Instructions for using WatercolorGear™

ThirdArm and Enabler easel

• ThirdArm’s clamp attaches to your tripod leg or center column.
  Twist the knob for a tight grip.
• The arm knob allows adjustments to the armature to move the platform upward and downward to level.
  This movement affects the way water and pigments run in your palette.
  When adjusted, tighten the arm knob.
• The platform knob allows movement of the platform toward or away from the tripod to clear your backer board and give you full access to your supplies. It also levels the platform from front to back, affecting how water and pigments pool in the palette. Twist the knob to secure the platform after adjusting.

Play with ThirdArm prior to painting on location to familiarize yourself with setting up and adjusting the arm. Once you are familiar with the way the arm works it is very simple to use, compact, and lightweight to carry. It is versatile in the many ways it may be used. (More ideas for a multitude of ways to use ThirdArm below)

Enabler easel holds your watercolor paper to tripod

• Attach your tripod quick release to the Enabler’s female connector on the backer board. The Enabler is offset to place the short side toward ThirdArm. This allows ThirdArm’s platform the shortest outward distance to clear the Enabler backer offering increased access to your supplies and stability to your WatercolorGear^™
• Attach the Enabler backer to your tripod using the tripod’s quick release.
• When your ThirdArm is situated on your tripod, adjusted to level, and the platform clear of the backer board, give each knob an additional, vigorous twist, securing the grip across all sections.
• Assemble your painting supplies on the platform and tape or clip your paper to Enabler easel.
• You are ready to paint!

These 8 steps are all you need to know to experiment and paint with your ThirdArm and Enabler easel

Keep reading for Revolution easel instructions and many more details for those who wish further information and helpful suggestions for maximum use of your WatercolorGear^™

Revolution easel with built-in diffuser

Revolution easel with built-in diffuser holds your watercolor paper to your tripod while shielding your paper from unwanted light interference. It works marvelously for avenging dappled light or blasting sunshine. It has even performed in rain! In windy situations it works better than an umbrella and is much easier to pack and carry. It also converts to hold up to ½ sheet watercolor paper, without the diffuser feature.

A separate backer can be used with ¼ sheet (landscape mode) or smaller sizes with the diffuser function. Simply set-up the diffuser per the above instructions, attach your paper to a backer, then slip the backer onto the bottom ledge and position the backer neat against Revolution’s substrate.
Clip the backer to the substrate to ensure against wind interference.

***It may be necessary to maneuver the position of your Revolution easel or tripod depending on the direction and angle of the light in order to fully block the light hitting your paper. Over the course of painting, you may notice light creeping onto your paper. It is either time to go home, returning another day to capture the same angle of light, or time to reposition your Revolution easel or tripod to clear the light reflecting on your paper.
Revolution acts as a reminder not to chase the light in your painting!

Should you wish to work on larger paintings or have no need of the diffuser function at the time, such as on a cloudy day, there are a couple methods amenable to this approach depending on your preference to paint with or without separate backers.
The advantage to using separate backers is that you can work on more than one painting at a time and keep each painting available to work on without repositioning your paper on the substrate. The advantage of working without separate backers is that it is not necessary to carry additional gear besides the Revolution easel.

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To use Revolution in portrait mode with up to 1/2 sheets,
open the diffuser from the typical position of Revolution on your tripod with the ledge on the bottom.

To use in landscape mode with up to 1/2 sheets, turn Revolution 90º counter clockwise, a position which should allow you to open the diffuser to the left. The ledge will be on the right side. This will put the bulk of the substrate to the left so you will have clear access to ThirdArm. If you are using a left-hand arrangement, turn Revolution 90º clockwise to allow you to open the diffuser to the right. The ledge will be on the left side.

Unfold/open the diffuser until it is completely flat and in line with the substrate. Remove the support bar by pulling out the metal piece from the side of the diffuser. Slip the support bar across the fold line on the same side. Make sure the smaller edge is on the paper side and the larger edge is supporting the back side. Push the support bar securely into place.

Slip the smaller lift bolt from its nesting location in the diffuser flute, spin the lifter 180º and reinsert into the appropriate substrate flute that allows the lifter to lay flat and provide additional support across the fold line on the opposite side of the support bar.

Tape or clip your paper directly to the surface which measures 15.75” x 23.75” perfect to hold up to a ½ sheet of watercolor paper.
In portrait mode, it is feasible to use a separate backer to hold larger than ½ sheets of watercolor paper. I haven’t tried this yet, so if you paint large using Revolution easel, please take photos and send to contact@watercolorgear.com and post to #watercolorgear

For those who want more information before heading out to the field or after a trial run, following are step-by-step instructions plus suggestions for getting the most from your gear along with tried and true ideas for unique uses for this versatile equipment.

