The links I mentioned Clip on water pot on Amazon Double pot - amzn.to/2XkSJfM Single pot - amzn.to/2LwAstW Clip on water pot on eBay ebay.to/2XI5YeT Jackson's Art (UK) bit.ly/clip-on-water-pot FLAT WATER BOTTLE ebay.to/2Lt7qLH ebay.to/2NuPDpS ebay.to/304Jfao
I have this bag and use it - it is functional for easy set up and access to your materials. I have the same issue with the strap holder and rigged a magnet system for my palettes. Teoh, I have been watching your videos for a few weeks now and I want to thank you for the excellent content and video quality. You are very generous with your time and the thoroughness of your work. Hello from Nashville, TN and I look forward to your posts from Amsterdam!
I've had mine for 3 years and love it. One day at a thrift store I found a belt pouch the same material as the Darsey. I sewed it on the back pocket and now have added storage. Love my Darsey
Great review. I’ve had this bag for several years. The only mishap was while sitting, I bent down to,pick something up, forgot about the pouch and many of my brushes/pens fell out and rolled down an incline! Operator error. Lol. It won’t meet everybody’s needs, but it works for me. I also bring a Coroplast board and clip my water to it and use for extra palette space. plus it is just a little extra support. The board is folded in half w/duct tape to fit in the bag. I also have another travel board made of plexiglass, it just has a smidgen more weight to it. I don’t use that strap on the top for my watercolor boxes. I have my paint boxes attached to the board with Velcro on my board. I think that would work with that flap too. Velcro is a wonderful thing. Lol. The quality of the bagin my opinion is very good. For me I find the inside of the bag to have plenty of room. It has held up well over the years.
Yes, I also made a few Coroplast boards which fit inside this bag as well. And sometimes I just clip a small watercolor box to my sketchbook or the board. It all works out very compactly and light weight.
I know that Darsie designed this product with love for urban sketchers and I'm planning on buying one soon to support the community and the artists involved.
Thank you for another wonderful review! I love this bag! I bought one several years ago and take it everywhere. It holds everything I need (6x8 watercolor journal, watercolor box, two water brushes, pens, pencils, 6" ruler, clips, tissues, and cell phone. It makes drawing and painting possible almost anywhere. The bag is sturdy and looks as good today as the day it arrived. Worth every penny!
i've had this bag for about a year or so, & I find that I just don't use it. I find the strap to be scratchy on the back of my neck and hot. When trying to use it to sketch, or paint, it seems to be that it moves around a lot, so I'm trying to paint on a moving target. and even when sitting down, then it just does not really make a very convenient table shape either. I'm not going to bring it to Amsterdam, & made instead one of those sketching boards made of coroplast and tape, that weights nothing, & makes actually quite a nice table if you are seated on your stool, and a good sketch board if standing, although you do have to hold it. i thought I would really like this because I have some wrist and thumb issues so the support of not having to hold the sketchbook up I thought would be wonderful, but it just does not work that well for me. Plus it feels like a lot to coordinate. The fabric is sturdy, but typical backpack fabric - it is scratchy. I have a very soft old canvas bag I've used for years to carry my sketch kit, I still prefer. Also the concern about sloshing paint down onto my sketch from the mixing wells, if i turn around (which apparently I am constantly on the move!) Also it may matter your shape and size ... I am an amazon woman, 5'11" and it seems a bit like I"m trying to perch this bag out in front of me on my rounded bits ... it's just a little awkward.
Cynthia, thank you SO MUCH for your comments on this bag. I was intrigued by it but wondered about how it would work out. I'm a bigger guy and was wondered how it would "perch" -- to use your perfect word. The velcroed brush pocket seemed a bit chunky and over big too. I'll pass on this and I have your actual long-term use advice to thank for saving me the expense. I've also looked at the etchr field kit but that is pretty expensive. I'll have to just keep using my normal set up -- which isn't too bad. Just seems I'm always interested in a few improvements.
@@EstrafaDC you are very welcome! I"ve been talking with a few other sketchers too, who have encountered the same issues with it - finding it not very stable & just not all it's cracked up to be. I guess some of us will have to work on some design improvements, and with thinking about different body types and styles in mind. I also find the strap scratchy & hot on my neck, I could maybe tie a bandana around it. I tried tying a black shoelace to the place where the strap attaches, on the right side as you're wearing it, then I tied that to my beltloop on the right to try to stablalize it. It did help, but ... I still don't really trust it to not slosh paint onto my painting when I move, so it might be better for drawing than painting. Also several of us women find it is just not really big enough for all the stuff we want to bring, some bigger sketchbooks, etc.
