How do I Draw on an Easel on a Picnic Table?

An artist easel is a three-sided tripod stand that supports a hard board or a canvas so that an artist can draw or paint with the surface upright. Often easels come with clamps (to hold paper or canvas), trays, containers and all manner of objects to assist the artist. When an artist chooses to work on-site or outside, she will often use existing furniture at the site to assist her. If an outdoor table is present, the artist may position her easel on the table so that it is stable and comfortable.

Instructions

1

Position the easel so that the paper or canvas supports on the two front legs are level. Many outdoor tables are not level. The legs on most easels are adjustable and the lower portions of the legs slide down to the length the artist requires. Unclamp the lower leg, slide it down and reclamp it. Leg adjustments will only be an inch or two when you are using the easel on a table surface.

2

Place the easel so that your elbows can rest comfortably on the table surface in front of the easel. When you are sitting at the table the easel should be within comfortable reach from the top of the sheet to the bottom.

3

Lift a view finder to determine the view you wish to draw. A viewfinder can be purchased or made out of cardboard. Cut a square out of cardboard. Move the viewfinder forward and backward until you determine the size of your view. Locate objects, lines or shapes that intersect or touch the edges of the viewfinder.

4

Determine where these lines, objects or shapes touch the edge of your paper and lightly sketch in these marks. These will begin to scale your drawing to what you see in your viewfinder. Check your angles by holding up your viewfinder. Hold up your pencil so that it matches a line in the view. Grip your viewfinder and pencil and compare the angle on your paper. This is an easy way to check angles.

5

Draw from the edge inward. Block in each object. Block in the negative space around each object. Look back and forth from your paper to the object frequently and erase any mistakes early. Once the main structures are blocked in, look at each structure as a miniature drawing and working from the edges of the object inward, blocking in its main interior shapes. Continue this until all of the details are worked out.

6

Finish your drawing by closely observing shadows and shading. Detail out textures working from dark to light tones. Take a break if you feel yourself becoming tight or tired. A few minutes away from the art will often provide a different view. Complete your drawing with any final details.