new here, Anyone going to Master's weekend 2010?

KatPaints wrote

on 26 Jun 2010 7:54 PM

Hi,

I'm new here. I'm  getting back into painting and decided to go to the Master's weekend at Dana Point to help inspire me. I posted a comment under the plein air AA announcement, but I guess everyone is finished looking at that page?? Anyone else going? All the classes I am taking have nothing to do with plein air and I've been rethinking that decision. I plan on painting outdoors whether or not I change my current choices.

I like painting outdoors and need to buy some equipment. I'm looking for lightweight but sturdy. Can anyone share their opinions or experience with certain french easles/tripods/umbrellas and whether or not you are/were satisfied with them?

Thanks,

Kathryn

j.b2 wrote

on 28 Jun 2010 7:33 AM

Have fun!

When I paint plein air I use a French easel with a large umbrella that clamps onto the easel. It was white out of the box but that quickly changed to black with the fabrication of a 2nd skin that fits over the top which is black. I have a small umbrella but I only use that one when the air is dead calm and I'm in a spot where space is limited. I think most people use a pachade box and love them. Take small clamps with you as when the wind blows you may need to clamp the umbrella down to hold it down...

Antonin2 wrote

on 28 Jun 2010 8:59 AM

I use a plein air French easel. I think Blick right now is having a pretty good sale on the Julian French easels and it might even be better for the 4th of July.

KatPaints wrote

on 28 Jun 2010 5:10 PM

Thanks, Considering that there is a sale, I will need to step up my efforts in finding an easel. I'm wondering if anyone ever owned a metal french easel?

Lena Francis wrote

on 30 Aug 2010 10:56 AM

Hi Kat...It looks like I'm going to be at the Masters Weekend in Laguna....if travel arrangements can be made, dealt with - ie, train/bus schedules.  I'm traveling from Sebastopol, Ca.

As far as equipment, mine is outdated but will have to do.  I don't know what we are expected to bring to the classes but I hate the notion of lugging my french easel around...will most like end up doing just that. I recently read some very thorough reviews of equipment by Barry Raybould on his Virtual Art Academy site - www.virtualartacademy.com. Sorry - this window won't let me link that.  I don't remember how I got to his reviews, either but you should be able to find them by searching.

See you at the Masters.  Oh, I am primarily interested in plein air/color classes at the workshop.  I'll probably be taking Camille Prezwedeks classes.

Lena

Tatyana Fogarty wrote

on 31 Aug 2010 12:42 PM

Hi Kat,

Here I am again on another discussion board. 

About easels. I've used Soltek easel for both outdoor and indoor set-ups. It is very convenient to use :you can put paint tubes and brushes inside the box and when you open side panels they become your shelves; the legs are retractable and take seconds to set-up;  but it is a bit too heavy to carry it in the field. An easel itself without any supplies inside is approx. 9 pounds. Another concern is when you paint on the beach, sand can get inside the hollow legs and would be hard to push them back inside to fold the easel.  But it is much much more convenient then the French easel. All those screws and fold/unfold legs of French box to fumble with when you need to quickly set-up. 

My all time favorite is Open Box M easel. Since they don't allow to include links here, you may just google them. On their website, go to "light-weight" sets. 

Although not cheap, they are the lightest and the most convenient to use. You can get an 8x10 easel without any outside cases or boxes. the weight would be approx 4 pounds.  As to the tripod, you can find it anywhere, you don't have to buy their Manfrotto. 

KatPaints wrote

on 31 Aug 2010 5:29 PM

So far that's four of us going! 

I found a really inexpensive half box French easel for about $25 locally at some super discount place. It weights 7.5 lbs. Maybe when I get really good I'll invest in the better equipment, but this is working out really well and I've got the tightening screws down to a science.  I found a plein air painting partner and for the past 4 weeks we go painting in the morning on either Saturday or Sunday. This has been great because each week I realize what is not working and then I can quickly adapt  my working style and organization. Also since I haven painted in a really, really long time, my painting has been quickly improving and I feel warmed up and ready to paint in Laguna. Hmm, Lena maybe that is what I should be doing just focusing on plein air since that's my current interest. Good idea. 

Lena each instructor has a supply list. Go to aamastersweekend.com and check under "participants information." Also somewhere here I started a topic on transporting artist supplies through the airport. The responses are the best I've found on the internet so far. Not sure what the restrictions would be for a train. 

Also there is a train stop I think near San Juan Capistrano. Trip advisor is really helpful and I have a few posts there under the name TravelKat.

Lena Francis wrote

on 18 Oct 2010 2:09 PM

Hi Kat ~ Seeing you at the Masters was great.  I wish I'd had more freedom of movement so we could spend more time. 

I'm not sure what's going on with this site...some posts that I made over a month ago just now got posted.  Also, one from jb that he wondered about came through today.

So...How about you just e-mail me?  thehayloft@hotmail.com will get to me.  I haven't painted since I got home...have been recovering from some bad bug but ready to go again now. 

Hope to hear from you.

Lena