cynthia Zick: Thank you so much for your excellent review! You wrote about the exact things I wondered about! Having the mixing area right above my sketchbook would drive me crazy, because I am famous for spilling things! I have a small folding stool a lot like Teoh's (mine actually has a backrest,) and my favorite set-up is a lightweight whiteboard (wipe off message board) from the dollar store. I clip my sketchbook to it with clips like Teoh's, my dbl waterpots clip on, and I clip my palette box on with a black plastic clamp from the building supply store. (It has a larger open area that fits over the lip on any of my palettes.)I then rest the board on my lap. It sounds complicated to list it all here, but it's really quite compact and handy. Like Teoh, I prefer to use "real" brushes instead of water brushes. I have a great waterproof tote bag with various pockets that hold everything; I got it at a thrift store years ago. The straps fit over my shoulder, and everything is lightweight. It's fun to hear what others use, so thanks again for writing. Have fun painting! :)
Thanks - great idea to add the viewfinder windows! I have been using one for about a year. A very thoughtful design - it really does work as advertised. It’s sturdy and very well made - I think it will last for many years. The only other thing I’d mention is that the plastic inserts do add a bit of weight, though not bad. ( 147 grams / 5.11 ounces). So that might be a consideration if you’re walking a long way. (Also, it’s so roomy it was easy to overpack at first, but that’s a user error :) It’s actually surprisingly lightweight. PS - you can also attach a metal or other palette directly with a bulldog clip - very sturdy.
I have this bag Teoh, and I really like it. I have a few different bags, and this suits my needs for certain sketching times. It's also easy to pack for travel, as I took it to London in my carry-on. Thanks for the review!
I love my bag, I’ve traveled with it for about four years, no complaints it works great and is easy to use in an urban environment as well as in a car or on a plane.
I like mine a lot, but I've made some changes to it: I unpicked the large pocket so that I could fit a rectangular coroplast stiffener and use the clear plastic insert as an 'extender' held on by a large rubber band. This works very well with the 'portable palette' and some metal clips and allows you to paint sitting or standing with very little weight on your spine. I only wish the bag itself was a little bigger to take an A4 sketchbook. It would still be very light, and allow room for a phone, wallet, and sandwich. All you need really!
Looks great in demo, bet it pitched great on paper, and I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that I would use it for about 5 minutes before COMPLETE disaster came about. Great demo, though!
Teoh! Thanks for your review of this product 👍 I love the design for outdoor painting and sketching. Also, I had an idea - maybe you can add some strips of Velcro to the mesh pockets to keep things from flying out? Cheap fix for an otherwise perfect artist bag ! 👌
Another great, timely review. I was thinking about Beck's easel bag recently but couldn't remember his name. It looks like this would be good for me when I'm doing pencil and ink drawings/sketches and I want to keep my load light.
I recently got the Etchr Slate so while this looks pretty cool I'm probably good for the time being. Glad to see someone giving Etchr a run for their money, though they probably don't have much to worry about right now. It's not exactly competitively priced for what you get compared to Etchr. I'll snap it up if the price ever drops about $40.
Thank you so much for this review, I have ordered all 3 items because I agree with you that the bag is a very smart design and the two water containers are great too. Thank you.
This looks like a great bag! Thank you for your review. It is really helpful to see how it fits and how to deploy it. I wasn’t sure about ordering it until I watched your video. I think I’ll order one. 😁
Very good review of a fancy piece of kit. I like how it props up to act as an easel - simple but effective. I have to say, it feels a bit disappointing that it's only just too small to hold an A4 sketchbook or pad! Though maybe the manufacturers have their reasons. Easel space issues? More for painting rather than pencil sketches? Would A5-B5 books be better suited for that activity? I don't know.
I have this bag and I can say that having used an A4 size WC block on the easel it really doesn't feel great on your neck. It's just over the comfortable weight limit when you draw on it. I think Darsie Beck would have experienced the same thing and that's why he kept it smaller. On the other hand, A5/B5 is great. It is just large enough to do a decent study. For A4 or bigger I want my Strada Easel and my tripod but then I wouldn't be using that for a quick sketch or for shorter session work which is what the bag was designed for! Highly recommend having the right gear for the right job. Nothing beats a true easel for full-size works but the Beck Bag works so darn well when I am doing quick stuff.
I’ve had this bag about a yr and want to start using it more.Darsie Beck who designed it used to assist Rick Steves in his European travel videos and is a good journalist/painter. They are from NW Washington State and I got my bag directly from Darsie. It’s not that fancy, is very hardy, it’s just like how you showed it. My journal is larger so I found for me if I rested my watercolor pallet on the “easel “ and held the journal in my left hand, painting with my right it worked great while standing on a bridge in the sun for an hour long class.
My bag arrived in sage color and it is WONDERFUL. I needed to watch this again to remember how it works. Maybe I’m a bit dumb but it wasn’t intuitive and it did not have any paperwork included. So, I was so happy to watch this again to know how to use it. I adjusted the strap so it fit me correctly. I love placing the pencil, pen, brush container next to my body on the Velcro. All of the pockets work and it is just completely great that this was created for artists and not just another bag. I find the strap around my neck is comfortable, no problems with that and I do have sensitive skin. Please keep this video up so I can watch it again or have my friends watch it. This is a great demonstration of how this bag works. It’s genius. Now I can walk through the forests and along lakes and I am ready to sketch and paint. I really love this. Thank you!
Teoh Yi Chie hi, no, mine has absolutely nothing inside any pocket other than the 2 hard plastic pieces needed. It came in a box. It may have been retuned? I don’t know. I could contact the company and ask them to mail me the instructions. I would like to have them. Thank you!
