I like my soho urban Artist pochade box easel from jerry's artirama. It can hold a 18 h x 15w canvas or a tiny canvas, has a slide out table on side and magnetic brush holder attachment, wet panel storage area, and shoulder strap, paper towel holder. Dark maple finish. 6 lbs.All for $99. Can't beat that deal. I love it! Looks beautiful. Still finding extras. Would like to find a two cup holder to attack to side of box. I already had a dulcia tripod with a ball head. ( a must have) plus it has spikes in the bottom of the legs to be stable, 60" ht. It was on sale on amazon for $70.00 . A very nice tripod.😊
I have this box and it is well made but... maybe too well made, that plywood is 3/8" thick. It's HEAVY and does wobble even on my Manfrotto CL190 tripod (professional tripod). This thing is fine for car painting but way too heavy for walking any distance to your plein air location. You could swing it at bear and knock it out =)
Hi Bryan - You're right it is a brute, but I love the solid feel and durability of this box. I've owned others and they just don't hold up. I've had this one now for 5 years and it's been to hell and back and it's still rock solid. I also have the cigar box made by Guerrilla and it's great for my watercolors. You could just carry your paints in a bag and take that one (Cigar box) for oil painting as well. ~Marty
It's a very well constructed box, however, it's limited on the sizes of panels you can use unless you purchase adapters. I've had one for years and like it and had to make my own adaptations to it that work well for my use.
From all the painting boxes I’ve purchased this has to be the best box that has held up and a good price I had another box from another company and it fell apart where the glue seems Every time I will go out something will break
Thankyou, this is a good review and comprehensive. My only other comment would be that the tripod quality would make a difference, as it's often the case that you get what you pay for. If you're painting in a protected area, undercover, with no wind, then a cheap tripod would be fine I guess. If you're painting out in a paddock or on the side of a hill, then you'd need more sturdy tripods, I think, but each person's needs are different. Well done on the video.
Of course you are right about that. I still use the same old cheap tripod and it's held up great, but I agree that better quality would probably be better in those situations you mentioned.
Hi Cindy - I believe you can get a larger version, maybe not by Guerilla, but by another manufacturer. The idea here is to keep the box small, portable and light weight. The box is made for 9 X 12 canvas' or canvas boards. Most artists I work with or see, carry the brushes separately, but I like them handy in the box.
Thanks for the post. Yes the handle on the side actually comes in handy (no pun intended) especially when you pack the box in your backpack or bag. It goes in vertically so it helps to have something to grab on to. Overall though it's still manageable without one. I think you'll like using in spite of the missing side handle, but let me know. Marty
The palette knife idea is creative. I eventually upgraded from the Wallyworld version to a better one which I found on Craigslist for about $25 (after negotiations). I bought the metal connector from a local camera store and haven't had a wobble problem since. I know it's tough as a starving artist to invest $ in anything that isn't canvas, brush or paint, but the rest of the gear is just as important in the end (my opinion). Good luck and let us know what you decide. Thanks - Marty
Hi Mildred, Oh yes, I was told shortly after the video about the pastel holder, but thanks for the note on that anyway. I don't actually use the smaller internal boxes, I just use the partitioned slots to hole paint and use the long slot for my brushes. I'll have to create an updated video to show how I use the box and how it's held up after a season of painting.
You sold me one! That white box is actually a pastel holder. There should be sponge on the inside bottom of it. There is another video of this size box that shows the handle on the side with feet on the opposite side. Blick's shows the handle on the side, also. Amazon shows handle in the front. Don't know the advantage of the handle on the side other than to keep your brushes upright when carrying. I wish I had noticed that before I ordered but it is of little matter, I guess.
Actually, Blick shows the handle both ways in different pictures (tripod pic shows handle in front), so I guess you just don't know what you'll get, handle on the side or in the front. Judson's site shows the one with extras having the handle in front and the box only pic shows handle on the side. I saw no mention of the differences. Maybe one is a newer design?
Good video. I am curious to see the same box now and I must ask do you guys get much use from them? I go through spells I enjoy painting then I seem to put it all away for lengths of time. The pochade boxes seem to be for people who paint plein air a LOT, am I right or should I invest in one :) So many things we can purchase for the hobby.
