How to Pack Art Supplies for Travel: Packing List & Tips

13 Packing Checklist For Travelling Painter & Artists

1. Sketchbook or Small Watercolor Pad
2. Travel Journal
3. 4 Sakura Macron Permanent Pens—I prefer the 01-02-03 and 05 sizes
4. Travel Palette & Paints—I prefer the Case for Making pre-made sets
5. Small Mason Jar with Lid or Collapsible Camping Cup
6. 1 Pencil & Eraser
7. Large Fanny Pack or Small Backpack
8. 2-3 Collapsible Travel Brushes
9. Pencil Case for odds and ends
10. Butterfly Clips—to secure paper when outdoors
11. Small Camp Table and Chair—if camping
12. Glue Stick
13. Small Scissors

Creating on the Go: Tips for Traveling with Art Supplies

When the Artist embarked on their art journey, they aspired to paint wherever inspiration struck. Being a nature lover, the ability to bike or walk while creating art was crucial to them. Here are some tips and tricks for traveling with your art supplies and making sure you have everything you need to create a masterpiece.

How to Decide What Art Supplies to Take on a Trip

Are they spill-proof for the luggage?

They’ve had art supplies leak before, which is never fun. To avoid this, they now choose unspillable items and paint with screw-on caps. They avoid flip caps whenever possible when traveling. If their paints have flip caps, placing a piece of Saran Wrap over the opening before putting the cap on can significantly reduce the risk of spillage. If it can’t be sealed easily, it stays home.

Will it be convenient to use these supplies in various environments?

This encompasses not only the actual materials but also their packaging. The flexibility to create in different settings is essential, whether it is a hotel room or on location, such as the beach.

Each supply is stored in its own pouch or bag, and when the individual runs out of prefer pouches while packing, ziplock bags are utilized. This method allows for easy selection of only the necessary supplies when heading out for the day. The individual particularly values zippered pouches with wide openings as they make it effortless to access needed items while creating.

Additionally, pouches that have the ability to stand upright in the sand are deem particularly useful. With unpredictable weather in mind, enough supplies are pack to ensure continuous creating even in less-than-ideal conditions. A selection of Sparks of Art-spiration served as collage materials during rainstorms, enabling the individual to begin work indoors and carry on at the beach the next day.

Do they have a variety of supplies?

The decision between bold, big strokes or fine, detailed lines is always a challenge. The muse’s unpredictable nature pushes it to opt for a diverse selection of art supplies.

For bold and big strokes, paint and Art Crayons are go-to choices. The Art Crayons offer a unique blend of tactile pleasure, resembling a creamy crayon, while also providing the flexibility to watercolor due to their reaction to water.

When concentrating on fine lines and intricate details, pens and pencils are essential tools. Watercolor pencils are versatile, working as both colored pencils and watercolors. For vibrant and precise sketching, Pitt Pens are crucial, while gel pens provide an opaque finish that contrasts with the Pitt Pens.

To add diversity to your artistic practice, pair one large blank journal with two smaller journals—one filled with gel-printed pages and the other left empty. Using gel prints to start an art journal page is just one of the many creative ways to utilize these printed treasures.

Portable Art Supplies

Portable art supplies are perfect for travel. A portable watercolor palette was created using an old Altoids tin, which proves to be ideal for bike rides and on-the-go painting. Another favorite portable palette contains a water well and a space for mixing colors.

Inspiration

Inspiration can be everywhere. When one is traveling or spending time in nature, the individual does not aim to complete an entire piece on the spot. The purpose of bringing art supplies is to capture sketches, color ideas, or a rough painting of what is seen. Later, these initial pieces are refined into finished artworks.

To view a complete travel art supplies kit, a detailed look at how the individual packs and where preferred travel art supplies are sourced can be found in a YouTube video.

Reminders And Tips For Outdoor Painters

• Before heading out to paint, one should check the forecast. It is preferable not to paint outside if the weather is too cold, too hot, or too breezy (with gusts above 12 mph). It is important to check the weather and decide accordingly. One can also seek a leeward spot to shield themselves from the wind.
• When painting outside, bring a jar or container with a lid. Some watercolor paints contain toxic compounds, so avoid pouring the rinse water into the soil or nearby water sources. Close the jar when finished and dispose of it down the sink later.
• In summer, painting in the shade helps prevent your paper and wet paint from drying too quickly. Use small butterfly clips to keep your pages in place during light breezes.
• For carrying supplies, a generously sized fanny pack is recommended, as it is ideal for hiking or exploring a new city. Additionally, an Art Toolkit folding case is use to safely store brushes and pencils.
• If you have an inflatable watercraft, consider packing your gear and paddling out. Anchor securely and paint from the water for a unique perspective.
• If you don’t have access to wild landscapes, try Nature Journaling. This can be done anywhere outside, from parks to gardens, or even the alley behind your house.
• If you’re not traveling, set aside time for an artist’s date. Take a walk to a local park or aquarium. Even a short outing can ignite your creativity.
• No time to leave the house? Google a place someone has always wanted to visit and spend 5-10 minutes rapidly recreating the scene. They should focus on the essential elements and set a strict time limit. It’s helpful to do this with 5-6 scenes on one journal page, spending 5 minutes on each. Completing 5 paintings in 25 minutes can help reduce the intimidation factor when starting new projects.
• Still short on time? Use an old travel photo and paint a polaroid. Cut a 3×4” rectangle of watercolor paper, tape off a small square at the top, and paint a cherished travel scene. Display it on your fridge or send it to a travel buddy as a reminder to plan your next trip.

Conclusion

We hope this blog has inspired you to explore how to Pack Art Supplies for Travel, Packing List & Tips. For more information or to share your thoughts, please leave a comment below. Your feedback and inquiries are always welcome as we continue to celebrate the joy of art together.