In the above photo you can view my setup for doing pastel paintings outdoors in what is known as the plein air style.  In this photo I was on the Lake Michigan beach in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for a pastel workshop with artist Richard McKinley.

In the center of the photo is a black Induro alloy camera tripod with a ballhead and a quick-release clamp.  Below the center pole of the tripod you can see hanging an orange bag which I fill with rocks or sand to keep the tripod steady.  On the quick release clamp of the ballhead, I attach a Heilman Designs Metal easel to hold my backing board of Gatorfoam.  I use white artist tape to attach my pastel paper to the backing board.

A Heilman backpack pastel box keeps all my pastels safe and sound and is supported by an Easel butler which is an armature that attaches to my metal tripod and provides 2 arms that I can rest my pastel box on.  A folding Shadebuddy umbrella is very handy for keeping me from overheating in the summer sun.  Other supplies include a sketchbook and pencils, water bottle, a set of watercolor paints to use for underpainting, insect repellent, sunscreen and a hat.  And all this stuff is carted around in a rolling cart from a home improvement store.  The picnic table (optional) was kindly provided by the National Park Service. 

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I have a similar but different setup for my oil paintings which I will blog about later.  Happy Painting!