TIPS: OPEN BOX M Pochade Easel REVIEW & Tour 

Glad you enjoyed it Chris! ❤️

Thank you Sam! It is so important to have the right kit, but sometimes it takes a while to know what the right kit for yourself is! x🙂

Unfortunately the Open Box M pochade is no longer produced. I think perhaps I should delete this video! My Day Tripper easel is sturdier and a lot heavier but still can be unstable at times. I am also attending the PACE convention, with my husband Mr B, see you there!👩🏻‍🎨🎨❤️

@@ClareBowenArtist oh WOW!! 🤩 wonderful, see you there! It’s a 10 hr car ride for me. Safe travels!

@@grandpa_eric Be great to meet you Eric! Have a safe journey! Clare

Hello Susan such lovely words and I really appreciate what you said. And thank you for watching my videos. Also for your condolences about the Queen - a very inspiring lady 💙

Glad it was helpful Syriac, happy to share! Good luck with you work , enjoy!👨🏼‍🎨❤️

Hi Ron, its so interesting hearing what you use! and others painters you & I follow too, like Matt Smith. I agree we need kit that doesn't fight back and is easy as there are many things that aren't easy with plein air painting! Thanks so much for watching & supporting, best wishes, Clare

Glad you found it helpful Sylvia! Happy to share! 😍

Hello glad it was helpful. So you are away there delivery times are slow!

Hi Debbie! I no longer use the Open Box M but have a new easel set up for en plein air work called a Day Tripper from Prolific Painter. Do you follow me on Instagram as I have a few short videos / reels there under clarebowenartist.📽👩🏻‍🎨❤️

Thanks glad it’s helpful!

Hello Thomas and Utah! Thank you for the invite and appreciation of my work! I still have the Pochards not likely to let them go!👩🏻‍🎨🎨❤️

Thank you for your comment! Portable and lighter equipment is important in Cornwall as very hilly! Good luck to you too!🙏😊🎨

🎨👩‍🎨

Hi Nieve, yes mine too! 🎨💕

Hi Penelope, sounds a great idea, I'll look out of the video. Pleased you liked the tips in this one. Happy Painting...Clare

@@ClareBowenArtist thank you. And keep up the great videos.

Excellent! Thank you! 😊

Thank you Paul for your observations and detail! Happy painting!🎨😊

Thanks Guy! 👩🏻‍🎨

Agree Shona it s a shame! 👩🏻‍🎨

Hi Mel, that's great the video was helpful, especially as you are going to make a pochade yourself!! That's impressive, hope it works out, let me know... 🙂best Clare

Hi Marc! Thank you and I hope the Test went well! 👨🏼‍🎨👏😊

@@ClareBowenArtist thank you! It did go well!

Hi Ash, your comment really inspires me do more videos! I'm so pleased it's helped you decide, you wont regret it! Let me know how you get on once you start using your pochade... Best wishes, Clare

Thank you really glad it’s helpful! Good luck with buying a pochade and enjoy plein air painting! 🎨

Thank you Ioannis I’m pleased you like it! 😊

Thank you Paul. Yes, they are lovely items!! Easy to collect…

So pleased it's helpful, thank you Irma!

Hello Agnieszka, I have also researched Daytripper I think it’s a good easel too and maybe getting one as well. I know people buy Ugo brand in the Uk as no shipping tax extras.it is tricky as it makes the cost a lot more. Hope you find one that suits, best Clare

Happy to hear that, Christian! Thank you!😊

Hi Peter, that's great to hear - you can do it! Let me know how you get on. Happy painting!

Glad you like it Joy! 😊Thank you

Happy to share Nicole, thank you, ❤️

Thanks Maria, Nick's pretty busy but where do you live...? 🙂

Glad it was helpful!😍

Glad it was helpful Shelly! 👩🏻‍🎨❤️

Hi Tracy I don’t use the clove oil because I find the smell pervades everything! I put my palette garage in the freezer, ☺️thanks for watching!

Never heard that one Jim! ❤️

Gosh amazing they are not doing it anymore. I can recommend a couple of other pochades: Daytripper and Daybreak both very good!

