Hughes Easel

Peggy Baumgaertner · 06-07-2002, 11:04 PM

There is a thread for artists looking for antique easels, but I would like to sing the praises of the new and improved easel. I have in my possession the single best purchase I have ever made. The Hughes easel. This easel is counterbalanced, and I can move it side to side and up and down with a nudge from my big toe. (When you are holding a palette in one hand and a brush or two and rag in the other, sometimes you need an extra limb to get the job done.) After years of running to the back of the easel to use the boat wrench, whacking the side of the canvas to move it a few inches over, and crank, crank, cranking from the front, it is so nice to simply ....nudge it....

I just finished a 5 1/2 x 4 1/2 foot portrait, and I could paint on the woman's right ear, then move the painting up and over to paint her shoe. Heaven!

The website, http://www.hugheseasels.com/

Peggy

Elizabeth Schott · 02-14-2004, 12:29 AM

Peggy could you tell us the model number you purchased? Is it still living up to your kudo's?

Thanks, Beth

Peggy Baumgaertner · 02-14-2004, 12:41 AM

Beth,

It's a Model 4000, and I love it. Could not live without it. The best purchase I've ever made.

Peggy

Leslie Ficcaglia · 08-24-2004, 12:13 PM

After reading your praise I too wanted a Hughes easel, but haven't been able to reach them. I sent a couple of emails a few weeks ago and have tried calling since then, but there is no answer. Then I realized that the company is located in Punta Gorda, FL, and may have been impacted by Charlie. I wonder whether the business is still there? Maybe I should consider the Sorg easel instead, although I liked the side-to-side motion that the Hughes easel offers.

Richard Monro · 01-24-2005, 09:31 AM

Leslie, I too am a Hughes easel fan. They are absolutely wonderful to work with. I have the 4000 model. Hughes Easels is still in business. I talked to Don Andrews the other day to see how bad he was hit by the hurricanes. The factory came through fine but Don's house and that of 2 members of his immediate family were hit pretty bad. Consequently he has had to spend a lot of time on repairs rather than production. So don't give up trying to reach Don. It will be worth the wait to work with a Hughes easel.

Leslie Ficcaglia · 01-24-2005, 07:08 PM

Richard, I had initially placed an order with Don for a Hughes easel at the end of August, but when I didn't hear from him by mid-October I finally went ahead and ordered a Sorg easel instead. Don did finally call me toward the end of October or beginning of November to say that he was ready to begin work on my easel, but I told him that I'd had to buy another one. I'm sure I would have loved the Hughes easel if I had been able to get it in a timely fashion, and of course I understand the impact that two hurricanes would have on a business, but I had already sold my main easel and needed to replace it. I'm very pleased with the Sorg and especially like the tray, which works well for the way I like to paint. I also like the fact that the Sorg has a smaller footprint and doesn't take up as much room in my studio.

Thanks for giving me an update, though.

Sharon Knettell · 01-25-2005, 09:29 AM

Hi,

I have been considering getting a Hughes. The problem with other easels is that they do not go low enough. I want the canvas to sit as low as possible to the floor. I work sight size and I find that even though the model is on a platform, the canvas needs to be about 4-6 inches off the ground to capture her feet.

How low off the ground can you place a canvas on a Hughes?

Richard Monro · 01-26-2005, 07:52 PM

Sharon,

My Hughes 4000 goes to within 4 inces of the floor and up to the top of my 10 foot ceilings. This easel would work well with your size panels.

Sharon Knettell · 01-26-2005, 08:18 PM

Richard,

Thanks. I have a really beautiful Abiqui Deluxe by Best easel. It was the best I knew about at the time, pre-internet. The problem is I am getting so tired of hauling those heavy canvas and panels up and off the easel to adjust it.

Richard Monro · 01-26-2005, 08:30 PM

Sharon,

I'm sure Don Andrews could customize your easel by taking 5 inches off the two front feet of the pedestal. That would allow the support frame to go all the way to the floor. Then at best you would only have to lift those heavy panels an inch to mount them to the easel. Also, no matter how heavy the panels are, the Hughes Easel comes equipped with a full complement of counter weights. All you have to do is put the correct amount of weight on the counterbalance. Then you can move those heavy panels to any position you want at the touch of a finger. You will be amazed at how easy your work will become to manage.