A Practical Guide to Tabletop Easels for Artists and Creators

If you’re working in a compact space, creating smaller artworks, or just need something more flexible than a floor easel, a tabletop easel can be exactly what you need. Whether you're painting at your kitchen table, showcasing finished pieces at an art fair, or sketching while traveling, these easels offer a compact and functional solution. This guide explores how to choose the right one, the types available, and where to find the best brands.

Why Choose a Tabletop Easel?

A tabletop display easel is a small, adjustable stand designed to hold your artwork while you create or to display your finished work. These easels rest on desks or tables and are ideal for artists who work while seated or have limited floor space. Because they’re compact, lightweight, and often foldable, they’re easy to move around and perfect for both studio and portable use.

Unlike full-size studio easels, tabletop versions are easier to store and transport. Whether you paint with oils, acrylics, or watercolors, a tabletop easel for painting tilts to various angles so you can work comfortably and with more control. Whereas some easels even include drawers or compartments for your tools.

Types of Tabletop Easels and Their Uses

The tabletop easel for painting includes several types, each serving a specific purpose depending on your medium and workflow.

Sketchbox Easels

These tabletop easels are a favorite among mobile artists. They fold into a briefcase-like shape and often include compartments for brushes, paints, and pencils.

Best for:

• Traveling or plein air painting
• Artists who prefer integrated storage
• Quick setup and breakdown

Highlights:

• Built-in drawers or palettes
• Folds flat for easy carrying
• Adjustable angle and height
• Great for all media types

Display Easels

Unlike working easels, these are designed purely for presentation. A tabletop display easel will hold a finished canvas, print, or sign upright on a table or shelf.

Best for:

• Art exhibitions or open studios
• Presenting signs, menus, or framed photos
• Retail or gallery displays

Highlights:

• Decorative design
• Holds lightweight items
• Easy to set up and move
• Not meant for active painting

Desk or H-Frame Easels

These tabletop H-frame easels are stable, miniaturized versions of traditional H-frame studio easels. Designed for heavier canvases, they offer better support during longer painting sessions.

Best for:

• Home studios
• Artists who want more stability
• Working on medium-sized canvases

Highlights:

• Heavy base, stable structure
• Adjustable tilt and canvas height
• Typically wood construction
• Can support both painting and drawing

A-Frame Table Easels

Lightweight and easier to store, A-frame easels are good for smaller workspaces. They usually offer a simple three-legged design.

Best for:

• Beginners
• Hobby artists
• Occasional painting sessions

Highlights:

• Folds flat
• Lightweight
• Affordable
• Takes up minimal space

Looking for reliable options? Explore the full range of tabletop easels for painting and display at Blick Art Materials, a trusted destination for artists of all levels.

Top Tabletop Easel Brands to Check Out

Blick

A trusted favorite, Blick has one of the widest selections of tabletop easels—from travel-ready aluminum frames to sturdy wooden sketchboxes.

• Top Picks:
  • Blick Studio Sketchbox Easel
  • Blick Tabletop Lyre Easel
  • Blick Aluminum Table Easel
• Key Features:
  • Adjustable angles
  • Travel-friendly and foldable
  • Good quality for the price

Meeden

Meeden easels blend function with design. Their tabletop models are well-suited for students and studio artists alike.

• Top Picks:
  • Meeden Beechwood Sketchbox Easel
  • Meeden Tabletop Display Easel
• Key Features:
  • Natural wood construction
  • Built-in compartments
  • Smooth adjustments

Mabef

Known for their Italian craftsmanship, Mabef easels are durable and beautifully made.

• Top Picks:
  • Mabef M-14 Table Easel
  • Mabef Sketchbox M-29 Easel
• Key Features:
  • Solid beechwood
  • Brass fittings
  • Great for long-term use

Richeson

A great middle-ground brand that balances cost with reliability.

• Top Picks:
  • Richeson Sketchbox Easel
  • Richeson Lyptus Easel
• Key Features:
  • Sustainable wood options
  • Good tilt range
  • Storage included on some models

Best

Sturdy and refined, Best’s tabletop easels are made with solid oak and are ideal for regular use.

• Top Picks:
  • Best Classic Tabletop Easel
• Key Features:
  • Smooth finish
  • Excellent durability
  • Great for acrylic and oil work

Jullian Paris

If you're into French easels or travel painting, Jullian has options with classic European charm.

• Top Picks:
  • Jullian Rexy Table Easel
  • Jullian Compact Folding Easel
• Key Features:
  • French-style wood
  • Foldable with a handle
  • Good for indoor/outdoor use

Bob Ross

Yes, ‘that’ Bob Ross! Easels here are tailored to his painting method.

• Top Picks:
  • Bob Ross Tabletop Easel
• Key Features:
  • Designed for wet-on-wet technique
  • Holds canvas tightly in place
  • Simple and effective

artPOP!

Ideal for younger artists or hobbyists looking for color and simplicity.

• Top Picks:
  • artPOP! Adjustable Easel
• Key Features:
  • Colorful, modern styles
  • Lightweight
  • Good for quick setups

American Easel

Eco-friendly with a focus on sustainable wood. Their tabletop models are clean, minimal, and long-lasting.

• Top Picks:
  • American Easel Oak Table Easel
• Key Features:
  • Solid wood
  • Lightweight but sturdy
  • Made in the USA

Art Alternatives

Budget-conscious artists love this brand. They offer solid performance without the price tag.

• Top Picks:
  • Art Alternatives Marquis Easel
• Key Features:
  • Affordable
  • Simple construction
  • Great for beginners

Others Worth Exploring

• Conda: Good low-cost sketchbox easels for travel or school
• Daler-Rowney: UK-based brand with one compact tabletop option
• Martin Universal Design: Functional and portable designs
• Melissa & Doug: Great for kids or classroom use
• Jonti-Craft: Built with safety in mind, often for educational settings
• Copernicus: Creative and durable kids' options
• Testrite: Durable metal easels with a clean finish

Where to Buy Tabletop Easels

When purchasing a tabletop easel for painting, it’s best to choose from reliable and well-reviewed platforms.

• Blick Art Materials: Offers a wide variety of easels for painting and display. You’ll find honest customer reviews, artist-tested models, and fast shipping options.
• Amazon: Great for browsing user reviews and comparing prices. Make sure to buy from verified sellers to avoid counterfeit products.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're looking for a portable solution for painting outdoors or simply want to save space at home, a tabletop display easel is a smart addition to your art setup. With a variety of models available, from sketchbox easels with storage to elegant display stands, you can find one that matches your needs, style, and workspace.

Investing in a good tabletop easel can make your sessions more comfortable and productive. Don’t rush, take a little time to think about your space, materials, and how you like to work. That way, you’ll choose the right fit from the start.

FAQs About Tabletop Easels

Can it be used for oil painting?

Yes. Many models are sturdy enough to support small to medium canvases for oil painting, especially H-frame or sketchbox designs.

Are these easels adjustable?

Most are. You can tilt them to different angles to suit your painting style or medium.

What’s the difference between a tabletop easel and a tabletop display easel?

Tabletop easels for painting are for showcasing finished art, not for working on it. Whereas tabletop easels are built for active use during painting or drawing.

Do these easels come with storage?

Some models, especially sketchbox easels, include built-in drawers for brushes, paints, and tools.