@@ClareBowenArtist Hi Clare thank you for the easel recommendations will check them out. I have purchased from Australian artist Leon Holmes His portable easels named after Kangaroos! The Boomer, skippy and the hand held one called a Joey. I got the Boomer version which all of the rang fits onto a tripod for about £140 for the largest one and includes free shipping worldwide which I thought was well worth it. Kindest regards, Mark ❤️

Thank you! 📽❤️

Thanks! 🙂

Hi Jessica I’m so sorry to hear you have so mucked around by OBM people. I really hope you get your pochade soon it’s quite awful not being able to communicate and waiting so long. I expect your itching to have a go!! I have added a warning to my video description about the wait and lack of coms. Best wishes and good luck, Clare 🎨👩‍🎨

@@ClareBowenArtist Hi Clare, just to give you an update. Open Box M never sent me my pochade box, and Douglas stopped replying to my messages asking for a refund. My bank's fraud department are currently pursuing the matter. Such a disappointment, and I have missed out on a whole season of plain air painting. Hopefully this warning will help other artists.

@@jessicaalexander1959 Hi Jessica, it's very shocking to hear about your experience. I'm sorry sorry you went through this. I can recommend the Daytripper easel from Prolific painter. I've been using it for the last month, its fab and they are quick on customer service. Best wishes, Clare

Hi Anne I’m sorry I do t know what the hinge is called. I hope you found one! Good luck with your pochade making. Thanks for watching ☺️🎨

You’re welcome 😊

Hi Dorin, I’m so sorry that you had a bad experience with OBM. They seem to Struggle with keeping up on their orders & communication 😔 I know others like UGO but not the smallest one, maybe 11x14” hope that helps.

Hi Amanda, its called a Palette Garage - where I store all my paints? You can buy it online. Thank you for watching 🙂

Thank you! :-)

Hi Jane, I am so pleased you feel inspired!! It is an 11x14" Open Box M pochade. It's my most used by far as it has a good sized mixing area and as you say it fits into my bag. Good luck with your next step of painting... Clare

@@ClareBowenArtist Thanks! 😊

@@ClareBowenArtist I paint small, in the field, and find the 9x12 perfect for most paintings, it can go up to an 11x14 panel, but my most used one is 9x12, sometimes even down to 6x8. People, friends, are amazed I can get a painting done in 30-45 minutes on this set up. Fast and loose, will capture everything you want, outdoors, before it all goes "stale" on you. Anyway, I do have the big 11x14 which can also be used as a studio easel for small works, and portrait sketches, up to 16x20, and such! ;D

Hi there I use a Raymar wet painting carrier. It’s light and fits lots of different sizes. It is a pain to bring another item out but they last for years and you get used to it! I haven’t used one a guerilla box but it sounds good!

@@ClareBowenArtist Yes, made my own wooden dry panel boxes for years, some paneled on sides with some of my old "failed" paintings (canvas glued to mahogany sheet panel), looked pretty cool, but Ray Mar "changed my life" as far as drying boxes are concerned. Perfect accompaniment to my Open Box M's. : )

Thank you very much, I'm so pleased it was useful, exciting you've just ordered your own Open Box M! I choose liteglaze as it was relatively easy to cut & not expensive. So I could have more than one palette for my different box sizes and spares for doing multiple paints in a day if needed. But good idea too to order an acrylic sheet to fit. Just a note that there are two screw heads protruding into the palette area so you'll need to cut the pre-made sheet to fit around them. See my video and when I take the sheet out you'll see the two notches in them. Hope this is clear🙂 Good luck and happy painting! Any other questions happy to answer. Best wishes Clare

@@ClareBowenArtist Aah ok that makes sense!

Thank you!👩🏻‍🎨😊

Thank you, I have wet panel carriers, I'm going to do a video on them, hope this might be helpful?

Thank you Sylvie! 📽👩🏻‍🎨😍

Hi Jill, it's my fave jumper thank you! It's from Aspiga - 'Alpine Merino Wool jumper, Sea Green' Hope you can find it...