Thanks for the note Joe Cwik. Yes I still get lots of great use from this box and it's held up excellently. I'd say it is definitely worth the money and a great value. Here is an update I did about a year after I bought it: ruclips.net/video/zp3qvY8isB0/видео.html Thanks again for dropping by the channel.
Owings Art Thanks for the quick reply, I subscribed right after posting that and saw you had made the follow up video. I'm looking forward to viewing all your videos soon as I have time. Thanks for the info and insight. I have a little wood shop and a few tools for another of my 'creative outlet/hobbies' so I will probably make a few of these. I was looking closely at the Alla Prima designs and hope to one day make something along those lines. I just don't know that I paint often enough to use one. I usually spend more time with watercolors but recently have purchased some acrylics and would like to learn to use oil type mediums eventually as well. Thanks again :)
Hi Joe Cwik - I would definitely be interested in putting one of your prototypes to the test if you ever build any. I took up oil painting about 10 years ago and I'm just scratching the surface, but I really like them and the effects you can get. Stay tuned and thanks a lot for the notes.
I am a painter and have the medium French Guerilla box. The problem with using a cheap tripod such as the one I have from Wallyworld, is that there is play in the connector and as you stroke the canvas with paint, the box moves a bit. This is disconcerting to say the least. I don't know a fix other that the fact that the connector plate on the tripod is plastic (read cheap) and so I have resorted to shoving a palette knife in between the box and the tripod connector. Anyone have a better idea?
I don't have the big Sennelier, but I have the big Schmincke and it doesn't quite fit into the box compartments. I do have the Sennelier 14 pan set and that fits just fine. ~Marty
I like my soho urban Artist pochade box easel from jerry's artirama. It can hold a 18 h x 15w canvas or a tiny canvas, has a slide out table on side and magnetic brush holder attachment, wet panel storage area, and shoulder strap, paper towel holder. Dark maple finish. 6 lbs.All for $99. Can't beat that deal. I love it! Looks beautiful. Still finding extras. Would like to find a two cup holder to attack to side of box. I already had a dulcia tripod with a ball head. ( a must have) plus it has spikes in the bottom of the legs to be stable, 60" ht. It was on sale on amazon for $70.00 . A very nice tripod.😊
I have this box and it is well made but... maybe too well made, that plywood is 3/8" thick. It's HEAVY and does wobble even on my Manfrotto CL190 tripod (professional tripod). This thing is fine for car painting but way too heavy for walking any distance to your plein air location. You could swing it at bear and knock it out =)
Hi Bryan - You're right it is a brute, but I love the solid feel and durability of this box. I've owned others and they just don't hold up. I've had this one now for 5 years and it's been to hell and back and it's still rock solid. I also have the cigar box made by Guerrilla and it's great for my watercolors. You could just carry your paints in a bag and take that one (Cigar box) for oil painting as well. ~Marty
Right on Marty, I was looking at the 6x8 cigar box, looks like a neat size, great video BTW
Bryan Coombes :-) Thank you Sir~
It's a very well constructed box, however, it's limited on the sizes of panels you can use unless you purchase adapters. I've had one for years and like it and had to make my own adaptations to it that work well for my use.
Good points!
From all the painting boxes I’ve purchased this has to be the best box that has held up and a good price I had another box from another company and it fell apart where the glue seems Every time I will go out something will break
Thankyou, this is a good review and comprehensive. My only other comment would be that the tripod quality would make a difference, as it's often the case that you get what you pay for. If you're painting in a protected area, undercover, with no wind, then a cheap tripod would be fine I guess. If you're painting out in a paddock or on the side of a hill, then you'd need more sturdy tripods, I think, but each person's needs are different. Well done on the video.
Of course you are right about that. I still use the same old cheap tripod and it's held up great, but I agree that better quality would probably be better in those situations you mentioned.
Owings Art You're video has been inspirational and I wish you happy painting!
Hi Cindy - I believe you can get a larger version, maybe not by Guerilla, but by another manufacturer. The idea here is to keep the box small, portable and light weight. The box is made for 9 X 12 canvas' or canvas boards. Most artists I work with or see, carry the brushes separately, but I like them handy in the box.
