*Note: This is the second in a series of posts I am writing about artist’s easels. To read the other installments, click on the following links:Part I: On the quest for the perfect easel
Part III: My Soltek Easel
Part IV: A pochade box for travel
Picking up on my previous post about artist easels, today I’ll discuss plein air easel #2; my first pochade box. The word “pochade” comes from the French word “pocher” meaning “to sketch”. Popularized in 19th century by landscape painters such as the Impressionists,  a pochade box was  a small wooden sketch box (sometimes called a “thumb box”)  with a hinged lid that could be held in the hand, to easily take into the field for small sketches and painting studies (pochades.) Today, what we call a pochade box comes in many different sizes beyond the tiny hand-held variety.
After I developed my “wingnut aversion” the pochade box idea really appealed to me, as the modern boxes are made to attach to a camera tripod, which has telescoping legs. The box I chose was the Guerilla Painter’s Pochade Box (9×12″)
 
As you can see here, this particular pochade box has a hinged lid that holds 9×12″ panels, and can readily take any panel that is 12″ wide. The wood palette slides out to reveal little compartments to hold supplies. Like other pocade boxes, this one has a tripod mount to take any standard camera tripod. The tripod shown above is the Guerilla Painter’s brand, but I chose a Bogen Manfrotto Jr. tripod, which I purchased for a steal on eBay. Bogen is a good brand and the “junior” Manfrotto model is sturdy while still being reasonably lightweight.
The Guerilla Painter’s box is a fine pochade box that will likely last many years. It is a strudy piece of gear and will withstand frequent use. You could klunk the thing on the ground and not make a dent. The box is well constructed, and performs as described by the manufacturer. In many ways, you could do far worse than this box for the quality, and while the price has gone up since I made my purchase, the basic setup seems  comparable to other painting boxes on the market.
This box is certainly more compact and practical than the stodgy El Greco, and also a bit lower in weight. But once you consider the weight of the required tripod, the weight of the basic box is about the same weight as the traditional French half  box easel. However, this changes if you want more versatility. For example, at the time of my purchase, it was necessary to buy various inserts and attachments to best allow for the use of smaller 8×10″ and 6×8″ canvases, though the company later developed a slip in easel that allowed for a bit more versatility.
Not only are addtional accessories another thing to keep up with, but they added more overall weight to the painting setup (though my wallet soon began to feel lighter). In addition, while I find it far less awkward than the full French easel, the deep boxy shape made it a bit bulky and cumbersome for travel. The manufacturer,  Judson’s Art Outfitters does sell compatible backpacks, however, along with many other nifty plein air accessories suitable for any plein air painter, whether using the Guerilla Painter’s pochade box or some other brand.Â
This is a picture of my own Guerilla Painter’s Pochade box with the Bogen Manfrotto Jr. tripod. You might be able to make out the insert I’m using to accomodate my 8×10″ painting. I use a bungee chord to hold my paper towels and a plastic bag for trash. Beneath the tripod there are two bags. One is a bag that actually goes to a folding portable chair that has a a shoulder strap. I confiscated it to carry my tripod. The box did not fit in any of the backpacks I owned, so I used  the large canvas LLBean tote shown in the background to carry my pochade box and other supplies.
The  bulk of this box is largely due to the enclosed compartment designed to hold paint tubes and other supplies, which for some could actually be a useful component. But the storage compartments are an insufficient size to hold long-handled paint brushes without first sawing off a part of the handle. And the little square compartment that logically looks as if it wil be perfect to hold your paint thinner is too shallow for the standard brush washers, so you will either need to pack your brush washer separately, buy one from Judson Art Outfitter’s, or find a small jar suitable to fit in the compartment once the lid is closed. (Not a big deal, but still worth noting if you’ve already invested in a brush washer.) And while it’s moderately convenient to have paint tubes right under my palette, the way these compartments were configured seemed to add more bulk than convenience.
So while there is certainly nothing wrong with this box, I found that along with the bulk, it was a slight annoyance that the accessories necessary to make this box its most versatile added weight and needed to be purchased separately. I am now thinking of selling my Guerilla Painters Pochade box or just keeping  it as a backup (Update: It’s off the market. I ended up gifting this to my talented niece Molly) in case something happens to…. Plein Air Easel #3. In many ways, #3 is a slice of plein air heaven. But this heaven comes with a couple of caveats, and a pretty hefty price. More on that in the next installment.
*Note: This is the second in a series of posts I am writing about artist’s easels. To continue reading the other installments, click on the following links:
Part I: On the quest for the perfect easel
Part III: My Soltek Easel
Part IV: A pochade box for travel
Jennifer
Young; Vibrant LandscapesOil Paintings and Art Prints Online
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Jennifer,
I would consider a trade for a brand new one I just bought in Virginia. My paint supplier sold it to me. It’s a nice one. Much better than the piece of junk you are trying to pawn off.
