Frequently
Asked Questions
Q:
What is the most distinguished feature of EASyL ?
There
are so many, but the most distinguished one, featured
in part of our patent, is the side hinges for easy adjustment
of both palette and easel back respectively. To quote
from a professional artist's words: "I
want to paint with my eyes always absolutely leveled
with panel mounted on the easel, if I have to look down
at the panel, then raise my head to look at the subject
I paint, it never works. The panel would be better mounted
vertically (unless there is sun glare I may want to
lean the panel and easel back slightly forward.), EASyL
easel is the only easel does the work properly".
This
feature also enables the artist to choose flexible size
of panels (or panoramic panel) to work on, as well as
adjust the height of both panel and palette box with
desired distance comfortably. Most other pochade easels
have limited capability to adopt different panel/canvas
size, or ability to raise the panel higher to eye level
and still maintaining the palette within the comfortable
height because there is no way for adjustment of distance
between the panel and palette.
Q:
Why should I choose EASyL over other pochade easels?
There
are two types of pochade easels. One is the box type
similar to the traditional French easel which can carry
all art supply, the other one is to be smaller and lighter
yet carries essential needs. We chose the latter.
Our
decision was made in the consideration for stability.
The heavier it is, when set up on top of the tripod,
the higher the center of gravity will be raised, it
will be prone to danger of flipping over by a sudden
strong wind as well as creating challenge to the sturdiness
of the setup.
Q:
Why don't you make the storage area larger?
Most
of artists do carry lunch box, water, brush washer,
and tripod in another bag or backpack. We recommend
that artist may put most supply to the bag (to break
away from the traditional concept of French easel which
carries all.) To not duplicate the need for space, EASyL
easels are designed for the artists to still carry necessary
supplies inside the easel box, Versa for example, can
store ten brushes, palette knives, 37ml or 40 ml paints
(up to 8 or 9), side tray, etc inside the palette box
when not painting (except for the large tubes).
Q:
How do you decide the depth of the palette box of your
EASyL easels?
The
depth of the EASyL palette box has been carefully considered
for space of storage as well as enough height for unused
paint. The supplied palette separator bar will help
to separate the unused paint from the rest area of palette
which after cleaned becomes storage compartment.
Q:
How do I choose between three models of EASyLs: Lite,
Pro and Versa?
We
have made a comparison chart, please click the button
below to see the comparison chart. 
Q:
How many colors do you suggest for artist to bring in
plein air painting? Do I need many colors to carry in
the field?
Any
paint translates into weight significantly: five 37ml
tube of small paints plus one 120ml titanium white can
easily be 1.5LBS in weight. It is suggested to use limited
palette for plein air painting. Another benefit is,
it will bring color harmony to your painting.
We
are pleased to quote from Mr. Kevin Macpherson's book:
"Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light & Color",
page 31: "A good painting has both variety and
unity. Working with a limited palette puts you at a
greater advantage to create color harmony, or unity."
"Achieving Harmonious Color with a Limited Palette,
it would be a good idea to limit the palette (of colors),
maximum of one yellow, two reds (one cool, one warm),
one blue, one alternative green plus one white will
be suggested. However, this is not the only way of palette,
as there are a lot of other good palette choices. A
good painting can be achieved its harmony by way of
many other combination of palette choice through offers
by the professional artists."
Q:
Can EASyLs be placed on tabletop and worked as a table
easel?
Yes.
There are four rubber boots at the bottom of each EASyL,
and the artist will be able to sit and paint from EASyL
at a table or any flat surface. This is particularly
convenient at the hotel during your trip to a workshop.
Q:
Will the standard panel support hold the canvas or watercolor
block? Why don't you make it deeper?
The
standard panel support has an inclined surface to keep
the canvas/water color block in place. The thickness
of the holder will assure absolute non-obstruction of
brush stroke from any direction.
A
3/4" panel support is an optional accessory in
case the artist wants to paint on stretched canvas.
It is listed in the product accessories.
Q:
Can the EASyL palette be tilted and adjusted its angle?
Can the easel back be adjusted its angle, too?
Yes,
the EASyL palette can be easily adjusted its angle to
the desire by releasing the handle of the tripod. In
case of sun glare on the palette, the angle of the palette
can be adjusted to get away with it.
Also,
by adjusting the two side hinges, the artist can easily
adjust the angle of the easel back when panel, canvas
or watercolor block is mounted, to avoid the glare.
Q:
Do I need a palette to use with the EASyL?
The
bottom of the easel will be the palette. We recommend
a glass or Plexiglas of 1/8" (with the underside
primed in medium gray) to be inserted, sealed to the
bottom of the palette box. In case the artist prefers
to paint straight with the box without the glass/Plexiglas,
use "QuickWood" wood repair epoxy putty to
seal the four screw holes so that they are flush with
the entire surface, then coat the surface with PU coating
(like that for finishing wood floors.) or paint straight
with the bottom of the box, which is already varnished
ready to use. (All mentioned supplies are obtainable
from any home center shop.)
Q:
Can my gator foam boards be stored in the wet panel
storage space in the Pro and VERSA EASyLs?
Yes,
the wet panel storage space in the back of the EASyL
can store either 1/8", 1/4" panel or the gator
foam board (3/16"), two panels to your choice of
size from 6X8, 8x10, 9x12, 10x12, 11x14, 12x16,. No
other easels offer this feature in the market.
