I started with the James Gurney concept of 2 pieces of plywood, attached with friction hinges and a mounting nut for a camera tripod plate. There are a ton of those being built all over the place, so I figured it’s a good concept. Cheap and wood are 2 concepts that don’t really go together these days! So I went to the Depot and bought a piece of 1/2 inch plywood scrap. The scrap pile is denoted by spray painting the wood purple, so it’s incorporated in my design. I am painting on it anyway so who cares.
The scrap was already cut to 10 inches x 8 feet, so I just cut my 12 inch chunks off that strip. I chiseled out a spot for my 2 hinges & screwed them in. Not bad.
Then I drilled a hole for the T-nut with 1/4 threads for the mounting plate. I mounted mine on the section that holds the palette. Gurney put his on the part that holds the painting. We will see how this works. Really I guess I could just flip it over if I want to change it. It’s so generic it should probably work. I did a little countersink for the head of the T-nut, hammered it in and there you have it.
A little sanding and a coat of my favorite “stain” which is really just polymerized linseed oil. The kind I used I also put on my frames is called Tried & True – Danish Oil.
I love it because it’s non-toxic, smells like art school painting class and has a nice light finish.
Differences from Gurney’s design so far? No magnets yet, maybe in the future but I will need to use it to see if it’s a feature to add. No clip for shade. I do have plans to build a scrim or shade but that will come with updates. Also, my water container is a simple recycled marshmallow fluff jar. I mount everything on the Amazon Basics 60″ tripod. Currently $28, but they always have a deal going. Also get an extra mounting plate, it makes it easier to keep it on the easel. Next I just throw everything in a backpack and go.
I plan to post updates as I use it and make modifications so check back.
