SORG Easel
 

Check out the easel now being offered by David SORG. Although I have not yet used one, I can certainly speak to its design.

Many artists have never had the opportunity to play with a counter-weighted (as opposed to crank-type) easel, because even the largest art supply stores don't offer them on the floor, opting instead for a range of what (to me) are very highly-priced and widely distributed easels - many of which are well over $1000.

Several years ago I had a custom easel designed and built. It, too is counterweighted. Moving the tray is truly a one-finger effort. Moreover, because the mechanism is in the center, you don't run into the jamming that can occur in trays that require two mechanisms at the sides. Unfortunately the person who built my easel is no longer available.

I will need a second studio easel in 2005, and I'm so happy to see one that looks this good. It would be great to hear from any of you who have actually used the SORG easel.

There is an excellent article on the SORG site addressing things to consider when buying an easel.

And, no, I am not getting paid for this post :)

I, too, would be very interested in hearing from anyone who has a Sorg easel.

$500 plus shipping seems like a steal for something of this caliber.

I do have one question, Chris. If you can literally move the tray with the touch of a finger, is there a locking mechanism to prevent movement while you're painting?

Sure, there needs to be a locking mechanism. I din't see specifics on the SORG site, but you might email David and ask him.

On my easel there is a doorknob-type lock/release mechanism in the center of the backsplash above the tray, although my easel's design isn't really salient.

I'm not sure if you'll hear from anyone who has one of my easels on the Forum; I only made a couple of dozen of them (at $1100) before I stopped making them for a couple of reasons. One reason was that I was turning into an easel builder instead of a painter. And even at that price I wasn't making very much money, not that money was much of a motive.

But better, I'd been approached by an art supply company that loved the design and wanted to have them manufactured in quantity. That whole process took a lot longer than I would have thought, but they did a wonderful job and the price dropped by half or more. And though it's highly unlikely that I'll get rich selling them, I'm no longer sweeping sawdust out of my studio.

Finally, to answer your question, Cindy, there are two knobs on the paint tray that are used to lock in the position if you want to, though I find that I rarely do since things seem to stay put.

I'm working on getting a couple of references on the website, but privately could give you a few names...

Dear David,

Thanks for coming on the Forum to talk about this easel. I'm also very interested and it looks beautifully and intelligently crafted. I have a few questions:

Does that shelf adjust (slide) up to accomodate very small paintings so that they can be worked on at eye level? Its height is independent of the utility shelf height, right?

The easel adjusts up and down but is there side to side sliding action? (Up and down is more important to me than side to side, but I thought I'd ask.)

Hi Linda,

You're right about the canvas holders, they adjust to any height without regard to the paint tray by sliding up and down the main mast. Once the canvas or panel has been clamped at the desired location, all three pieces move up and down together as a unit. That feature is what makes it so desirable; I can start out standing, but switch to sitting if/when I get tired and just use a finger to pull the canvas back to eye level.

When I was building prototypes of the easel, I thought about adding a side to side ability, but it would have added a fair number of additional pieces and cost, as well as an opportunity for some shimmy to creep in.

For me personally, when I sit, it's on a drafting stool with wheels, and figured when I stand it's not too tough to take a step or two to one side, though I admit that on really big horizontal formats it's easier when I'm using my wooden palette in hand than the glass palette on the rolling taboret.

For anyone looking for the sideways motion as well, Hughes makes a very nice easel that has this feature. My quibble about buying one was the expense (though ultimately I probably ended up spending much more in developing mine) and the lack of a paint tray which I just find too useful to give up.

Thank you, David, for your comments, I appreciate them.

By the way, I thought you might be interested in taking a look at Forum member Deladier Almeida's easel, located here:http://forum.portraitartist.com/showthread.php?t=1647

I've been looking for a new easel and have been trying to contact Hughes with no luck. I do like the option of the side-to-side movement, although the Sorg easels look very nice. Do they tilt forward for use with pastels? I didn't see that mentioned.

Hi Leslie, it does go about 5 degrees past vertical. Pastel painters obviously need it to keep the dust from falling to lower parts of their painting, but I keep mine in that position for my oils as well; it reflects most wet paint glare away from my eyes, especially on larger canvases.

Thanks, David. Your easel has some very nice features. If I don't hear from Hughes I'll email you about prices and shipping.

I ordered David Sorg's easel in mid-October and it came a couple of weeks later. Assembly was really easy, and the one glitch I had was resolved by emailing David, who had a quick and dirty fix for it and who called me back immediately to tell me about it. I've been using the easel for several weeks now and just love it. It has a light, airy feel to it that enhances the painting experience, but at the same time it's built sturdily and stands up to vigorous brushwork. Changing the top easel support to accommodate different sizes of canvas is a cinch, and once that's done, moving the entire canvas up and down is instantaneous. Although it doesn't float like a feather, I suspect that it will only get more friction-free as I use it. I recommend it highly to anyone looking for a new and friendlier easel.

I had planned to buy a Hughes easel but haven't heard from them since late August and I fear that they were badly impacted by the Florida hurricanes. Although I liked the features they offered, one of my concerns was the lack of a tray, and the Sorg easel tray is just as handy as I hoped it would be. So I'm glad I made the decision to go ahead with the Sorg rather than waiting for the Hughes.

Anyone with questions is welcome to contact me!

Hi Leslie,

I sent a check to David Sorg three days ago so I'm delighted to read your timely post! I'm glad you're so happy with it. How about posting a photo of it in operation in your studio?

As requested, here's a photo of the easel in my studio. I use a large board behind my canvas to block out the light of all those windows (the only downside to a river view) and configured it so that it also gives me room on either side of my canvas to clip the photo references I'm using. So the dark edges on the sides aren't part of the easel.

Oooh - my favorite part is that paper towel holder below the tray!

You lucky duck - look at that view.

:D I'm green with envy. What a beautiful easel and what a beautiful studio!!! Nice WIP on your easel too!!

Happy Painting

Patricia and Joyce, thanks! It's a beautiful studio; because it's a remodeled cottage which was on site already we were able to have it much closer to the river than we'd be able to build if it were new construction. Our house is 100' away from the river's edge per code but the studio is only about twenty or thirty feet away. To the right of the dog bed is a sliding glass door which leads onto a deck and then down a few steps to a short walk to the dock. The river's narrow but tidal and navigable, and we just love it here. We've had the place for 32 years, but the studio (as a studio) only for the last seven. People sometimes bring their plein air classes down here to paint the view. And it's also quiet; you can hear birds and watch kingfishers and great blue herons and osprey looking for their dinners. It's a shame I specialize in portraits.

The WIP isn't typical of my style; it's a posthumous portrait and more formal than most of my work. I just finished a painting of a little girl which uses our pond as the setting. As soon as I have a decent photo I'll post it in Unveilings.

The paper towel holder is extremely handy; I used to have one fastened to my taboret, but this is much more convenient. What I really like is the tray, though. It holds my phone and my CD remote as well as some photos and my glasses, which I take off to paint. I don't use the containers for medium or solvent, though; not sure what I'll do with them. For those who use a lot of those materials they'd work nicely.

My Sorg Easel
 

My Sorg Easel turned out to be much easier to assemble than I dreamed it would be, and it was made even easier by David's seperate mailing of very clear instructions (in addition to the clear instructions included with the easel).

However, I managed to fray the pulley rope when assembling it and so I don't have completely smooth up and down motion yet, but I plan on replacing the rope today.

I have the easel assembled to the "high" setting, and I have a 60" commission that I need to start on soon; I'm looking forward to working on it with this easel. (By the way, I got around to painting my studio dark grey this past summer, what a difference it makes!)

This is a beautiful easel, very solid and well constructed and in my opinion is an incredible value. I'm not a fan of the paper towel holder, though; that will have to go.

You have a lot more open space than I do, Linda! But why don't you like the paper towel holder? I think it's neat!

Interesting how we all work in different ways.

Hi Leslie,

One reason why I don't use a roll of paper towels is because I don't really need a whole sheet at a time, so I cut up those blue Costco shoptowels into smaller squares and keep a stack of them handy.