@@catherinelevison3310 Anyway, it's pretty easy to use. Just use the smaller plastic (with velcro) to prop up the support. The other is the velcro pouch to stick onto the sling. Just like what I've shown in the video.
Teoh Yi Chie oh yes, it is easy to use with your video! I may have to watch it again but I think I have it memorized. I bought a fairly tough bag for my other arm in case I want to have more art supplies. With those 2 bags I can have everything I need. Even my lunch. I’m still waiting for my water containers to be shipped to me. I hope those orders work. Thank you.
Do you ever combine this bag with the Art Tool kit? I love this bag. Just purchased the square water bottle this week and it seems so much bigger but I like it. Great video.
Like I need another art bag :D Looks a useful bit of kit, Teoh. A couple of years ago I found and bought an Alwyn Crawshaw Travel Studio set, unused, (from the early 90's I think). Its lovely and compact. I also tried adapting a Lowepro Field Station; but neither helps to release my 'creativity'. And I now believe that, if setting up takes too much thinking time, or is too finicky, its over for me; the spontaneity to sketch, evaporates.
You are patient. Reading comments so many didn’t listen, read description or other reviews. That’s why you have so many followers. Interesting bag but not A4, shame but it’s American so not a metric country. Good review but 85+17.5 shipping = expensive! Thanks
Teoh Yi Chie I always use ringbinder a4 so you can fold over. Brand renaissance (Fabriano studio I think) from Thailand, seawhite Brighton uk (350gsm paper) and Kilimanjaro cheap joes usa almost a4 (bigger) but 100% cotton. Use same in a5. I know you’re good at drawing over gutter.
Looks convenient but I have a couple of concerns. First the mixing area is at an angle and can leak out and second hanging a water cup would be a hassle and spill so I would not use a regular brush but a waterbrush. But still a very nice design :)
You better think about whether you really want one of these because it costs over $100 with shipping! Don't think I will be buying one any time soon! The water bottle however, I will be getting one of those. Thanks for the video! 👍
It's funny I have a little larger bag from Eagle Creek I got about ten years ago that has the same shape and basic configuration but done I think much better, under the flap are zip pockets and more flat storage.
Another great review as always Teoh. My initial thoughts when I watched your demonstration. 1) Too expensive. I can get a shoulder bag of good quality with lots of pockets for around $15 here in the US online. 2) I'd use that support surface for about 5 minutes before I'd give up in frustration. For me, and this is just me, the more complicated something is, the more things will go wrong. A portable lightweight chair and a piece of masonite with clips is simple and almost fool proof (almost). You have all the room you need and your mixing palette is stable, flat and accessible. I've spent lots of money on products like this only to have them sit in a drawer gathering dust. I hope this was sent to you to review and that you didn't buy it with your own hard earned money.
@@mightyboy527 Yeah, the opened watercolour box is larger than the bag's flap. It's best to use a smaller watercolour box that's just the right size for for flap.
Thanks for the review Teoh. I actually heard about this product a week ago, so I appreciate your detailed video. Maybe the makers will tweak this product for those of us who use the metal palette. It would also be nice if they offered a discount too. Again, thank you for your review. Take care.
Since the plastic insert is solid and sturdy, you can skip the elastic and just clip the metal palette (or any palette) directly with a bulldog clip. It’s very stable and works great.
If your paint is still wet, do you put something btwn the pages of your sketchbook? Can you place your palette flat at the bottom of the bag, so the paints don’t get messed up and leak?
I try to have the pages dry before I close the sketchbook. But if I can't them I'll put tissue to separate the pages. Same applies to palettes: I will clean and dry them before packing.
I really like the concept of this bag, but I definitely think it could be improved upon...the size is good, the easel function is nice, the pockets are great...but I think the strap to hold watercolor boxes is not the best...the strap covers much of the mixing area and that just looks like a mess waiting to happen...also the way it hung off the top made me nervous too...seems like that piece of plastic needs to be a bit bigger to prevent that. Thanks for another great review!!!
@carolmarashian2 - I am 4'10" and it works for me. The velcro begins at the clip attachment at the base and is approx 6.5" long. It should work for you.
Hi! I have both and much prefer the Darsie Beck satchel over the Etchr. It deploys much easier and the shelf is a better fit for me. It’s also lighter than the Etchr products I have. I do appreciate Etchr’s versions, but they just seem much more fiddly to me.
I think I gave this away. Anyway, it's a good bag because it's so lightweight. I don't really use the easel functionality though since I always have a portable stool.
Etchr Slate looks and feels more professional but significantly more expensive. This definitely feels lighter. The material used is the typical messenger bag type material.
Thanks for doing the review Teoh, I always enjoy watching your videos. After looking at the Field Easel Art Bag, which would you prefer to use between the field easel art bag and the etchr slate. Just wondering ...
Etchr Slate looks and feels more professional but it's significantly more expensive. Personally for me, as I'm budget conscious, I will go with the cheaper option. lol
Thank you for this informative video Teoh ! This product seems very useful and very well thought. Do you know if it’s better or not than the Etchr Slate for example ? No sketchwalk in June ? 😉
Etchr Slate looks and feels more professional but also way more expensive. I'm fine with either bags. If I were to buy one, I'll probably go with the cheaper option, well, to save money.
