BTW you don't have to be a Wood worker to create this. If you do all the measuring beforehand, sketch it out. When you ask at the hardware store, they are willing to cut it in size for you. (Make sure to bring your tripod with you & before you go into the store let the People the employees /manager of the store know that you have your tripod with you - just in case).... happy creating 💯❤
Thank you for the instructions. What a great idea! I asked my husband to make the easel for my birthday 🥳 So far, I’ve made one change to the easel using magnetic tape instead of velcro to keep the two parts of the box together when I don’t need the easel. I’m also looking at using the same magnetic tape to keep my pallet/paintbox in place when drawing/painting.
Thank you Andy. My son and I made your box with one modification. We put the wood for rails in an “L” shape both top and bottle so when i close the box, it is still complete. This adds a additional benefit to the top. I can now place my pad in either portrait or landscape position and still have a base for the pad to rest on. It works wonderfully. Thank you again.
Great plein aire box with simple and comprehensive instructions. I no longer have my tools, unfortunately. Will try scouting around some discount stores for finished cutting boards, so all I have to do is make the cutouts and glue the 1x1" wood. I'm with an earlier post - apply for a patent - the world is full of artists. Thank you for taking the time to make your video - best I've seen and so easily adaptable to different size pads. Bravo, Andy!
Hopefully you will find this film helpful if you want to make your own plein air box. Maybe you have ideas for how this could be improved or maybe you have made you own? Let me know, just leave a comment below. HOT NEWS! The full instructions as a PDF are now available to download here: www.buymeacoffee.com/andyH1/e/129679
This is brilliant. If someone is right handed, all they would need to do is flip the bottom piece around so the water cup hole is on the right, and THEN glue on the edge rails so the paintbrush holes are on the left. You could partner with a woodworker and make these in multiple sizes (for multiple size blocks or sketchbooks, right or left handed, etc) and even sell them. I like how the two parts come apart so the paint won't accidentally spill on the painting.
@@AndyBeckTeesdale liked the box, put a comment below, laid out the design for a 9 X 12" (approx. 23 X 30.5 CM) spiral bound WC pad. Realized that if I added 1/4" (6 mm) to the thickness, I could carry my collapsible silicon bowl, travel paints, and a zippered bag with pencil, travel brushes, eraser, etc. all inside. Wastes no space. I can't add photos but it looks like yours, except I used 1/4" Masonite with dry erase finish on one side and black chalk board finish on the other. Anxious to try it. Meeting son and family tomorrow in Tampa, may get some time. Incidentally, consider making travel brushes using spent felt-tip pen barrels. Cut the pen tip off, epoxy a cut down brush handle into the casing, spacing the brush to be covered by the pen cap. Perfect protection in a "fly-away" kit. Respond with an email if you want photos.
@@chrissywrites you don't have to be a Wood worker to create this. If you do all the measuring beforehand, sketch it out. When you ask at the hardware store, they are willing to cut it in size for you.
Thank you! My husband made one of these for me following your video 😊. Tried it out yesterday evening and it works really well! We used some thin ply rather than mdf, and a slightly different sort of screw. It’s light and fits in my rucksack so couldn’t be happier.
That plateau that hooks onto the legs... that is very, very clever :) Currently figuring out how to make an easel like this for my mom. (I have a spare camera tripod - wanna surprise her) I'll definitely be adding that plateau :)
Hello Andy, thank you so much for your easy and well-explained instructions. I finally have a pochade box to carry with me. I put some photos on facebook and mentioned your name. A lot of Australian ladies visit my page, so they might be buildung one, too. Mine doesn‘t look as perfect as yours (my cuts are not as precise), but I managed quite well. Love your calm way of teaching without nerve-racking voice. Thank you again!
Hi Andy, thanks for this video re simple two part Plien air Pochard system with tripod. Excellent presentation with clear and precise instructions. I would also like you to know that as a practical tutorial, though this video is over a year old, it is still available on youtube and well worth watching for artists performing En Plien Air. I am now going to make one of these for myself Andy. Thank you for this wonderful idea.
At one time heavy tripods were used to give a stable platform. Then common sense took over, there is no need to have a heavy tripod and a heavy bag of equipment. Fit a hook to the bottom of the central pillar and hang your bag on it. Also placing Velcro, Push the two sides together and cur through the backing paper. Peel one side, stick down where you want it. When all are in place peel the remaining side and close the box. Velcro’s is now perfectly aligned.
Hi Alan, thanks for the comment. Yes, tripods used to be much heavier and a burden to carry. These days they are stronger and lighter. The tripod that is used in the film already has a small metal lug at the bottom of the central column which makes it easy to attach a weight such as a rucksack for stability. A common practice for photographers. However a single tent peg and a bungee is also a good securing idea. Using velcro that is already stuck together is one way of doing it but as the locations for the velcro in this case were fairly obvious so either method can be used. Thanks for watching.
Thanks a lot, that is a great solution. If you'd like to make more clean locking system, you could think o using strong earth magnets, these could be fitted and glued into the wood leaving a nice clean and strong lock.
yes, magents could be used but I felt that using self adhesive velcro was a simpler option for those who dont have the tools or skills for insetting the magnets.
