Atelierartisanal's Blog

I’ve already created a few pochade boxes for oil painting and written about there here and here. But late last summer I began to see the utility of creating a similar set-up exclusively for watercolors. In fact, my field explorations in watercolor had originally inspired me to create something simple and efficient for oils, now the same occurred to me, but in reverse. Since we travel a lot and I like to do watercolors on these journeys, I put on my design cap. The idea was super slim and simple.

I cut two pieces of 1/4″ plywood board 3/4″ wider and deeper on both sides than a standard 9 x 12″ watercolor block. I glued in hardwood struts (5 cm x 1.8 cm) along all sides, cut to the width and depth of the plywood, as I wanted to nest a standard block inside the lid. Then I hinged it at the rear with a piano hinge (which will also create the easel’s tilt). This created a slim attractive box. I screwed in a little clasp (from Hobby Lobby) on the front side to keep it closed. Fixed adhesive magnets to the interior along the base, so that a color box, water cups and pencil box could be placed there while working.

On the underside I placed a 1/4″ thick tripod bracket from Jackson’s Art Supply. This allows me to attach a standard 1/4″ 20 thread camera tripod. I also placed some 1/4′ depth round feet to the underside (along the front) so I could work at a flat table top, too. That was version I. It was just about 1″ thick. Nice!

After my first few field tests I determined the need to change a few things. I wanted to create additional depth in the interior so that the watercolor color box, cups and drawing box could fit inside not only when working but also when traveling, that is, when the lid was closed. This meant adding an additional 3/4″ or so of space between the two halves. I did this by glueing additional struts on the bottom half. I also added small removable angle brackets along the sides to keep the easel top from closing while working. Creating those brackets with my minimal tools and skill set was defo a challenge but in the end I came up with something I think quite serviceable – and elegant (enough).

Our recent trip to the Grand Canyon was a test drive. It yielded up a few watercolors here and here along with a few happy working surprises. Having a box/easel freed up my both hands (which previously had been needed to hold the watercolor block) allowing me to draw with my whole arm (not just my hand) – and at a comfortable distance. That’s huge!!!! I was able to use my whole body to capture gesture (so it felt different), while also achieving more distance for judging my progress. I used a charcoal pencil for my initial sketch as it’s quick and sensitive, but way too dark and smudgy for watercolors. So I lightly erased that and traced in a linear drawing using a .2 H graphite pencil.

I recently upgraded this set up further to allow for a vertical orientation (of my watercolor block) as needed. Also I attached magnets to the front side so small water trays can be stationed there while working. The in situ pic here shows my folding chair, box and tripod from a recent session. Everything collapses and packs up nicely in the saddlebags of my e-bike. Adventure ho!