travel drawing kit

Nela Dunato Art & Design

5 types of travel sketching kits i use: watercolor, minimal, study kit & more.

Published by Nela Dunato on March 27, 2021 in Art , Sketchbook , Tips for creatives , Video

Sketching on the go is my favorite pastime, and I have the perfect portable sketching kit for every occasion . From the lightest most minimal everyday kit, to the “art studio in a bag” I take when I travel, one of these five kits goes with me literally everywhere .

About 6 years ago I wrote a blog post What’s in my sketching toolkit? where I’ve shared my favorite sketching tools at that time—it’s interesting to see which ones had remained with me over the years.

Timestamps: 00:13 Minimal sketching kit 04:14 Basic sketching kit 07:02 Watercolor sketching kit 15:16 Study sketching kit 23:37 Travel sketching kit

The following summary contains all the materials I’ve mentioned in the video.

1. Minimal sketching kit

This is the kit that I take with me whenever I leave the house. It’s small and lightweight, so it fits in any of my purse, or even in the pocket of my jacket. It consists of one pen, one pencil, one sketchbook .

This minimal kit is enough to sketch and doodle something if I get bored, but even if I don’t use it, I haven’t wasted a lot of space on it, and what’s even more important, weight. This kit is lighter than my wallet.

Art supplies I’ve mentioned:

• Faber-Castell 0.35mm Mechanical Pencil
• Pilot Metropolitan with a fine nib and Platinum Carbon Black waterproof ink
• Pentel Pocket Kanji Fude Brush Pen
• Royal Talens Art Creation 12×12 cm sketchbook
• Daler Rowney soft cover A5 sketchbook

(Amazon affiliate links. I’ll get paid a few cents if you buy these art supplies using my link, and there’s no extra charge to you.)

2022 update : I switched out the Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen for a vintage Pelikan 140 with a semi-flexible gold nib. I shared more info about that pen in my article on sketching with fountain pens .

2023 update: I got a new bookmark pencil case that fits an A5 sketchbook and can carry up to 4 pencils or pens. I switch the contents all the time, but usually I’ll include both a fountain pen and a brush pen. You can see the pencil case in this short video:

2. Basic sketching kit

When I know I’ll have time to sketch, for example I have a break in between meetings, or I’m attending a conference where I’ll be sitting all day long, I take a different sketching kit that allows me more variety.

My all time favorite sketchbook is the Canson ArtBook Universal in A5 size which has 112 sheets (that’s 224 pages), so these last me a long time, and so far I’ve filled out 4 of them. Because they have so many pages I use them for everything: drawing, sketching, doodling, but also writing notes. So it’s an all-purpose sketchbook for everyday use.

To write with, I bring a pencil case containing an assortment of pencils and pens in my favorite colors. Currently this pencil case contains:

• Pilot Super Grip 0.5mm Mechanical Pencil (Black)
• Rotring Tikky 0.5mm Mechanical Pencil (Red) with Staedtler Mars Micro Color 0.5mm red lead
• Kneadable eraser and a regular eraser (I don’t remember the brands)
• Pentel Art Brush Pens gray and red color
• Uni-ball Signo White Gel Pen Broad
• Pentel Aquash water brush

Depending on my mood, I might replace some ink pens with a few watercolor pencils. But this is basically what I’ve been using for the past few years with small variations.

2022 update : As above, I switched out the Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen for a vintage Pelikan 140 with a semi-flexible gold nib. I shared more info about that pen in my article on sketching with fountain pens .

3. Watercolor sketching kit

I often sketch on the beach, in local parks, or museums. Sometimes I meet with friends and we go sketching together. In that case I’ll bring either my watercolor kit or my study drawing kit.

The sketchbook depends on how much weight I want to carry. If I want to keep it light, I bring a tiny one like this Hahnemuhle A6 sketchbook which comes both in landscape and portrait format. Before that I used the Moleskine A6 sketchbook , which was also pretty good.

If I’m willing to bring something heavier, then it’s usually an A5 size sketchbook with watercolor paper. I don’t have a favorite brand, these were just the sketchbooks was able to find in local stores, and the choice is not that great where I live. I prefer hardbound to spiral-bound because the pages smudge less.

