HARBRON Plein air

Here are some ideas on using the Harbron Tripod Shelf as a palette: Firstly, let me say that I don't apply paint directly to the shelf. I prefer to attach a dedicated surface to the shelf for my mixing, as it's easier to organise and manage. I use 'draftsman's' metal drawing board clips for this purpose, but there are a range of clip solutions you might have more readily to hand. For my demo, I'm using the shallowest clips I could find at 16 x 55 mm. For the last studio set-up in this article, I don't need clips.     1: Palette Paper The first solution is to use palette paper. I have been using the Strathmore Palette Paper, size 9x12in. I attach the whole pad to the shelf using drawing board clips and when I have completed my painting, I scrape off left-over paint into a pot (using it later to put a ground on some of my new surfaces) and then I can tear-off and dispose of the paper. The palette paper solution is very portable and hassle-free. It's a bit ...

In the past week I have been crafting this tripod easel for a special commission. The artist requested an easel that will accommodate stretched canvases, which of course are a lot thicker than a canvas board. So I set about making some modifications to my original design by fashioning a thicker lower and top jaw and marrying it to a Harbron  Excalibur easel body. The finished easel works so well, I have decided to make some more to add to the Harbron Plein Air range.  The Harbron Canvas Tripod Easel features jaws that are 20mm thicker than the equivalent Excalibur easel so you can mount a stretched canvas up to 25mm thick. The jaws have an angled lip that bites the canvas tightly and holds it solid for painting. You can mount a stretched canvas or canvas board up to 15 inches in height.  The weight of the Canvas Easel comes in at 310g which is just under 100g heavier than the Excalibur  but still makes for a very light set-up. I am currently making them to order ...

Compact easel with 8x10in at Lake Vyrnwy, mid-Wales The bad news came just before reaching my destination. I steered my bicycle alongside a shop and went in for some Welsh cakes. At the counter I was told that the weather was due to break anytime now and the forecast said very heavy rain. I looked at my Welsh cakes and wondered what they tasted like soggy. Twenty minutes later I rolled up to Lake Vyrnwy, mid-Wales, sporting a fine shean of Welsh drizzle. I've been told that there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes. My 'waterproof' was clinging to me like a polyester shower curtain and the rain started cascading off the peak of my helmet to form a frosted visor.  Having spent a lifetime riding lightweight racing bikes, it is a novelty to be riding my utility bike with mudguards, armchair saddle and bags hanging off the racks. As I glanced at the overtaking 'roadies', miserably hunched over their handlebars with streaked backs and asses, I felt I ...

Launch date: 8th September @ 7pm Dear Artists,                          I am super excited to announce that the Harbron Plein Air range is expanding on September 8th with my new wet painting carriers. The Harbron Canvas Carriers accommodates up to two panels and/or stretched canvases, and holds them secure and protected for transportation. The unique design features include: A clever retaining lip that eliminates interference with the wet surface of your painting. Genuine VelcroⓇ retaining straps that work independantly to make placement and removal of paintings easier, whilst keeping them fully secure during transit. An adaptor that enables a smaller painting to be carried. Larger Canvas Carriers have super strong and durable handles hand-woven from high quality paracord 550. Every part of the Canvas Carry is servicable and replaceable to help extend and maximise the lifetime of the product. ⮝ How the adaptor/s ...

Making the accessories for the Harbron Plein Air range is a labour of love. I want to thank everyone for supporting me and making a purchase, and a special thanks to all those who have been kind enough to message me with feedback. I was thrilled to recieve the latest positive review today... "Just to say I have received my easel kit and I am very happy with it, great job and well done, nicely presented and the finish is top notch"                                                                                                                                              ...

  Dear Artists, I have just heard about a new plein air event here in the UK in September, and entries are OPEN.  I attended the previous event earlier in the summer and found it inspiring, friendly and ultimately, fun! I encourage you to give it a go.      Further details can be found here

I finally broke out of the studio to participate in a plein air event at Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham. I felt a bit tight because I'd spent the past several months getting carried away with my portraiture studies and life drawing, so I was a little nervous about it. Could I remember how to paint? What didn't help was the intimidation of trying something I'd not done before: buildings!       My plan of action was to be methodical and paint fast, think slow. I had five hours after all. If you are unfamiliar with plein air competitions, it works like this: turn up with your surface, get it stamped to confirm you haven't painted it outside the competition time frame, find a spot within the boundaires of the event location, expressively interpret what you see by the allocated deadline, submit for judging, mingle with other artists to share experiences of the day whilst the judges make their decision, then enjoy the prize giving and hope you get some appreciation for yo...