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A Blick French easel is a classic plein air purchase: a wooden sketchbox with a drawer for paints, a palette that slides out on top and three telescoping legs that turn the whole thing into a standing easel. Blick Art Materials sells French easels under its own name through its own stores and website, but those were not among the Amazon listings we checked, so we cannot report their exact specifications here.
What we can do is explain what separates a dependable French easel from a frustrating one and compare seven French-style easels with documented specs, including the Jullian Original Half Box, the design many French easels are modeled on, and lighter aluminum-legged options for painters who hike to their location.
Quick answer: For most painters who want a Blick-style full French easel, the U.S. Art Supply Large Walnut French Easel is the closest all-round match: oiled German beechwood, a storage drawer with three removable dividers, an 18-inch wooden palette, canvases up to 34 inches and a height up to 72 inches. If weight is your main concern, the Falling in Art Light Weight French Style Easel uses aluminum legs and weighs about 9.35 pounds. For the traditional half-box format, choose the Jullian Original Half Box.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- U.S. Art Supply Large Walnut French Easel — Best Blick-style full French easel for most painters
- Jullian French Easel Original Half Box — Best traditional half-box French easel
- Falling in Art Light Weight French Style Easel — Best lightweight option for hiking
- VISWIN French Easel with Palette and Shoulder Strap — Best for uneven ground, with built-in level
- DJAR French Easel — Best angle range with leveling features
- MEEDEN Portable French Easel — Best compact case-style box with brass latches
- Falling in Art Large French Style Easel — Best budget French easel with flexible drawer
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Art Supply Walnut | All-round plein air and studio | Canvas to 34″; up to 72″ tall; 14.22 lb | Drawer with dividers, 18″ palette | $$$ |
| Jullian Half Box | Traditional half-box | Half-box format; 12 lb | Classic Jullian design | $$$ |
| Falling in Art Light Weight | Hiking and travel | 9.35 lb; canvas 6″-31.6″ | Aluminum tripod legs | $$$ |
| VISWIN | Uneven ground | 57″-72″ tall; built-in level | Double-layer drawer; no assembly | $$$ |
| DJAR | Wide angle range | 57″-72″; 0-90 degree angle; canvas to 34″ | Level instrument and scale leg | $$$ |
| MEEDEN Portable | Compact carry | Canvas to 34″; 11.66 lb | Brass latches, aluminum legs | $$$ |
| Falling in Art Large | Budget buy | Canvas to 32″; 8.8 lb | Detachable front or side drawer | $$$ |
How We Chose
We have not carried these easels into the field. Our picks are based on the Amazon listing details and specifications checked in October 2026, on how well each easel’s weight, canvas capacity, storage and leg design fit plein air and studio use of a French easel, and on how widely each product is reviewed by Amazon buyers. Weights and dimensions come from the listings.
Criteria we weighed:
- Weight: what you will carry on your shoulder.
- Canvas capacity: the tallest canvas the easel can hold.
- Height range and angles: standing, seated, flat for watercolor or forward for pastel.
- Storage: drawer size, dividers and palette.
- Legs and stability: wood or aluminum, rubber feet, leveling aids.
What to Expect From a Blick French Easel
A French easel combines three things: a paint box, a palette and an easel. When folded it is a briefcase-sized box with a handle and shoulder strap. Unfolded, the legs extend, the palette slides out over the drawer and the canvas clamps between an adjustable lower support and a top bar.
Full-box French easels have a full-depth drawer and a larger palette; half-box versions are narrower and lighter. Whichever Blick model you had in mind, these are the two families you are choosing between, and both are represented below.
Best Blick French Easel Alternatives Reviewed
1. U.S. Art Supply Large Walnut French Easel — Best Full French Easel for Most Painters
This is a classic full-size French sketchbox in natural walnut oil-finished German beechwood. The listing says it converts to a tall tripod painting stand with a storage drawer, includes an 18-inch wooden palette, adjusts to any incline and holds canvases up to 34 inches. Folded, it measures 17 by 22 by 6.5 inches and adjusts up to 72 inches high. It weighs about 14.22 pounds.
The interior has three removable dividers and extra space below the drawer for sketch pads and supplies, and the listing notes you can carry canvases externally. A leatherette handle and shoulder strap handle transport.
Best suited for: painters who want one French easel for studio, classes and plein air outings by car or short walks.
Key features:
- Oil-finished German beechwood, walnut color
- Canvas up to 34″; height up to 72″
- Drawer with 3 removable dividers; 18″ wooden palette
- About 14.22 lb; handle and shoulder strap
Pros:
- Full storage and palette
- Adjusts to any incline
- Very widely reviewed by Amazon buyers
Cons and limitations:
- Over 14 lb is heavy for long hikes
- Wooden legs are bulkier than aluminum
Buying consideration: Ideal if you drive to locations. For long walks, consider the aluminum-legged Falling in Art model.
