Which easel do you think is the absolute best for plein air painting?

[Andrew]

I am not sure about the best, or if I am the qualified to make that qualification, but I will weigh in on what works for me.

Most of my plein air work is sketchbook stuff, using watercolour if I desire. So I am working on my little three legged folding stool (or occasionally standing) holding my sketchbook (or drawing board) and palette in one hand, and Turner WC box and brushes at my side.

When I do actually have the time to paint, I do have a Yarka field easel that I like, but I have speed issues painting that large. So I have found a Jullian cigarbox pochade that fits my style of working outdoors phenomenally.

Andrew

[Saturday Painter]

Originally Posted by CLS Portrait Artist

Can you use a canvas with the Alla Prima easel or just panels?

Most plein air painters use panels because if you are facing into the light at all, it comes through a stretched canvas but not a panel--and panels are easier to transport.

[JamieWG]

I think the answer depends on whether you like to sit or stand, whether you need to be able to hike long distances, and what sizes you paint. For those reasons, I use many different setups. However, if I had to limit myself to only one, I'd keep my Soltek.

Jamie

[Michaelmcg]

I've had a Soltek for about three years. It is extremely well concieved, but there are design flaws and IMHO the build quality is a bit suspect. From what I've read the legs always give trouble - I've busted the locking mechanism on two of them but it still works unless you want to set up on a steep slope. The hinge which joins the arm holding the panel/canvas to the tripod also failed - I managed to get a replacement part and carried out the repair myself. I was surprised to find that such a critical component was cast aluminium - no wonder it failed. Making critical components such as this one with high tensile steel would have sacrificed little in extra weight and made much more sense.

Regardless of the problems, when this one finally pack in, I will probably buy another.

Michael

[CLS Portrait Artist]

Originally Posted by Michaelmcg

I've had a Soltek for about three years. It is extremely well concieved, but there are design flaws and IMHO the build quality is a bit suspect. From what I've read the legs always give trouble - I've busted the locking mechanism on two of them but it still works unless you want to set up on a steep slope. The hinge which joins the arm holding the panel/canvas to the tripod also failed - I managed to get a replacement part and carried out the repair myself. I was surprised to find that such a critical component was cast aluminium - no wonder it failed. Making critical components such as this one with high tensile steel would have sacrificed little in extra weight and made much more sense.

Regardless of the problems, when this one finally pack in, I will probably buy another.

Michael

What year did you buy your Soltek? I've heard they've made improvements to it.

[Jano]

I concur with several of hte above comments, most notably the question of what = "best" as this is a subjective criteria.

I have tried:
-fake julian full size (junky hardware, too heavy, putzy to set up)
-1/2 genuine Julian (size was right, better quality, but still putzy to use, don't like the drawer access)
-Soltek (quick and easy, but heavy for me, and I can see where the legs will become an issue someday; still, it is my choice for working larger outdoors if I can stay close to the car or use a wheeled cart)

But, all that being said: ALLA PRIMA POCHADE, hands down. I just got a Blackfoot (8 x 10) after consulting with Ben H re: what size and conformation would be "best" for MY uses. No matter what size you choose, if you want a quality item which has been thoughtfully designed and well conceived, this is the box. No question.

[Proudhawk]

Looks like I'm bucking the trend but, I'll take my Open Box M. Well conceived, well made, and an absolute joy to use. That said, I also love my Soltek. And though it's an older model, I haven't had any trouble with it at all. The only thing I don't like about it is that when I'm looking into the light my panel is in shade while my palette is in the light due to the mast design that doesn't block the sun at all. One might suggest an umbrella but, I find them more of a nuisance than a benefit. Of course, I could always change the angle of my palette but I like it horizontal.

[CLS Portrait Artist]

Originally Posted by Jano

I concur with several of hte above comments, most notably the question of what = "best" as this is a subjective criteria.

I have tried:
-fake julian full size (junky hardware, too heavy, putzy to set up)
-1/2 genuine Julian (size was right, better quality, but still putzy to use, don't like the drawer access)
-Soltek (quick and easy, but heavy for me, and I can see where the legs will become an issue someday; still, it is my choice for working larger outdoors if I can stay close to the car or use a wheeled cart)

But, all that being said: ALLA PRIMA POCHADE, hands down. I just got a Blackfoot (8 x 10) after consulting with Ben H re: what size and conformation would be "best" for MY uses. No matter what size you choose, if you want a quality item which has been thoughtfully designed and well conceived, this is the box. No question.

But once you add the weight of your tripod onto the 4 lbs 4 oz the Blackfoot weighs, won't the Alla Prima box weigh the same as the Soltek?

I'm trying to decide between purchasing the Bitterroot Lite from Alla Prima (weighing in at just over 4 pounds) and priced at $239 versus the 10 X 12 Palette/Panel Holder from Open Box M (weighing only 1.75 pounds) priced at $195. At this point, I'm leaning towards the Open Box M because it is the lightest of them all.

[Michaelmcg]

Originally Posted by CLS Portrait Artist

What year did you buy your Soltek? I've heard they've made improvements to it.

