Getting out

Part of painting is the tools we use and they can not be undervalued as good tools do make the process of painting easier. Good tools make anything easier. Think of things you wanted when young that just did not encourage you to go on and learn more about your chosen craft. I think of the bad ponies that would as soon bite, kick and dump the kid, any kid or that first guitar with strings so stiff and high off the fret board no way the average small person had the strength to form a decent chord, forget playing fluidly.

Some things become a matter of preference, nice, as that makes for many choices. It is coming hard on spring, warm and early in many parts of the country. Sorry for you if this was the year to see the cherry blossoms in DC over the holiday. Happened last month. But on schedule is the rounds of plein air competitions coming up, regardless of weather. So, along with daffodils and cherry blossoms, painters think about what to use when painting out.

Here are two painting in Ireland, wish I could walk up to the one on the left and see her set-up!

So, if you are anywhere near a good sized paint out? Go look. Best advice I can think to give anyone looking for the perfect paint box for themselves. If there is a good turn-out chances are you will see just about everything available these days. Of course doing an internet search will give you a heads up about what is out there.

Here is LindaW painting with her Art Box set-up. She is willing to carry all her paints, brushes, mediums and all else in another carry all. The very large folding palette is designed to hang off any tripod and there are several different size panel holders available. It does make for a compact set-up.

Here she is with it on a windy beach:

Even before searching the internet consider what you want the box to do? I can’t tell you what you want, but I can what I wanted. About twelve years ago, it seems the only thing available easily was the French easel, Julien by choice, and anyone I know who has an older model (like from way in the last century) likes them. Even though they have developed a history of wonky legs, screws, etc....seems the further away these get from Julien’s (whoever he was) touch the wonkier they can be. Those dozen years ago, though, I wasn’t painting out so much but was looking for a box to use in a figure studio. And, let me tell you, several French easels set up in a small space makes negotiating to the bathroom an experience. I wanted something with a smaller footprint.

I have had those wooden 11 x 14” or so paint boxes, also an old French sort with four legs (gave that away) both were heavy. I had watched people setting up to paint outdoors with more stuff than I take camping, boxes, bags, chairs, all but the butler and take so much time to set up. I didn't want to carry much. It had to set up quickly, like in a couple minutes.

So, I can tell you what I wanted after thinking about it and checking the internet. I didn’t know of “plein air” happenings so I did not go check any out.

Here is Annie’s guerilla box set up in Texas, note she has added wings which give her extra palette space. She also had a glass palette made for the inner section. Her box is a bit heavier than mine but between us we’ve flown, hiked, taken horseback, kayaked, canoed........

and Annie painting in Ireland, here you can see the panel holder in the top part or the box and the telescoping easel holding the panel at the top:

Anyway, I wanted a small box that could carry everything I needed to paint away from the studio. It needed to house paint tubes, brushes and caddy, several small panels, turps & medium jars, a palette knife, a few small odds & ends, paper towels. Enough to take care of my painting needs for a couple hours, a day or two, even a few weeks, (okay not all the panels needed for a few weeks) and even be shovable into a smallish luggage bag.

My choice was Judson’s 9 x 12 guerilla box, chucka block full it is about ten pounds (the box itself is, I think about 5). At the time I was looking solely off the internet and it was frankly cheaper than some of the other options. The Open M box, (my runner-up) has its merits and those I’ve met who own one of the Alla Prima’s just adore them. Some will say the French box is still the best (still think it is an unwieldy thingy that has more faults than pluses). Have seen some home-made boxes that are drool-worthy and have an old ebay find that is ever so small it can go anywhere.

My guerilla box showing the brush caddy, panel adapter, which I use to prop the panel on and the telescoping easel attached to the cover:

Here I am w/ a critic painting in R.I. This spot met many of my criteria: easy enough to get there, good parking, a restroom nearby and close enough to carry box. Being the shoreline it was lacking in shade –I can almost always find a good view from under a tree - so provided my own, although it was too windy for the clip on umbrella.

I can paint easily up to 16 x 20” on my guerilla box and have taken it many places. It, and most pochade type boxes, need a really good sturdy tri-pod. Get the very best you can afford. Meanwhile ‘tis the season, if you are looking for the perfect box, check a plein air event to see what others like. Here is my box and tripod, more than a decade old, ready to go and as easy to grab as pulling on those muck boots.