From the post office
Posted: October 22, 2025 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: autumn scene, car sketching, Lintner palette, watercolour 14 CommentsWhen Canada Post’s striking employees came back on the job last week, I rushed off to the post office to mail a package. The post office in my town is on a busy commercial street but for the first time, I noticed these little red buildings in a field behind some stores. I guess I never noticed them in summer but in autumn they are quite striking with the yellow trees behind them.
I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to do some fall sketching so that I could try out my Lintner palette in the car. I used the universal clamp it comes with to attach it to my steering wheel.
I’ve been painting from my car for over a decade, and have always set up my palette on the passenger seat. But I have to say that it was pretty cool to have the palette and water containers just a few inches away from my painting surface. I keep a third water container in the cup holder between the seats so I can have a really big water reservoir to rinse my bigger brushes, but it’s really useful to have the smaller containers much closer than they used to be. And the clamp has two ball-heads on it so I can level the palette and keep my washes from dripping all over the car. No doubt I will still have paint splatters on the seats, but hopefully fewer than before.
That’s impressive, especially the clamp! Most clamps I find are too flimsy. So, where do you keep your coffee??? lol
Maureen, there is room for two cups in that spot. One for painting water and one for coffee. Just have to make sure I don’t drink the painting water or rinse my brush in the coffee.
That whole system is very tempting, but a bit pricey. I figure I will wait til I get better. Or should I say IF I ever get better. Ha!
Out of curiosity, I wanted to check how much the palette costs – bit I did not find anything. Where did you find the info? tks for your help.
In the $800 +/- range. Add ons extra.
Wow, Shari. Having seen you use the Lintner palette etc when you were here in Topsfield, my envy gene really kicked in. You’re definitely taking full advantage of the system. If I did more plein air painting, I might be able to justify the cost. It’s really a dream! Your sketching and painting updates are inspirational! Hope to see you on another New England teaching trip soon.
A nifty looking palette box but it’s the colour palette of this autumn scene that really knocks me out!
Shari, I love reading your blog and how your painting is a natural part of your day when I struggle to find time and energy with work. You always amaze me by making everyday scenes look amazing. Thanks for sharing
As always, thanks for this gift of the morning.
Just remember, if (when) you feel a spider halfway up your leg, do not jump!
Hi Shari
This is Cindy from Utah , What are your pros and cons to this new travel palette? What pieces did you purchase? I am really considering it. I bought the cup easel at the beginning of its coming out and I like it but this one looks really cool. Any advice. Thanks Cindy Hepworth. Love all my tutorials I have purchased.
Hi Shari
It’s Cindy from Utah. Hope things are going well for you. Love all your posts. I am still looking to meet up with you at a workshop. I keep watching for one I can get to.
I am still going through all the courses I have purchased.HAHA
Couple questions:
One do you still do Gouache?
Do you like this Lintner setup for Plein Aire? What pieces did you buy? Pros – Cons
I purchased the cup easel when it first hit the market. I like it but this one looks cool.
Thanks for your help. Love all your work.
Cindy Hepworth
HI Cindy,
It’s so nice to hear from you!
In answer to your questions:
Yes, I still do gouache. But I have been travelling a lot this summer and did not teach any classes using gouache so it is time to get back to them!
In answer to your question about the palette, I was one of the artists who was lucky enough to test out the palette this summer. I love it. I would not be writing favourably about it if I didn’t. But it is so well designed. I have no negatives. You can read my comments here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lintnerart/a-modular-system-for-artists-and-urban-sketchers-on-the-move
I have the full sketcher setup. I have the Pro version but I have no doubt the Lite version is good too because anything that Phil designs is excellent.
Hope that helps!
Shari
That’s a pretty cool set up! That clamp looks really sturdy.
It really is. We used it for filming our video too!