by Andrea Theisson

Created on: July 09, 2010   Last Updated: July 10, 2010

Every good artist has a travel-kit, as well as thoughtful parents and teachers.  The portable kit can be something as simple as a tackle-box, or bigger and more spacious, like an old suitcase.  What should be included may vary according to the skill-levels and preferences of the artists or artists-in-training, but this will include some basics to consider. 

The list:

• Paper or tablets of plain paper, nice quality.  A good sketchbook could be substituted (lots of sizes available.)

• Large rubber bands or “bulldog”-type clips to secure the paper in plein-air or windy back-seat situations.

• Markers, crayons, pencils; with sharpeners - or a knife, for older people.

• Erasers or art-gum.

• Watercolors and brushes. (Note: there are good watercolor pencils that can be a substitute for the paste-type paints) A palette or old frozen-dinner trays.

• A small bottle of water, and a container for rinsing brushes – recycle, here!

• Paper towels, and maybe wet-wipes for clean-up.

• A board to work on, if tablet doesn’t have a good backing.

• School-glue, or non-toxic gluesticks

• Scissors, round-tipped or corked for safety if young folks or high-speed travel involved.

• Popsicle sticks – always good for mixing colors, applying glue, or constructing something.

• Colored paper or old magazines for collage, flag-making, labels, etc.

• Plastic bags for found-objects, a few paper bags, maybe a big trash bag.

• Clay or beeswax for modeling, even plaster-of-Paris for casting .

The more experienced artist may wish to include their media of choice, such as oils, inks or acrylics, the appropriate brushes or pens, canvas boards  and clean-up mediums.  A fixative for drawings or watercolors (if permanent results are expected)   A bucket for major rinsing or plaster-casting, if larger projects will be possible – everything can be packed into this, too.

There is nothing like spontaneous art.  The prepared artist can bring home more ideas and memories by sketching, photographing (take a camera!) but there is something special about that vacation afternoon spent working on art.  Many places have opportunities for picking up found-objects.  Do check if you are in a National or State park…there may be restrictions.  Twigs and shells, stones and flora are often available, or just the vistas that you see.  Sometimes the travel-time can be broken up with art-work, too.  Many a young artist has produced road-trip impressions from the back-seat viewpoint.

A bag with handles is often a good choice, but the hard-body of a tackle box or suitcase can pack into the car and remain secure with more versatility.  Think about where you will be going, the space available, and your own travel-styles.  A simple sketchbook and markers, or watercolor pencils and a bottle of water, with a few brushes can be stuffed into a backpack for the bicyclist or hiker.  It is always best to avoid squashable tubes of paint, for obvious reasons.  Keep it environmentally friendly - the great outdoors or newly-explored places are no place for that portable welding unit or major sculptures or large canvases.  Portable means easy to carry.  So, just pick up and go be creative!

Learn more about this author, Andrea Theisson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.