Look at This Budget-Friendly Pochade Box (Review of Meeden Paint Box & Tripod)

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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!

Credits:
Video production and Craft ideas: Lindsay Weirich
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Social media links:

*This post may contain affiliate links
#thefrugalcrafter #watercolor #art

[dianedobsonbartonart]

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! ❤️❤️❤️

[ClarkFineArt]

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!

[melissaaldosari]

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! 😂💜💜💜

[stacys]

I would be interest in seeing the different plein air setups. Sounds like a great Spring/Summer series. Thanks for the informative video.

[alisonjames]

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!

[DeniseSchultz]

Sunday at 1:00 hooray
🌈👍🕊, very nice review.

[twiggalina]

Great review Lindsay! I'd be really interested to see your other outdoor set ups too, especially for painting with watercolours🙂

[MonikaBehr]

I would love to see all your set ups. I'm fascinated by people's supplies.

[TalaiRain]

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.

[smitachengappa]

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.

[damsamiam]

Is be super interested in seeing some of your different set ups!

[gillyslikejillysart]

Yes would love to see all your plein air set ups Lindsay, thank you!

[mjpete]

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!

[rosemarypetersen]

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

[jillmitchell]

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.

[taylorjudi]

"If you would like a video..." I am not sure why you ask, we always want a video! ❤
Love your hair.

[phillipstroll]

Yes, please compare your different plein air setups. Thank you

[memalus]

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!

[georgesgentry]

Enjoyed learning about a pochade. Thanks Lindsay.

[gwensimmons_gigi]

Informative review Lindsay; thank you!💕