Teoh Yi Chie, no way to attach to tripod, right? Thinkinking of getting the Etchr Slate Mini which does have tripod mount, but would like support an inventive artist.
i have the etcher bag but dont care for the design of the pockets, they seem too flat to hold much. Teoh, (or anyone) do you have reviewed that bag as well, is there one you prefer? Do you have the pro/ cons of each?
Such bags are for people who don't want to bring much and can stand and sketch. I prefer sitting so I usually just carry my backpack instead. These are some bags I've reviewed www.parkablogs.com/category/tags/bags
Right off the bat it's too big, which means it will carry to much weight and end up being uncomfortable and unlikely to be used very often. Best to keep it small, light and only carry what you will use not all the "just in case" items. You can always add to sketch once your back at home in your art room/sketch den 😀
@@teohyc I wonder if you could tell me if this bag would hold two Stillman and Birn 10 x 7 spiral sketchbooks. I’ve been looking around for quite a while for a field bag that would hold two sketchbooks this size- very difficult to find
It is a good design until you put in the paint then it wouldn't work. Some other type of cleanable clip etc. If it were some type of snap in metal bar or magnets to hold the paint box
Not often because I need to carry many things so I mostly use a backpack. And I do prefer to sit and draw instead which allows me to rest my legs so I bring a portable stool instead.
Looks too fussy for me. Too much flipping and zipping and pockets. I’ll rather use a small messenger bag or an open tote with a zip top, some easy to view contents plastic zip pouches with maybe colored zippers (red is pens and pencils, green is my palette and brushes...). Long and wide enough to fit a few sizes of sketchbook and a small corrugated plastic board to clip it to.
Lala B hi, it really isn’t fussy at all. It’s a joy to use. If I just used any bag I would be scraping around to find things. You really can use it as an easel too so it’s more than a bag. Hoping to help.
looks too small and fiddly. My Kroser laptop bag (US35-45 on Amazon) 15.6 or even 18" gives me far more options and heaps more space.The laptop sleeve with velcro closure is perfect for A4 sketchbooks...even the master sketchbooks from Leuchtturm are no problem. In variable weather I can take my beanie, fingertipless gloves, etc. plus jumper. Where can you put all these things in an Art Bag?...much easier of course if you live in Singapore.
Teoh, Nice review and nice easel bag but too expensive for us starving artists. Can't you find something cheaper? Anyway....thanks for the review. Blessings to you and yours. Your Faithful Follower, Kathy B. (Fairylady0227) 💜
The links I mentioned
Clip on water pot on Amazon
Double pot - amzn.to/2XkSJfM
Single pot - amzn.to/2LwAstW
Clip on water pot on eBay
ebay.to/2XI5YeT
Jackson's Art (UK)
bit.ly/clip-on-water-pot
FLAT WATER BOTTLE
ebay.to/2Lt7qLH
ebay.to/2NuPDpS
ebay.to/304Jfao
I have this bag and use it - it is functional for easy set up and access to your materials. I have the same issue with the strap holder and rigged a magnet system for my palettes. Teoh, I have been watching your videos for a few weeks now and I want to thank you for the excellent content and video quality. You are very generous with your time and the thoroughness of your work. Hello from Nashville, TN and I look forward to your posts from Amsterdam!
I've had mine for 3 years and love it. One day at a thrift store I found a belt pouch the same material as the Darsey. I sewed it on the back pocket and now have added storage. Love my Darsey
Your review helped me to convert an older laptop bag. Thank you!
You find the coolest things to review! I think we artists must all be obsessed with gizmos to make art as convenient as possible 😊
Great review. I’ve had this bag for several years. The only mishap was while sitting, I bent down to,pick something up, forgot about the pouch and many of my brushes/pens fell out and rolled down an incline! Operator error. Lol. It won’t meet everybody’s needs, but it works for me. I also bring a Coroplast board and clip my water to it and use for extra palette space. plus it is just a little extra support. The board is folded in half w/duct tape to fit in the bag. I also have another travel board made of plexiglass, it just has a smidgen more weight to it. I don’t use that strap on the top for my watercolor boxes. I have my paint boxes attached to the board with Velcro on my board. I think that would work with that flap too. Velcro is a wonderful thing. Lol. The quality of the bagin my opinion is very good. For me I find the inside of the bag to have plenty of room. It has held up well over the years.
Yes, I also made a few Coroplast boards which fit inside this bag as well. And sometimes I just clip a small watercolor box to my sketchbook or the board. It all works out very compactly and light weight.
I know that Darsie designed this product with love for urban sketchers and I'm planning on buying one soon to support the community and the artists involved.
