Trying Out a Pochade Box
I had an old box for storing photographic transparencies that wasn't being used any more. It was just the right size to make a good pochade box, so I thought I would see what I could do with it. I fitted out the lid to hold two 8 x 10 inch panels, with the base holding the paints and brushes and a palette holding everything in place.
For its first trial I took it out to the same location as the previous post. This time it was raining, so it was an ideal opportunity to see how I would get on painting with the pochade inside my vehicle. It worked very well in the cramped conditions and was very easy to use.
When I had finished I just closed the lid and went home. Later, when I opened the box again, I found a blob of Pthalo Green right in the middle of the painting! I think the wood that I used for the palette was too flexible, so it had got pushed up into the lid. I was using acrylics, so normally it would have been easy to wash the green off. Unfortunately, I was trying out Atelier Interactive acrylics, which can be reactivated when they are touch-dry. Wiping the painting removed some of the paint underneath, so I had to repaint that area.
I think I have solved the palette problem by using a thicker piece of wood. At the moment I am using greaseproof paper taped to the wood for easy cleaning. I have also modified the lid so that I can carry a wet painting face-down, so the surface should be protected. Hopefully that will prevent any future disasters.
The Moorland Road
Acrylic
20 x 26 cm
Comments
You won't regret your conversion into the world of the pochade - most especially on those days when plein airing is impossible because of the elements!
Stick with it! This piece is certainly commendable for inspite of all of the hangups that you faced!
Good pochading Keith!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Too bad about the green blob but you were able to redo it and the painting turned out really well. BJ
Yes I certainly enjoyed my first trial with the box. It was so much easier in the cramped conditions than watercolour, where you have to keep the paper at the right angle and the palette flat etc.
All the best,
Keith
The Best English artists painted this way, > Look here <
The midges don't seem to have been too bad here yet. Fortunately the man-eaters of Sutherland don't get over this far!
Sue x
I'm not sure what the problem is with the email link, but I'll send an email to you.
Sue x