The morning news

In front of me sat this man who was preoccupied with reading the morning newspaper.  Unbeknownst to him, I was busily sketching his obstructed view of mine until I was called in by my eye doctor.

Finishing details and color later added at home.

Vietnam's Central

This restaurant is located in Scarsdale, NY.  We've dined here a couple of times before and we really like the food.  Friday evenings tend to be the busiest so getting there early is a plus.  It didn't take long to get seated before ordering the Lemon Shrimp appetizer and our favorite Beef Pho dish.

As we waited for our food, I started sketching the scene before me.  Not soon after, our appetizer was served and the main dish followed.

Vietnam's Central is the correct name,
not Vietnamese Central.

Eye Doctor Instrument: The Slit Lamp

Yesterday, I was at my eye doctor for a checkup.  I know I'd be waiting for some time so I started sketching this gentleman filling out the new patient forms.  I thought I'd start with the crossed legs then work my way up.  But not soon after, I was called in and was shown the way toward one of the exam rooms.  I took the eye chart test with prescription eye glasses on.  Good results.  20/20 vision!  

This young lady administered the first dose of eye drops to dilate my pupils and left.  She would be back minutes later for the second dose.  While waiting, I thought I'd sketch that eye instrument before me. 

"Would you mind waiting outside for a few minutes?" she asked.  I stepped out of the room, sat on a chair just outside by the hallway.  Another patient walked into the room where I exited.  

Here's the slit lamp instrument I sketched.  See the feet hanging from the bottom of the platform?

Portable Sketch Easel Version 4 (PSEV4)

Well, I thought I'd be done and happy with PSEV3 but, NO... almost there, but not quite the fully flat folding sketch easel!

Yesterday's lousy weather wasn't inspiring but was good enough to tinker and make version 4!

If you have been following the Portable Sketch Easel versions, you'll know that James Gurney's work was my inspiration.  So far, I think I satisfied all his 8 goals in making one.  I have a very limited set of tools to work with but sufficient enough for the first two versions of the project.

Tools:

1.  Black & Decker Electric Drill and Drill Bits.

2.  Phillips and Flat Head Screw Drivers

3.  Leatherman Tool

With the original version (PSEV1), not having a wood saw wasn't a problem because of the already pre-cut Cedar Grilling Planks found at the Home Depot seasonal section.  Installing the hinges with adjustable torque require 8 pcs of screws, not included in the Amazon purchase, so I had to buy them per piece at the local hardware store. After PSEV1 was completed, I wasn't happy.  The top plank wouldn't fold all the way flat because of the hinge hardware design.

So why not try another type of hinge?  I thought a constant torque control position hinge without needing adjustments was the answer!  Having almost identical required materials,  I dismantled PSEV1 and installed the new hinges with a narrower foot print.  Alas, the hinge fold all the way flat, and smooth, but the torque load tolerance wasn't strong enough.  Definitely an issue!

Nothing got recycled from PSEV2.  

For the third version (PSEV3), I purchased new materials from Home Depot and at the local hardware store.  I found the unbelievably thin aluminum screw posts, normally used for binding papers, as a fantastic solution to the screw head issue.  

Excited about this solution, I emailed James Gurney and received a prompt reply.

"Thanks for sharing that tip on how to make those pesky hinges fold all the way flat.  It seems like a more efficient solution than adding the piece on the back and building up the slot angles.

I've been meaning to do a blog post sharing some of the readers' innovations, so maybe I'll do that if it's OK with you." 

Of course, I said OK in my reply.  

Remember, I don't have a wood saw but at Home Depot, they have a free service where you have your purchased wood cut to length.  I did that to finish PSEV3.  I thought the aluminum posts narrowed the gap when in fold flat position.  The gap was still an issue because the hinges were mounted atop the board!  There's gotta be a better solution!

