Making a Plein Air Easel to fit onto a Tripod.

This is how I made the Plein air easels for the Tankwa Karoo and Cederberg Art Retreat. Each participant got one to use and they worked very well!

[@awatercolourist]

Great idea! Thank you for sharing your DIY project with us.

[@helenmelton]

Very good work!

[@WarrenPrindle]

Love the craftsmanship and ingenuity. Question: Is the purpose of the magnets to secure the top lid to the box bottom, or is it used to secure a blank panel in place during the painting process?

[@sharonkuisisart8560]

@@WarrenPrindle hi Warren, thanks very much for your comment! It is to secure the lid to the box bottom.

[@AndyBeckTeesdale]

Thats a very good version. I found velco to be very good for keeping both parts together. Also if youmake a hole in the shelf to take the waterpot you don't have to cary extra bits and pieces :)

[@sharonkuisisart8560]

Thanks very much for the advice! I wanted to put hole in shelf but made it a little to small a space for palette as it’s only an A3 :)

[@windyrhodes3453]

I like some of the modifications you made and I like the handle. I thought the original had quite a large hole in the board that would weaken it and allow the weather in. Not sure about the magnets but I didn't like the velcro either. Anyway, thanks for sharing 😊

[@carlbecker3961]

Very smart and simple.

[@1mulekicker]

Nice job! I came by way of looking for ideas. Your artist box that isn't a box is lightweight, quick and easy with lots of room. I have a 1/4"x17"x12" plastic cutting board I'm thinking I could bend and have a combined one-piece easel and tray to keep the paints closer to the paper. Just trying to figure out what work angle would best overall without sawing the board in two and using hinges.

[@sugarcane9425]

Nice 👍 I really like it

[@IqbalHussain-xp1xi]

excellent

[@dangrossheider7304]

nice, do you need an expensive heavy duty tripod for that? or is it light enough so a cheaper tripod would work?......also which tripod are you using? brand, etc. ?

[@sharonkuisisart8560]

@@dangrossheider7304 not at all, it’s quite light so as long as the wind is not blowing a cheap one works well! Just make sure the screw is a standard one ☝️

[@dangrossheider7304]

@@sharonkuisisart8560 awesome, thx so much, do I need rare earth magnets, stronger?

[@EstarC45]

Thanks for sharing your DIY process. This is eye opening! How did you attach the ring for turps holder? Did you make the ring yourself?

[@sharonkuisisart8560]

Hi! Thanks very much, I bought a ready made stainless steel bird feeder from the pet shop which happened to be the exact size. I used its holder which has a bolt, drilled a corresponding hole in the side and used the existing wing nut to attach it!

[@EstarC45]

Ah. Thanks for the info!

[@berolinastrassmann]

This is a very good version, tha ks for making the video. So clever tonhave the tripod space laser cut for you. May I ask how heavy it is? How are you enjoying using it after a few months?

[@j.vshaikh6465]

Nice very good ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@phillipstroll7385]

Wait a second here, isn't mdf particle board making it extremely sensitive to moisture? Even humidity will destroy mdf. Why would anyone use mdf to make a plein air set up? Or is there now some type of super high grade mdf with something other than wood fiber and glue?

[@Frank_Nemo]

If you use a thin varnish or oil then mdf is surprisingly non-sensitive to moisture. I would have used ply for that job just for strength though.

[@windyrhodes3453]

the original guy used several coats of varnish but partical board and masonite are 2 different things.