I bought mine about three years ago. The engineer in me just knows that some critical components could be made from more durable materials, with only a small weight increase. Maybe they have made some changes, but the component I ordered is still aluminium.

Michael

[CLS Portrait Artist]

I just received a private message from someone who said she gave away her Open Box M because, although the workmanship is decent, the materials are of the cheapest possible kind, particularly the whole hinge system. She was very disappointed in it.

She said if I had money to burn or am only interested in the weight factor or just want to dip a toe into plein air work, then maybe the Open Box M would be a good "starter" choice.

This really surprised me as most of the pros use the Open Box M and highly recommend it. In fact, one of today's greatest living realist artists who will appear at the "Weekend with the Masters" replied to my email last night. He said if he could only own one box, he'd choose the Open Box M. He recommended it over the Alla Prima Pochade because the Open M can handle more sizes of canvases whereas the Alla Prima is only for panels.

The person who PM'd me instead of posting her information on this thread, favors and promotes the Alla Prima Pochade. She claims if she hadn't already given away for free her Open Box M to an acquaintance, she would have given it to me. I do not know her. Why would she give away an expensive item to a stranger or someone who is just an acquaintance? Doesn't she know about eBay?

Is there anyone else out there who is disappointed in their Open Box M?

Yesterday afternoon I was having a difficult time trying to make a decision between the Alla Prima and the Open M. At this point, I believe I will most likely purchase the Open Box M 10 X 12 palette/Panel holder.

Cindy

[Al Skaar]

Originally Posted by CLS Portrait Artist

But once you add the weight of your tripod onto the 4 lbs 4 oz the Blackfoot weighs, won't the Alla Prima box weigh the same as the Soltek?

I'm trying to decide between purchasing the Bitterroot Lite from Alla Prima (weighing in at just over 4 pounds) and priced at $239 versus the 10 X 12 Palette/Panel Holder from Open Box M (weighing only 1.75 pounds) priced at $195. At this point, I'm leaning towards the Open Box M because it is the lightest of them all.

I don't think there is "one absolute best" easel because too much depends on where and how you intend to use it. That said, I have one of Ben Hagget's Bitterroot Lite pochade boxes and can't recommend them highly enough. I use it with a Gitzo Mountaineer carbon fiber tripod, that I luckily picked up at a great price, used, on craigslist. I bought a Manfrotto ball-head, which weighs nearly as much as the tripod. The tripod is rated for an 11 pound load and is solid as a rock. The whole set-up weighs just over 6 pounds. This is a great kit when you have to pack it for any distance. I've also taken it aboard an airline to Mexico where I did a number of plein air paintings and it packed easily and worked great. Ben's pochade boxes have so many very smart design features, not the least of which are the continuous torque hinges - similar to a laptop screen - which eliminates all the clunky hardware that tends to snag inside a pack. Someday I hope to get a Soltek easel for the times when I want to work larger and don't have to tote my gear too far. I should point out that if I had bought my Gitzo tripod new, it would have cost about the same as a new Soltek. I also have a 6x8 pochade from Alla Prima that I have used many times, and that is really a light haul but the palette is small and that took me a bit to get used to.

- Al

[CLS Portrait Artist]

Originally Posted by Unitoid

I don't think there is "one absolute best" easel because too much depends on where and how you intend to use it. That said, I have one of Ben Hagget's Bitterroot Lite pochade boxes and can't recommend them highly enough. I use it with a Gitzo Mountaineer carbon fiber tripod, that I luckily picked up at a great price, used, on craigslist. I bought a Manfrotto ball-head, which weighs nearly as much as the tripod. The tripod is rated for an 11 pound load and is solid as a rock. The whole set-up weighs just over 6 pounds. This is a great kit when you have to pack it for any distance. I've also taken it aboard an airline to Mexico where I did a number of plein air paintings and it packed easily and worked great. Ben's pochade boxes have so many very smart design features, not the least of which are the continuous torque hinges - similar to a laptop screen - which eliminates all the clunky hardware that tends to snag inside a pack. Someday I hope to get a Soltek easel for the times when I want to work larger and don't have to tote my gear too far. I should point out that if I had bought my Gitzo tripod new, it would have cost about the same as a new Soltek. I also have a 6x8 pochade from Alla Prima that I have used many times, and that is really a light haul but the palette is small and that took me a bit to get used to.

- Al

The Bitterroot Lite 10 X 12 is what I've been considering, but I want the option to be able to paint on canvas not just panels.

[Al Skaar]

Originally Posted by CLS Portrait Artist

The Bitterroot Lite 10 X 12 is what I've been considering, but I want the option to be able to paint on canvas not just panels.

I would think that Ben could modify the panel holders for you to accommodate stretched canvas. How do you prevent backlighting problems outdoors with stretched canvas?

- Al

[CLS Portrait Artist]

Originally Posted by Unitoid

I would think that Ben could modify the panel holders for you to accommodate stretched canvas. How do you prevent backlighting problems outdoors with stretched canvas?

- Al

Good point about the backlighting problem. Maybe I should stick with panels while painting outdoors.

[wendtech]

The best in my opinion is Ben Haggett's Alla Prima Pochade Boxes. They are just wonderful. Easy to carry in a backpack and simple to set up and use.