Pochade-style box easels evolved from an older concept, the pochade (from French poche, pocket) box, a hand held box that holds a small palette and a small canvas. These are designed for travel and allow an artist to carry all supplies in a small container placed in a bag or a suitcase. On location, one holds the pochade in one hand or sits it on a convenient ledge. The box holds a small canvas and is a stand in for an easel. Small and convenient for travel, it also has its limitations.
At some point, a brilliant artist attached the pochade atop a camera tripod and, voila, the pochade easel was born. These larger boxes, while still compact, are large enough to hold more supplies and larger canvases while still taking up less space, making them ideal for traveling light. And, you don’t have to hold them in your hand. There are many styles of pochade easels, many companies making them, and countless variations of features.
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