Sunday Secrets #47

 This entry was originally posted on Sunday, December 9, 2012

Today's Sunday Secrets comes from Mike.

His question is about watercolor easels.

 

Mike mentions that he is "keen to do some on-location painting" and would like a recommendation for a suitable easel. He also made reference to the En Plein Air Pro easel that he saw on You Tube.

 

Mike, I must admit that I do not have much experience with watercolor easels.

The selection in Canada is very small.

In fact, I have only seen one easel for sale and it is the Winsor & Newton Bristol watercolor easel.

It is also the kind I use and I am not very happy with it.

I have to unscrew it (risking the loss of small screws) and take it apart to have it even fit into the "convenient" carrying bag they provide.

There is no place to put my water or my paint.

I lose my brushes trying to find a place for them and they end up in my mouth.

It is extremely frustrating all around.

 

Years ago, I did come across an easel while in the States that I wish I had snatched up.

It was made by an engineer that decided to take up watercolor painting and sold them as special orders.

I wish I had remembered his name.

However, it was very similar to the En Plein Air Pro.

The thing I liked the most about both easels is the places to hold water and paint!

Imagine that.

It appears lightweight, easy to assemble, and 

 there are some features to the En Plein Air Pro that seem to enhance the outdoor painting experience

(the brush holders, and clip on lid which is absolutely fabulous looking).

 

So Mike, I would say, GO FOR IT!

I think I may have to get one for myself.

Thank you for question.

(It has made my Christmas :)

 

 The En Plein Air Pro Easel can be seen at

http://www.enpleinairpro.com/

Painting Upright

  This entry was originally posted on Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Painting at an easel seems to be a scary prospect to most beginning watercolorists but I highly recommend it.

It allows you to get in close then quickly back away to see if the painting is working as a whole.

It keeps you from getting hyper focused on one area and forgetting about the rest of the painting.

Painting upright also feels freeing when you want to do big broad strokes.

It is easier to dance around the painting as you quickly put in color.

 

Just a little tip about standing though.

If you have a hard time standing for long periods of time, get yourself one of those plush stool like chairs that you can adjust the height with. 

Mine has wheels so I can wheel it around my studio when I grow weary or I ran too far that morning.

Plus it spins in circles.

Don't Have An Easel?

   This entry was originally posted on Saturday, May 5, 2012

 

Carrying an easel everywhere you go can be a drag sometimes.

Or you just haven't invested in one that you like.

Instead, just use whatever is handy.

A paper towel roll, a tissue box, a towel, or your brushroll works great for putting your board at a tilt.

Paint On A Tilt

  This entry was originally posted on Friday May 4, 2012

 

There are many advantages to painting on a tilt.

It allows the paint to flow downward, 

you can see what you are painting better, 

and it is easier on your neck and shoulders.

 

I have an easel at home that adjusts the tilt anywhere from flat to straight up and down, depending on what type of wash I am doing.

It is just a table top easel but it does the job well.