Many professional artists develop their own painting workflow over the years and usually know exactly what kind of equipment suits them best. Beginners and hobby painters often do not. And honestly, even experienced artists do not always feel like reading endless product descriptions. So I decided to write a practical guide to choosing a pochade box — not necessarily from my shop specifically, but in general.
Let me answer the most common question right away: Which pochade box should I choose if I want to paint on large canvases but still keep my setup lightweight and portable?
Unfortunately, nobody has invented such a pochade box yet. And most likely, nobody ever will.
We focus on lightweight pochade boxes designed for small painting panels up to 12 inches, or at most around 15 inches. These pochade boxes can be mounted on a standard camera tripod just like a camera, and that is incredibly convenient. I will explain why in a moment.
So if you plan to paint on stretched canvas or on panels larger than 15 inches on either side, our pochade boxes are probably not the right choice for you. For that kind of work, you need a heavier field easel — something like a traditional French easel or a Russian-style easel.
The reason is simple: once you place a large panel or a heavy stretched canvas onto a lightweight pochade box, wind becomes a serious problem. A lightweight setup can easily tip over outdoors. Large-format painting also requires carrying more supplies — brushes, paint, mediums, and other materials — while lightweight pochade boxes usually do not include large storage compartments.
And honestly, if you put 5 kilograms of paint into a lightweight pochade box, it stops being lightweight, right?
So now we have established that our pochade boxes are designed for smaller works. But why is a tripod-mounted pochade box so convenient?
First, a camera tripod is usually much lighter than built-in easel legs. Second, you can carry the tripod separately from the pochade box — even use it as a hiking stick if needed — which takes a lot of strain off your back.
We do not build large storage compartments into our pochade boxes, but we do build storage for wet painting panels. For oil painters, transporting wet paintings safely back to the studio is usually the biggest challenge.
As for supplies, small-format painting simply does not require carrying very much. Paint tubes and tools fit easily into a backpack or shoulder bag, which is lighter than making the pochade box itself larger and heavier. After all, the pochade box is made from wood, while a backpack is made from fabric.
Besides, not every paint tube needs to come with you to the plein air session. Some pigments are extremely strong in mixtures — phthalocyanines, iron oxide colors, and certain others — and only tiny amounts are needed. These can be placed onto the palette beforehand, which means fewer tubes to carry.
Less weight on your back means more enjoyment outdoors.
As an exception, we do offer a small series of pochade boxes with integrated storage drawers. These are our two “Cube” models: one for 4x6 panels and one for 6x8 panels. Both also include slots for wet panel storage.
If you want your pochade box to function almost like a miniature portable studio with nearly everything inside, these models are probably the best choice for you. We intentionally do not make larger Cube models because the additional weight would place too much stress on the tripod.
The “Martlet” Series
If you frequently paint plein air and prefer formats like 8x10, 9x12, or 10x12, then the “Martlet” series is the obvious choice.
These sizes are large enough to create paintings with real standalone value — pieces that can be framed, displayed on a wall, or sold as finished artwork.
The Martlet pochade boxes include a built-in wet panel carrier with two slots, allowing you to transport two wet paintings at once, plus another one attached to the lid if the box closes with it installed.
These models work equally well for travel and for regular painting sessions close to home.
Some versions include a removable palette for easier cleaning, while others use a fixed palette design. In reality, cleaning a wooden palette is not difficult at all. You simply scrape or wipe away the paint with a paper towel. Over time, the plywood surface develops a smooth grey patina that becomes an excellent painting surface.
That is one reason we do not use heavy glass palettes.
If you want an ideal neutral palette tone, simply mix black paint with white and rub it into the palette surface.
“Lori” and “Alpine”
If you do not need a built-in wet panel carrier, you may want to look at our “Lori” and “Alpine” series.
The “Lori” models always include a removable palette, and the lid is attached using bolts rather than screws. This makes the construction easier to repair and maintain over time.
The “Alpine” series focuses entirely on weight reduction, so the palette is fixed and every unnecessary gram is eliminated.
The choice here is straightforward:
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Want the lightest possible pochade box? Choose “Alpine”.
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Want something slightly more versatile and durable? Choose “Lori”.
Just keep in mind that these models usually allow you to transport only one wet panel inside the pochade box itself, attached to the lid. Carrying multiple wet paintings will require a separate wet panel carrier, which is often heavier than an integrated solution anyway.
And if you paint in multiple panel sizes — for example one 8x12 and another 10x10 — you will still need to invent your own clever transportation method.
Watercolor and Gouache Pochade Boxes
If you paint with watercolor or gouache, we also make pochade boxes designed specifically for those media.
Some models feature integrated epoxy resin palettes that work beautifully for sketching. The palette surface feels similar to plastic, but with custom paint wells where watercolor can be squeezed directly from tubes. In this way, the pochade box becomes both a paint box and a portable easel.
For artists who use traditional metal watercolor pans, we also make ultra-light magnetic sketch easels designed specifically for those sets.
Why Small Formats Matter
Now let us talk about truly small painting formats — 4x6, 5x7, and at most 6x8.
We also make oil painting pochade boxes for these sizes, and honestly, they are my personal favorites.
Small-format studies are essential for capturing fleeting states of nature. I love these tiny paintings because they can be completed quickly, and they often become the most beautiful works — the ones that best preserve the mood of the day.
For sunrise, sunset, forest studies, or any situation with rapidly changing light, small pochade boxes are not just convenient — sometimes they are the only practical way to capture the moment.
We all love the glowing colors of dawn and sunset, but they disappear incredibly fast.
And honestly, not every plein air study needs to become a finished masterpiece hanging on a wall forever. Real studies should often be painted quickly and later used as reference material for larger studio paintings.
Isaac Levitan often said that small studies contain more truth. He painted them constantly.
If you want to approach plein air painting as a color sketch or visual note rather than a fully polished artwork, I strongly recommend trying small-format painting.
Some of our smaller pochade boxes even hold more painting panels than their larger counterparts.
People sometimes worry about having less palette space for color mixing. But believe me — if your study takes only 15 minutes to paint, you simply will not need that much mixing space anyway.
Try it. You may never want to go back.
Brush Holders and Side Extensions
We also make several accessories that expand your painting workspace outdoors.
Our side shelves increase mixing space, while our hanging brush holders provide an extremely convenient way to organize brushes during plein air sessions.
The side shelves are more affordable, but in my opinion the hanging brush holder is the most comfortable system possible for outdoor painting.
Once you try it, it is difficult to go back.
The “All-In-One” Series
And finally, we have our favorite premium models: the “All-In-One” series.
These pochade boxes feature leather storage pockets on the lid and an integrated side brush holder.
First of all — who said a pochade box should not look beautiful? We are artists, after all. We love beautiful objects. In fact, creating beauty is what we do.
But these details are not only decorative — they are genuinely practical.
As the name suggests, these pochade boxes are designed so you can prepare almost everything in advance: attach your brushes, set up your palette beforehand, place a rag and a tube of white paint into the leather pockets, and head outside fully ready to paint.
That greatly reduces the chance that you will end up painting with your credit card because you forgot your brushes — or searching through bushes for an empty can to use as a solvent cup.
Anyone who has gone plein air painting more than once will understand exactly what I mean.
Thank you for reading all the way to the end. I hope this guide was useful and helped you choose the right pochade box for your painting style.
Feel free to leave a comment or send a message — I will gladly answer your questions and maybe even take your suggestions into account for future designs.
Best regards,
Igor
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