chair for plein air - WetCanvas: Online Living for Artists (2024)

SAS Designs

I thought I posted this, but now can’t even find it myself! The older threads ( 2008) have links which no longer work.
SO, can anyone suggest a good light weight chair ( not the triangle seated ones) for plein air.
Katherine Tyrrell shows one on her blog, older, not available anymore – looks SO good, basically a good tubular steel stool, with a canvas bottom and supportive canvas back. Parka has some stools on his blog, but no chairs.

I’ve looked at Dick Blick, Jerry’s, CJoe’s – nothing gets a good review. Well the one on DB but it is VERY heavy, more for a patio – than carrying with you. I was expecting with all the interest in “urban sketching” there would be a small chair. But I’m not finding anything. Don’t need storage, or wheels.
TIA for any links, suggestions.
Suzy

May 24, 2015 at 4:49 pm#1225339

JulesFerrule

I found this at Green and Stone (scroll to bottom of page). I agree, you’d think there would be more on the market. I think most plein air sketching seats are those tripod stools. I’d prefer one with 4 legs and a back, too.

Just editing to add – those collapsible camping style chairs, the ones that often come in a carry bag – I haven’t tried those for plein air. They seem to be a bit too relaxed in terms of seating position (for me) but they may work for some people.

[FONT=Garamond]“Creativity takes courage.” [FONT=Garamond]
― Henri Matisse

May 24, 2015 at 4:54 pm#1225322

SAS Designs

YIKES – is that 123. British POUNDS??? That’s where Katherine Tyrell got her Phillips DeLuxe Folding Chair ( think it was 20. pounds) – which I’d pay, even with shipping for how much she RAVES about it. Alas, no longer available.

I am stunned there isn’t anything like it i the States. Except for what are called camping chairs, with those soft sink into bottoms, weak back support.

There was also one, can’t remember name – but as it was about $800. I just giggled, tho it did come in a zillion colors
suzy

PS. The surgeon who operated on my back when I lived in London in 1983, would definitely agree with you about the 4 legs & and BACK.

May 24, 2015 at 4:57 pm#1225323

SAS Designs

tho well reviewed on DB
http://www.dickblick.com/products/caravan-elite-quad-chair/
many complaints on Amazon – where it’s more expensive.

Now checking “Urban Sketcher” sites, nothing so far except “stools” as on Parka blog…

May 24, 2015 at 5:05 pm#1225314

Bill

I’m not sure where I bought this about twenty years ago. But it’a got a label so maybe you can check that out. It’s great for plein aire.

Bill

Be kinder than necessary

May 24, 2015 at 5:05 pm#1225340

JulesFerrule

I just found this one on amazon. It’s marketed as a ‘fishing chair’ but it looks like a firmer seat than the standard camping chair. Looks like it got decent reviews. THe price is certainly much better than the above (Green & Stone) ones.

[FONT=Garamond]“Creativity takes courage.” [FONT=Garamond]
― Henri Matisse

May 24, 2015 at 5:08 pm#1225324

SAS Designs

THANK you – going to look for Houtz & Barwick, and will follow the amazon link.
I think I saw the “fishing chair” with several 1 star reviews, but will check again.
suzy

May 24, 2015 at 5:12 pm#1225315

Bill

Looks like Cabelas has a few by houtzandbarwick.com
Bill

Be kinder than necessary

May 24, 2015 at 5:12 pm#1225325

SAS Designs

http://www.artmaterialsretailer.com/articles.php?id=75&view=article
Well, Bill, you’ve got a prized item, it seems, can’t find them for sale on line or in any of the “regular” art supply places I use.
Will keep checking –
don’t misplace it
Just a “vintage” H&B stool is $50. on ebay
suzy

May 24, 2015 at 5:15 pm#1225326

SAS Designs

Couldn’y find them on the cabela’s link – but will keep looking.

May 24, 2015 at 5:21 pm#1225327

SAS Designs

ALas, they’ve closed. http://www.houtzandbarwick.com/

Seems there’s a market opportunity for some creative people here – but must be impossible to make a go of it, or expect someone would have done it by now with the popularity of urban sketching.
BTW – the 123.pound one, was really a stool with an easel attached. clever, but no back.
suzy

May 24, 2015 at 5:24 pm#1225328

SAS Designs

http://www.yliving.com/fermob-plein-air-folding-chair-set-of-two.html?utm_medium=pla&utm_source=gdn&utm_content=fermob-plein-air-folding-chair-set-of-two&cvosrc=pla.gdn.fermob-plein-air-folding-chair-set-of-two&gclid=CJTt7Jeo28UCFUIXHwod4TEACw
this was the beauty I kept seeing – “only” $350.
aw, probably heavy anyhow, no matter how many pretty colors!

May 24, 2015 at 5:24 pm#1225341

JulesFerrule

Here’s another from amazon, the ‘woodsman’, even less expensive.

[FONT=Garamond]“Creativity takes courage.” [FONT=Garamond]
― Henri Matisse

May 24, 2015 at 5:27 pm#1225329

SAS Designs

The reviews on those from Amazon are very bad – as it’s for COMFORT, I start with the 1 star ones, and when those are uniformly saying STAY AWAY if you want comfort, I tend to stay away.
I think Bill has the winner!!!!! And it’s lasted 20 years. Wonder when they went out of business, they were still being praised in that 2005 article I linked.

May 24, 2015 at 5:36 pm#1225342

JulesFerrule

Ok, best of luck.

[FONT=Garamond]“Creativity takes courage.” [FONT=Garamond]
― Henri Matisse