EDUCATIONAL TIPS

 
HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN CANVAS PANEL CARRIERS

Since I started plein air painting, I had an issue with how to carry my wet paintings.  I didn't want to buy a wooden carrier, so I brainstormed with different ways of carrying several wet paintings all at once, if needed in a workshop.  

So for all you artists who would like a way to carry several wet paintings (up to 8) without breaking the bank, check out my visual ideas below.  


I had an old file folder tote for 8.5 x 11 manilla file folders (not for hanging files).  Because the sides sloped slightly outward toward the lid, I had to add adjusters to accommodate the 8x10 panels that I was using. 

 
I added my own foam core spacers to accommodate 8 wet canvas panels.  Each spacer is 4-1/2 inches wide with several 1/2-inch slots and can hold 2 wet canvas panels in each slot back to back.   Using Elmer's glue, I cut my 1/2 inch strips of foam core and glued them 1/2 inch apart so that my 8x10 canvas panels would fit in the 1/2 slots created. 

I had to individually tweak and trim the foam core adjusters until they fit exactly in the plastic file carrier, but it works great. It's waterproof and will take a lot of rough use without showing much wear.

Here you can see what it looks like from above.  I can carry smaller gear in the extra 1-1/2 inches of space on the side.

Here is a size comparison photo of an 8x10 panel next to the plastic case.  I actually built adjusters for 2 plastic file carriers, so I have plenty of canvas panels ready to go if needed.  



BOOK RESOURCES

Here are some of my favorite books that I recommend to my students: