The palette hangs off the front two legs of your tripod, held on by the leg hooks and gravity. The panel holder attaches to the top of your tripod just like a camera would. 

 

 

The palette is designed to sit about 20 degrees below level on a standard tripod. The angle puts the surface of the palette more in line with your arm's natural arc so the full area is easier to reach, and when you're reaching into the palette the near wall of the palette will be less of an obstruction than if it were level. It also puts the side shelves at an angle that will help keep your brushes on them.

When you're using oil paint, excess oil may run down the palette from your oiliest colors -- you probably already know which ones will do that. If a particularly loose paint dollop won't stay in place, smoosh it down with a palette knife.

 

If you try it and the angle just doesn't work for you, there are a couple of ways to deal with it. The easiest way is to kick the rear leg of your tripod out to its second angle stop. That tips the tripod back, tilts the palette up, and gives your setup a wider, more stable stance. We also have shorter leg hooks available in the shop that will raise the palette. The product page has comparison photos. 

 

 

Here are some thoughts from Drew: 

 

 First, I think it should be tall enough to paint standing without extending the center column. That way you get stability from all three legs, rather than your painting wobbling around on a single support. 

 

 Second, the head: I would want a ball head for quick and easy adjustments, with an Arca-Swiss-style quick release plate for its solid connection.

 

 Third, I would want the legs to be able to be angled independently, rather than be tethered to the center column.

 That still leaves a ton of options, but I think it's a good place to start.

 

 As for my favorites? Let's start with the head, because that's easy. I like this Neewer ball head. It's got an Arca-Swiss style quick release, it's light, sturdy, cheap, and all the movement is controlled by a single lever-shaped knob that's easy to lock into position. It's kind of annoying for photography, but I haven't found anything better for plein air painting. Your new tripod may come with a head that's good enough, but if you need to replace it, this is what I recommend.

 

 As for legs, I've used and liked the Marsace XT-15, Fotopro X-Aircross 3 Lite, Sirui Traveller-X (the AT-125 legs), and the Obo N255CL and N255C. The N255C is much lighter than the others but also shorter -- it may not be comfortable to use standing if you're taller than 5'5". 

 

 

For a non-woodworker, shellac is a quick and easy coating to give the wood some protection. (Be aware that alcohol will remove shellac, but it isn't a typical painting solvent.) If you are a woodworker, we would love to see how you finish yours!

More questions? Fire away!