Quick answer: When working out how to make a plein air easel, the easiest route is to build a small pochade box: a shallow wooden box with a hinged lid that holds a panel, a palette surface in the base, and a 1/4-20 threaded insert or T-nut underneath so it mounts on a standard camera tripod. A simpler alternative is a hinged board with a panel clip screwed to a tripod plate. Either can be made in an afternoon with plywood, two hinges, a lid stay and basic tools.
Commercial plein air setups range from simple to surprisingly expensive, but the core idea is modest: hold a small panel upright, keep a palette flat beside it and stay steady on uneven ground. That makes the plein air easel a classic DIY project. Many painters build their first one and keep using it for years.
Below are three practical builds, from a 30-minute tripod board to a full pochade box with a lid-held panel and storage, along with materials, dimensions, tripod mounting details and the design choices that matter outdoors. If you would rather start with a ready-made option, our guide to the best cheap easels for painting includes portable models at low prices.
What a Good Plein Air Easel Must Do
- Hold a panel securely at a near-vertical angle in wind.
- Provide a palette surface close to the painting.
- Mount on a stable support, usually a tripod.
- Pack small and light enough to carry on foot.
- Set up quickly, ideally in a few minutes.
Every design choice below comes back to those five points. When in doubt, choose lighter and simpler.
Option 1: The 30-Minute Tripod Panel Board
This is the simplest DIY plein air easel and works with any sturdy camera tripod.
Materials
- One piece of 1/4- or 3/8-inch plywood, about 12 x 14 inches
- One 1/4-20 T-nut (the standard camera tripod thread)
- Two binder clips or small spring clamps
- A small strip of wood for a bottom ledge
- Wood glue and short screws
Steps
- Glue and screw a strip of wood along the bottom of the board to form a ledge for the panel.
- Drill a hole on the back, centered horizontally and slightly below center vertically, sized for the T-nut barrel.
- Hammer or press in the T-nut from the back face, so the tripod screw threads into it.
- Mount on the tripod’s quick-release plate or directly onto the tripod screw.
- Set a panel on the ledge and clip the top edge with binder clips.
The palette goes on a separate surface: a clipboard on your knee, a small folding table or a side tray clamped to a tripod leg. This setup is light and quick but less tidy than a box.
Option 2: A Simple DIY Pochade Box
A pochade box combines panel holder and palette in a single unit. The lid opens to hold the panel; the base becomes your palette. This is the most popular DIY plein air easel design.
Materials list
| Item | Suggested size or spec | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Plywood (base and lid panels) | 1/4 in, two pieces about 10 x 12 in | Palette floor and lid |
| Wood strips for box sides | About 3/4 x 1-1/2 in, enough for two shallow frames | Box walls |
| Small hinges | 2 | Connect lid to base |
| Lid support (friction or locking lid stay) | 1–2 | Holds lid at painting angle |
| 1/4-20 T-nut or threaded insert | 1 | Tripod mounting |
| Thin wood strips or turn buttons | A few | Hold panel in lid |
| Latch or catch | 1–2 | Keep box closed in transit |
| Glass, acrylic or a sealed wood palette (optional) | Cut to base size | Easy-clean mixing surface |
| Wood glue, small screws or brads | As needed | Assembly |
| Finish (oil or polyurethane) | Small can | Seal against paint and moisture |
Design dimensions
A common starting size is an interior of around 9 x 12 inches, which fits 8 x 10 inch panels in the lid with room to spare. A box depth of 1 to 1.5 inches keeps it slim while allowing a few brushes and paint tubes inside.
Step-by-step
- Build two shallow frames. Cut wood strips to form two identical rectangles, one for the base and one for the lid. Glue and pin the corners, checking for square.
- Attach plywood panels. Glue and pin a plywood panel to one face of each frame. You now have two shallow trays.
- Add the panel holder to the lid. Inside the lid, attach a narrow strip at the bottom edge as a ledge, and a sliding strip or turn buttons at the top to grip the panel. For multiple panel sizes, attach two or three ledge positions or use a sliding strip that tightens with a small bolt and wing nut.
- Hinge the box. Join lid and base along one long edge with two small hinges.
- Fit the lid stay. Install a friction lid support or adjustable stay so the lid holds at an angle just past vertical when open. A friction stay lets you set any angle; a fixed chain or cord is simpler but less flexible.
- Install the tripod mount. Drill a hole in the center of the base’s underside (or slightly toward the hinge side for balance) and fit a 1/4-20 T-nut or threaded insert. For extra strength, glue a small block inside the base and set the insert into it.
- Add latches. Fit a catch on the front edge so the box stays closed when carried.
- Prepare the palette. Seal the base interior with several coats of finish, or cut a piece of acrylic or tempered glass (have glass edges ground smooth) to fit as a removable palette.
- Finish the exterior. Sand and seal the whole box. A neutral mid-tone finish inside the lid reduces color glare onto your panel.
Option 3: Converting a Cigar Box or Wooden Box
Many painters convert a sturdy wooden cigar box or similar small box. The advantage is that the box, lid and hinges already exist.
- Check that the box walls are solid wood and thick enough to take small screws.
- Reinforce the hinges if they are thin, or replace them with brass hinges.
- Add a lid stay so the lid stays open at painting angle.
- Add panel clips or strips inside the lid.
- Glue a reinforcing block inside the base and install a 1/4-20 threaded insert for the tripod.
- Seal the interior so oil or acrylic does not soak into the wood.
