Look at This Budget-Friendly Pochade Box (Review of Meeden Paint Box & Tripod)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 เม.ย. 2023
- I love to paint outside when the weather is nice. Today I am going to take a look at the Meeden Pochade box and Tripod set. The box on its own is around $110 and with the heavy-duty tripod it is under $200 but it will fit a standard tripod mount so if you already have one you can just get the box. This was sent to me for review. If you do place an order on the Meeden website you can save 10% with coupon code Lindsay10 You can see the box here: meeden.art/collections/best-s...
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Pros:
Price (compared to comparable boxes)
Lightweight (much lighter than a French Easel)
Lots of storage
Carries 2 wet canvases (8x10 and 9x12)
Beautiful craftsmanship
Has wings for a palette and brush holder so you can have it open and also access all of your paint
Sturdy (once you figure out how to tighten the tripod-bring a screwdriver just in case!)
Paper towel holder
Removable dividers in the storage section for maximum versatility
The tripod has a hook for a weight or trash bag
Bumpers on the bottom of the box allow you to use it on a table without removing the tripod "fast mount" or damaging the table.
Both the box and tripod come with carry bags with shoulder straps.
Takes canvasses on the easel up to 17" tall.
Cons:
Attaching the paintbox to this easel is a bit awkward and if you had strength or mobility issues it would be a bit cumbersome.
Bottom Line: I really like this pochade box. It gives me almost as much storage as my French Easel but it is much lighter and the "wings" give me more accessibility to my tools and supplies because the palette doesn't cover the drawer. this can be used with all mediums but I would recommend it for oils or acrylics especially because I can carry shown 2 wet paintings mess-free. Personally, I prefer a lighter set-up for watercolor and my French Easel is my go-to for Pastels. We are all different but luckily there are options for everyone. I hope you found this helpful!
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I bought one of these about three years ago, and didn’t get around to using it until two years later. I had real problems with using it, including setting it up on the tripod.
Two years after purchase, I contacted the company and told them my issues and sent video and pics. I learned that in that two year span they had redesigned the connection to the tripod.
Two YEARS after I had originally purchased it, they sent me a new box and tripod, for no charge. Two YEARS
I can’t say enough good about the company! ❤️❤️❤️
I'm so glad to hear that!
That's a fabulous company!
This looks awesome! I recently got a pochade box from a local thrift store! I exclaimed out loud when I saw it, lol! Rushed and grabbed it! Mine, mine, MINE! I kept an eye on my cart the rest of my trip through the store, in case anyone tried to grab it out of my cart when I wasn’t looking!😂 Yeeaahh, I may have been a little too excited 😜 😆! Most people probably don’t even know what it’s for. But, to me it was a true treasure! I showed it off to my kids when I got home and told them what it was, and they were like, mmhm, cool Mom. Couldn’t care less, lol! It’s in excellent condition, stained dark like yours and has two pull out drawers that latch. It was $8 usd! I guess I’m still overly excited about my find! 😂💜💜💜
What a find Melissa! That's amazing. I hope you have a great time using it.
Awesome!
The mysterious piece of wood is a spacer. You put it in the panel box part to accommodate smaller panels. The lid of the box is really stable in any position if you push the three knob set as far back as it will go. Good review!
Thank you! That makes sense!
Whoa, I just put that spacer in and it's awesome! thanks for the tip and for this channel!
We had such a great day painting, and I loved your setup so much I had to order one! Also just an FYI for all other viewers that might be interested in this pochade box, Lindsay’s link to it over on the Meeden site and using her discount code helped me get it for less than I could have bought it for over on Amazon! Very excited for mine to arrive and set it up so that we can get out there and do some more plein air painting! Great review, I agree having seen yours first hand, this is a well made box that is worth the money for all who have been wanting one but have found them too pricey to get one before now! Have a great day everyone and thanks Lindsay!
Thanks for the additional feedback and review! It was so fun to paint!
