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So i'm a new dad and i'm spending a lot of evenings watching over the lil one so mummy car get so ZZzz.'s in and instead of sitting there watching amazon prime i thought i'd get some models done!

I have a painting desk in my conservatory but its not really practical to have her in there with me.

So do you guys know of any decent lap trays for painting? It needs to be pretty easy to put away and put aside at a moment's notice, need to think about lighting too.

What a practical problem! I have not seen something like that specifically for painting, but if I had to solve your issue with what I have here in my house I would use our big wooden serving tray.

I got it from a bargain arts & crafts store many years ago and it is simply to carry plates and stuff, like the old, breakfast in bed. It is fairly shallow with the edges maybe being 1.5-2" tall and is about 22" wide and 16" deep with the handles cut out on each long side. We use it constantly to carry food plates around, but it would be sturdy, perfect and large enough for me to load up with some minis to paint, paints, brushes and a mug of water with some paper towels.

As long as you are sitting where there is decent light you could keep everything on the tray and quickly put the entire tray away or move it off your lap and set everything aside when needed. I had bought the tray for my wife and painted it white, covered the bottom with a nice floral print and placed some 'Tinkerbell' cut outs in each corner and used Mod Podge to cover and protect the bottom - you might personalize with something more suitable... And it has stood up like iron to severe abuse. I think I only paid about $15 for the tray.

I've got one of the old GW painting trays, which works very well for this. I was looking for a picture and the first thing that came up was here:

https://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Build-Your-Own_Painting_Station

http://www.theextraordinarylasercompany.co.uk/product/paint-station/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charging-10-Level-Brightness-Function-Reading/dp/B07GSCX6RW/ref=sr_1_20?_encoding=UTF8&c=ts&dchild=1&keywords=Desk+Lamps&qid=1610636195&s=lighting&sr=1-20&ts_id=200988031


So these are links to illustrate what i think you are looking for Latro.
Deffo other products out there like thouse at possibly even lower price, but it should get your google search going.

I know many years ago GW made a portable tray that had cutouts under the tray for the thighs but yea, discontinued.
Was hoping maybe some MDF version of that existed but i cant find any.

What an awesome question!

I might be over thinking this but.....in order to have something that you can have in you lap and then just pick up and put down next to you without having to faff around too much I present my Frankenstein-style solution:

Take a lap tray sorta like this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wooden-Padded-Cushioned-Dinner-Dinosaurs/dp/B0897RZ3B2/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=lap+tray&qid=1610639443&sr=8-9

hot glue on a paint station like this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/312951204469?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=312951204469&targetid=1002021776313&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1007158&poi=&campaignid=10195651178&mkgroupid=107296207892&rlsatarget=pla-1002021776313&abcId=1145987&merchantid=7201484&gclid=Cj0KCQiA9P__BRC0ARIsAEZ6irjVTJpdCxEivkmiB1378Ac6adhXmwmzVfux2RSYAbtVb9Yk_vy0X_YaAhF1EALw_wcB

Add a clip-on battery LED light
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rechargeable-Orchestra-Brightness-Portable-Headboard/dp/B07VQZRFLR/ref=sr_1_20?crid=2EQYR2NY9YZI8&dchild=1&keywords=battery+led+lights+clip+on&qid=1610639781&sprefix=battery+led+lights+clip%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-20

Add (maybe hot glue for security) a modest sized wet pallette
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Army-Painter-Wargames-Miniature-Painting/dp/B07Y25DK3J/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2SHP2JZKIA9A2&dchild=1&keywords=wet+palette&qid=1610639952&sprefix=wet+pal%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-6

This would have a station that you could leave for potentially a long time (wet pallette) at very short notice (the lap tray should sit on most surfaces) without having to worry about stuff falling (cos it's all glued or in MDF slots)

or maybe that is just a flight of fantasy and creating a whole different project!!


EDIT: - Also, looking back at it that is about £50 so might be a bit much...

I used a TV tray on an ottoman for painting when my daughter was little. All you really need is a flat surface.

cheers guys! lots of good stuff here.

Here is my baby time painting tray setup