Art supplies I usually carry in my red pencil case:

• Talens Van Gogh and Roman Szmal watercolor paints in a generic metal box
• Prismacolor Col-Erase Non-photo Blue pencil
• vintage Pelikan 140 fountain pen with a semi-flexible gold nib filled with with Platinum Carbon Black waterproof ink
• Jackson’s Nylon Retractable Brush size 9
• Roman Szmal 1/2″ dagger brush
• Raphael SoftAqua 805 watercolor quill brush #0
• White and black gouache paint
• Microfibre cloth
• Bulldog clips
• Water containers

People keep asking me about the red 4YOU pencil case! It truly is an ideal pouch for my needs, it was a lucky find in a local Muller store. I was able to find one on Amazon.de , and some German-only stores as well, including the German Ebay. I doubt you’ll find this exact pouch outside of Europe, though.

2023 update : I replaced a few accessories with newer ones, which you can see in this video:

4. Study sketching kit

This is the kit I take to the museum, or any place outside of my home where I plan to sketch people or animals. The focus is not so much on having a variety of colors, but on ease of use on the go—something that won’t crumble and leave a lot of dust on my clothes.

Art supplies I’ve mentioned in the video:

• Kneadable eraser and a regular eraser
• Watercolor pencils in selected colors: Derwent Inktense , Koh-i-Noor Mondeluz, Conte a Paris
• Conte a Paris pastel pencils
• Derwent Studio colored pencils set of 12
• Van Gogh sketch pencils set of 12
• Kum 4 in 1 pencil sharpener

Sketchbooks I’ve shown in the video are Canson 180° ArtBook Universal in A4 size size and Hahnemühle Kraft in A5 size.

2022 update : I bought a beautiful pencil roll of Faber-Castell Polychromos, I wrote a short review of them here . I haven’t taken them on a study sketching session yet, but they’re my main color pencil set now.

5. Travel sketching kit / Portable art studio

I take this kit with me on weekend trips or vacations when I don’t have to worry about weight too much. It provides a decent balance of flexibility and portability, and it contains materials that I’m currently using most often (this varies from time to time, so what you see in the video is a snapshot at a specific point in my life).

It contains everything from my watercolor sketching kit (see #3 above), plus a few additional tools:

• Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils (a few selected colors)
• Caran d’Ache Neocolor II pastels (a few selected colors)
• Small scissors
• Sticky notes
• KUM 4 in 1 pencil sharpener

I usually pack 2 sketchbooks—one watercolor sketchbook and one “workhorse” sketchbook for pencil and ink, doodles, and writing notes.

What’s in your sketching kit?

Feel free to share your favorite sketchbooks, art supplies, pencil cases and bags in the comments!

I love learning what other folks are using in their art, especially if you have any clever tricks that you learned from your experience of working on the go.

More sketchbook videos

• My favorite black, white & red mixed media art supplies (video compilation)
• 3 video sketchbook tour compilation: Watercolor & mixed media
• Art “just” a hobby? + Creepy portrait drawing process video
• Why I Think Every Visual Creative Should Keep A Sketchbook (+ Video sketchbook flip)

More content like this:

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6 responses to “5 types of travel sketching kits I use: watercolor, minimal, study kit & more”

I really enjoyed this peak into your supplies :) You gave me some practical ideas! I’m also an aspiring light traveler and very nervous whenever I take more stuff than I end up use. I usually decide to only do the sketching, so I take one or two pocket mixed media sketchbooks, set of soft and hard graphites and three pieces of dry pastels for sketching (black, umber and brown). Sometimes I take markers or ink pens. I would really like to include more colors in the future and probably will :)

Thank you, Martina! ❤ Haha I know exactly what you’re talking about. I tend to pack way more than I need, and end up using one quarter of it…

Do the pastels work well for you? I love how soft they are, but the dust makes such a mess that I’m afraid to use them outside of home. Pastel pencils don’t make quite so much dust, but I still only take them when I plan to sketch people or animals.

I’d love to see some of your traditional drawings too! :)

Is there any way to locate that pen organizer in your watercolor kit? That’s exactly what I’m looking for.

Betty, I was able to locate it on German Amazon (4YOU is a German stationery brand). https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00KID6EKO/

I know Amazon.de ships to the rest of Europe, but I doubt you’ll find this exact pouch outside of Europe since it’s not a huge brand. It was truly a lucky find in a local store. I hope you do find it, or something like it!

Red puch link please

I don’t know where to buy it online! I bought mine in a local store.