Brilliant! thank you for this sharing your wonderful with your clever, simple design. I want to use it for plein air gouche and think I might put a strip on the front of the shelf to keep my bits and pieces from rolling off. Then glue the sketchbook ledge a bit above the edge to allow clearance for the shelf strip.
actually I just have a second manfrotto type quick release plate bought off ebay for about £3 and I have that fitted to the box all the time. Switching couldn't be easier but thanks for the input.
Thanks for the great video. What brand tripod are you using? I've bought and returned 4 so far. They were too short, 55" or too flimsy. I would want 70". Please share. Thanks, Barbara
Hi. Great video. I have bought A tripod but the nut on the quick release plate will not fit into a 6m t-nut (the screw has been measured and is 6m). It will only go in about a third of the way so there is a wobble. It does not fit into a larger size T-nut either. What is the solution to this? If you can help I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks
Hi Mary, tripod screws come in a varity of sizes, often they are imperial in size, not metric. I am not sure what size thread will be on yours but a search on google should provide you with the right information and then you just have to buy a t nut of that size.
I really like your box because it is so simple and lightweight. I want something for when I travel that isn’t too heavy on my shoulders in my pack because I have arthritis. Are all of these things easy to get as in the attachment for the tripod etc.? I wish I could get you to make me one! It’s so brilliant and easy but not as easy for me I don’t think. 😄
Hi Cat, thanks for the comment. yes the wood etc is simple enough to get hold of and the t-nut for the tripod mount can either be bought in a local hardware store or they are available online. Good luck with getting one
thank you so much for such detailed instructions, I need just this type of easel for my outdoor painting.. i will make for one and let you know how it turned out..
Thank you Andy for your well explained instructions for making the plein air box. I have been looking for something more reasonable than what is on the market since I haven't tried plein air. I believe your box will definitely meet my requirements for lightweight use and compactness so I can get outside and paint.
This is great Andy. I just started painting a couple months ago, and I have an oversize easel I made on an oversized table in a small room. This will be great for both my home and when I do eventually take it on the road. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks Andy. That was very helpful. I tried searching the market but could not find something that is simple and useful. Love your DIY idea. Planning to build it this weekend. Thanks :D
Weight not being an issue, I used 1/4" Luan, which had to be reinforced by adding the third side to the shelf. That meant the easel ledge had to move up one width of the pine stop. You can use 1/2" x 3/4" pine stop, a little smaller didn't effect anything. The interior size was affected but no worries for me:) I reinforced that opening around the legs of the easel with a pc of pine stop on the underside of the shelf, worked great!.....thanks again:) Oh...you can get extra quick release clips from E-Bay $1.52 US and Tee Nuts from Lowes.
Thank you so much, this is fantastic idea! Going to make one. I bought mdf, but feels a bit heavy, I’m looking to find something a lighter weight now, if I won’t find anything then will use the mdf.
I'm not a watercolorist (I do oils via a pochade box) but it seems to me that if you shorten the 1" x 1" stock on each side of the tray closest to your body by a length of 2" or 3" each and add it to the wc block holder above, it would all still fit together but give some support on both sides of the wc block so that it cannot slide off to the left or right.
Thanks watching and for taking time to comment, it is appreciated. I love hearing different ideas to ways that the box could be improved. Yours is a good idea to add stops to the board. However, I have never had an issue with the pad moving like that, maybe others have. A couple of bull clips would help to secure the pad/paper. One reason for not adding the stops as you suggest is that on occasions I open a sketchbook fully to produce a wide landscape across 2 pages. The stops would not allow this. Thanks for your thoughts though, maybe someone else will adapt that idea.
This is a very clever and well designed wc box and a credit to you. I would like to make one but I already have three pochade boxes for oils, all of which were put together or re-designed/adapted by me. PS Keep your eyes open for Foggy, Cleggy and Compo if you are anywhere near Holmfirth, ha, ha.
Great video! Am in the middle of building this and got the 1/4 inch T nut. But the tread is not exactly the same as on the plate. I have a Manfrotto tripot as well. I can jam it in I guess but was wondering if someone had the same problem.
I originally bought some M6 size t-nuts thinking they were suitable for tripod screws but they are a tad small. I found actual 1/4 inch t-nuts on Amazon which do fit my tripod screws. Hope this helps.
Hi and thank you for showing a simple and useful way to make your own plein air easel :) I paint with the board more upright, would'nt the board then tip and fall?
Hi Sven. I find that for watercolour it is best to have the paper/pad tilted at an angle of no more than 45 degrees maximum. Of course some artists paint differently. The strip of wood on the easel part will prevent the pad slipping off but you could also use a bull clip(s) to secure the paper to that board at the top?