Q:
What size of wet panels can the EASyL-Lite carry?
EASyL-Lite
can accommodate the size of 8x10, 9x12 or 12x16 panel
at the thickness of 1/8". By placing the panels
with painted surface facing inward, turning the top
panel holding clips backward, you will protect the wet
panels from sliding out or damage.
Q:
What size of wet panels can the EASyL-Pro carry?
EASyL-Pro
can carry two panels with thickness from 1/8" to
1/4 " (including gator foam panels), sizes to choose
from: 6X8. 8X10. 9X12 or 11X14 inches.
Q:
What size of wet panels can the EASyL-Versa carry?
EASyL-Versa
has a flexible wet panel carrying capability, it carriers
two panels in the thickness between 1/8" to 1/4"
(including gator foam panels) any size to choose from:
8x10, 9x12, 10x12, 11x14, 12x16 or four panels of 6x8.
Again, by facing the panels inside, turn the top panel
holding clips backward, you will protect the wet panels
from sliding out or damage.
You
will not need another box to carry the wet panels during
a day's work.
Q:
What size of panel/canvas can I paint on the EASyL-Lite?
EASyL-Lite
can accommodate to paint panel/canvas from 4x6 to 16"
high of pane/canvas, and there is no restriction of
width, especially ideal for painting a panoramic view.
No other small pochade box has this capacity so far
in the market.
Q.
Where do I hold the towel?
A
bungee cord hooks to both side of the palette will serve
as your towel holder.
Q.
Can the artist reuse the paint left in the palette for
other painting location or other time?
Yes,
the palette box is designed that the paint can be left
inside the box and be kept moist for a few days. The
supplied separator bar will help to store the unused
paint and by use of the palette divider, the rest space
can turn into storage area for brushes and paints.
Q:
What do I have for carrying more than two wet panels
or gator foam boards for a workshop I will attend?
We
do make several sizes of wet panel carriers, they are
considered the lightest and most functional in the market,
WPC-1216 for example, you can put two difference sizes
at the same time. Here is the web link:
http://www.artworkessentials.com/products/ezport/index.htm
For
details, please refer to each webpage.
Q:
Why don't you make the wet panel carriers even lighter,
say from plastic or cardboard?
Plastic
or cardboard carriers are good for its lightweight.
However, they are easy to be smashed during transport,
and paintings can be damaged. We therefore chose an
extreme lightweight wood but with the very close density
and hardness as that of the wood to make the larger
wet panel carriers, and beech wood for the smaller ones.
No other carriers provide the versatility for choice
of panels with multiple sizes to fit into one box at
the same time, or convert the box to your size of panels
but ours.
Q:
Do you have a beginner's plein air painting set?
Not
at this moment. We recommend this to the beginners:
1.
EASyL- choose the model to suit you best.
2. Colors: red (permanent alizarim or transparent oxide
red), yellow (cad yellow light or lemon), blue (ultramarine)
and white (Titanium)
3. Brushes: get the best brushes possible. (we do carry
them, get filbert and flat two each of size 4, 6, &
8).
4. Palette Knife: one for color mixing, one for painting
5. Panels with 1/8" either canvas or gator boards
preferably with linen surface.
6. Gamsol: the less poisonous solution,
7. Book: Please refer to Recommended
Reading.
Q:
What about umbrella possibly to mount on EASyLs?
We
have successfully developed a new lightweight umbrella
for plein air artists, which has a C-clamp to clamp
on the tripod leg, with a ball joint for change of position,
and a venting umbrella with UV silver coating outside
and black inside. You may find the umbrella here http://www.artworkessentials.com/products/UMK-45/UMK45.htm.
Q.
How do I carry the EASyL?
The
artist can carry the EASyL along with other supplies
in a backpack or a rolling carry bag. EASyLs-Pak is
an ideal lightweight backpack (only 3.5LBS) to carry
all your supplies including Versa, Pro, or Lite. Carry-On
Bag will be able to carry EASyL-Lite and all your other
supply well. (The EASyL-Pak has been discontinued).
Q.
What make is your tripod? What is the maximum overall
height of the tripod? Can I use the tripod in rocky
hill with uneven surface?
Our tripod is a heavy duty professional grade, made
by a factory who makes tripods under famous OEM names.
The tripod is only 3LBS 10OZ, by far the lightest weight
in the market. The tripod was designed by us with the
two way pan-head and an extra large quick release plate,
also a spare quick release plate is supplied. The maximum
loading capacity is 12 lbs.
The
maximum height is 54" from ground to the top of
pan-head including the extended center column. The tripod
legs can be adjusted individually in three positions.
Put the EASyL easel on the top, the setup is good for
a person at 6'2" tall to use, still he can see
the panel in eye level. Since
the three legs can be adjusted individually, artist
can adjust each leg span and length to suit the uneven
ground surface, or rocky hill.
Q.
I already own a good tripod, can I purchase EASyL without
tripod?
Yes,
if you own a tripod which is a professional one, capable
of loading up to 12 lbs and is sturdy enough to stand
on any weather condition, plus not wobbly legs, good
size of metal quick release plate, it should do the
work properly. Note a tripod with plastic pan head and
quick release plate will not work. You can contact us
via email or phone to purchase EASyL without tripod
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