2. Jullian French Easel Original Half Box — Best Traditional Half-Box
Jullian is a Paris name long associated with the traditional French easel, and the Original Half Box is its narrower, lighter version of the full box. The listing itself is brief: it describes a plein air half easel in beechwood, with product dimensions of 44 by 27.5 by 71 inches when set up and a weight of about 12 pounds.
Because the listing gives so little detail, check canvas capacity and drawer size on the product page or packaging before you buy. The appeal is the format and heritage rather than a published specification sheet.
Best suited for: painters who want the traditional half-box format and value the Jullian design.
Key features:
- Half-box French easel
- Beechwood construction
- Approx. 44″ x 27.5″ x 71″ set up
- About 12 lb
Pros:
- Classic half-box design
- Lighter and narrower than full boxes
Cons and limitations:
- Highest price tier here
- Very limited listing detail
Buying consideration: Buy for the format and maker; confirm canvas capacity before ordering.
3. Falling in Art Light Weight French Style Field and Sketchbox Easel — Best Lightweight Option
At about 9.35 pounds empty, this is the lightest full-function French-style easel here. The listing describes an aluminum tripod with three telescopic legs, a sliding drawer and removable palette, a flat 12.5 by 17.4-inch working board, and upper and lower slots that take canvases from 6 to about 31.6 inches high.
It works as a tabletop or floor easel, and has a leather carrying handle and a 1.25-inch shoulder strap.
Best suited for: plein air painters who walk or hike to their painting spot.
Key features:
- About 9.35 lb empty
- Aluminum telescopic tripod legs
- Canvas 6″ to about 31.6″ high
- Sliding drawer and removable palette
Pros:
- Lightest in the group
- Tabletop or floor use
- Shoulder strap and handle
Cons and limitations:
- Slightly lower canvas capacity than 34″ models
- Aluminum legs can feel less solid than wood in wind
Buying consideration: Hang your bag from the center of the tripod in wind to add stability.
4. VISWIN French Easel with Palette, Shoulder Strap and Storage — Best for Uneven Ground
VISWIN’s French easel is solid beechwood with metal latches, rubber feet and a leather handle. The listing gives an adjustable height of 57 to 72 inches via three telescopic legs, a built-in level for balancing on uneven ground and a tilt range from flat to forward for oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel and gouache. It has a double-layer storage drawer with removable dividers and needs no assembly.
The built-in level is a small detail that matters outdoors, where sloping ground is the norm. The listing also mentions a lifetime guarantee.
Best suited for: plein air painters who often set up on slopes, beaches or rough ground.
Key features:
- Solid beechwood; metal latches
- Height 57″ to 72″; built-in level
- Tilts from flat to forward
- Double-layer drawer; about 14.56 lb
Pros:
- Leveling aid for uneven ground
- Wide tilt range including forward for pastel
- No assembly
Cons and limitations:
- Heaviest easel in this comparison
- Canvas capacity not stated in the listing
Buying consideration: Worth it if you paint outdoors on varied terrain and can carry the weight.
5. DJAR French Easel with Shoulder Strap — Best Angle Range
DJAR’s easel is solid German beech with leather handles, brass-plated hardware and anti-rust metal parts. The listing gives a height range of 57 to 72 inches, an angle range from 0 to 90 degrees and canvas capacity up to 34 inches. The title notes a level instrument and scale leg, and the large drawer has removable dividers.
It is described as a studio tabletop and floor easel as well as a plein air easel, with a shoulder strap for transport.
Best suited for: painters who switch between watercolor flat, pastel and upright oil and want leveling aids.
Key features:
- Solid German beech, walnut finish
- Height 57″ to 72″; angle 0 to 90 degrees
- Canvas up to 34″
- Level instrument and scale leg
Pros:
- Explicit 0-90 degree angle range
- Leveling features
- Brass-plated hardware
Cons and limitations:
- Weight not listed
- Fewer buyer reviews than older models
Buying consideration: A strong alternative to the U.S. Art Supply easel if you value the leveling features.
6. MEEDEN Portable French Easel — Best Compact Case-Style Box
MEEDEN describes an Italian-style plein air sketch box in solid wood with brass lock latches, corrosion-proof aluminum legs, a padded woven shoulder strap and a leather grip. It holds canvases up to 34 inches and the legs retract for tabletop use. Inside is a segmented wooden drawer and a detachable wood palette with thumb cutout. It weighs about 11.66 pounds.
The suitcase-style box is designed to fit in car trunks, backpacks and closets.
Best suited for: painters who want a compact, latching box that travels well.
Key features:
- Solid wood box; brass latches
- Aluminum legs; canvas up to 34″
- Segmented drawer; detachable palette
- About 11.66 lb
Pros:
- Secure brass latches
- Lighter than wood-legged full boxes
- Tabletop or floor
Cons and limitations:
- Newer listing with fewer reviews
- Listing names it Italian-style, so details may differ from traditional French boxes
Buying consideration: A good middle ground between the light Falling in Art and the heavier full boxes.
