my Travel painting supplies
I’m getting ready for an upcoming international trip, and of course, I will be painting on location. Fortunately, this is NOT my first rodeo and I have fashioned a trusty set of tools that are perfect for this venture. My most important features for outdoor painting supplies are compactness, versatility, and light-weightness. I cannot stress light-weight enough! I nearly never check my bags when traveling (even for long stretches), so everything I need must fit in either overhead/underseat storage. I want to feel as free to move as possible so I am able to paint wherever I go and I certainly do not want to get bogged down waiting for a suitcase upon arrival. So, without further ado, here are my travel essentials:
The easel:
When it comes to compactness, versatility, and light-weight, nothing beats the Daybreak Easel— nothing! I own both the 10×7 small and 12×9 medium palettes with the 12 inch panel holder and they are both superb for traveling. The 10×7 is my usual pick as it is the smallest of the two palettes, but both are so convenient to carry that you cannot go wrong with either. I’ve tried many pochade boxes and other arrangements, but this one is by far the best. Trust me.
The tripod:
I love the Sirui Lightweight Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod. Simple, convenient, does what it needs to do. It has a clip for a carabiner or s-hook, where you can hang your pack, rags, solvent jar, or any other thing you wish hung.
The palette:
I use the built-in palette that comes with my Daybreak Easel, but as far as colors go, I keep it simple (and generally plan to explore the art stores where I’m going for fun new colors or supplies). My base palette consists of: Titanium White, Warm White (Gamblin), Cad. Yellow Light, Yellow Ochre, Cad. Red Light, Alizarin Crimson Permanent, Transparent Red Oxide, Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt, Viridian, Ivory Black, and Raw Umber. Sometimes I’ll switch out the Trans. Red. Oxide for a Sienna.
Surfaces:
Listen, don’t forget your surfaces. I usually travel with some pre-cut, primed linen sheets and Canson oil canvas paper. My sizes range from 4×4 to 9×12 at the most. I pack these against a cardboard sheet in the largest size, that way I can use that as a background when I mount the sheets on my easel. Don’t forget to pack clips or artist tape to attach your surfaces to the board!
Miscellaneous:
I always bring a plastic squegee or razor (you can get plastic attachments rather than the typical metal blade), and a plastic palette knife. I have been able to travel with my normal RGM metal palette knife, but it makes me nervous so I generally leave it behind and adapt to the plastic version. It works fine. I don’t typically travel with any mediums, but if you like to use mediums, then I recommend you purchase them on site rather than attempt to pack. That said, I have been able to pack 3 oz bottles with linseed oil and walnut oil, which double as a brush cleaner in a pinch. I also like to bring a bar of soap (Masters Brush Cleaner) to keep my brushes in top shape while abroad. I usually travel with a selectin of 10-20 brushes, all different shapes (filberts, flats, rounds, fans, a fluffy brush, etc). Use what you love!
And that’s it! I plan to make a video soon where I can go into greater detail about my personal favorites and alternatives I have tried through the years. Happy painting!