Hi again Andy. I think I might try and make your box but in the meantime I have a small old pochade box that was my moms and I would like to figure out where I could get those hinges so that you can have the lids stay open at the angle you want. Do you know what I’m talking about and what they are called? I’ve tried looking them up online but of course I get every kind of hinge in the world except what I’m looking for. 😄Thanks again for your guidance
Hi Cat. I wonder if this is the sort of thing that you are after. It may not be the correct one but it should be along the right lines: www.priceandoliver.co.uk/product/heritage-brass-v1118-quadrant-stay/?attribute_pa_finish=polished-brass&gclid=CjwKCAiAo4OQBhBBEiwA5KWu_2_XMRkGqEyFH9eHtePl9R7A-tXqwRaCEtC-AV-iN6aRi2mrM0d0phoCazkQAvD_BwE
Hi Andy... Thanks for the instructions I made mine big enough to hold a 12" x 15.5" canvas... I spent the afternoon making the box... my tripod legs are an odd shape, a cross between a cylinder and square. Using a template worked well. and will use magnets to hold the two sections together... Tomorrow, I will vanish the two sections... I am looking forward to using the setup soon as the vanish dries...
Thanks for sharing this brilliant idea 💡 👏 This tripod setup and a light milking stool with screw on legs looks like the way to go! If you use marine ply you could probably skip the varnishing part. (I don't know if it would be heavier to carry or not) Foam board is super light and can be cut with a scalpel and might work in place of the mdf but probably might not hold a screw well but I have some so I might try it. My tripod attachment has two screws so I might be a while figuring that part out😅😊
Great video! I’ll be making this for myself for watercolor and oils very clever and very affordable. Hello from Fargo North Dakota in America. Thank you, your work is beautiful.
Thank you Andy. I am glad I found our podcast again. I had watched a different one but didn't save or subscribe so I had forgotten your name. I purchased the tripod and like it a lot. I hope to make the box you are demonstrating how to make in the near future.. Thank you.
Awesome idea Andy! Well made. Do you think this design would work for an 18 X 24 watercolor paper? Basically I'd make it the same size as yours and have the 18 X 24 paper taped to say some Gatorboard or something similar. Then rest that on the backing of the easel. Maybe come up with a way of clamping the Gatorboard down to keep it from flopping or blowing in the wind. Thanks!
Hi Andy, thanks for your question. To be honest I think this system works best with the smaller sized pads and paper. 18x 24 is quite large and will be prone to being buffeted around in the wind even if it is attached to a board. I would suggest that for that size you need a more substantial easel.
Hello Andy. I have seen your set up in your recent video. Being a designer by training, I ponder and design things for myself. This is a great concept. In place of the velcro, earth magnets at the surface of the wood surrounding it, and some smaller magnetic material on the easel, this would eliminate the velcro. It will eventually break down. And, then, if desired, a side shelf that stores in the box can magnetically attach to the table for extra surface. I'm going to make this for myself in the spring. I'm wintering in Florida away from my shop. There is a design out there but made of ABS plastic. This is more sturdy in my mind. The one change size wise will be for my folding palette. There the driving feature for me over the watercolor block. Nice job on the video.
Hi Paul. Thanks for taking a llok and offering suggestions. I am always interested to hear of other ways of achieving the end result. Yes, I suppose magnets would also work but like velcro, would they not lose their strength over time? It just so happened that I had velcro to hand so i used that. Besides, as with magnets, the velcro could be replaced when needed. Let me know how you get on when you make yours, I am keen to see variations. Regards Andy
Thanks for the kind comment. I am sure that you could get a local handyperson to put one togather for you. We all seem to have our own needs so this could be the basis for your own model :)
Absolutely Fantastic, Andy! I’ve seen others on the market that appear rather flimsy and comparatively expensive. Your’s seem quite sturdy, and I really like having the ability to customize my setup. Bravo! and many thanks for the instructions. Now to get my hubby busy on his new project 😉!!!
In Canada mdf is different from Masonite. Masonite is lightweight. Mdf is glued together wood fibre board and is quite heavy. Also water can more easily damage it. Great video thanks.
Andy, I've looked at a lot of easels on the market and this is the simplest, most compact and efficient design I've seen. You must be an engineer. If my husband hadn't had a stroke, I would have him make me one. Maybe you should consider a patent.
You can do it Ms. Susan....I'm a 70yr. old granny, the hardest part is getting the template right:) Have a go......BTW....I think it would be difficult to make a one size fits all easels tray. There are some trays out there but........this is brilliant!
I guess I am using expensive products cause this turned into a hundred dollar build. But I am doing it all by hand so the feeling of pride is kicking in. As a disabled veteran you have made me enjoy my days.
Hi andy great channel, I am having a go at making your plein air box,how did you manage to get the t nut flange nut flush with the board ,I have bashed mine and it is still proud ,thanks Jeff
@Claire Houli , I don't know why my replies are not showing up i have now replied 4 times but not it's not been posted posted.I bought mine from Screw Fix BUT make sure you take the tripod screw in with you to make sure the threads are correct.I hope this helps.
@@AndyBeckTeesdale It may be because i did add a link to screw fix for the t nuts in the reply maybe you tube doesn't like links . Thank you , hopefully Claire will see this as i'm not ignoring her :)
Great video, really fancy making one this is the most straightforward option with out expensive hinges and gadgets. I think the only adaption I would make is to carry it in a drawstring bag then when you take it out you can put a few stones in bag and hang under tripod to give stability if windy. Thanks for great video.
