FAQ: RASA Easels: A portable and refillable easel pad system.
For the most up-to-date information about the status of our project, check our project updates on Kickstarter!

Can I use my own paper?

Yes! The RASA Easels clipboard module is designed for artists to use any paper type they choose, within the dimensions of the easel backboard. Or if you have a drawing pad or mixed media pad, you can use the backboard as a support for your own paper, attaching it with rubber bands, binder clips, removable tape, or magnets on both sides (thanks Hajra Meeks for this last tip!).

Last updated: September 12, 2019 23:41

Why do you care?

As artists living and working in St. Louis, we want to help artists overcome creative obstacles. We are excited to create a reliable companion to every artist. We love things that are built to last and sustainable.

Last updated: September 12, 2019 22:55

What do I do when my art pad is full?

RASA Easels are refillable. Additional drawing and mixed media pads are available as add-ons in our Kickstarter campaign and pre-order store. You can also use the back cover of your full art pad as a support for your own paper, using binder clips, rubber bands, removable tape, or magnets on both sides.

Last updated: October 24, 2019 15:16

What sizes are available?

Currently, the available paper sizes are 6x8” and 8x10”. After all Kickstarter backers have received their RASA Easel and are fully satisfied, we plan to begin work on new size options. So far we have heard feedback that a very large size and a very small size would be desirable.

Last updated: October 30, 2019 16:47

What paper types are available, and how many sheets are in each pad?

We currently offer a mixed media paper and drawing paper. The mixed media paper art pad is ideal for a variety of wet and dry media and comes with 15 acid-free 187 lb. 300 GSM sheets. The drawing paper art pad comes with 24 acid-free 100 lb. 160 GSM sheets.

Last updated: September 12, 2019 22:55

What if I don't like working in an upright position all the time?

The RASA Easel adapts to you. It can also function perfectly as a traditional sketchbook.

Last updated: September 12, 2019 22:55

What should I do if the gripping material starts to come off or lose grippiness?

Our Easels are designed to be repaired rather than thrown away. Our resole kits will include a complete set of replacement grips. If we hit our first stretch goal, one resole kit will be included with every starter set. We also plan to make the resole kits available on our pre-order site after the Kickstarter campaign.

Last updated: October 24, 2019 15:17

Can I use both sides of the page?

Yes! By flipping the stand and the back cover to the other side, the easel can support the reverse side of every page.

Last updated: September 12, 2019 22:55

What problem is a RASA Easel solving for me?

Creating in the upright position of an easel is the most natural and ergonomic posture in which to work. The RASA Easel gives artists the benefits of an easel and the portability of a sketchbook. RASA Easels can be adjusted from 10 to 60 degrees, adapting to your needs at the moment.

Last updated: September 12, 2019 22:55

What is the elastic band for?

The elastic band neatly holds the easel stand closed when folded up for transport or storage. When the easel pad is closed and properly secured with the elastic band, the art pad and any loose documents (such as reference material) are protected and contained by the front and back covers.

Last updated: September 12, 2019 23:09

What if I hate drawing?

Contact Jake immediately ([email protected]) and request a drawing lesson! He will like that!

Last updated: September 12, 2019 23:09

Who are the RASA Easels designed for?

Our ultimate goal is to make it possible for all kinds of creators to take the benefits of an easel with them wherever they go. This includes professional and emerging artists, art educators, designers, architects, illustrators, comic book artists, graphic designers, calligraphers, tattoo artists, animators, and more. Even writers can use it to stop slumping over the desk.

Last updated: September 12, 2019 23:09

Is it only in portrait orientation?

At this time, the easel pad is only available in portrait orientation. It is possible to use smaller sheets of paper in landscape orientation using the clipboard module or rubber bands on the back cover of the art pads. If this campaign is successful, we plan to design a version that integrates both portrait and landscape orientations.

Last updated: September 12, 2019 23:09

Who makes the easels, and where are they made?

The RASA Easels are handcrafted by a small group of artists in St. Louis, Missouri. One of the co-founders is also a middle school art teacher. The other is a scholar in Semitic languages. There are also a few other artists and makers who we plan to hire for production and assembly, if the campaign is successful.

Last updated: September 12, 2019 23:09

What does "RASA" mean, and how is it pronounced?

The word “rasa” evokes the idea behind the Latin phrase “tabula rasa” or “blank slate.” It also evokes a Sanskrit word that means “essence.” The pronunciation is the same as the word “rasa” in “tabula rasa.” You can hear the correct pronunciation in the RASA Easels video.

Last updated: September 12, 2019 23:09

There are other portable easels on the market. What's so special about yours?

Not only do our easels combine the portability of a sketchbook with the adjustable support of an easel, they are light, adjustable, ergonomic, versatile, sustainable, and designed and handmade with care by artists in St. Louis. Our US utility patent is the first to protect claims of combining a sketchbook with a portable easel. The other “portable” easels on the market are heavier, bulkier, less adjustable, less versatile, less sustainable, and usually mass produced in China. These are a few of the big ways that set our easels apart. In short, there is nothing comparable to our easels on the market.

Last updated: September 12, 2019 23:22

Where can I use my easel?

The easels are designed to grip securely on any tabletop, most flat surfaces, or even comfortably on your lap.

Last updated: September 12, 2019 23:22

What if I want to back two or more different reward levels on the Kickstarter campaign?

Kickstarter is not designed to allow backers to pledge to more than one reward level. However, there is a workaround: backers can create additional Kickstarter accounts, one for each type of reward. It’s a bit of a pain but not too difficult.

Last updated: September 12, 2019 23:22

Can I buy the easels somewhere besides Kickstarter?

At this time, RASA Easels are exclusively available to backers at a reduced rate during the campaign only. Backers will be the first to receive our easels before they go to market. There is also a limited number of easels available on our Kickstarter campaign, so grab yours while you can.

Last updated: September 12, 2019 23:22

Can I customize my RASA Easel?

Our tempered hardboard RASA Easels are made from the same material often used as high quality painting panels. They are ideal for customizing with your own painting. We recommend first sizing and priming before customizing with wet media.

Last updated: September 12, 2019 23:22

Will it really take until September 2020 to ship the easels?

We intend to ship the rewards as soon as possible after the Kickstarter campaign is over. It takes time to order materials in bulk, and then to cut and assemble the parts for each easel. We are also under a deadline to finish our non-provisional patent application. On top of that, the two founders have other day jobs, so we need additional help from makers and artists to make and assemble the easels. Finally, we don’t know how many easels we will need to make. All of this adds up to the conservative estimate of September 2020 for shipping the easels, but we hope to send these out much sooner if possible. We believe it is better to be happily surprised than disappointed by unrealistic expectations.

Last updated: September 12, 2019 23:26

Shipping Updates
For the most up-to-date information about the status of our project, check our project updates on Kickstarter!

Current Estimated Shipping Date: September 2020

Last Updated At: 12/16/19
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