Thank you for another wonderful review! I love this bag! I bought one several years ago and take it everywhere. It holds everything I need (6x8 watercolor journal, watercolor box, two water brushes, pens, pencils, 6" ruler, clips, tissues, and cell phone. It makes drawing and painting possible almost anywhere. The bag is sturdy and looks as good today as the day it arrived. Worth every penny!
i've had this bag for about a year or so, & I find that I just don't use it. I find the strap to be scratchy on the back of my neck and hot. When trying to use it to sketch, or paint, it seems to be that it moves around a lot, so I'm trying to paint on a moving target. and even when sitting down, then it just does not really make a very convenient table shape either. I'm not going to bring it to Amsterdam, & made instead one of those sketching boards made of coroplast and tape, that weights nothing, & makes actually quite a nice table if you are seated on your stool, and a good sketch board if standing, although you do have to hold it. i thought I would really like this because I have some wrist and thumb issues so the support of not having to hold the sketchbook up I thought would be wonderful, but it just does not work that well for me. Plus it feels like a lot to coordinate. The fabric is sturdy, but typical backpack fabric - it is scratchy. I have a very soft old canvas bag I've used for years to carry my sketch kit, I still prefer. Also the concern about sloshing paint down onto my sketch from the mixing wells, if i turn around (which apparently I am constantly on the move!) Also it may matter your shape and size ... I am an amazon woman, 5'11" and it seems a bit like I"m trying to perch this bag out in front of me on my rounded bits ... it's just a little awkward.
Thanks for sharing!👍
Cynthia, thank you SO MUCH for your comments on this bag. I was intrigued by it but wondered about how it would work out. I'm a bigger guy and was wondered how it would "perch" -- to use your perfect word. The velcroed brush pocket seemed a bit chunky and over big too. I'll pass on this and I have your actual long-term use advice to thank for saving me the expense. I've also looked at the etchr field kit but that is pretty expensive. I'll have to just keep using my normal set up -- which isn't too bad. Just seems I'm always interested in a few improvements.
@@EstrafaDC you are very welcome! I"ve been talking with a few other sketchers too, who have encountered the same issues with it - finding it not very stable & just not all it's cracked up to be. I guess some of us will have to work on some design improvements, and with thinking about different body types and styles in mind. I also find the strap scratchy & hot on my neck, I could maybe tie a bandana around it. I tried tying a black shoelace to the place where the strap attaches, on the right side as you're wearing it, then I tied that to my beltloop on the right to try to stablalize it. It did help, but ... I still don't really trust it to not slosh paint onto my painting when I move, so it might be better for drawing than painting. Also several of us women find it is just not really big enough for all the stuff we want to bring, some bigger sketchbooks, etc.
cynthia Zick: Thank you so much for your excellent review! You wrote about the exact things I wondered about! Having the mixing area right above my sketchbook would drive me crazy, because I am famous for spilling things! I have a small folding stool a lot like Teoh's (mine actually has a backrest,) and my favorite set-up is a lightweight whiteboard (wipe off message board) from the dollar store. I clip my sketchbook to it with clips like Teoh's, my dbl waterpots clip on, and I clip my palette box on with a black plastic clamp from the building supply store. (It has a larger open area that fits over the lip on any of my palettes.)I then rest the board on my lap. It sounds complicated to list it all here, but it's really quite compact and handy. Like Teoh, I prefer to use "real" brushes instead of water brushes. I have a great waterproof tote bag with various pockets that hold everything; I got it at a thrift store years ago. The straps fit over my shoulder, and everything is lightweight. It's fun to hear what others use, so thanks again for writing. Have fun painting! :)
@@OneTrueWord1988 I’d love to see a photo of your setup. It sounds great. Do you have an Instagram or somewhere that you can share it?
Thanks - great idea to add the viewfinder windows! I have been using one for about a year. A very thoughtful design - it really does work as advertised. It’s sturdy and very well made - I think it will last for many years. The only other thing I’d mention is that the plastic inserts do add a bit of weight, though not bad. ( 147 grams / 5.11 ounces). So that might be a consideration if you’re walking a long way. (Also, it’s so roomy it was easy to overpack at first, but that’s a user error :) It’s actually surprisingly lightweight. PS - you can also attach a metal or other palette directly with a bulldog clip - very sturdy.
I have this bag Teoh, and I really like it. I have a few different bags, and this suits my needs for certain sketching times. It's also easy to pack for travel, as I took it to London in my carry-on. Thanks for the review!
I love my bag, I’ve traveled with it for about four years, no complaints it works great and is easy to use in an urban environment as well as in a car or on a plane.
Has this been out that long? Wow
Thanks for this portable sketch/ easel bag review Teoh, and the water bottle link! TFS!✨👍🏾😃
Awesome. This is the first art bag/easel that I actually want to have. Thanks Teoh!
I like mine a lot, but I've made some changes to it: I unpicked the large pocket so that I could fit a rectangular coroplast stiffener and use the clear plastic insert as an 'extender' held on by a large rubber band. This works very well with the 'portable palette' and some metal clips and allows you to paint sitting or standing with very little weight on your spine. I only wish the bag itself was a little bigger to take an A4 sketchbook. It would still be very light, and allow room for a phone, wallet, and sandwich. All you need really!
Looks great in demo, bet it pitched great on paper, and I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that I would use it for about 5 minutes before COMPLETE disaster came about. Great demo, though!
Teoh! Thanks for your review of this product 👍 I love the design for outdoor painting and sketching. Also, I had an idea - maybe you can add some strips of Velcro to the mesh pockets to keep things from flying out? Cheap fix for an otherwise perfect artist bag ! 👌
That looks really nice, especially all the pockets.
Another great, timely review. I was thinking about Beck's easel bag recently but couldn't remember his name. It looks like this would be good for me when I'm doing pencil and ink drawings/sketches and I want to keep my load light.
