The maiden "voyage" of my new "wheel" I keep modifying my plein air set up...this is my 4th pochade "box". My husband is endlessly "fascinated" (Not really, as it usually entails him having to do something for me!) With the lengths I go to make something better that's already been made, because my way is ALWAYS better :)
I've been working on a unit that would weigh in at under 6lbs and all fit into a small daypack for overseas travel and hiking, and if I lay out my paint needs for the day I can lose another 1 3/4lbs off the total weight! If you've ever tried carting a French full Julian around you will appreciate what I'm saying here. Of course I'm limited to how big I can paint, but I'm on vacation, I'll paint the big ones in my studio at home.
I put this together by cannibalizing other art things I've collected over the years and taken apart, and by adding new stuff to make it all work.....and it did!!! Part of the process is combing the hardware isles imagining the different things I could do with all the gadgets. I LOVE hardware stores, something else my husband loves about me.
Below you will find a gallery of photos that show how I assembled it. If you click on the images they will open up in a larger windos.
A) I glued 3/8" square dowels around 3 of the bottom edges to an old folding palette that I already had.
B) The back edges, where the hinges are each have a smaller square dowel glued to it...the top one holds the bottom of the painting panel straight.
C) Lots of velcro makes the rest of it work!
D) I tried larger alligator clips, but then I couldn't use an 8x10 panel. With the smaller clips I can paint 5x7's-to 8x10's both vertically and horizontally!
F) I also files 4 notches on the short sides of the top section so that the elastic cord would stay put.
G) I love, too, that I can just close the palette up and leave the wet painting in the case (only the 5x7's or 6x8's)...I do need to pay attention to the height of the paint piles, though.
H) I can also just set it on my lap and be somewhat incognito and sit on a park bench, in a restaurant, or in the front seat of my car if the weather is rotten and not attach it to a tripod at all!
I've been working on a unit that would weigh in at under 6lbs and all fit into a small daypack for overseas travel and hiking, and if I lay out my paint needs for the day I can lose another 1 3/4lbs off the total weight! If you've ever tried carting a French full Julian around you will appreciate what I'm saying here. Of course I'm limited to how big I can paint, but I'm on vacation, I'll paint the big ones in my studio at home.
I put this together by cannibalizing other art things I've collected over the years and taken apart, and by adding new stuff to make it all work.....and it did!!! Part of the process is combing the hardware isles imagining the different things I could do with all the gadgets. I LOVE hardware stores, something else my husband loves about me.
Below you will find a gallery of photos that show how I assembled it. If you click on the images they will open up in a larger windos.
A) I glued 3/8" square dowels around 3 of the bottom edges to an old folding palette that I already had.
B) The back edges, where the hinges are each have a smaller square dowel glued to it...the top one holds the bottom of the painting panel straight.
C) Lots of velcro makes the rest of it work!
D) I tried larger alligator clips, but then I couldn't use an 8x10 panel. With the smaller clips I can paint 5x7's-to 8x10's both vertically and horizontally!
F) I also files 4 notches on the short sides of the top section so that the elastic cord would stay put.
G) I love, too, that I can just close the palette up and leave the wet painting in the case (only the 5x7's or 6x8's)...I do need to pay attention to the height of the paint piles, though.
H) I can also just set it on my lap and be somewhat incognito and sit on a park bench, in a restaurant, or in the front seat of my car if the weather is rotten and not attach it to a tripod at all!
The next set of photos shows what I bring with me. If you click on the photos to enlarge them you will be able to read the descriptions on each photo.
Last, but not least, I left the thumb hole open in the palette so that if inspired I can hold it like a traditional palette and not use a tripod.
Well that's it folks! Hope you enjoyed my tour...leave me a comment if you would like more info or if I've inspired you to reinvent your own wheel.
Ciao
Well that's it folks! Hope you enjoyed my tour...leave me a comment if you would like more info or if I've inspired you to reinvent your own wheel.
Ciao
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