Since high school in the 60's, I'd been painting on location with an unstable aluminum easel, until I discovered the Nadeau Easel... I can paint 8 x 10 inches or 4 by 6 feet. The Nadeau Easel is ideal for holding my many pastels or oil painting supplies at working height. I keep my 53 inch umbrella clamped to the extra peg, and with a spring clamp for stability, I can shade both my painting and myself! I now own three Nadeau Easels. I travel with one and leave two set up in the studio, where I find that the Nadeau Easel uses less floor space than some studio easels.