Wonderful, small yet smart gentlemen
Thanks for the info. Clearly a lot of thought went into this product. However I can't imagine using the easel feature in public.
I recently got the Etchr Slate so while this looks pretty cool I'm probably good for the time being. Glad to see someone giving Etchr a run for their money, though they probably don't have much to worry about right now. It's not exactly competitively priced for what you get compared to Etchr. I'll snap it up if the price ever drops about $40.
I fell in love with this bag 😍 It is so convenient, so practical.. Thanx for the review 🌹🌹
Hello from Jordan 🖐️
THANK YOU for the water bottle link! I’ve been dying to find it since a few videos ago. I’m so excited!
Many thanks for sharing. This is an amazing product.
Thank you so much for this review, I have ordered all 3 items because I agree with you that the bag is a very smart design and the two water containers are great too. Thank you.
This looks like a great bag!
Thank you for your review. It is really helpful to see how it fits and how to deploy it. I wasn’t sure about ordering it until I watched your video. I think I’ll order one. 😁
Well done, as always!
Looks really useful and practical! Its seems very promising!
Very nice, thank you. I like the bag
Very good review of a fancy piece of kit. I like how it props up to act as an easel - simple but effective.
I have to say, it feels a bit disappointing that it's only just too small to hold an A4 sketchbook or pad! Though maybe the manufacturers have their reasons. Easel space issues? More for painting rather than pencil sketches? Would A5-B5 books be better suited for that activity? I don't know.
I have this bag and I can say that having used an A4 size WC block on the easel it really doesn't feel great on your neck. It's just over the comfortable weight limit when you draw on it. I think Darsie Beck would have experienced the same thing and that's why he kept it smaller. On the other hand, A5/B5 is great. It is just large enough to do a decent study. For A4 or bigger I want my Strada Easel and my tripod but then I wouldn't be using that for a quick sketch or for shorter session work which is what the bag was designed for! Highly recommend having the right gear for the right job. Nothing beats a true easel for full-size works but the Beck Bag works so darn well when I am doing quick stuff.
I’ve had this bag about a yr and want to start using it more.Darsie Beck who designed it used to assist Rick Steves in his European travel videos and is a good journalist/painter. They are from NW Washington State and I got my bag directly from Darsie. It’s not that fancy, is very hardy, it’s just like how you showed it. My journal is larger so I found for me if I rested my watercolor pallet on the “easel “ and held the journal in my left hand, painting with my right it worked great while standing on a bridge in the sun for an hour long class.
My bag arrived in sage color and it is WONDERFUL. I needed to watch this again to remember how it works. Maybe I’m a bit dumb but it wasn’t intuitive and it did not have any paperwork included. So, I was so happy to watch this again to know how to use it. I adjusted the strap so it fit me correctly. I love placing the pencil, pen, brush container next to my body on the Velcro. All of the pockets work and it is just completely great that this was created for artists and not just another bag. I find the strap around my neck is comfortable, no problems with that and I do have sensitive skin. Please keep this video up so I can watch it again or have my friends watch it. This is a great demonstration of how this bag works. It’s genius. Now I can walk through the forests and along lakes and I am ready to sketch and paint. I really love this. Thank you!
Inside one pocket, there should be a piece of card with instructions printed on it.
Teoh Yi Chie hi, no, mine has absolutely nothing inside any pocket other than the 2 hard plastic pieces needed. It came in a box. It may have been retuned? I don’t know. I could contact the company and ask them to mail me the instructions. I would like to have them. Thank you!
@@catherinelevison3310 Anyway, it's pretty easy to use. Just use the smaller plastic (with velcro) to prop up the support. The other is the velcro pouch to stick onto the sling. Just like what I've shown in the video.
Teoh Yi Chie oh yes, it is easy to use with your video! I may have to watch it again but I think I have it memorized. I bought a fairly tough bag for my other arm in case I want to have more art supplies. With those 2 bags I can have everything I need. Even my lunch. I’m still waiting for my water containers to be shipped to me. I hope those orders work. Thank you.
Awesome bag and awesome review. Thanks for the review.
Great review, Teoh! This looks practical and easy to use.
Do you ever combine this bag with the Art Tool kit? I love this bag. Just purchased the square water bottle this week and it seems so much bigger but I like it. Great video.
That is very nifty bag!!!❤
We watch you from Serbia nice!!!
Thanks :-)
The bag looks good and it's nice and compact.
Thank you for this thorough review.
That's neat bag you reviewed. 👍 😀 So many great options coming out these days.
Like I need another art bag :D Looks a useful bit of kit, Teoh. A couple of years ago I found and bought an Alwyn Crawshaw Travel Studio set, unused, (from the early 90's I think). Its lovely and compact. I also tried adapting a Lowepro Field Station; but neither helps to release my 'creativity'. And I now believe that, if setting up takes too much thinking time, or is too finicky, its over for me; the spontaneity to sketch, evaporates.
You are patient. Reading comments so many didn’t listen, read description or other reviews. That’s why you have so many followers. Interesting bag but not A4, shame but it’s American so not a metric country. Good review but 85+17.5 shipping = expensive! Thanks
An A4 sketchbook would open to twice the size so it's not easy to use holding in hand and standing.