Hi Rhod, it’s called a palette garage from the USA, the website is Great Art Tools. Best, Clare 🎨

Thanks Phillip, hope you get to use it again soon :-)

Yes hopefully I will

Hi Caroline, thanks for your comment. I haven't found glare a problem, maybe my palette is grubbier so doesn't reflect as much! The knife is better than a Stanley because it's specifically for cutting plastic, it has a special shaped blade on it. You have to score it a few times then it should just break with some gentle pressure. Chest plan from ebay! 🙂

@@ClareBowenArtist that’s interesting, I’ll try that knife. Yes, I was looking at your plastic sheet in your videos and thought it looks duller and milkier than mine. Been looking on eBay for a plan chest for years but they’re always too big or something! You did really well there 😀

Yes with a knife! 🎨

Thank you Millisa! The paint carrier is called a Palette Garage from Great Art Tools USA. Unfortunately they do not ship to the UK. 🎨👩🏻‍🎨

Hi there it’s called a Palette Garage and it comes from the USA. Website - great art tools. Mine is an 11x14” 😊🎨

Thank you so much. Open Box M not taking orders currently but I found something similar on Amazon...Meeden? I think. By the way, I love your work. You are an inspiration and it's so helpful to know that you sometimes hesitate/rub out/scrape off!!!! Keep posting!

Thank you!! I'm glad you found something alternative, let me know how it is for you. I will keep posting :-)

Usually they don’t come with a head so you buy that separately and the quick release plate comes with that.

Hi Christine it’s a befree carbon fibre with 3 sections 😊

Hello David the maximum size an open box m will take is 19.5” wide any size height. For bigger pieces I have the 12x16”. Although it’s quite a bit heavier and bigger to carry! I hope that helps 😊

Hi David It is the befree tripod but with this mount and plate: Manfrotto 394 RC4 Low Profile Rectangular Rapid Connect Adapter with 410PL Plate Included. Hope this helps :-)

@@ClareBowenArtist thanks Clare

@@ClareBowenArtist Yes, very stable tripod, I've panted at the seashore in CA with mine and no problems with the constant high winds there. Mine is the universal joint quick release set up. Attaches in 2 seconds flat!! My painting friend once said: "Ronnie, he's 'zero to painting' in under one minute!!" LOL ;D

Hi Steve any camera works with an open box m. You need a quick release plate too. It attaches the two together. Weight and stability are things to look for in a tripod. Good luck with your plein air painting!🎨

Hi Kazz it doesn’t fit in my backpack. I actually now use a Daytripper easel it’s more versatile and I prefer to work at eye level instead of looking down on the OBM easel!

@@ClareBowenArtist Thanks Clare. Do you have a link to the Daytripper easel? (is it still made?) I have been trying to find a good and lightweight easel for ages now... thanks

Hi Karen a good question! I cut the palette quite snug so it doesn't move. I pull it out with the velcro stickies I use for my palette garage. I hope this explains it? Good luck & happy painting with your new OBM!! :-)

@@ClareBowenArtist I use a thin piece of Masonite, that I use my point driver that I use to secure my panel paintings into my frames. They can be removed but cleaning well after use, sometimes, will work to keep the area workable for painting. I suppose glue would work too, enough to secure the piece of acrylic or Masonite but easily removed if necessary. Some folks even just use the bottom as is, and after a while will become a nice working surface, being oiled so often.

Hi Pat, Since I made the video, the company no longer is producing the OBM. You maybe able to find one on EBay? 👩🏻‍🎨🎨

Hello Charles, they are expensive. Buy what you can afford, and then use enough of it don’t scrimp when setting out the paints! 😊🎨

Hi Martin good question. I’ve used the set up since 2016 when I properly got into plein air. I have tried other pochade makes along the way but like some of the features of the OBM and have gotten used to it! Hope this helps?

