Gear for Travellers

If you’re travelling by plane:

Due to heightened airport security, it generally isn’t possible to carry your art supplies on board an airplane. VanGoghWatercolors Paints are considered “liquid” and thinners are definitely “flammable,” so they are not carry-ons. Before leaving home, check online for your destination city and locate art supply sources. Some cities will obviously be easy for anything an artist needs: Paris, Amsterdam, Milan, Kyoto.

If travelling by ship, there are generally no issues as many ships have Artists in Residence who are contracted to paint on board, give seminars and classes, and sell their own work while sailing to exotic destinations. (I do not know this person; but I’ve included her link so you can get an idea of what is possible: Eileen Seitz, Artist in Residence

ARTIST BACKPACKS, DAY PACKS

Sienna Plein Air Artist Pochade Box Easel MediumArtist Travel Easel.

Artists-Sienna-Plein-Air-EaselA personal favorite — in part because it’s so attractive. I’ve recently scaled down, but kept this as my main travel easel. This pochade box is built with finger joint construction using, poplar, maple, and Baltic birch components with a beautiful cherry stain and lacquer finish..

All adjustments of the canvas holders and lid angle arm are controlled with easy to adjust star knobs which are easy to grip and result in a tighter holding power.

Each pochade box includes a birch palette with a clear lacquer finish, ideal for use with oil or acrylic paint. The light birch color is good for color mixing.
The canvas holders are adjustable and designed for ease of use and versatility with either panels or stretched canvas. The maximum height of the M box is 15 inches; the L box is 17 inches. Any width within reason can be accommodated on both boxes.

The included brush tray stows away perfectly on the back of the lid with the help of two magnets. During painting it slips over the right side of the palette box and stays put with another pair of magnets. There are indents for seven brushes and a flat area for holding palette cups of painting medium or thinner.

Pack just as if you were going to an art class.

You Will Also Need . . .

    • A tripod (if your paint box doesn’t have one built in)
    • Paints: Consider primary colors and white; mix as you go
    • Sketch book, pencils, pen, camera (to record images when there’s no time to stop)
    • Brushes
    • Small container(s)
    • Paint knife
    • Painter’s tape

Artists=Watercolor-Block

  • Primed canvas pad, size depending on your journey, where you will work, how much you can carry, i.e. 6×8 or 8×10
  • If you’re paint box doesn’t have a flat working surface, bring a board or panel or work with Arches watercolor blocks (which are also generally obtainable in any of the world’s art cities)
  • Apron with Pockets, old shirt, or a loose cotton/Khaki shirt
  • Paper towels (which you can generally pick them up at your destination)
  • Cotton Big Brim Ultraviolet Protection HatSunscreen hat.. These are quite ugly, but very practical and adjustable to fit your head size.