Abstract: An artist's lap easel is made up of a number of flat rectangular panels which are hingedly joined together so that they can be folded flat one upon another when not in use and opened up to provide a tilted easel surface with an adjoining horizontal palette surface to one side of the easel. A portion of a supporting panel can be tilted upwardly and separably fastened to the easel to support it when tilted and a portion of the palette section can be similarly upwardly tilted, the tilted portion being provided with at least one pocket for supplies. At least one of the panels includes a cutout portion to serve as a carrying handle.