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Studio Series Travel Sketch Kit

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• How To Travel Sketch? Tips, Tricks, & Techniques For Beginners

Travel Sketching is not only relaxing and rewarding but also an awesome family activity during travels.

In this blog post learn about what to put in a travel sketch kit, awesome travel sketching techniques for beginners and tricks to encourage kids to begin their journey of travel sketching.

How to Create Your Own Travel Sketchbook

Pausing to see the delicate patterns of lichen on tree trunks in the Nilgiri mountains.

Becoming friends with a 5-year old Vietnamese boy in a village without a word exchanged between us!

Sitting inside a bamboo grove, silently.

Watching a tour guide’s face light up.

Getting authentic local food and travel tips.

Being zen while waiting in airports and stations.

I’ve had all these experiences and many more through travel sketching.

And, that’s why I love sharing it with others and getting them started on their own sketching journey. Here’s my take on how to get started with travel sketching.

I have included step-by-step photos from a sketching session I did in Sirsi, Karnataka.

Travel sketching is an awesome family activity. It gets children to observe and remember a travel destination. And of course, you’ll have a unique souvenir for every travel

Travel Sketching slows me down, brings everything into sharp focus, and I lose myself in the moment. Sketching has truly enriched my life. Seema Misra, www.lighttravelaction.com Tweet

Explore these awesome washi tapes on Amazon

If you love slow travel, try your hands at Travel Sketching, Painting, even Yoga. The following 3 posts will keep you creative in your Sojourn.

• Are You Embarrassed By Your Painting Skills? Here’re Easy Painting ideas & Tips!
• Are you bored? Looking for ideas to fill in your blank journal? Don’t’ get intimidated by blank papers staring back at you. I teamed up with the talented artist Malabika Saikia and here are 15 of our favorite notebook ideas! 15 Awesomely Creative Things To Do In Your Blank Notebook.
• How about keeping fit while you travel? Here is a curated list of 10 Yoga asanas or postures that are as good for the beginners as for the advanced practitioners.

Travel Sketchbook ideas

People often say “I can’t even draw a straight line. Forget about sketching.”

I tell them, “ That’s great. You don’t need to draw straight lines.” There’s no such thing as a born artist. It is all about practice, practice, and more practice. 

Look for inspirations around. If you find your zen moment of producing a sketch on the spot, go ahead sketch it out. If not, look for small collectibles like dry leaves, ticket stubs to paste in your travel sketch book for inspiration to strike you later.

In the above image, we had hiked up a hill and it was absolutely beautiful and surreal there. There were prayer flags strewn all around. I picked up a few and pasted them in my sketchbook.

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Putting together a travel sketch kit

A travel sketching kit must be a collection of the basic tools required for making a sketch. Also, I have found having limited supplies encourages me to be creative. Such as, mixing two different mediums.

Here’s what you will need:

• Black pens with waterproof ink
• Colour pencils
• Pencil sharpener

Yes, I’ve deliberately left out the ruler and eraser😊

You could also keep a box of crayons, some watercolor pencils, and a glue stick. If you have smaller children, avoid carrying watercolors. For older children, a small watercolor pan and some water brushes are perfect. Keep it small, simple, and light.

A5 size sketchbooks with thicker paper are a good choice – they fit in everywhere and are not too small for landscapes.

Pro Tip: I like to keep all my art tools in a sling bag. This helps me access my art kit easily.

5 Awesome Tips for Travel Sketching for Beginners

Choosing a subject.

Start with a tiny step – don’t try to draw the entire forest or city around you. Choose a small window of a house, a dry leaf on the ground, or an interesting branch.

Long waits in airports can be used to draw the people, bags, food stalls or simply the announcement boards. You could even draw maps to show the places you visited.

This is a small town in Sirsi, Karnataka . The blue roofs amid all the browns and reds interested me and I decided to sketch the road.

Outlining in pencil

Draw an outline of the object using a pencil. It does not have to be perfect – if something looks off, draw over it.

Forget if the drawing “appears correct” – the idea is to capture the object in your own style and have fun while doing it.

Adding in the details using a black pen

Now that you have a basic frame done, add in the details using a pen. Encourage children to add some text to capture the place, date, the sounds around you, or any other details.

You could paste things around your sketch – a ticket stub, a leaf, restaurant bills, bits of pamphlets.

Ask a local to teach you how to write a few words in their dialect on your sketchbook.

There were some changes from the pencil outline. However, I didn’t erase anything.