Teoh Yi Chie I always use ringbinder a4 so you can fold over. Brand renaissance (Fabriano studio I think) from Thailand, seawhite Brighton uk (350gsm paper) and Kilimanjaro cheap joes usa almost a4 (bigger) but 100% cotton. Use same in a5. I know you’re good at drawing over gutter.
great video and travel bag , i will buy one, thanks
Thanks for sharing Teoh the bag looks really good 😊
Looks convenient but I have a couple of concerns. First the mixing area is at an angle and can leak out and second hanging a water cup would be a hassle and spill so I would not use a regular brush but a waterbrush. But still a very nice design :)
Excellent, thank you for sharing .
Great review! Thanks! I'm seriously considering getting this bag!
You better think about whether you really want one of these because it costs over $100 with shipping! Don't think I will be buying one any time soon! The water bottle however, I will be getting one of those. Thanks for the video! 👍
Thank you for the detailed review :)
I luv this bag
It looks perfect. I'll have to check where to get one. Thanks Teoh. Great review.
Cool bag! 👍
Thank you. Love your product reviews!
Welcome :-)
You're a pro at reviewing stuff!
It's funny I have a little larger bag from Eagle Creek I got about ten years ago that has the same shape and basic configuration but done I think much better, under the flap are zip pockets and more flat storage.
rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F303208902523
Another great review as always Teoh. My initial thoughts when I watched your demonstration. 1) Too expensive. I can get a shoulder bag of good quality with lots of pockets for around $15 here in the US online. 2) I'd use that support surface for about 5 minutes before I'd give up in frustration. For me, and this is just me, the more complicated something is, the more things will go wrong. A portable lightweight chair and a piece of masonite with clips is simple and almost fool proof (almost). You have all the room you need and your mixing palette is stable, flat and accessible. I've spent lots of money on products like this only to have them sit in a drawer gathering dust. I hope this was sent to you to review and that you didn't buy it with your own hard earned money.
At 9:45 Is the fabric cordura nylon?
Not sure. It's those typical messenger bag type material.
Very cool..my only concern is the mixing area...can u arrange the angle to almost horizontal?
Not sure what you mean
@@teohyc it looks like the areas where u mix the paint is aimed downward.
@@mightyboy527 Yeah, the opened watercolour box is larger than the bag's flap. It's best to use a smaller watercolour box that's just the right size for for flap.
Love your reviews !
Love this!!
This bag is so cool! How are you liking it now after 3 years? Did it hold up?
What are good things to draw? What do you be sketching when you are outside?
Nature, buildings, people, architecture, shopfronts, interiors, anything.
Thanks for the review Teoh. I actually heard about this product a week ago, so I appreciate your detailed video. Maybe the makers will tweak this product for those of us who use the metal palette. It would also be nice if they offered a discount too. Again, thank you for your review. Take care.
Since the plastic insert is solid and sturdy, you can skip the elastic and just clip the metal palette (or any palette) directly with a bulldog clip. It’s very stable and works great.
There's another company that makes such bags www.parkablogs.com/tags/etchr-lab
@@vwood2 Thanks so much!
If your paint is still wet, do you put something btwn the pages of your sketchbook?
Can you place your palette flat at the bottom of the bag, so the paints don’t get messed up and leak?
I try to have the pages dry before I close the sketchbook. But if I can't them I'll put tissue to separate the pages. Same applies to palettes: I will clean and dry them before packing.
Hi Teoh Yi Chie. What a great bag for traveling and painting. Please tell us, where we can get this bag. Thanks a lot. Gaby
I really like the concept of this bag, but I definitely think it could be improved upon...the size is good, the easel function is nice, the pockets are great...but I think the strap to hold watercolor boxes is not the best...the strap covers much of the mixing area and that just looks like a mess waiting to happen...also the way it hung off the top made me nervous too...seems like that piece of plastic needs to be a bit bigger to prevent that. Thanks for another great review!!!
Yeah, the rubber strap needs to be further up. Or maybe just have velcro there and on the watercolour box.
Is it true that on a short person (5 feet 1 inch) the Velcro area would place the pencil pouch too high on the shoulder to use?
It should be no problem
@carolmarashian2 - I am 4'10" and it works for me. The velcro begins at the clip attachment at the base and is approx 6.5" long. It should work for you.
I don't see where to get that flat water bottle? Perfect!
You can find it on AliExpress
How does it compare with the mini Etchr Slate in your opinion?
Etchr Slate is looks and feels more professional but significantly more expensive.
That’s a lotta bag for the buck
Which do you like best, this satchel or the Etchr satchel?
Hi! I have both and much prefer the Darsie Beck satchel over the Etchr. It deploys much easier and the shelf is a better fit for me. It’s also lighter than the Etchr products I have. I do appreciate Etchr’s versions, but they just seem much more fiddly to me.
Where can I buy this easel art bag and the sqaure water bottle, please ?
Check out the links in the video description.
@@teohyc Thank you for sharing.
I wonder how you feel about the satchel now in 2022, Teoh ?