Thanks for the post. Yes the handle on the side actually comes in handy (no pun intended) especially when you pack the box in your backpack or bag. It goes in vertically so it helps to have something to grab on to. Overall though it's still manageable without one. I think you'll like using in spite of the missing side handle, but let me know. Marty
The palette knife idea is creative. I eventually upgraded from the Wallyworld version to a better one which I found on Craigslist for about $25 (after negotiations). I bought the metal connector from a local camera store and haven't had a wobble problem since. I know it's tough as a starving artist to invest $ in anything that isn't canvas, brush or paint, but the rest of the gear is just as important in the end (my opinion). Good luck and let us know what you decide. Thanks - Marty
Hi Mildred,
Oh yes, I was told shortly after the video about the pastel holder, but thanks for the note on that anyway. I don't actually use the smaller internal boxes, I just use the partitioned slots to hole paint and use the long slot for my brushes. I'll have to create an updated video to show how I use the box and how it's held up after a season of painting.
You sold me one!
That white box is actually a pastel holder. There should be sponge on the inside bottom of it.
There is another video of this size box that shows the handle on the side with feet on the opposite side. Blick's shows the handle on the side, also. Amazon shows handle in the front. Don't know the advantage of the handle on the side other than to keep your brushes upright when carrying. I wish I had noticed that before I ordered but it is of little matter, I guess.
Actually, Blick shows the handle both ways in different pictures (tripod pic shows handle in front), so I guess you just don't know what you'll get, handle on the side or in the front.
Judson's site shows the one with extras having the handle in front and the box only pic shows handle on the side. I saw no mention of the differences.
Maybe one is a newer design?
Good video. I am curious to see the same box now and I must ask do you guys get much use from them? I go through spells I enjoy painting then I seem to put it all away for lengths of time. The pochade boxes seem to be for people who paint plein air a LOT, am I right or should I invest in one :) So many things we can purchase for the hobby.
Thanks for the note Joe Cwik. Yes I still get lots of great use from this box and it's held up excellently. I'd say it is definitely worth the money and a great value. Here is an update I did about a year after I bought it: ruclips.net/video/zp3qvY8isB0/видео.html
Thanks again for dropping by the channel.
Owings Art Thanks for the quick reply, I subscribed right after posting that and saw you had made the follow up video. I'm looking forward to viewing all your videos soon as I have time. Thanks for the info and insight. I have a little wood shop and a few tools for another of my 'creative outlet/hobbies' so I will probably make a few of these. I was looking closely at the Alla Prima designs and hope to one day make something along those lines. I just don't know that I paint often enough to use one. I usually spend more time with watercolors but recently have purchased some acrylics and would like to learn to use oil type mediums eventually as well. Thanks again :)
Hi Joe Cwik - I would definitely be interested in putting one of your prototypes to the test if you ever build any. I took up oil painting about 10 years ago and I'm just scratching the surface, but I really like them and the effects you can get. Stay tuned and thanks a lot for the notes.
Lol funny, I bought this same box over 10 months ago, and still have not used....😉
What is the adapter called that you mentioned?
Not sure, this is really old. 🤔
Hmmm, why not make the box an inch or so wider so the paint brushes fit straight and don't press on the bristles?
Good job! Keep growing!
Thanks, I think.
I am a painter and have the medium French Guerilla box. The problem with using a cheap tripod such as the one I have from Wallyworld, is that there is play in the connector and as you stroke the canvas with paint, the box moves a bit. This is disconcerting to say the least. I don't know a fix other that the fact that the connector plate on the tripod is plastic (read cheap) and so I have resorted to shoving a palette knife in between the box and the tripod connector. Anyone have a better idea?
Hi, does anyone know if a big Sennelier or Schminke watercolor set could fit in one of the inner compartments? Thanks.
I don't have the big Sennelier, but I have the big Schmincke and it doesn't quite fit into the box compartments. I do have the Sennelier 14 pan set and that fits just fine. ~Marty
+Owings Art : Thanks for your reply.
Just got this box practically free at an estate sale.
Score!
Great!
Good presentation. Uh..."Guerilla", (geh-ree-yah).
rod