Best Art Supplies for Travelling
Paint & Travel
As you probably already know, I love painting and sketching while travelling. It is an important part of the experience for me and I love capturing moments as I go through life and I can look back through my sketchbook and remember the wonderful times.
When it comes to art supplies for traveling, it is important to prioritise lightweight and compact materials. Most of the time I travel only with a carry on and always manage to squeeze in some painting essentials in case of an impromptu sketching session at a café.
Here are my favourite art supplies for travelling and tips:
1. Sketchbook: I usually opt for compact sketchbooks and sometimes take a variety of different sizes if my luggage limit allows. I especially love the ones that have postcard details on the back which I can send to family and friends while abroad. Possibly the best kind of postcard?
Some of my favourite sketchbooks are actually the ones that I found in different holidays! (I somehow always manage to acquire a new sketchbook whenever I travel to Italy especially).
2. Watercolour Set: A small watercolour set with at least the primary colours and some bonus ones for mixing. I also have a collapsible water container that comes with me everywhere, as well as a couple of essential brushes. My watercolour set came with a collapsible brush, which sometimes is the only one that I need.
3. Pencils, Pens, Sharpener and Eraser: I opt for the smallest sizes I can get. If you have a pencil that has been loved and now very tiny, holidays are the best time to bring it out with you. Take a sharpener that collects the shavings to minimize mess.
If you do not want to take a sharpener with you, mechanical pencils are the way to go! And if you still have space in your bag, coloured pencils can be a great addition. I especially love the watercolour ones!
4. Storage and Carrying Case: this would be an ideal investment if you are that type of organised person. I must admit that I just pack my art supplies anywhere they fit, between my clothes, cosmetic bags, and random places. Maybe after finishing writing this article, I will have a look online and get myself one, it would be about time! Please enjoy looking at the state of my beach back (priorities, who needs water and sunscreen anyway?).
Bonus – if your luggage limit allows:
· Portable drawing board: A lightweight drawing board can provide a stable surface for sketching or painting outdoors. It also helps to keep your paper or sketchbook flat. It is especially useful in windy situations.
· Portable Easel: a lightweight and foldable easel is a good idea. Sometimes they even provide some space to store art supplies. Two birds with one stone!
Travelling Locally:
A foldable easel is great if you like to paint standing up and feel like a full-on artist. Is the best way to take your time, take on the scenery and paint in situ. I usually only do this closer to home, since an easel is not always the easiest thing to carry around.
Adapt the selection of art supplies based on your preferences and the medium you enjoy working with the most and enjoy travelling and painting!
I hope you enjoyed this article and hope to see you over on Instagram for more creative work and ideas!
https://www.instagram.com/anaco.art/