CHOOSING THE RIGHT EASEL FROM NATIONAL ART MATERIALS
From the helpful people at National Art Materials, here is a simple guide as to why you should choose a MABEF easel … from one of the world’s leading easel manufacturers.
Why MABEF easels are among THE BEST!
MABEF are the symbol of high quality Italian easels throughout the world, travelling down a path of excellence since 1948. They have a stated commitment to new technological know-how, design, and a constant focus on quality in order to guarantee their unique quality product.
Here are some of the features the make MABEF easels an excellent choice for all types of artists.
MABEF easels use supreme quality hardwoods that come from controlled growth areas; not cheaper woods harvested from rainforests. The wood is extremely resistant and its beauty increases with time. The oiled Beechwood finish used in MABEF easels is firm and will not become so soft that the screws will loosen over time and cause the easel to shake and vibrate.
MABEF easels utilise excellent craftsmanship in construction, including strong and stable joinery (nailed, glued, or wood-screwed joints) with counter-sunk screw heads that are wood-plugged and sanded smooth. The fixtures are either brass or steel and not aluminum which tends to wear with use.
MABEF easels have wonderful angle, height and canvas holding adjustments – with impregnated metal inserts used wherever there is a slot in the wood of the easel. This protects the hardwood from the metal bolt and allows for smooth movement.
MABEF easels are superlatively designed easels; simple to assemble, use or adjust – and they allow artistic work to be set up quickly and easily. Artists want to spend their time on the art, not the easel.
MABEF easels have an outstanding commitment to preserving the quality of the brand through a full warranty and international lifetime guarantee.
MABEF devotes great attention to ecological and environmental problems. For example, MABEF reconverts 100 per cent of its production scrap through a complex crushing procedure for use within the business, including an environmentally friendly fuel that is used to heat the entire company.
What MABEF easel will suit you best?
MABEF offer five styles of easels. There are a number of variations to each but they can best be summarised as follows:
Table easels are designed for displaying small paintings, prints or even recipe books and the like on tabletops. The more stable models are used for painting on smaller canvases. They generally require minimal assembly and can be easily stored when not in use, and due to their smaller size they can be transported for small scale art done on location. Models available include the MABEF M/14, M/15, M/16, M/17, M/21 and M/34.
Tripod easels are amongst the most common in use. Easy to handle and lightweight, they fold up for storage or transportation. Ideal for both indoor and outdoor (on location) use, the telescopic
legs can make them stable on almost any terrain. They also have many tilt settings making them suitable for oil, acrylic and watercolour applications; as well as adjustable size capabilities. This flexibility means they can also be used in window displays. Models available include the MABEF M/26, M/27, M/28, M/29 and M/32.
Display easels (also known as Lyre or A-frame easels) have a slim, elegant shape making them perfectly suited for display purposes as well as for use in the studio. Easy to handle, they don’t take up much room and the design also allows them to fold flat for storage. They are generally stable and are suitable for indoor use by oil or acrylic artists. Models available include the MABEF M/11, M/12, M/13 and M/20.
Studio easels (H-frame easels) are very solid and stable and are intended for indoor use, especially by professionals. They are often used as supports in art galleries and museums. Very large canvases can be used on these models. They generally require some assembly and are designed to be a more permanent fixture in the studios of oil or acrylic artists. Models available include the MABEF M/01, M/02, M/04, M/06, M/07, M/09, M/10, M/18, M/25, M/30, M/33 and M/35.
Box easels (French box easels) are similar to tripod easels in style with the additional benefit of ‘the box’ which permits the artist to keep many of the materials for painting inside the easel. They are ideal for oil, acrylic or watercolour painting both indoors or outdoors. They are highly functional, very stable, and easy to transport. Models available include the MABEF M/22 and M/23.
MABEF easels are available at most leading art materials retailers. For more information, or the location of your nearest stockist, please contact National Art Materials by telephone on 03 9720 3322.