Step-by-step instructions for using WatercolorGear^™

Step 1: Assemble your tripod to your most comfortable painting height. Make sure the legs are completely spread, leveled and the tripod is stable.

Step 2: Hold ThirdArm with the platform oriented toward the side of your painting hand with the clamp knob and arm knob facing toward you and the platform knob facing downward.

Turn the clamp knob counterclockwise to open the clamp sufficiently to fit around the leg or center column of your tripod. The clamp will fit any tripod leg shape or center column with a diameter of .24” to 1.38” (6mm to 35mm). ThirdArm weighs 1.5lbs (.7kg).

Step 3: Place clamp on the center column or leg of the tripod on the same side as your painting hand at a comfortable height. Turn the knob on the clamp clockwise until it is snug to the tripod. Give the knob an additional vigorous twist to securely tighten the clamp to your tripod. Avoid placing the clamp over labels that may cause slippage or on sections of the leg with uneven surfaces which will not allow a solid grip.

When ThirdArm is connected to the tripod leg, you will need to lower the arm knob to level the platform.

When connected to the center column, you may need to raise the platform to slightly above level to accommodate the weight of your painting supplies. The amount of upward tilt will depend on the weight of your supplies, most notably the amount of water you typically use.

Step 4: Grip the side of the platform with the brush holes with your painting hand and loosen the arm knob with your other hand. Loosen the knob sufficiently to allow you to raise and lower the platform without disengaging the knob from the arm. It may require a little tug up or down to loosen the connection in order to move the arm.

While keeping the arm knob facing you and aligned with the clamp knob, raise or lower the platform to slightly higher than level. This will allow the weight of your painting supplies to lower the platform to level. Once you have situated the platform slightly above level, tighten the arm knob. Give the knob an additional vigorous twist to securely tighten the armature in place.

ThirdArm can easily hold the typical weight of a loaded palette, container of water, spray bottle, sponge, and several brushes. ThirdArm is able to hold approximately 5 lbs. Watercolor supplies typically weigh significantly less than this. For comparison, a half-gallon (64 oz) of water weighs four pounds.

It will be possible to adjust and level the platform again after you have situated your painting supplies, if needed, in Step 8.

Step 5: Now is a good time to attach your WatercolorGear™ Enabler easel to your tripod. Remove the gray film protecting the front of the board. Discard.

Place the quick release from your tripod on the Enabler connector nut on the back of the board. Secure screw.

Attach the quick release to your tripod.

The Enabler easel is designed to fit a quarter sheet of watercolor paper
The board measures 11.875” x 15.875” and weighs .425lbs (.19kg)

The Enabler easel with Ledge is an additional model backer that allows you to place your watercolor paper on a separate support in any size lightweight material. This feature allows you to work on multiple paintings simultaneously or various size paintings. The separate support rests on the bottom ledge of the board. It is also possible to attache a 1/4 sheet or smaller paper directly on the backer. The Enabler easel with Ledge attaches to your tripod’s quick release in the same manner as above.

Step 6: With your Enabler easel in place, loosen the platform knob (under the platform) and slide the platform out to clear the edge of your Enabler backer for unobstructed access to your palette. The platform knob also allows you to tilt the platform downward toward the front or away toward the rear or level to suit your preferred palette orientation for color mixing and pooling of water and pigments.

The Enabler on the backer board is offset to put the platform closer to the tripod. ThirdArm is most stable with the platform closer to the tripod, although the platform can be placed anywhere along the length of the arm to suit your preference. Placing a weight on the center column of the tripod will add stability to WatercolorGear^TM when the platform is extended, your painting supplies are heavy, and especially helpful in windy conditions. 

A hex wrench is included in the rare instance it is needed to hold steady the hex bolt that holds the platform to the armature while tightening or loosening the platform knob. Normally, placing a finger on the bolt head while tightening the platform knob will be sufficient if the bolt becomes loosened from the platform.

Step 7: Tape or clip your watercolor paper to the Enabler easel.

Step 8: Arrange your painting supplies on the ThirdArm platform.

You may fine tune the platform to level, if needed, by adjusting the arm per Step 4. Remember to hold the end of the platform near the brush holes with your painting hand while loosening the arm knob with your other hand when your painting supplies are situated on the platform, so they do not tumble.