Cigar boxes tend to be small, which suits 5 x 7 or 6 x 8 inch panels for quick studies.
Choosing a Tripod
The tripod matters as much as the box. A flimsy tripod makes even a well-built pochade box wobble.
- Load rating: choose a tripod rated well above the weight of the box, panel and palette.
- Head type: a pan-tilt or sturdy ball head lets you angle the box. Make sure it locks firmly.
- Leg locks: flip locks are quick; twist locks are compact. Either works if they hold.
- Hook: a center column hook lets you hang a bag for stability in wind.
- Height: make sure it reaches a comfortable standing or seated painting height.
DIY Plein Air Easel Comparison
| Build | Time | Skill level | Panel sizes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tripod panel board | Under an hour | Beginner | Small to medium | Testing plein air on a budget |
| DIY pochade box | An afternoon to a weekend | Beginner to intermediate | Small (8 x 10 and under) | Regular outdoor painting |
| Converted cigar box | A few hours | Beginner | Very small (5 x 7, 6 x 8) | Quick sketches, travel |
Design Tips That Make a Big Difference
Balance
When the lid is open with a panel in it, the weight shifts toward the hinge. Placing the tripod mount slightly toward the hinge side helps keep the box balanced on the tripod head.
Panel carrier
Wet oil paintings need protection on the way home. Add slots inside the lid to carry a wet panel face-in, or make a separate wet panel carrier from two boards with spacer strips.
Side trays
Small fold-out side shelves (hinged boards with a stay) give space for brush cups and medium without crowding the palette.
Weight
Use thin plywood for panels and lightweight wood for frames. Every ounce matters on a long walk.
Color of the interior
A mid-gray palette or interior helps judge values, because pure white surfaces can make colors look darker than they are.
Finishing Options Compared
The finish protects your box from solvents, water and pigment, and affects how easy it is to clean.
| Finish | Pros | Cons | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil finish (e.g. linseed or tung-type products) | Natural look, easy to refresh | Less protective against solvents, long cure time | Exterior surfaces |
| Oil-based polyurethane | Durable, resists solvents and water | Strong fumes while curing, can yellow | Palette area and interior |
| Water-based polyurethane | Low odor, clear, quick drying | Slightly less solvent resistance | Watercolor and acrylic boxes |
| Shellac | Quick to apply, seals wood | Damaged by alcohol | Sealing before other finishes |
| Paint | Choose a neutral color, easy touch-ups | Can chip with heavy use | Exterior, mid-gray interior |
Whatever you choose, let the finish cure fully before loading paint into the box. Uncured finishes can stay tacky and react with solvents.
Field-Testing Your DIY Easel at Home
Before your first outing, set the finished easel up in a backyard or on a balcony and paint a short study. Watch for a lid that drifts, a box that tips toward the hinge, a palette that slides, or a tripod head that slowly rotates. Small fixes such as a tighter lid stay, a relocated tripod mount or a rubber pad under the palette are much easier at home than on a hillside.
Common Mistakes When Making a Plein Air Easel
- Weak tripod mount. A T-nut in thin plywood alone can pull out. Reinforce with a wood block.
- No lid stay. A lid without a solid stay will flop in wind.
- Too big. Large boxes are heavy and catch wind. Start small.
- Unsealed wood. Oil and water soak into raw wood, causing stains and warping.
- Sharp edges. Sand corners well; you will handle this box constantly.
- Unbalanced design. Test the box on the tripod with a panel in place before finishing.
Packing List for Your DIY Easel
A homemade pochade box is only as useful as the kit around it. A compact outdoor setup usually includes:
- The box and tripod, with the quick-release plate already attached.
- Two or three small panels in your standard size.
- A limited palette of paints and a few brushes stored inside the box.
- A small sealed container for solvent or water.
- Paper towels and a trash bag.
- A hook or carabiner for hanging ballast.
Is It Worth Making Your Own?
Making a plein air easel is worthwhile if you enjoy building, want a custom size, or already own a good tripod. It is less compelling if you need a large-canvas setup, have limited tools or simply want to paint this weekend. In that case a budget field easel may be the fastest route. Our guide to affordable easels for painters compares inexpensive options that work outdoors.
FAQs
What thread size do tripods use?
Most camera tripods use a 1/4-20 thread. Some larger tripods use 3/8-16, often with an adapter. Check your tripod before buying hardware.
What size should a DIY pochade box be?
A box that fits 8 x 10 inch panels, with an interior around 9 x 12 inches, is a popular balance of portability and painting space.
Can I use a cheap tripod for plein air painting?
You can, but a flimsy tripod will wobble. Choose one rated for well above the weight of your setup and hang a weight from the center column in wind.
What wood should I use for a pochade box?
Thin plywood for panels and a light, stable wood like pine, basswood or poplar for frames work well. Seal everything to resist paint and moisture.
How do I keep my lid at the right angle?
Use a friction lid support or adjustable lid stay, which holds the lid at any angle. A chain or cord can work if you only need one fixed angle.
Can a DIY plein air easel hold larger canvases?
Pochade boxes are best for small panels. For larger work, a field easel or French box style is more practical.
Final Thoughts
Making a plein air easel can be as simple as a board with a T-nut or as complete as a sealed pochade box with a lid stay and panel carrier. Start small, reinforce the tripod mount and test balance before finishing. If you decide building is not for you, our list of budget-friendly painting easels is a practical next stop.
