Last Updated on February 2, 2023
What’s The Difference Between a French Easel and a Pochade Box?
A french easel is a portable, collapsible canvas holder that can hold a sketching pad and standard-sized canvas. It’s named after the country of its origin, France.
Pochade boxes are also collapsible and made from cardboard or folding wood. They are usually used to hold only the painting materials such as paints and brushes while you are on the go.
What do they look like?
A French easel is made from cuboid wood, canvas and leather straps. It generally has two angled supports that are used to hold the canvas at an angle for better ventilation during use. The easel may have casters to facilitate portability. However, the components can be customized based on the preference and availability of materials. The standard size for a French easel is 24 x 48 inches depending on the brand and model of the easel.
A Pochade Box, on the other hand, is made from wood, cardboard and leather straps. It has a handle on the top that functions as a carrying case for your painting materials.
Who Are They For
The French easel is intended for anyone who wants to create a sketch or capture scene. Whether it’s a picture of an artwork, a quick drawing, or just an idea for a sketch.
Pochade boxes are great tools for students of art and crafts who are going out on their own. They are the go-to box for students who want to bring their paints and brushes along when they want to draw.
Who They Are Not For
The French easel is not intended for children or people who are just starting out in art or painting. The French easel doesn’t have any kind of padding on it, nor will it adapt to a wider size canvas. It is easy to damage the easel and it is better suited for young artists who have developed their skills in fine arts.
The Pochade box is not a good option for someone who wants to travel light. While you can bring them with you, they take up a lot of space.
History Of The French Easel
The French easel was a very popular tool for many artists during the first half of the 20th century. Artists like Pablo Picasso, Charles White, Rex Whistler and others used these portable art easels to create oil paintings on location.
French easels became less popular after World War II as the Swiss artist Albrecht Durer had a bigger share in the market. The versatility of this portable easel made it more appealing for artists who wanted to use it in their work.
History Of The Pochade Box
The Pochade box was originally used in the Swiss Alps to store wine. They became a favorite tool for painters and potters who did not want to bring their paint and brushes along with them. Because of their portability, they quickly became popular for art students on the go.
How Are They Similar
The French easel and the pochade box are both portable. While they perform two different functions, their portability makes them equally popular among artists and students alike. Both are collapsible, but it is easier to carry around a pochade box than a French Easel due to its design and weight distribution. Both have similar designs in terms of how they are held up by the use of two different angled supports.
Bottom Line
A French easel and a pochade box are both portable art tools for artists who want to sketch or work on their artwork in various locations. While they both were used by artists in the past, they have similar designs that make them popular with artists today. Both are collapsible, but it is easier to carry around a pochade box than a French Easel due to its design and weight distribution.