Step 9: You are ready to paint!

Step 10: Packing your ThirdArm
When you are ready to pack up, remove your painting supplies from ThirdArm. Loosen the clamp knob and remove ThirdArm from your tripod. For a more compact item to carry in your backpack, loosen the platform knob, slide the platform toward the clamp, retighten the knob, and stow in your pack along with your painting supplies.

Some possibly helpful musings on ways to enhance WatercolorGear^™

1) I find that it helps to secure lightweight palettes, especially plastic palettes, with adhesive Velcro (included) to the platform of ThirdArm. An unsecured, lightweight palette blows off when wind arises no matter what equipment I have used over the years, so when using a lightweight palette, I secure my palette to the platform. Securing my palette with Velcro also allows me to hang part of my palette over the front edge of the platform and frees up space on the platform. Whether you need to hang your palette over the edge of the platform will depend on the size of your palette, your other supplies, and how you prefer to work. Play around with ThirdArm and try various configurations before committing to the placement of Velcro tabs on your palette and on the platform.

If you choose to use Velcro to secure your palette, I recommend that you attach the hook and loop sections of the tabs together, remove the backing from the loop side, and first place the loop side of the Velcro tabs to the four corners of the bottom of your palette. After applying the Velcro tabs to the palette, remove the backing from the hook side and carefully place your palette on the platform of ThirdArm in the location you have determined is best.

Press the palette securely against the platform to adhere the Velcro to the platform. Now your palette can be removed from and replaced on the platform as needed without fear of falling off or blowing away.

If you use a steel palette, you can use adhesive magnets to secure the palette. ThirdArm is made of aluminum so place the magnet adhesive on the platform of ThirdArm and your steel palette will connect to the magnets.

If you prefer not to use Velcro, it is possible to arrange binder or bull dog clips to secure your palette to ThirdArm. With this method remember to carry clips in your pack.

When using a heavier palette that is not easily blown by wind, it is not necessary to secure the palette to ThirdArm.

2) A silicone water cup grips ThirdArm’s platform and will not slide. Collapsible, 12 oz (.75 lb of water) silicone cups for watercolor are available on Amazon and all the online and brick and mortar art supply stores. Large collapsible silicone dog bowls (24 oz or 1.5 lbs of water) are available on Amazon and many pet supply stores.
In a beta iteration of ThirdArm, I placed a hole in the platform for my 12 oz water cup but decided against doing so in production because the size and placement of the hole limits the user who may wish to place their water cup elsewhere or choose a larger or smaller container. For better stability, however, because the water container is typically the heaviest of your supplies, I recommend placing your water container toward your tripod rather than toward the outer edge of the platform nearest the brush holes.

3) The largest hole on ThirdArm’s platform is ideal for holding a 2 oz mister turned upside down for secure storage and quick access while painting.

4) I hang paper towels on the arm of ThirdArm for easy access. I string a bungee cord through the cardboard tube of a roll of paper towels and place one bungee hook on the arm near the clamp knob and the other hook on the inside of the platform knob.

5) A weight slung from the center column of your tripod will stabilize your WatercolorGear^™ especially in windy conditions, although this extra precaution is helpful under any conditions.

I place my 32 oz (2 pound) water jug inside the protective sack that came with my tripod and hang the sack from the hook on the bottom of my tripod’s center column. This puts my water supply in easy reach when I wish to replenish my 12 oz water container, while stabilizing WatercolorGear^™ in all but the windiest conditions. In especially adverse conditions, I hang my backpack from the center column. I may add rocks to the pack, as needed, in extreme wind. These are not my favorite conditions under which to paint, but they occasionally occur during plein air festivals, so it helps to be prepared with a strategy.

The Versatility of ThirdArm

ThirdArm is capable of attaching to any stationary, round or flat object, between .24” to 1.38” (6mm to 35mm), such as a table edge, railing, metal chair arm, and car steering wheel. If you don’t have room for a tripod or simply wish to work without one, you may find many ways to use your ThirdArm to make painting convenient, comfortable, portable, and ergonomic.

Being an avid plein air watercolor painter myself, I have experience with what actually works in the field:
Gear that is sturdy, compact, easy to use – and compatible with other equipment that you might already own.

You can expect me to listen intently to any ideas for improvements.
Feedback about your experience using WatercolorGear^™ is encouraged and appreciated.
Write us at contact@watercolorgear.com

Please share your photos using WatercolorGear^™ on social media with the hashtag #watercolorgear.