I would be interest in seeing the different plein air setups. Sounds like a great Spring/Summer series. Thanks for the informative video.
Sunday at 1:00 hooray
🌈👍🕊, very nice review.
Great review Lindsay! I'd be really interested to see your other outdoor set ups too, especially for painting with watercolours🙂
Coming soon!
I'd love to see a video of your plein air set ups!
I got a u.go pochade box last summer, which i love because it is small and light and fits easily in my backpack. it is OK for using in my lap when sitting, and I just used it with a tripod for the first time the other day and LOVE it. It doesn't have built in storage, which works well for me.
I would love to see all your set ups. I'm fascinated by people's supplies.
Totally here for the " pain in the butt or perfect" series😂. I have a pochade box and have used it a lot at home but haven't taken it out yet. This one looks lovely and your paintings came out great.
Is be super interested in seeing some of your different set ups!
Coming soon!
Hullo Lindsay! Wonderful video review. I have several outdoor painting setups for different mediums, oil’s, watercolor, soft pastels! I am quite curious about how you deal with working outside even on your kayak! Please consider sharing your own setups. Thank you for sharing this sweet pochade box with us! I have been looking for an upgrade for my broken watercolor plein air setup, I was considering the James Gurney wood easel, but I just don’t want to build my own, Steve Mitchell had one on his channel (the mind of Watercolor) Taylor something made it I must go look her up! I should have noted the name and info, ah well anyone who is interested can look it up, just like I will have to do! You made a lovely review and I hope you show your setups, your car tray sounds interesting, I look forward to watching your next video on this subject. Please take care and have yourself a lovely day!
Will do!
That little palette box, which fits in your folding water cup: I use it for traveling with my M. Graham paints. They do NOT dry, and need that silicone seal to keep the colors from running all over. ( I have the 10 color Steve Mitchell (Mind of Watercolor) set, and added white, and that box has 16 cells.
Nice! Mine are in a large travel palette that stays flat for that reason.
Yes would love to see all your plein air set ups Lindsay, thank you!
You got it!
Yes, please compare your different plein air setups. Thank you
Will do!
I loved the way you demoed this - instead of somebody who knew eyerything ahead of time. Even the big French ones are really hard to assemble. This one looks like after you're set up you're still ready to paint - ha
I purchased one and just got it today…. I was so excited and the box did not disappoint. Easy to set up…. A couple times of practicing putting box on tri pod made it soo easy. It’s light weight and I love the bag. I am looking forward to getting outside and painting. 😊.reviews on the company standing behind their product was a game changer for me and I ordered it. I’m looking to put my supplies in it. I may get a back pack for the box and tri pod. I’ll see about that. 😊 happy plein air painting!!!
Nice review. I'd like to see your other set ups, too. How nice you were able to paint with friends!
It was so nice!
James Gurney created a video on a self built simple plenty of air setup. He does charge for the video. However, many people have implemented variations of the Gurney setup and made free TH-cam videos. Although less bulky and lighter, they are space limited for a smaller palette and small canvas (sketchbook)
OMG, I'm going to be TH-cam famous! 😆 🎨🖌️🖼️
Wohoo!
I saw you! ❤
"If you would like a video..." I am not sure why you ask, we always want a video! ❤
Love your hair.
Great review! I would love to see all your plein air set ups. I'd also be interested in the set ups that your two friends had, especially Karen's. Thanks!
Noted!
Thanks for the detailed real time review! Love the painting you made!
Glad you liked it!
Very helpful and interesting video I like the idea of painting plain air I haven’t done much of that and will start the weather is getting better here for painting outside thank you so much Lindsay!
Informative review Lindsay; thank you!💕
You are so welcome!
Enjoyed learning about a pochade. Thanks Lindsay.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Fun fun fun I needed a dose of Lindsey today! Thanks for the review!
Any time!
Thank you for your video, Lindsay.❤.
Wonderful job setting it all up Lindsay 😊!
