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Friday, January 11, 2013

Has Anybody Seen My Philips?

I might be able to go places with this one?
My plein air easel was delivered at 8:24 AM. I was having my coffee. I thought I could let it sit in the box till I finished--or wait  till Sunday morning. The box was heavy. I sensed  there was going to be a struggle.

By the size of the box, I figured some assembly was required--and probably with a Philips screwdriver, the small size I can never find without tearing the house apart.  Naturally, my excitement and curiosity got the better of me. I slit open  the box and there it was, this new contraption. Of course, there were no instructions on setting it up and taking it down.



Speed of set up and pack up is important with plein air equipment. I do not appreciate being caught in sudden downpours having to wrestle with an easel. My first set up in the living room didn't go quickly. I had to figure which screw tightened which leg and possibly which legs needed to be released first when taking it down. What was very clear was I was going to have to go through a few practice runs.

When it was finally standing upright ready for use, the first thing  I adjusted was the the height of the ledge.  I like to stand and move around in the studio, I don't see why I'd be different in the field? Plus I didn't order a stool. I hope I don't need a stool, one more thing to carry--and the easel itself is weighty, being  bamboo.

While heavy for lifting (up and over into the car trunk), I was very pleased with the construction--brass fittings,impervious-to-weather bamboo, good screws.  I had worried I hadn't spent enough. Only a hundred dollars, it seemed inexpensive when I recall what I spent on my studio easel-- or maybe I had just been a sucker back then?  Whatever, this is a keeper--as soon as I attach the wheels, the only assembly required.  Has anybody seen my Philips?

Closed up, wheels installed  and ready
to roll. Just a few more sessions, and
I might have the workings of this easel down pat.




23 comments:

  1. Looks nice and easy, do hope that turns out to be true.

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    1. It's not a breeze, but I did get the hang of it. The thing to watch out for is not all the screws were installed righty tightly, lefty loosely.

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  2. I've heard these easels are difficult to get to grips with! Have wondered about investing in one. I have just started a blog so please visit Found you via Sharon Wright. Happy painting!

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    1. It took me a couple of set ups and fold downs to get the drift, but I got it.: back leg first; front legs second; open box;prop up painting support, tighten screws as you go. To close: reverse. Welcome to blogging. It's a great way to keep painting regularly.

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  3. congratulations, LW--may you spend many happy hours in the field with this fine easel. Your back leg needs to be at a steeper angle. I can't wait to see what you produce with this.

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    1. I did figure that out the third time I set it up. By then, my timing was getting better. Thanks. Me neither, but till the snows melt away and warmer breezes blow, it will do nicely in the studio for those little head studies . I'd like my studio easel back for larger work and my watercolor easel will be just fine for charcoals--or acrylics if I need to lay them flat.

      Now I have to go back to my crusade for a direct pathway to our park like access to the lake or pay very close attention to the paths the deer take. Plein air is an adventure.

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  4. Nice bit of kit...may you have many happy hours working at it.

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    1. You're kidding aren't you? Yesterday's practice sessions wrecked havoc with my sciatica, but by eleven in the evening, I did get the drift. I'm not a whiz, but my timing has improved.

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  5. Love the handle and the wheels! Those are really great additions - I have just the basic model with a shoulder strap - and it's heavy!

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    1. This is heavy too, but with that handle and those wheels, maybe it's manageable? If not, I have a third easel in the studio. It's heavy without anything in the drawer. The handle, the wheels, the low price got me to give it a try.

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  6. Yes! I attached the shoulder strap today and toted the thing down to my studio. It was very heavy. The wheels and the handle are what caught my eye when I was online shopping. I was also wondering why not aluminum? It's light weight and weather resistant.

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  7. Oooh! That looks fun! I love getting new equipment to use. :) I'll let you know if I find your phillips. ;)

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    1. Don't we all? New equipment renews hopes for excellence, a fresh start with great results. Truth is day to day preserve fence serves us best. This new easel looks to be perfect for small paintings in oils or pastel even if it never leaves the studio.

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  8. I wish you lots of great painting with this easel!........I always love getting new art equipment ! I can't wait to see what comes off the easel! Enjoy!!!

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    1. Thanks Helen. Me too. New supplies always reinvigorate me. This one item will get me to set up a pastel/charcoal station in the studio if I never take it outdoors. Charcoal and pastels are more me than watercolors it took me three years to confirm.

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  9. I've been casually shopping around for plein air easels for a few months, both online and off, and all of the ones I've wanted have run $300 or more. If this turns out to be good, I want to know!

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    1. I know! I have been shopping too and those were the prices I was seeing. After Christmas, was when I saw this one and when I saw the price, I figured what the hell, go for it. I don't even know I'm going to like plein air painting. It could be too much of a drag. I do know an easel with a drawer in it that will hold a canvas up to 32" high would be of use inside as well as outside. It would be fine for charcoal, pastels and these little heads I'm doing in oils that are lost on my large studio easel, also, I really thought a hundred was cheap and I worried about how it was made till I had it here. It's made very well. It's a good starter for plein air, and it is great for charcoals and pastels in studio, I am thinking of doing pastels painting plein air, not oils. I don't want to use a palette for mixing. I don't want any fluids in the case. I don't want a big clean up. In Mexico, I did watercolor with nothing more complicated than a beach bag. Hm.

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  10. Linda!
    Good luck!
    I do most of my plain-air work from my studio window!
    However it is nice to get outdoors! You will have a blast!
    Love the portraits posted the other day!
    Have fun! Your blog made me smile. Thanks!
    Michael

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    1. Me too--or from my deck. I am a lazy painter. I do applaud photographs. I do want to see where this purchase leads--maybe just as far as the backyard?

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  11. Dear Linda, waiting for your post on the day of your birthday ...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...HAAAAAPPY BIIIIRTHDAAAAAAAYYYYYY TOOOOOOO YOUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ciao,Rita.

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    1. Thanks Rita. My plan is to set that easel up in the studio this morning and move the pastels and charcoal equipment into the drawers. Then I am going to arrange three painting stations in the studio: acrylic, pastels and large paintings with my three easels. Sounds festive doesn't it? I'm still in my organizational mood. My computer is cleaned up, now the studio. New Years resolutions.

      Yesterday, my son and grandson came to visit and wish me a happy. The day before Ellis and I went to a lovely lunch at our favorite bistro where everybody knows our names. And tonight we'll go to our other favorite dining spot we've been going to for years. Just a good time with friends and paint. Today. Mexico was the fiesta that covered all our winter celebrations. --of course someone could surprise me?

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  12. NEAT new toy!!! I can just see you opening it. :)

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    1. You will, if I can figure out how to add my home video to this blog.

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