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Author: Scott_Burkett, Contributing Editor
 | Totally optional here are some sketching materials, such as a sketchbook, portable watercolor field box and small watercolor postcards/paper block (for doing those quick watercolor sketches!), pencils, charcoal, etc. Handy if you like to make quick sketches of scenes before you paint them.
I also like to carry a small pair of binoculars. These are great for panning around and trying to find your next "spot". :) |
 | Of course, don’t forget something to paint "on" – lol!
I generally bring a variety of small canvas panels, such as the ones made by Fredrix. I like these because they are light, less bulky, and stack together nicely. I can carry a lot more panels than I can stretched canvases. Some people prefer to carry canvases. I usually bring a few small ones as well. It is up to you. I also bring a pad of disposable paper palettes. In the studio, I have a series of sturdy wooden and plastic palettes that I use. In the field, however, I don't want to have to clean/scrape my palettes down. These things are great. When I'm done, I wad them up, tape them up with masking tape (also shown), and stuff them in one of my plastic trash bags. The masking tape can also be used for about a million other things – handy stuff to have around! |
| One of the biggest problems plein airists have is the issue of "what to do" with those wet canvases or panels when you are ready to hike back home? If you are in a situation where your vehicle is close by, it is a no-brainer. Just put them in your car, in a position where they won’t be smudged or damaged. If you don’t have a vehicle nearby, you have a few choices.
There are commercially-available "wet canvas" carriers. These generally run anywhere from $20-$100. However, this is “yet another thing” you have to drag around with you. Here is one alternative solution that works for me: Your french easel can also double as a carrier for wet canvases and panels. In fact, you can get pretty creative – take a look at the images below, and you’ll see how you can easily carry two wet panels at once. Just position them where they face each other. The inside panel should rest in the grooves of your horizontal support bars, and the outside panel should rest against the metal "prongs". You can also turn the prongs inward to provide additional support for the outside panel. |
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| If you are using a Studiopack, or some other type of harness, with your french easel, you may run into difficulties in using this method. The reason is that the straps of the harness, when buckled tight, would actually touch your panels. Probably not a good thing. I unscrewed my lower horizontal support bar, and actually ran the straps behind it, then screwed it back on. Now, the straps buckle in place behind my panels.
The image below shows the pack straps run underneath the horizontal support ledge of the french easel. |
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