Hello Neeraj thanks for your message. It’s a laptop bag. Fits my 11x14” not a 12x16”. I am not affiliated with open box m so don’t know their working practise. Good luck with your painting. Clare

@@ClareBowenArtist Thank you for your reply re: the laptop bag. I recognise that, Open Box M is possibly one of the best in terms of materials and functionality, and robustness. However, due its unavailability, and, in pursuit of the interest in practising, I have ordered a 6"x6" Palette Box which holds two panels in this size, and, have ordered a Guerrilla 5"x7" Pochade Box; largely, because the delay in the Open Box M 10"x8" Palette and Panel Box and the 12" x 16", which, are definitely two of the desirable and required equipment's; but, alas, cannot hang around for six-months or longer, or would it be a year, hence, have decided to order the Guerilla 5"x7", and, an independent Sweden based maker who makes the 6"x6" Palette and Panel Pochade box; all of which, will facilitate the practice in Oil, thus, making it much easier to do 40minute to 60minute Plein Air sketches / paintings; though, of course, this size may also possibly be accomplished in 30minutes too, as my first ever 10"x12" took me 50mins Landscape in Suffolk, for which, I used the standard type Pochade Box which is readily available from so many art shops priced at £40 or thereabouts. Best wishes. I saw your Lavender Fields in France you tube; wow! I love Lavender, it is one of my favourite of flowers. Your painting is brilliant, and, it helps to have a team. I shall explore a way to be involved in a team, somehow...which, helps with all kinds of things.

Hi Anthony, not a bother at all....sadly Great Art Tools who sell the Palette Garage have stopped shipping to the UK. I am in communication with the lady who owns the company. I'll let you know if anything comes of it. The Chelsea Solo Show went well, I sold and had great feedback, thank you. My husband and I have talked of some sort of lift up to the house one day!! Best wishes, Clare ps Thank you very much for subscribing :-)

@@ClareBowenArtist Thank you for your reply Clare. I have also sent an email to GAT, whether I get a reply or not is another thing all together. It does seem very odd to me that they don't ship to the UK. i did poke a little 'ironic humour' their way, asking if it was anything to do with pre Boston Tea Party days, and we, as yet. are not forgiven.... Keep up Your Good Work. Besst wishes to you and Hubby. Anthony.

hi Marcella it is tricky re tripod choosing. Mine is a Manfrotto BeFree Carbon tripod. I’m not sure if the exact design is available now. I don’t tilt my open box m palette so didn’t need the ball head. I took it off and put a quick release plate on both the pochade and tripod. does this help? happy to answer any other questions. best wishes, Clare

@@ClareBowenArtist thanks Clare this helps a lot, your a star.

Hi Wendy! Since we made this video, the company that made this pochade appears to have ceased trading! The Day Break easel from America is similar! We are due to delete this video as it is no longer pertinent, apologies! 👩🏻‍🎨❤️

Hello, you can use anything from 5” across so both those sizes would works on a 12x16”. It’s quite a big easel so unless you’ll be painting big or want a large mixing area a 11x14” is a good size too!! Hope this helps 😊🎨

@@ClareBowenArtist Thanks 😊

I haven't got the exact weight, next time I've packed my bag up I will weigh it for you and write it here! Best wishes, Clare

It is unlikely Bob, sorry.

👍👍👍

Hi Wulan I’m so sorry to hear you’ve had trouble with the Open Box m company. I shared the video because people always ask me what I use as my plein air pochade. They didn’t endorse the video probably don’t even know about it. It’s such a shame you’ve had such trouble ordering. I really hope it sorts out for you. I am in no way connected to OBM I just use their pochades to paint. Sending best wishes, Clare

I have received my orders took a bit delayed. He responds to texts. Maybe I’m lucky.

Hi Bob! I am sorry but my Open Box is not for sale. Have a look at the Day Break easel 9 x 12 from America!😊❤️

Hi Clare, Understand. Would you please ask around for me. I'd like the 11x14. I've been looking for a long time. Happy painting... Thank you,

Thank you for your observations! 😊

Thank you 😊

Thank you CHB really pleased you found the video helpful. I am making more videos like this - tips on equipment etc. Keep a look out, best wishes, Clare