Thank you!! 😊
It seems like a very nice pochade box, if a little cumbersome getting it onto the tripod. I always struggle setting these sorts of things up. 😂 Looks like you had fun painting outdoors with your friends though! ❤
I did!
This looks great for you! It looks sturdy and well made. I prefer a lighter set up, as I don't have a car and need a light kit when painting outside. I made my own James-Guerney-style portable sketch/paint easel, after watching some videos on You Tube.I used a couple of chipboard pieces, a couple of hinges and a quick release plate to attach the tripod. A clip with two mini water cups (designed originally for turpentine) and a couple of bulldog clips to hold my sketchbook and watercolour palette. Voila! It weighs less than a pound and it fits in my backpack. Thanks for the review -esoecially for filming outside and dueing your painting aession. It is always good to see a product while being used.
Thanks for sharing! I like Meeden. I bought one of their ceramic palettes and it was amazingly well packed, no chips at all, despite my fears. I also love their 18-well palettes with the little paint ramps. I hope someday to need a Pochade box. Not ready for plein-air yet.
Good to know!
I've also purchased several Meeden ceramic palettes and they're in perfect condition.
I literally just put a pair of these on my list to pick up for my kiddo and I. I wondered if they would hold up, being that they’re much more affordable than the average pochade. Thank you so much for reviewing it! I will be picking them up for her birthday so that we can go plein air painting/drawing this summer. It happens to be one of our favorite outdoor activities to do with each other. Also, loved the paintings you all did!
Great tutorial. Love you really demonstrated product. 💜💜💜
Thank you so much!
Got myself one not long ago and love it. Thank you for the review 😊
You’re welcome 😊
Thank you for the informative review. Looks like a nice pochade. I have a couple of pochade boxes and haven’t used them much really. I prefer to just take a watercolor journal and a canvas bag with supplies and sit on the grass or bench to paint. I’m older so its a bit to much for me to carry around now.
Glad it was helpful!
I love this, but personally, it's just not for me. I love the idea of plein air, but the reality of it is what gets me lol. I'm terrible at drawing and am trying to improve and I think I'd truly have to camp overnight in order to get something done and with plein air ya can't really do that bc the lightings change,shadows, weather etc. So, unfortunately, I'll be in my house in my shadowy corner painting, but hey, it's my shadowy corner, right? Thank you for your honest reviews and for always making your videos enjoyable. They truly brighten up my days. Have a great day
I would love to see a comparison between your set ups. I have a meeden field easel with bag for carry, a convertible studio Frame easel, and a pricey pachade box which I wish I had waited to purchase. Love the idea of what you feel is the least cumbersome set up.
Wow that really looks lovely! 😊
Thank you! Cheers!
@@thefrugalcrafter of course 😉.
Thanks Lindsay. I have several meeden metal pallets and the four drawer wooden box I put my pastels and blenders into. I have a table easle with box also but in moving something jammed against the bottom canvas holding shelf and took a 3 inch chunk out of it. I repaired it with wood glue . This would be a good set up to plein aire oils as well with that nifty secret canvas panel holder. Same deal , just use pallet paper.💜
Sounds great!
Yes I would like a video on your other plen air set ups
Thankyou for this review. Ive been searching for something that is affordable but not too heavy. Looks like this may fit the bill. I would also love to see your other setups too. Many thanks for all yor help. Great video.
Glad it was helpful!
I'm retiring the middle of June and am going out to watercolor for the sun and relaxation. I won't need a box like this but this is a great item and review. Or maybe I will need it🤔 Anyway I look forward to doing something different!
Good luck!!
This was wonderful Lindsay, thank you! I'm going to be scouring your content the next couple of months to come up with an oil painting setup as a gift for one of my teen daughters birthdays. She draws, sketches, watercolor paints etc. She has recently asked to branch out into oils which is not my territory, hah! She is quite good and I promise I am NOT being biased! M.Graham is her favorite watercolor brand, so I'm going to start there I think, if they make any that is ! 😊
Wonderful! M graham oils ate great!
