Easel box

[Allan Rahbek]

I'm going on vacation and want to bring my oils, so I have tried to compress the stuff to the minimum.

The box is 23 x 40 x 6,5 cm. It was a tool box for some other purpose that I converted to be a paintbox and easel.

It has no legs so it will have to stand on something or the lap, it has three positions of the canvas support so It can stand on the ground or higher.

The oil and terp containers are plastic so it will not break and with a screw lid.

I can carry the finished painting by turning it. Spacers will secure that it don't contact.

Any improvement suggestions are much appreciated.

[Richard Bingham]

That looks great, Allan!

You may not like to work that way, but I'd want a thumb-hole for the palette. Any additions would be complications. I've seen some rather nifty "pochade boxes" that entailed using a heavy-duty photographic tripod for an easel base . . . that's only workable if the box can sustain having a flange fixed to the bottom-side to receive the tripod.

[Allan Rahbek]

Richard,
I considered the thumb hole at first but found that it would take up to much area. I also like to have both hands free and usually have the palette on a table beside me, even if it is a hand held one.

The palette have some stop's underneath so it will not slide when I mix colors. It's pretty small as you can see.

The tripod would work fine but it would also increase the weight of it all. If I had a car for the trip I would bring my french easel.

The oil containers are small plastic boxes, 29 ml Golden Acrylic paint, strong and easy to clean.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Allan,

I admire your ingenuity! This looks very clever indeed. I have one idea to add. I don't know if you can order it from Denmark.

It is an aluminum (very lightweight) folding easel made by Stanright. It folds up and can be attached to your box when traveling. When it opens out (similar to a tripod), a central flat platform is created between the three legs where you could rest your box. The bottoms of the legs have prongs that can be folded down to stick into the ground if it is windy. It would only be useful if you wanted to stand up while painting.

[Allan Rahbek]

Alex,
yes, it would be nice to have leg's on it. If I used my sturdy tripod the weight would double to a total around 6 kilo.

I could not find the Stanright easel that you told about, it would be interesting to view if you have an address.

Anyway I will bring only the box this time and try it out.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Actually, Allan, I spelled it wrong. It is Stanrite. The model I am talking about looks like their "backpack easel" seen here:

http://www.cheapjoes.com/artsupply/S...pack-easel.asp

The nice things about it is it is both practical and very lightweight. I bought a plastic office organizer tray that I lay on the flattened leg supports in the middle. But you could just lay your case out instead of the organizer tray. (I carry all my supplies in my backpack including the tray, my palette, paints, brushes, solvent, medium, etc. Credit for this goes to a highly organized artist friend of mine, btw.)

Enjoy your trip--it sure looks like you have all you need.

p.s. This link doesn't fully work. You will be directed to Cheap Joe's but then you have to type "Stanrite backpack easel" into the search box.

[Allan Rahbek]

Thanks Alex,

This lightweight aluminun easel would be perfect, it seems to be almost weightless and small when folded. I think that I will give it a thought.

[David Carroll]

Hi Allen, If this link works go to the bottom of the page for a couple simple ideas. The strap around the back seems like a good simple idea.

http://www.openboxm.com/Merchant2/me...ory_Code=PalmB

Peace,

[Allan Rahbek]

Hi David,
thanks for the link, I enjoyed studying the various ideas in the shop.

I don't think that I could paint with the handheld system, I would want both hands free to clean brushes, mix colors and so on.

My homemade box is counter weighted by the tube colors so that it will not tip over when I paint, it will stand steady by itself, I don't need to hold it.

The only other thing that I will have to bring is a roll of tissue and a plastic bag.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Why not get a backpack and put everything, including the box, paper towels and plastic bag, in it.