Click here to read 11 Commonly Asked Questions by Painting Beginners and also get 5 DIY easy painting ideas for Beginners Step by Step.

Adding the final touches with colours

Use a mix of different colours to add life to the sketch. If you are in a hurry, colour in the most prominent bit – the red bricks, a green tree, or that yellow dress. This will save some time while capturing the essence of the place.

You’ll notice I’ve added some blue in the sky which is not there in the photograph. As an artist, you can take liberties while making a travel sketch 😊

Doing art at home or at school is different than working in a public area.

When I sketch during my travels, people often stop to see what I am drawing and want to talk about it. I remember, when I started travel sketching, I’d worry that my drawing is not good. I felt people passing by were judging me.

Eventually, I stopped worring about all those things. I’d simply draw. And that is when I enjoyed outdoor sketching the most!

So, I’d say be kind to yourself.

Don’t judge what you draw.

Just go with the flow.

Drawing on different types of paper, like newspapers, can be a lot of fun.

Often the joy is in making the art and not worrying how it turns out! There is no perfect bird … just the one you have drawn. Seema Misra, www.lighttravelaction.com Tweet

Travel Sketching – Capturing the Feel of a Place

Marco Bucci shows the Process and gives awesome ideas for sketching places from life. See the video for the art of composition, color, focal point, feel, etc.

Travel sketching for children

Encourage children to draw from their observation. Drawing from observation simply means drawing what you see. And, it is the essence of travel sketching.

Breaking the object into smaller shapes

For example, you are looking at a majestic British building and your daughter is stumped where to start drawing it. Ask, “What does the building look like? Do you see a rectangle with a triangle on top? Do the windows remind you of a shape?

Have fun with colors and collage. The above sketch always takes me back to the greenery of a tea estate.

Focus on the process not the outcome

Even if a child fails to colour inside the lines or draws a circle which is more of an oval, it is absolutely fine. Encourage the children to experiment with colours and shapes – give them the tools to draw but don’t tell them what to draw.

Making sketching fun during travel

Engage with your little story teller and ask her to describe the picture to you. Who knows she might have an interesting tale behind the picture and the colours used. 

Last but not least, don’t forget to complement the little Picasos. It would be great if you could mention specifics, like “Wow, I love the way you have drawn that leaf.”

Do you find the thought of “Travel Sketch Journal” inspiring? Don’t wait for the next vacation to start travel sketching! Visit a park or museum this weekend, carry some sandwiches and try out your art kit! 

Video on Travel Sketching Tips from Travel Sketchbook

In this video,  Liz Steel  shares lots of travel sketching strategies and tips while going through her sketchbook from her recent trip to New Zealand.

PIN NOW TRAVEL SKETCH LATER

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6 thoughts on “How To Travel Sketch? Tips, Tricks, & Techniques For Beginners”

This one’s a lovely tutorial. My daughter is creative unlike me…haha…and she loves to sketch, paint and play with colors. I’d make her read this. Thank you so much for sharing.

Happy Sketching and happy traveling 🙂

I love this overview of your travel sketching. It’s another creative way to document your travels. You’re so talented! Thanks for the inspiration to start sketching (or at least improve upon my scribbles first).

Wow you are really talented. Travel sketching sounds awesome, but not many have the skills to create such beautiful pieces!

Thanks Sinjanag, this is a blog post and the sketches have been done by Seema Misra 🙂

This is such a lovely idea! I’ve never considered myself good enough to sketch a scene but you’ve broken it down really nicely, thank you 🙂 https://mcadventureblog.com

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The Best Watercolor Travel Sets for Artists Who Love Traveling

Written by Robert S. Brown  / Fact checked by Helen B. Harris

If you are flying 38,000 feet off the ground or on a train running miles away from your hometown, you have the perks of a wanderer: to take delight in bright blue skies, red-orange sunsets, and breathtaking landscapes.

However, for an artist who moves places, every trip is worthwhile when you capture these picturesque sights and draw them in your sketchbook using a brush or pencil. For a vast spectrum of colors and artistic effects, perhaps you go for the best watercolor travel set. But the next question is, what should you look for when choosing a portable watercolor set?