Thank you for the review , interesting paint box , I find plein air painting difficult , I never know what to bring and then I’m always missing something 🤭
You’re welcome 😊
I’d like to see your other outdoor setups.
I love the idea of a pochade box, but they all seem so bulky. I’m DIYing my own set-up - trying to make it backpack friendly - so curious about any other ideas you have.
Coming soon!
I would love to see a video on how you do your watercolor set up
Coming soon!
Nice! Thank you for sharing.
You bet!
The extra wood piece fits in the bottom of the box underneath to change the size of panels you can store. I have one of these and also have one by Jerrysartarama Soho brand very similar. I use one for acrylic and the other for oils. I wanted to use them to take to an art class but have not actually used it yet. When both are loaded with tubes of paint 37ml or larger they are much heavier than I would like but I still plan to try them out. I’m and old lady and I use a rollator ( a walker with wheels and a seat) that I use to walk with and I can set them on the seat until I get to my destination. I have a heavier tripod that supports it very well. When I paint outside I sit on my rollator with my easel in front. I have not actually tried these boxes yet but hope to this summer.
I really enjoy your videos and have learned a lot from them. I love your product reviews. I love your sparkling and sweet personality which lifts my heart. Thank you for sharing so much information.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. 😊
Thank you!😊
Yes please, would love to see how you set up for plein air for different mediums. thank you.
You got it!
Your painting location is lovely 🙂
Thank you so much 😀
I hope you have much better luck and longevity with yours! This meeden brand ( tripod is horribly constructed internally)
Upon a tripod leg collapsing in the field while I was painting.... i brought it to a professional camera/tripod repair shop who inspected the broken parts and stated it broke due to how poorly it is constructed. He said the tripod clamps are made with cheap plastic that break easily and that it wasn't fixable because he didnt have the inner parts for it. He confirmed what I already knew. Also the meeden company states the tripod can hold 17 pounds..... Well the pochade already weighs 16. Add paint tubes and some panels....you do the math. It's not rocket science. I bought a new replacement tripod, much higher quality, can withstand up to 25 pounds with zero problems.
Good to know!
I have this set up too. That extra piece of wood is for the storage compartment 😊 I find this box really heavy and difficult to mount on the tripod just like your self. I don’t take this out on plein air because of this but it’s great to set up at home in your studio for a small painting set up area you can have out all the time. Well that’s what I do anyway 😀
It's not a divider so what is it used for?
I wonder if it would help to set the box on the ground upside down and mount the Tripod to the box rather than the other way around. Then you could gently set it upright all assembled.
@@ArtBrain my thoughts exactly!
Thx Lindsey - not for me but it's fun to see what is made.
Very good demonstration ! 👍 too bad for the wind lol ! But it’s fine 😊
Thanks 👍
@@thefrugalcrafter you’re welcome, it’s nice to see you enjoying plein air with your friends! I wish I could go along ! I’m more in the city and don’t drive ( Toronto, Canada)
Being a 67 year old, arthritic woman who frequently ventures on her own, I don't think that this is for me. But excellent review. If I were intrested in a pochade box, I would get this one. That being said, if you have any info on your friend with the tri-pod and the flat easel, I would love to know what she uses! I am looking for something very light, easily portable, and is more than just a mini palette and sketchbook balanced on my lap. Multiple joint replacements have destroyed my balance, so carrying a heavy pack just isn't in the cards for me.
Tracie, you should look at an LederEasle. I decided on that instead of a pocade box and I love it when I want to settle in at a park to paint. Otherwise, I go very simple and find I don't use a box and simply tuck my paints and brushes into a canvas bag.