Enter version 4 (PSEV4), a fully folding flat easel!  Because I have limited tools, I needed to use some creativity.  I purchased the aluminum bar at Home Depot.  While the Plumbing Section don't have a metal cutting machine for flat bars (it's only for pipes), they let me borrow a Hack Saw from their tool box.  At the Lumber section, I borrowed the regular carpenter saw to cut out the hinge's footprint section from the panels I used in version 3.  I also picked up some more loose hardware items at the local hardware store.  

Now, it has gotten a little bit more complicated.  It was tricky drilling the holes onto the aluminum bars.  The first mistake I made was to pre-drill all the marked spots before fitting the hinges.  Well, it turned out the holes were misaligned so I had to redo it.  This time, I measured the fit countless times before fully drilling the holes.  It paid off. 

Presenting the newest version PSEV4.

Front View

Side View

Upside-down View

Three Quarters Side View

Fold Flat Hinge

Wing View

Height Comparison:  Apple Keyboard versus PSEV4

There are some minor finishing touches I'd like to be done for the protruding screw tips but for the most part, I'm very much pleased with this design.

So what did I learn this time around?

1.  It is way better to have the right tools for the job.

2.  It is wonderful to find a solution to an issue.

3.  It feels good to realize how a crazy idea was a solution to the problem. 

Thank you for the many feedback on the PSE design.  I believe this newest version wouldn't have been possible without your precious input.  Glad "our" collaboration on PSEV4 was a success!   

UPDATE:  It's so modular, I love it!  If I want a bigger size board, I'll just unscrew the old boards and replace them with whatever size I want!

Portable Sketch Easel V3 (PSEV3)

Ever since I saw James Gurney's portable sketch easel, I wanted to make one.  I think I may have found it in version 3!  

Updated links here and here.

If you recall, the noticeable angle issue from the first version was resolved after the second version  arrived.   However, a new issue emerged from PSEV2 - my dissatisfaction with the hardware hinge's low torque value.  

It's time to make the PSEV3!

Yesterday, I bought the loose hardware materials from the local hardware store in Port Chester, NY.  This alternative to the pricey cedar grilling planks was sourced at a nearby Home Depot.  They even cut it for free!

Except for the three separate trips to the hardware store, it wasn't a problem putting together version 3.  Making the two previous versions taught me a lot.  The third time's a charm!


So what did I learn from this exercise?

1.  That I always enjoy the creative process in making things.

2.  That it requires a lot of time and resources to make a good one.

3.  That I know I can do it until the next idea comes along.

Thank you for looking and here's a video of the PSEV3!

Portable Sketch Easel V2 (PSEV2)

The other hinge of metal type construction arrived late Friday afternoon.  You may have read my previous post about the James Gurney inspired portable sketch easel. 

Instead of buying another set of wood planks, I just reused what I already have.  Out with the old hinge and in with the new one!  Surprisingly, it folds flat with a gap of about 10mm space in between.  That gap would hold about 20 sheets of watercolor paper.

Here is a picture of the new hinge and a side-by-side comparison with the original hinge.

I like that the folding angle issue has now been resolved with this new hardware.  However, I see one issue with this hinge.  Since this is a constant torque hinge type, while able to hold position at any angle, it doesn't have much torque unlike the original adjustable hinge!  It makes me want to revisit the old hardware again and tinker further with it.  Stay tuned!!!

USK Outing Yesterday

The Hamilton Grange National Memorial was the venue for yesterday's NYC USK weekend outing.  I arrived second only to Iris who was already sketching inside the waiting area room.  The rest of the group came not soon after and each one took up positions on what was deemed the choice spot.

I setup my Plein Air folding easel onto the tripod and started working on my sketch of the house.  Except for that gap angle issue when folded, the easel is working well for me, so far.  Curious others came by to check it out, too.  

For my second sketch, it was the back side of St. Luke's Episcopal Church.  I lowered the tripod while I was comfortably seated in my camping chair.   That worked really well, I thought.

After the show and tell at the Grange Bar and Eatery, I walked toward the bus stop along Amsterdam Avenue.  Then something caught my eye at the corner of W 138th Street.  I had to sketch it.