7. Falling in Art Large French Style Easel — Best Budget French Easel
Falling in Art’s larger model is solid wood with aluminum legs, rubber feet and black metal hardware holding canvases up to 32 inches. Its detachable storage drawer can be fitted to the front or side with screws and has six internal holes for brushes. Folded, it is about 15.75 by 12.6 by 3.9 inches, and it weighs about 8.8 pounds.
Buttons on the legs adjust height, and it works as a desktop or floor easel.
Best suited for: beginners and budget buyers who want a light French-style easel for home and occasional outdoor use.
Key features:
- Solid wood box; aluminum legs
- Canvas up to 32″
- Detachable front or side drawer with brush holes
- About 8.8 lb
Pros:
- Light and compact
- Flexible drawer placement
- Low price tier for a French easel
Cons and limitations:
- Smaller box than full-size models
- Lower canvas capacity
Buying consideration: A sensible first French easel if you are not sure how often you will paint outside.
Packing a French Easel for a Plein Air Session
A French easel is only as useful as the kit inside it. A lean, well-packed box sets up faster and is easier to carry, which matters when the light is changing.
- A limited palette: a warm and cool of each primary plus white fits in most drawers and mixes almost anything.
- Four to six brushes: a couple of flats or filberts, a small round and a rigger cover most outdoor work.
- Small panels: 8 x 10 or 9 x 12 panels are easier to clamp, less affected by wind and quicker to finish.
- Palette knife and rags: for mixing, scraping and cleaning.
- A wet panel carrier or box: so finished work travels home without smudging.
- Solvent or water containers with sealed lids: leaks inside a wooden drawer stain and swell the wood.
- A bungee cord or weight bag: to steady the tripod in wind.
Before your first outing, practice setting up and folding the easel at home a few times. Learn which wing nut controls which leg and where the palette locks. On location, set up with the canvas in shade if possible, since direct sun on the canvas makes values look lighter than they are.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Blick French Easel or Equivalent
Full Box or Half Box
Full boxes give more storage and a bigger palette; half boxes save weight and width. If you carry the easel long distances, a half box or lightweight design is easier.
Weight You Can Carry
Easels here range from about 8.8 to 14.6 pounds empty. Add paint, brushes, a canvas and water, and the difference becomes significant over a mile.
Canvas Capacity
Most French easels hold canvases up to 31 to 34 inches. For plein air, most painters work much smaller, often 8 x 10 to 12 x 16.
Leg Material
Wood legs feel solid and traditional; aluminum legs save weight and resist moisture. Rubber feet protect floors; spiked or bare feet grip soil better.
Angle and Leveling
Look for flat positioning for watercolor and forward tilt for pastel. Built-in levels and adjustable leg scales, as on VISWIN and DJAR, help on uneven ground.
Hardware Quality
Wing nuts, latches and hinges take the most wear. Brass or rust-resistant hardware lasts longer, particularly near the sea.
Setup Speed
Outdoors, light changes quickly. An easel that sets up in a minute or two gives you more painting time.
Care and Comfort
Field use is hard on wood. Our guide on cleaning and maintaining a wooden easel covers waxing, tightening hardware and removing dried paint. A French easel also converts into a tabletop easel, so see how to use a tabletop easel correctly for indoor sessions, and if you prefer to sit in the field, read about painting seated with a lap easel.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying more easel than you can carry. Weigh your fully loaded kit.
- Forcing stuck legs. Loosen wing nuts fully before extending.
- Ignoring wind. Hang a weight from the center and keep canvases small on gusty days.
- Packing wet palettes. Clean or cover the palette before closing the box.
- Leaving the easel damp. Dry wood and hardware after outings.
- Overfilling the drawer. A heavy drawer strains hinges and latches.
FAQs
Are Blick French easels sold on Amazon?
Blick-brand French easels are generally sold through Blick. Our October 2026 Amazon listing data did not include them, so we compare equivalent French-style easels.
What is the difference between a full box and half box French easel?
A full box has a wider drawer and larger palette; a half box is narrower and lighter, with less storage.
How heavy is a French easel?
The easels compared here weigh about 8.8 to 14.6 pounds empty, according to their listings.
What size canvas fits a French easel?
Most hold up to 31 to 34 inches. The U.S. Art Supply, DJAR and MEEDEN models list 34 inches.
Can I use a French easel indoors?
Yes. Most convert to tabletop easels and work well in small studios.
Is a French easel good for watercolor?
Yes, if it tilts flat. VISWIN lists flat-to-forward tilt and DJAR lists 0 to 90 degrees.
Final Recommendation
If you wanted a Blick French easel for all-round use, the U.S. Art Supply Large Walnut French Easel is the closest full-box equivalent. Choose the Jullian Original Half Box for the traditional half-box format.
For hiking, the Falling in Art Light Weight easel saves the most weight. VISWIN and DJAR suit uneven ground with leveling aids, MEEDEN offers a compact latching case, and the Falling in Art Large is a budget first French easel.