I think I gave this away. Anyway, it's a good bag because it's so lightweight. I don't really use the easel functionality though since I always have a portable stool.
How is it compared to the Etchr Slate? I have the slate, but I don’t use it very much because it’s a bit heavy. This one looks lighter?
Etchr Slate looks and feels more professional but significantly more expensive. This definitely feels lighter. The material used is the typical messenger bag type material.
Thanks for doing the review Teoh, I always enjoy watching your videos. After looking at the Field Easel Art Bag, which would you prefer to use between the field easel art bag and the etchr slate. Just wondering ...
Etchr Slate looks and feels more professional but it's significantly more expensive. Personally for me, as I'm budget conscious, I will go with the cheaper option. lol
This... might actually solve some problems for me! Due to how ordering works I'll have to email Darcie directly but
Thank you for this informative video Teoh ! This product seems very useful and very well thought. Do you know if it’s better or not than the Etchr Slate for example ? No sketchwalk in June ? 😉
Etchr Slate looks and feels more professional but also way more expensive. I'm fine with either bags. If I were to buy one, I'll probably go with the cheaper option, well, to save money.
Teoh Yi Chie, no way to attach to tripod, right? Thinkinking of getting the Etchr Slate Mini which does have tripod mount, but would like support an inventive artist.
nice , ideal
i have the etcher bag but dont care for the design of the pockets, they seem too flat to hold much. Teoh, (or anyone) do you have reviewed that bag as well, is there one you prefer? Do you have the pro/ cons of each?
Such bags are for people who don't want to bring much and can stand and sketch. I prefer sitting so I usually just carry my backpack instead. These are some bags I've reviewed www.parkablogs.com/category/tags/bags
Right off the bat it's too big, which means it will carry to much weight and end up being uncomfortable and unlikely to be used very often.
Best to keep it small, light and only carry what you will use not all the "just in case" items. You can always add to sketch once your back at home in your art room/sketch den 😀
very informative video! i wonder, can it fit a 11inch ipad pro?
Yes, it can fit. 11-inch iPad Pro is small than 8x10 inches (max size of the main pocket)
Teoh Yi Chie great, i know what i want for my travels then! i tend to do a lot of digital art alongside traditional art. thank you for this info
What is the Dimensions of the Main Pocket.? I have a 12.9 inch IPad Pro and wld like to use this to Carry it in.? Just wondered if it wld fit inside.?
Maximum item you can put in is 8 by 10 inches
@@teohyc I wonder if you could tell me if this bag would hold two Stillman and Birn 10 x 7 spiral sketchbooks. I’ve been looking around for quite a while for a field bag that would hold two sketchbooks this size- very difficult to find
Do you still use this bag alot?
great review! thank you!
the link provided for the bag is error, sent help
It's here darsiebeckartist.com
It is a good design until you put in the paint then it wouldn't work. Some other type of cleanable clip etc. If it were some type of snap in metal bar or magnets to hold the paint box
$92.00 plus $17.50 shipping just for an empty bag is to high a price or I would have bought on so now I will make me one.
Nice
Does anyone have one they want to sell, second hand?
How often do you use this bag? Seems like it's a keeper :)
Not often because I need to carry many things so I mostly use a backpack. And I do prefer to sit and draw instead which allows me to rest my legs so I bring a portable stool instead.
been looking for a bag but this one ticks all the right boxes but gotta check price first.
Looks too fussy for me. Too much flipping and zipping and pockets. I’ll rather use a small messenger bag or an open tote with a zip top, some easy to view contents plastic zip pouches with maybe colored zippers (red is pens and pencils, green is my palette and brushes...). Long and wide enough to fit a few sizes of sketchbook and a small corrugated plastic board to clip it to.
Lala B hi, it really isn’t fussy at all. It’s a joy to use. If I just used any bag I would be scraping around to find things. You really can use it as an easel too so it’s more than a bag. Hoping to help.
I currently use a kavu sling bag and had the same thought-too much fuss for me, personally . But I can see it’s appeal to folks, too.
As soon as you rest your hand in the sketchbook, you will move it, i don't find it really handy.
You're supposed to hold the sketchbook while it's resting on the support. If not it will move, or even accidentally drop to the ground.
looks too small and fiddly. My Kroser laptop bag (US35-45 on Amazon) 15.6 or even 18" gives me far more options and heaps more space.The laptop sleeve with velcro closure is perfect for A4 sketchbooks...even the master sketchbooks from Leuchtturm are no problem. In variable weather I can take my beanie, fingertipless gloves, etc. plus jumper. Where can you put all these things in an Art Bag?...much easier of course if you live in Singapore.
Teoh,
Nice review and nice easel bag but too expensive for us starving artists. Can't you find something cheaper? Anyway....thanks for the review. Blessings to you and yours.
Your Faithful Follower,
Kathy B. (Fairylady0227) 💜
It is quite pricey. The alternative is a cheap portable stool to sit and draw. 😂
can you try huawei m6 with pen ?please help huawei.we want still buy huawei.we love huawei so much.
For some reason I thought you were going to draw on the bag
Interesting concept, but the build quality looks low, especially for that price.
I think it's fine. The material is those typical sling bag material.
Great review Teoh! Very cool bag! Thank you for sharing!