@@wendyvancamp1738 Thank you for your suggestion. How ironic that is. I actually have a Leder Easel and used it when I was painting with acrylics. The easel itself is wonderfully light weight and it was perfect to attach my sta-wet palette to with bungie cords. The issue was that I couldn't handle the heavy paints and my heavy, clunky tripod and just hauled everything around in a cart. It just now dawned on me that I could have just gotten a flat piece of some kind of board and to flatten it out to a tab
le, and just upgraded the hated tripod. But it made me rethink my choice of medium as well and now I am learning watercolor/gouache and have set the acrylics aside for the time being. Then I went to the extreme opposite end and just carried a palette and sketchbook in a small sling bag and used my lap. But getting up off the ground is rough if there is no place to sit. For an early birthday present from my hubby, just yesterday I finally ordered a lightweight tripod and a small foldable palette similar to what James Gurney uses, with magnets to hold stuff in place. Of course, a new lightweight pack that can hold those plus my camera equipment (which greatly adds to the mix). Man, this drive to plein air has made a crazy woman out of me! haha
@@TracieWho Yes, a lightweight tripod is the key with this system. I bought a micro-tripod that is easy to sling over my shoulder to go with the Leder Easel along with two thin boards to clamp my supplies to. The Gurney easels are a great option too, but I couldn't find the time to make one. :) For months I was trying to decide between this Meeden pochade and a Gurillea Thumbbox, but ulitmately a simple fiberglass board, nalgene jar, pencil roll, and small pouch are all I really need for plein air and urban sketching. I ended up not getting any pochade box at all. Not against them at all, but for me it was not the solution I was seeking.
I would love to more plein air setups. I am trying to put together a travel set up for water colors. Ideas would be awesome.
Sounds good!
Thanks!
Thank you for your support:)
Lindsay--thank you so much for this demo, it is really helpful. I would love to see any of the plein air watercolor set ups that you have used, so when you have some spare time could you please make a video of that. Thanks again.
I'm working on it:)
@@thefrugalcrafter thanks so much.
Hi, Lindsay! This was most informative. Noting the brisk wind, I got to thinking about acrylic mediums that help it dry slower. Do you have a video on slow-dry mediums for acrylics? Recently, on TH-cam, I saw several “homemade” versions that gave me pause…I won’t mention those, as, while they may be a little bit more frugal, they are a bit troubling, and need discussing in context. Thanks for all you do! Patti in NH.
I would like this as well. And maybe addressing concerns with home made ones too since I'm guessing the ppl with vids on it aren't addressing them
You can buy a slow dry medium or paint retarded for a couple of dollars so I don't know why you would DIY it.
@@thefrugalcrafter mostly out of frugal curiosity. The “couple of dollars” for commercial retarders that I located are about $9-12 per bottle, and the option of a $1.25 tube of hair gel seems attractive, IF one could still find that on the market. I haven’t yet researched the cost of vegetable glycerin, in a small bottle, if that’s available. There seems to be several other options. Thanks again for your valuable contribution to our body of knowledge.
@@ArtistInNewHampshire I would not use hair gel, I think that would make the paint brittle and flaky, glycerin or oddly enough, personal lubricants like K-Y jelly which contain glycerine in suspension can be used in a pinch. Might as well try a dollar store version of that if budget is your biggest concern and only use a little bit. If using pure glycerin I would put a few drops in your clean rinse water (have two buckets, one for rinsing the brush and one for getting fresh water) so you don't introduce too much. Delta and Folk Art used to sell 2oz bottles of slow-dry medium pretty inexpensively but I did a search for it and didn't see it online but maybe you can find it in craft stores with the other 2oz bottles of paint?
@@thefrugalcrafter thank you for sharing your gleanings about the slow dry possibilities for acrylic! I agree with all your points. Sometimes people ask me about materials, and I enjoy learning about these useful things. I recently had an opportunity to help someone, a beginner, have a good experience with acrylics and this came up. I had tried a small bottle of a retarder some years ago, with acrylics, and found it really helped. Ever since then I have always recommended using it, especially for beginners. On behalf of the recent newbie, I ordered some Golden retarder to experiment with in my studio, to be able to be up to date for future reference. I may go to Dollar Tree and get a small tube of hair gel, to use for comparison swatching. Thanks, as usual, for your generous attention to my inquiry! (P.s.- I forgot to consider the craft acrylic section of the store! Thanks! )
Would love to see your plein air set up thanks
Coming soon!