The other reason is because I'd rather use cut-up old shirts. Something Michael Workman said in a workshop several years ago has stuck with me. Workman is a tonalist landscape painter who strives for mystery and spirituality in his work. One of the workshop students asked why he was using an old shirt instead of a paper towel and he said that he was using one of his favorite old shirts and it gave him a lot of pleasure to hold it and make it useful to him one last time. Then he said something to the effect of "If you think all of life isn't interconnected, you're fooling yourself. Things are connected in ways which we can only begin to understand."

I know a lot of artists who talk this way, especially those who try to portray a sense of mystery in their work. I find all of this very interesting.

I just ordered my new Sorg easel as well and after reading all these posts I am feeling more and more comfortable about this investment. Since December I had been working on a painting which involved a great amount of detail (working with mini brushes) and my right shoulder blade has been in constant pain. Even while standing at my easel, I would experience lower back pain. Needless to say, the old easel is sturdy but the artist is slowly falling apart.

I couldn't handle the constant adjusting and readjusting of the multitude of knobs anymore and figured there had to be something out there that is more artist friendly.

Do you have any suggestions what I should look out for before setting up the easel?

Enzie, I found the easel easy to set up, although it's a lot better to have a second person to help you because it's not a small piece of equipment. I've had mine up for a while and I still love it. It doesn't glide up and down effortlessly but it certainly moves a lot more readily than any other easel I've ever had, and I don't think I'd want it to slide more easily than it does because then it might slip when I don't want it to.

So no cogent advice, but I do congratulate you on a very wise purchase. I hope it helps all those aches and pains. Have you tried different angles, or use of a stool? I tend to hold my collection of paint-filled brushes in my left hand and was having serious carpal tunnel issues because my hand was in an upward position, so I've had to remember not to do that. Sometimes it's just a question of figuring out what your body can tolerate. A Sorg easel was a great first step, I think. Do let us know how you like it once it's up.

Hi Leslie,

Thank you for your reply. I have given up on changing the angle because it involved taking the painting off the easel and readjusting 4 different knobs. By the time I was done adjusting I would forget where I had left off. Way too complicated!

I am happy to hear that you are still happy with your Sorg Easel. I have read many good reviews on line. My only concern at this point is weather I will have enough room to accommodate the stay wet palette (that box like thing), which I keep my paints in. Due to the shoulder pain I have stopped using my hand held palette and really need to have this gizmo on the tray.

It sounds like David gave the design great thought and what impressed me the most was that he stands behind his product and responds to customer inquires. I am really excited to have it all set up and will share my thoughts with you about ease of set up and operation.

Well, I have disappointing news...

Today my easel arrived and both sides of the support beams were cracked during shipping. I bought my easel through Jerry's Artarama and they are sending me a new one. I have to say the packaging for that weight of easel does look flimsy. I even opened the easel for a quick inspect, while holding the driver hostage, but the crack was on the bottom, an area which I could not inspect unless I lifted the easel up.

The easel looks gorgeous though and I can't wait for the replacement!

The replacement easel came yesterday and yeah- everything went smooth! The Easel is beautiful, assembly was faster the IKEA furniture and I just love how easy it moves up and down.

I do have to drill some adjustment holes to get the center beam lower, since the ceiling in my room is too short. Here is a picture....

PS: The rope adjusment is incorrect, please see picture below- posted by Davd Sorg

Enzie, I'm sorry I didn't see this earlier, but from your photo I can see that you don't have your cord and pulley arrangement rigged correctly. It should look like the attached photo, forming a letter "M". I'm sure it will work much more smoothly...

Hi David,

Oooops, I didn't even bother to check if this was hooked up correctly. I just took it out of the box and have been using it, as seen on the photo. Thank you for bringing the error to my attention. Yes, it now operates even smoother than before!

By the way, I love the easel. It rolls easily around the room and moving the canvas up and down is a cinch.


Thanks again!

