Advanced Series En Plein Air Pro Oil & Acrylic Easel Package with Sliding Shelf

This plein air setup it really cool. It's light-weight and sturdy. The palette and easel are easy to attach to the tripod.A couple of things I'm not so fond of, mostly to do with the bag.The carry bag is barely large enough to contain the tripod. It's a hassle getting it in and out. Everything else fits fine. I'd also prefer a backpack to the bag. There are two end pockets (one either end). The one has a deep pocket, but it extends into the main body of the bag and so if your bag is full, that pocket is more or less useless. Except for the side pocket (which I guess is for brushes as it's quite skinny), there is only one zipper on the pockets and the main opening, This means you can only open it one way instead of (as with most suitcases) being able to open and close them from either direction. Granted, not a huge issue, but hey it's convenience in the field we need. And it's ironic that the smallest pocket is the one that has that convenience.The palette is plastic. Yuck. Give me glass. I know it's probably something to do with shipping, but hey, who goes to the trouble of cleaning off the palette when in the field and a twister, or rain, or snow, or a bull is headed your way. Or even if you just want to get home because 'Castle' is on the telly, or nature is calling.Seriously, glass is so much easier to take care of. I taped glass over the plastic. I do like the value chart that is under the plastic.So, nothing really serious. The bag is the real let down. I'm going to have to buy a backpack - one with wheels, too.

I bought this product with high hopes based on some of the reviews I read and for the most part it met my expectations. Yes, it was a little flimsy and yes that palette tray was a little small, but for a lightweight travel easel it was pretty good. I especially liked its brush holders and medium container. But after using it less than a month one of the brackets on a tripod leg broke and the product was unusable. I will say that when I emailed about the problem I get a rapid response and was told that a new tripod was on its way, no questions asked.

I love the easel, but the paint box does not stay steady, and is un useful for me. I had to buy a new paint box just to use the easel.

I love this easel. It is sturdy and practical. I had some concerns before I purchased it. On e was that it would not hold my work high enough out in the field. I like to paint standing. It holds my work beautifully. The tripod is very easy and quick to set up as is the tray/pallet and panel/canvas holder. I did find that the tote bag that it comes with is cumbersome if you want to travel any distance on foot. I went to a local sporting goods store and bought a baseball/bat backpack. Works beautifully!

After eight years of serious plein air painting I finally got serious about my equipment. Up till then I would be frustrated with wind blowing my supplies around, the mess in dealing with a wet palette and all the stuff I had to take like table, bungy cord and clips. Took my new advanced oil pro out yesterday with my painting group. Wow, my set up was amazing. Easy to setbup, didn't blow around and there was a place for everything. At one point I closed it up and moved to a bench to add a close up of the flowers I was painting. No problem using it at a seated level. My wet paint's were secure in their carrier during the move. Setting up again took like two minutes. I sent the tote bag back for a refund. It's designed for a man to tote around, I think. Put the stuff in a carry on suitcase with wheels. Couldn't close it completely, but no problem. I have ordered the watercolor easel with two hole tray to use with with this tripod.

used it three times in RI vacation, the sliding shelf broke so overall am back to square one nice ideabut wouldn't recommend it

It was easy to assemble (the printed photo instructions are too dark to see but you can also find a video clip on YouTube to see how it is assembled) the tripod quality is good.Once installed and although secure in place, the pallete tray wobbles up and down a bit when you mix paint on it. The gray scale on paint tray, as well as the spaces to hold your medium and brushes are good design features.The overall weight is lighter than a wooden plain air easel.

Many features are great. It is light and easily portable. Clever simple design. However two pieces broke- the edge of the tray in shipment and one of the small plastic tabs the hold the canvas from the top within the first week of use. Repairing it myself and continuing to use the easel.