Nifty Rain/Sun Shield

I was out painting with my friend Beth M. when I noticed that she had stuck this rain shield on her pochade. She used velcro on the back and sides to hold it in place and, because it was made out of foam core, it was lightweight and folded up small.

What is even better? It worked. It actually kept the rain off her painting panel and when she unfolded it, it kept most of the rain off her palette.

I'm going to make one. I think I'll go to Home Depot and get the corrugated plastic material they use for signs rather than foam core which can get wet. But who really cares...it is so cheap.

The small velcro dots Beth has on here are to keep the top from flopping over when only half the shield is needed.

This probably won't work for a French easel or for larger pieces but for all the smaller works it's great.

Thanks Beth.

Beth emailed me and said:
"When you make your own, here a few engineering tips.  Actually, the velcro buttons keep it flat and tidy when I fold it up to put in the pack so the wings dont get torn off.. And all the bendable joints are made by cutting part way through the foam core and then reinforcing with duct tape. I used the stick-on type of velcro strapping that I got at a fabric store to attach it. And there Is a little ball of UHU I stick underneath where the rim of the pochade box meets the awning to control the angle of the cantilever."

That was helpful...