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Rebecca Z Artist’s Basic To-Go Supply List (for Travel and Painting on Location)

This list is for you if you’re coming with me on an Art Adventure, or if you’re taking your art supplies on the road. Plein air painting is a chance to combine the inspiration of travel with your personal creativity! Use the blue links to shop my list of favs on Amazon. It’s the easiest way to get the supplies you need delivered right to your door. ❤️

Paper- My favorite painting surface while traveling is a good sketchbook. Choose one of these and make it your place to record special places and memorable moments. Travel sketchbooks become precious ways to revisit your travels year after year!

My current  favorite sketchbook is the Stillman and Birn Beta Series (with cold pressed paper) or the Zeta series with hot press paper size 5.5 x 8.5 link to purchase hardbound Zeta series sketchbook 5.5 x 8.5. I love this size because it fits nicely in my purse or art bag, and it isn’t too large or bulky to work on.  Keeping it open while you work on it can be achieved by carrying two binder clips or a couple of large rubber bands (my favorite)

 Moleskine hardbound watercolor journals are another one of my favorites.  The 5×8 fits in your purse easily, but larger versions can make elegant books to use and revisit later. They have a hard bound cover and the paper is lovely with an excellent binding.  My favorite size is A4 (8.25×11.5)

Don’t want to work in a sketchbook?

  • Meedin Watercolor Block can be heavy to carry, but it’s wonderful having a secure paper of excellent quality that can dry flat and be ready to go. These blocks are also wonderful to use when painting on an easel.
  • Single sheets of watercolor paper are the lightest type of painting surface to carry. Keep in mind if you plan to paint on loose paper, you’ll need a firm, flat support. (I like using a piece of foam core board covered with clear packing tape to make it waterproof as described in the picture below.)
    • Do-It-Yourself-ers can try this portable folio for paper : Cut 2 pieces of foam core a bit larger than your ¼ sheet of paper…about 12X16 or 12.5 X 16.6. Cover with plastic shelf liner (Contac Paper) or with Clear plastic packing tape to make them waterproof. Create straps from velcro tape to hold the two pieces of foam core together and form a carrying case for your loose sheets of watercolor paper. I cover the sticky backs of the velcro tape with fabric.


      MY TRAVEL ART PALETTE

To carry the watercolors you dispense from a tube, a portable palette is useful. It allows you to squeeze out paint into the wells of the palette so that they can be used over and over again. The colors on my palette vary from year to year. The picture is my studio palette, which is a little more extensive than the one I travel with, but the links listed in blue below will definitely be on my palette.

Watercolor Paints

use these materials to create a tiny palette for yourself
use these materials to create a tiny palette for yourself

These items are some small “Must Have’s” :

  • Bulldog Clips or large binder clips to keep your paper from blowing away (one clip attached to your sketchbook is sufficient) another possibility is to use extra large rubber bands (my favorite).
  • small spray bottle for water
  • Frog Tape
  • Automatic Pencil– these are always sharp
  • kneaded eraser
  • Salt in a plastic ziploc bag or Rx bottle
  • Container to carry water: Collapsible bowls work well.
  • If you want to dispense with water bowls and brushes, I enjoy using water brushes while painting on location. These brushes have an internal water in a tank built into the brush. It makes it very easy to wet your paints and rinse your brush by simply squeezing the handle. Here are some I like: water brush set
  • Something to hold water for painting: water bags are my favorite, but a plastic water bottle can be used.
  • Travel pack of Kleenex (my favorite) or paper towel for water control.

Fun to Have Extras: Pens/Watersoluble Crayons

Other Extras

  • En Plein Air Pro Watercolor Easel: Though this is not cheap or absolutely necessary, it can make your painting on location so much more pleasant, especially if you plan to paint for longer periods of time. It can go anywhere, adjusts height, and can tilt and hold any angle you’d prefer. This easel is by far the best most light weight and portable easel for Watercolor painting. I love its easy set up, light weight sturdy construction, and best of all, I can fit it into my suitcase to fly!
  • optional folding chair- I use it rarely but its handy when you need it
    • Here is an easy to pack lightweight chair for sitting while painting. GCI Outdoor has a sturdy chair that folds up to a small size that weighs only 26 ounces and is priced at around $20 on Amazon. Here is the link GCI Outdoor Packseat purchase on Amazon with this link.
  • Hat, umbrella and/or shirt for sun protection
  • Phone Camera
  • Lightweight backpack (I use one on wheels.) Click this Link to Amazon for a quiet rolling Backpack
  • If you’re shy and do not want to speak to people on the street as you paint, I recommend a set of ear buds.  People are much less likely to engage you if it looks like you are listening to music.

Special technology:

  • Photographers can certainly bring a real camera.  I no longer find it worth the hassle.
  • Your iPad or tablet can be helpful to paint from. It’s nice to be able to zoom in on your image.

* Note clicking the BLUE links in “basic supply list for watercolor travel”  will allow you to shop online on Amazon and have the supplies delivered to your door.  I attach these links for your convenience as part of the Amazon Associates Program. Your purchase via these links does not impact your price. It does help support me and my efforts to be a resource for inspiration and advice for you on your artistic journey.  ❤️ 🎨