• First of all, a watercolor travel kit should be portable and compact enough to put away in your luggage or pocket. A gawky and bulky watercolor set would be too cumbersome to carry around and probably end up in disarray.
• Furthermore, it is significant to consider what a travel watercolor kit consists of. Besides the color palette, does it include a travel-friendly brush or a sponge? Does it come with a handy carrying bag for hassle-free storage? Although the accessories and tools depend on your preferences and needs, a complete mini watercolor set only delivers the essential tools.
• Another crucial part is the overall quality of colors. A small watercolor set should not present substandard pigment quality and blend- No matter how compact it is or how few the color options are, the pigments should be vibrant, blendable, and lightfast.

Not all artists travel by plane. But if you do, make sure you get a TSA-approved watercolor set. Aside from that, there is much more to learn in this comprehensive guide and review. I will show you the in-depth guidelines, as well as the top-pick products that best suit your artistic demands.

Sakura XNCW-24N

Winsor & Newton 390640

Lightwish MeiLiang

Table of Contents

1. Sakura XNCW-24N Koi Watercolor Pocket Field Sketch Box

2. winsor & newton 390640 cotman water colour paint, 3. lightwish meiliang watercolor paint set, 4. artsy watercolor paint set, 5. meeden 4336971288 watercolor paint set, 6. jerry q art jq-124 watercolor travel pocket set, 7. artistro 432 watercolor paint set, 8. sennelier 10-131605 french artists watercolor travel set, 9. artify ‎4336953153 watercolor field sketch set, 10. winsor & newton 390658 cotman watercolor brush paint set, what to look for when buying watercolor travel sets, what is the most reliable watercolor travel set brand, can you fly with watercolor paint, how do you do a watercolor travel journal, what is included in a watercolor travel set, top 10 watercolor travel set reviews.

From its size to quantity, you can tell that this Sakura Koi watercolor travel kit is thoughtfully curated for painters or artists who love traveling. It features a compact size and sleek design that you can easily fit inside your bag or even your shirt pocket.

Impressively, this small set has the essential tools for basic watercolor painting, with a water brush (refillable) and a half-pan watercolor set.

The colors are formulated to present beautiful and vivid hues. Aside from that, the highly pigmented shades blend well to create a wide range of colors.

Moreover, it uses no ordinary brush; it is a refillable water brush that lets you paint without using a container with water.

Since you can fill it up with water, you can simply take it out of your pocket or bag and are all set for a painting session! You can paint effortlessly even when you are on a plane, on a train, or sitting by the park for Plein air painting.

In addition to that, this kit comes with a detachable pegged palette where you can mix your favorite colors. When you are all done, you can just place it back inside the kit for hassle-free and neat storage.

I also want to emphasize the base pull-down ring at the back of the watercolor set. Although it is just a small detail, I found the ring is quite useful if you want to keep the palette steady as you hold it. While it keeps the watercolor kit from sliding off your palm, the ring also helps you paint comfortably wherever you are.

• Compact and sleek design
• Includes a water brush tip and a detachable mixing palette
• Fits perfectly in bag or shirt pockets
• Highly blendable and pigmented colors
• Has a base pull-down ring for easy holding
• Paint blocks need stronger adhesion to prevent from falling out

For professional quality watercolor set brands, Winsor & Newton is among the ones that always come to mind. The colors deliver high-quality pigments that explicitly showcase your art with vibrant hues and artistic painting effects. Plus, the colors in the palette blend impeccably well.

This pocket watercolor set includes 12 Cotman Watercolors that render good transparency to create beautiful washes. I also noticed that these colors have intense tints and uniform consistency that lend an excellent layout of colors.

Therefore, even though these are half-pan watercolors, there is no need to build the colors to achieve their vividness. A few dabs and strokes can already create rich watercolor tones.

Aside from that, I appreciate the addition of white in the range. Although the white tone of the paper serves as a brilliant backdrop for watercolors, the white pigment can ramp up the drawing or watercolor art with highlights and subtle color mixtures.

All these amazing features come in a small watercolor palette that can fit inside your shirt or bag pocket. The longest side is roughly six inches and just a tad bigger than a card! Even when you open it, the upper side has partitions where you can mix colors.

• A half-pan watercolor pocket set that offers brilliant colors
• Pocket-sized watercolor travel kit for superior portability
• Designed with a mixing palette in the lid
• Includes a small brush
• The brush is too small and slightly difficult to use

The best thing about this MeiLiang traveling watercolor kit is the great color selection that does not break your bank. With just a slight difference from the price of the Winsor & Newton Cotman watercolor paint set, you can indulge in a wider color range with this one.

