Comments on: Pochade Boxes

By: Todd

Todd — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:02:22 +0000

I just had another look at this post, now that I have a decent table saw, and chop saw, I am going to give this project a go. Thanks for the detailed look at these easels Charlie.

By: Charley Parker

Charley Parker — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:10:49 +0000

Thanks, Connie. I’m glad you found both the pochade box research and the blog in general useful.

By: Connie Nelson

Connie Nelson — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:01:41 +0000

I love the comprehensive info you put together for either buying a ready made or making own pochade box. I have researched for days and thank God, I have found it here. I have been looking for a better solution to my French easel for plein aire painting.

Enjoyed your blog, too. It is very informative and stimulating. I am more traditional minded when it comes to painting and drawing. Your blog opens my eyes to a more modern way of using drawing and painting.

Connie

By: Patricia Clark

Patricia Clark — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 05:16:51 +0000

I just stumbled across your page. Super! I bought a pochade box last year after researching on the web and observing quite a few plein air painters. Your site has a more comprehensive list of suppliers than I was able to find at the time.
Now I know you are the one responsible for the choice I made. I had never seen an Alla Prima box in use, but the web site and videos made me think the Bitterroot Lite would work best for how I wanted to use it. I am still thrilled. I have wrapped it in a laptop cover and carried it on planes, hiked up mountains with it, strapped it on my bike in a backpack, and set it on a table at an outdoor cafe. The engineering and craftsmanship set it apart. I am geeky, so I love the way things snap into place, and how solid it is in use. The box is a piece of art in itself. Ben gave me good advice and also “went the extra mile”. Anyway, glad I found your site. Keep it up!

By: Linda Richichi

Linda Richichi — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:45:14 +0000

Excellent article Charley. I currently have the larger Open Box M and love it. I use it for my pastels and built a divider for it. Recently I began using the Golden Open acrylics and wish to have a smaller version pochade box so this article came in handy! Thanks for the research. Nice blog as well.

By: barbara geri

barbara geri — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:50:35 +0000

Thank you Charley for this thorough review as I have been looking into purchasing another plein air box. I have tried a french easel, a Judson’s Guerrilla box and now after your fine post, have decided to try a Bitterroot Light. I am looking forward to using this well-made, well-marketed product! Looks fantastic and will suit my needs well. Thanks for taking the pain out of my endless search! Good work on the website as well. I watched three videos which informed my decision as well.

barbara geri

By: Bonnie Luria

Bonnie Luria — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:34:26 +0000

Wow- what a thorough and timely post.
Thank you for providing so much specific and clear information on a dazzling variety of options.
I’ve been holding out due to confusion and not wanting to buy the wrong thing and then be unable to return it
I’m looking for one that’s good both indoors and out.

Now I’ve got something very meaty to digest here.
Of course once you look at that Alla Prima, you’re ruined for the rest….

Thanks so much for all of this research and the visuals too.

By: Charley Parker

Charley Parker — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:02:11 +0000

Thanks, everyone, for the comments. Other readers can see Katherine Tyrell's blog here, and my recent post on her here. Jennifer Young's blog, Paintings of France, Italy and Beyond, features her work in several categories, as does her web site.

By: Jennifer Young

Jennifer Young — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:16:47 +0000

Wow! Fantastic and very thorough stuff here. Thanks for the mention too :-) I saw the Alla Prima Pochade demoed recently by a fellow painter and I was highly impressed. I have been seriously looking at the EasyL Versa (by Artwork Essentials) but after seeing the Alla Prima, I may have to change my mind. (Okay, I actually told my husband that my next pochade box would be home made, but now I can just blame you for putting out such a convincing article! )

I’m looking at either the Bitter Root Lite or the slightly larger Yellowstone Lite. All of the designs seem incredibly well-thought out though. The magnets are pure genius. They also seem more “complete” than a lot of others, with features that are generally considered “add-ons” in other models. Even so, they still seem to have a fairly thin profile.

By: Katherine Tyrrell

Katherine Tyrrell — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:44:43 +0000

Wow – seriously good post! I love reading posts like this – and love looking at different boxes. One day I’ve got to put my dry media down and give brushes a whirl one more time!