Rick,
I am interested in a trade, but only for those green pieces of paper with pictures of men in funny hairdos.
. If I brought home another easel I think my husband would spontaneously combust.
Jennifer,
Thank you so much for the…off color remarks regarding my painting.
In order to facilitate your little used art equipment auction I am making one final offer.
For a once used by Jennifer Young plein air easel, You will receive,
1. Donation of $50.00 to your Art for food donation drive thing. Thats 400 meals. I am still negocitable on the donation amount.
2.My latest painting “Rooster at the Copa†You can make cruel comments about this on my blog and I will change the sky and put a custom Rick Nilson frame on it.
3.A brand new easel. This baby has never seen paint.
4.Enrollment at in your Outer Banks Oil Painting workshop.
5.I will pay for shipping of all items.
I will want to move quickly on this, tomorrow high’s in the 70ies.
If the wingnuts are missing that’s ok too.
Rick
Rick, you (A) drive a hard bargain (B) are too generous or (3) are out of your mind.
I will have to give all of the above some serious thought before I can choose the correct answer. Seriously, many tempting options, though I prefer your crows, still don’t want your easel, and I haven’t yet had to bribe anyone to enroll in a workshop (but never say never.)
Hi Jennifer,
Co-incidently this very morning I was trawling the internet looking for some sort of equipment I could use for painting en plein air when, by a circuitous route, arrived at your blogsite (I won’t relate the whole story here but you can read it on my own blogsite if you wish). Suffice to say that if you haven’t already fallen under Rick smooth-talking spell I would happily give your old guerilla box a good home. Just name your price and I’ll re-mortgage my house and sell the cat!
Regards
DAVID
ps: You have a very interesting blogsite and I envy you painting so much out of doors in the sunshine!
Hi David,
Thanks so much for your thoughts. I enjoyed reading your post on the subject over at your blog as well, and I was impressed with the home made easel you came up with.
If you’re interested in my pochade box, I am happy to discuss this with you… But first, I suggest that you read my upcoming post that will offer some additional ideas, and sum up my thoughts on the plein air easels I’ve come in contact with.
You may find some ideas that you can apply to your current setup, or some other options that may suit you even better. And if in the end you still want to discuss my pochade box, at least you can make better informed decision.
Where did the insert for 8×10 come from. I have this same pochade box and would love an insert. I hate to pay them more for one. I agree with your assessments of the storage space—Judy
Judy,
I ordered my inserts for both the 6×8 and 8×10 from the manufacturer’s website; pochade.com . I don’t know if you can find them elsewhere, like at the online art supply websites (Jerry’s, Dickblick, etc.) but you could check. Yes, every accessory costs and adds up. This is to be expected to some extent, I just wasn’t that thrilled with the extent to which it seemed to apply with this box. Again, I don’t think it’s a bad box, but in hindsight, I’d rather have paid a bit more for more versatility.
I ask for information about plein air 2009.
Maciej Tamkun
Hi Jen, this is great, I didn’t even know what a pochade box was really.. although I knew I wanted one. So I get it now and shall away and buy myself one. Love your work Jennifer, Chris
Hi,
I am traveling to France to plein aire paint, I’m not a professional, but I’m interested in purchasing a pochade box. Would you recommend I purchase one when I get there or take one from here? Thanks
Hi Roberta,
I guess my answer would depend on a few things. If you know your way around where you’ll be going in France, have extra time to shop, and feel confident you will have a variety of stores and choices, go for it. But remember, if your time is limited, time shopping will take away from time that you could be painting. Also, if you will be in the city, it probably won’t be as much of an issue. But in the countryside it is harder to find art supply stores, and if you do, to find ones that are well supplied with easels, etc.
For myself, I always like to test out my equipment and make sure I’m comfortable with using it before I leave for a painting trip, especially if it is new gear. This would be particularly important if you don’t have much plein air painting experience. In that case, I’d personally want to buy my pochade box in advance. Remember also that if you are considering a true pochade box, you will often need to buy the tripod separately. Often times tripods have to be purchased in camera stores rather than art stores, so that’s two shopping trips you may have to make. My vote is to buy the box and tripod before you leave for your trip. Yes it’s a pain to pack, especially when real estate in your luggage is at a premium. But it will save you time and possible disappointment on the ground. You can always wait and buy your paints overseas though. If you’re dealing with oils, buying paints and solvents in France may even be preferable to trying to deal with airport security upon departure. Bon voyage!