So I have a frugal watercolor plein air easel. I purchased a laptop/projector tripod. It does not have a quick release plate. It's a screw with a knobs that attaches the platform. I've taken it out multiple times and I love it. I paid $21 for it. Mind you my budget is very tight.
Nice!
Would love to see your plein air setups.
Thank you.
Coming soon!
the piece is an insert for different size 8x10 panel wet painting storage, so insert place 8x10 on bottom to carry away.
This looks absolutely lovely!
So I'm not super versed in filming gear - I know some artists have mentioned using quick release attachments for tripods (and some have one just for their pochade box, always attached so it's never forgotten). If you had opted to set up a quick release attachment at home from the get go, would that have prevented it from being fiddly at first?
(And that's not intended to sass you or anything at all. I haven't used one so I'm mostly guessing heheh)
That is with the quick release plate 😆
@@thefrugalcrafter ....ah. 😂 Well I knew you could do it! Hahaha
Nice demo I love you I am your best friend from Boise Idaho
Hey, thanks!
I’d love to see plein air set up options
Is it for the wet panel storage as a separate to hold another panel inside?
You are right! Meeden e-mailed a photo if it in action.
I think it is to make the panel storage so you can take 2 same size small panels
Also, I think the bags are waterproof, which is nice if you find yourself out in the rain.
I didn't think of that!
I would love to see your different plein air setups. Does the wiggly seem to be the box or the tripod? Thanks
It was the tripod. I just needed to tighten it with a screwdriver and make sure it was screwed down tight.
Yes if you are up for it... compare all the ways. Thanks
You got it!
Thanks for your video. I am actually interested in learning what your friend Karen was using, if you happen to know.
She made hers. I filmed it for my upcoming plein air idea video!
Ahhhh, the travel easle debate. I have a French Easle and a Pochade box from Jerry's and I use neither. Although I might use the box if I had a tripod, but I doubt it. That said, I never paint plein air. Mostly due to eyesight. My glasses are for driving, watching tv, etc. but I can't see close up with them on. So looking back and forth from subject to paper is a nightmare and makes the endeavor unpleasant.
I wonder if they make a progressive that goes from distance at the top to clear at the bottom?
May be that extra tool wooden column ; To collect pastel dust 🖼
Could be
An you tell how much it weights? I want to get one for travel but I don’t want something too heavy, I’ll be using it mainly for watercolor and I like the idea of having everything in a box that I can open and everything right there vs rummaging through a back pack and little pouches. Would it be easy to take onto a plane,
It's about 20lb I think. It should go on a plane fine I think.
What if you lay the box upside down and put the tripod on the box instead of the box on the tripod. Think that might be easier?
Worth a try!
Can the pallet move to the left for us lefties?
No sadly
I reallly realllly wanted to like this, but it’s too much trouble. Would you be up for showing some easier methods to use? It’s not even the cost so much as the messing around. I’ve put together my own system, but I don’t think I’ve done the best job. I thank you for showing us this setup. It is beautiful wood as well.
Sure!
I have a french easel that I would love to use with oil paints this summer. Is that something you could demo??
Sure!
@@thefrugalcrafter thank you so much!! You just have such a good "if I can do it, anyone can!" vibe that I really think will help me dive back into oils. 😊
If love to see a "pain in the butt or perfect" series on your channel about plain air painting. It's funny, my computer put "butter" instead of the other word when I entered it. I guess no vivid language allowed. 😁
😆
Anyone know any videos that show how to attach the box to the tripod??
If this wasn't clear try their website!
What if you attached the tripod to the box rather than the box to the tripod?
Worth a try
I like "Karen's " painting set up...is this one home-made...or for sale...on the market??? with the watercolours...
She made it herself