Hi,

Here is a picture of my new Sorg easel. And I do mean NEW. I have only had the chance to paint with it for about 10 hours, and I enjoyed every one of them! This is actually my new studio in Prescott and so far, most of the time we've been up there has been spent running back and forth to Home Depot, and trying to get things livable. I am hoping to spend lots more time at this easel soon.

Thanks David!

Hi Chris,

I'm glad you had a chance to get things set up and that the easel is working out! I notice from your picture that your counterweight rope is setup like Enzie's was two pictures above yours in this post. It will work more smoothly if it's set up in an "M" like the photo immediately above yours.

David

David, I wondered about the positioning of Chris's ropes when I saw them. Mine looks more like the one you posted. I still love this easel!

Leslie

Chris, you are looking " marvelous" next to your new easel.!

I have to agree with Leslie that this is one wonderful easel. In the meantime, besides having a mahlstick attached, I also have added a magnifying lens/light and the inside frame still moves up and down with ease.

Thank you Leslie and Enzie!

The manufactured version of the easel (I used to make them myself) has been available for a little over 2 years, and although I've not become financially wealthy with them (nor did I expect to), I HAVE become rich in the pleasure that artists have expressed to me with the use of their easels. I'm probably not saying it properly, but it's similar to the thrill I get when someone buys a painting of mine. The money is great of course, but the "vote"(?) for the product after using the easel is a much warmer pleasure.

...that having been said, my wife Patti and I ARE using some of the money from easel sales to get out of snowy Denver and bask in the art and the WARMTH of Scottsdale this weekend :)

Doctor David makes house calls.

After I read the post above, I emailed David, whining and bleating plaintively until he and his wife Patti came by my studio and performed a complete physical exam on my easel.

The Sorg easel is a terrific piece of studio equipment and David is a wonderful person, thanks again, David!

David,

Is it necessary to have the additional weight on in the back of the easel, if you are working on paintings 30" x 40" or smaller? I am talking about the real heavy piece that goes on the peg on the bottom of the frame.

Hi Enzie,

Yes, use additional weight(s) as your canvas get heavier. The largest weight supplied is 25 pounds. That 25lb. weight should always hang on the "short" side of the weight hook. Because it counterbalances the entire assembly plus the additional weight of a smaller canvas it always remains in use.

Somewhere around the size of an 18x24 or so, depending on whether you're using light vs. heavy stretcher bars vs. 1/4" panel, etc., you'll notice that the easel starts getting a little heavier to lift or that it wants to drift down a little of its own accord. That's the time to add the 5 pound weight to the "long" side of the weight hook.

As you get to progressively larger/heavier canvases, you would pull off the 5 pound weight and add the 10 pound weight instead to keep things approximately compensated so that the whole easel continues to be balanced between drifting up or down. For even larger paintings, you would add the 5 pound weight back onto the long side of the hook. If even that's not enough, you can either buy additional weights at a sporting goods store, or perhaps just hang a bucket from the weight hook and add stuff (rocks, paint cans, phone books???) until everything is balanced again.

In practice it's not too finicky; you can do a wide range of canvas sizes without changing the weights. There is enough friction in the entire mechanism to keep things where you put them. As I approach needing to add or reduce weight, I first tend to slightly tighten a knob or two on the paint tray to increase the friction or "drag" a little bit until the canvas remains where I want it.

Now in Linda's case, no amount of weight changing would make her easel work properly. I can't believe how nice she was about an easel that had a warped base, a too tight carriage, and canister holes that were too small for the canisters. I would have been questioning, if not yelling, many moons ago...

I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the greatest people over the last couple of years with this easel, but Patti and I both put Linda at the top of our list!!

(can I say that in this forum :) ?)

Thank you for the clarification David!

Reviving an old thread,

I picked up a Sorg Easel today at Jerry's Art Supplies in Houston. They were marked down to $400. I told the manager I would post this on the web, and he said to be sure not to imply that this price was available in all locations. The Houston store rents empty space next door, and I have the feeling they need to clear it out. They have a few left.

I didn't pay shipping, since I picked it up. If you're a local, they'll deliver very cheap.

That's a real bargain. Hope you enjoy it, Jeff! I love mine.

Leslie