercolor and acrylic.
Key features:
- Beechwood French easel
- 96 paints: oil, watercolor, acrylic
- 30 brushes, 12 sketch pencils
- Paper pads for each medium
Pros:
- Covers three media
- Ready to paint immediately
- Sturdy beechwood easel
Cons and limitations:
- Student-grade paints
- Higher price tier
- Kit supplies take storage space
Buying consideration: Use the kit to find your favorite medium, then upgrade those paints first.
4. Modera 163-Piece French Easel Painting Set — Best for a Deluxe Kit
Modera’s deluxe set pairs a hardwood French-style easel with an adjustable triangle stand, sliding drawer storage and carry strap with more than 100 paints: 48 acrylics, 12 metallic acrylics, 24 oils and 24 watercolors.
It also includes eight stretched and panel canvases in black and white, in sizes including 16 x 20, 11 x 14 and 10 x 10 inches, plus 30 brushes. The full kit weighs about 28 pounds.
Best suited for: Beginners who want canvases included and a broad paint selection.
Key features:
- Hardwood French easel with drawer
- 100+ paints including metallics
- 8 stretched and panel canvases
- 30 brushes
Pros:
- Canvases included in useful sizes
- Metallic acrylics
- Very complete starter set
Cons and limitations:
- Heavy kit
- Highest price tier
- Student-grade supplies
Buying consideration: Start with the smaller canvases to learn the easel before using the 16 x 20.
5. ARTALLY 188-Piece Art Kit with French Easel — Best for a Kit With Extras
ARTALLY’s kit includes a classic French-style easel in solid German beechwood that converts from tabletop to full-height tripod (72 inches), with storage. It comes with 48 acrylics, 24 watercolors, 24 oils and specialized brush sets for each medium.
Bonuses include a stain-resistant artist apron and a brush basin cleaner. The listing refers to both 179 and 188 pieces, so check the contents list on the product page.
Best suited for: Beginners and gift buyers who want extras like an apron and brush washer.
Key features:
- German beechwood French easel to 72 in
- 96 paints: 48 acrylic, 24 watercolor, 24 oil
- Brush sets for each medium
- Apron and brush basin
Pros:
- Useful bonus accessories
- Tall easel range
- Gift-ready packaging
Cons and limitations:
- Highest price tier
- Piece count inconsistent in the listing
- Heavy kit
Buying consideration: Keep the brush basin next to the easel to rinse brushes during sessions.
6. Best Choice Products Easel with 32-Piece Art Set — Best for Casual Painters
This Best Choice Products kit pairs a French box easel in pine with metal fittings with a 32-piece starter set: six brushes, three canvas panels, 12 acrylic paints, two palettes and eight canvas wedges. Legs adjust from 48 to 69 inches, or fold for tabletop use.
Open dimensions are about 34 x 30.25 inches with a height of 48 to 69 inches, and it folds into a carry case with internal storage and a shoulder strap. It weighs about 12 pounds.
Best suited for: Casual painters and teens wanting an affordable French-style setup.
Key features:
- Pine French box easel
- 48-69 in height
- 12 acrylics, 6 brushes, 3 canvas panels
- Shoulder strap, about 12 lb
Pros:
- Lowest-cost kit here
- Simple acrylic starter set
- Fun color option
Cons and limitations:
- Pine is softer than beech
- Limited supplies
- Shorter maximum height
Buying consideration: Upgrade to a few artist-grade acrylics once you outgrow the included paints.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a French Easel
Standalone or kit
Choose a standalone easel if you already have supplies. Kits suit beginners and gifts but include student-grade materials.
Wood
Beech is harder and more durable; pine is lighter and cheaper but dents more easily.
Height and canvas range
Check maximum height for standing comfort and maximum canvas size, typically around 34 inches.
Weight
French easels are heavy. Kits add more weight. Consider how far you will carry it.
Storage
Look for a drawer with dividers and a palette that fits inside.
Hardware
Brass or galvanized fittings resist rust outdoors. Wing nuts should turn smoothly and hold firmly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-tightening wing nuts and crushing the wood.
- Carrying the easel with the drawer unlatched.
- Leaving a wet palette in the closed drawer for days.
- Exceeding the canvas size the mast can clamp.
- Storing the easel in a damp shed or garage.
- Buying a heavy kit for long hikes.
FAQs
What is a French easel?
A French easel is a wooden sketchbox with a drawer, a built-in canvas holder and three folding legs. It folds into a carry case and opens into a standing or tabletop easel.
Are French easels good for beginners?
Yes. They combine storage and stability, and kit versions include supplies. Expect a short learning curve for setup.
How heavy is a French easel?
Standalone full-size French easels typically weigh around 10 to 16 pounds. Kits with supplies can weigh much more.
What size canvas fits a French easel?
Most hold canvases up to about 34 inches tall. Smaller canvases are easier to manage outdoors.
Can I use a French easel for watercolor?
Yes. The box tilts to nearly horizontal, which keeps watercolor washes from running.
Is a French easel kit worth it?
A kit is convenient for beginners and gifts. If you already own paints and brushes, a standalone easel is better value.
Final Recommendation
The U.S. Art Supply Large Beechwood French Easel is the best standalone choice, with the CONDA Large French Easel as the lower-cost alternative. Beginners wanting a complete setup should consider the DJAR 169-piece kit, or the Modera 163-piece set if canvases are a priority. ARTALLY adds an apron and brush basin, and the Best Choice Products kit is the budget option for casual painters.