Right before that, the first thing that caught my attention was the metal case. Contrary to most portable watercolor sets I have seen on the market, this one uses a sturdy case that keeps the pan secure.

Even when you stack in your fully packed luggage, there is no need to worry about breaking or damaging your watercolor palette.

Besides that, the flip cover works as a mixing palette as well. Similar to the Sakura Koi watercolor travel set, this one also has a metal ring under the case for steady and hassle-free painting.

When it comes to the color quality, I must say that it is pretty impressive since they are highly pigmented and fluid. This allows you to create glazing effects and revel in smooth watercolors without any chalky or grainy textures after drying.

Moreover, it features a compact size, perfect for traveling. It is long but has a sleek and slim design that you can easily slip into your pocket or bag.

Another useful addition is the refillable watercolor brush that makes painting a lot easier and mess-free. I can simply take it out and paint it on my watercolor travel journal whenever and wherever I like.

• Offers a wide selection of highly pigmented colors
• Creates beautiful glazing effects that without grainy textures when dried
• Comes in a sturdy metal case
• Slim and sleek design
• Includes a water brush
• The brush has some loose bristles

The highlight of this Artsy Watercolor paint set is the innovative pocket design. The first time I saw it, I did not think it would have 42 colors! This artistic palette comes in different trays that you can fan out to see the vibrant array of assorted colors.

Every tray has color labels at the bottom to help you identify which colors to use. I find this useful since some colors, particularly the orange and red shades, look a bit identical. Thankfully, there are no duplicates in the colors, allowing you to mix and play with various combinations.

Moreover, these beautiful pigments are lightfast and vivid, allowing you to showcase watercolor artworks with their amazing color quality. Mixing the colors is not a problem at all since they are highly blendable. Plus, they dry quickly, preventing any ink pooling and grainy textures.

When you are done painting, you can simply slide each tray back to its palette for storing. This leaves you an ultra-compact and portable watercolor set that you can fit in your shirt or bag pocket.

One of the best things I love about this set is the water brushes. Unlike some portable watercolor paint sets that only have one water brush or paint brush, this one includes three water brushes. They work as backup brushes in case you like mixing a lot of colors or filling up your watercolor journal with your travels.

In addition to that, this set has a sponge where you can dry and clean your brushes after painting.

• Innovative compact design for enhanced portability
• Offers an array of pigmented colors
• Highly blendable and quick-drying
• Includes three water brushes and a sponge
• Intuitive pan display and labels to identify and view all the colors
• Color pans are not replaceable

Comparing this beside the Artsy watercolor paint set, you can see some striking similarities with the innovative pan display, color labels, and even the painting tools. Moreover, it comes at an affordable price range.

If you look closely at these palettes, the differences fall under the brush and color selection. Both have 42 colors but this one has darker tones in neutrals, greens, and blues. When you mix them with water, the colors beautifully blended, presenting rich and artistic watercolor washes.

As I work with these watercolors, I also noticed that they dry quickly and can resist fading as well. Curated with a vast array of colors, this palette allows you to create an endless range of vibrant hues for artistic and colorful artwork.

With regard to its design, this travel watercolor paint set does not fail to impress with its unique palette design. Similar to the Artsy portable watercolor kit, you can fan out the palette and swipe out to different tabs to find the color you need. Aside from that, there are color labels to easily identify the shades.

When you put everything away, it shifts into a lightweight and compact palette that you can slip inside your bag or pocket. Another sweet treat is the addition of four different water brush sizes that you can use for fine to broad applications. Not to mention the addition of a sponge to clean and dry your brushes.

• Ultra-lightweight and compact palette design
• Offers a great selection of pigmented watercolors
• Quick-drying and lightfast colors
• Includes four refillable water brushes in various sizes
• Does not have a hard case or cover to protect the palette

It can be a bit challenging for a beginner watercolor artist to find the best watercolor travel set to start with. With that said, this Jerry Q Art pocket set has the tools an amateur artist needs when traveling and painting with watercolors.

Sifting through the details, this pocket watercolor set features a slim and sleek design for enhanced portability. Once you open the lid, it is pretty awesome to find an array of beautiful colors along with the necessary painting tools. This includes a water brush, a small sponge, and detachable mixing pans.

For a beginner, I bet these tools and color selection are more than enough to start with a watercolor travel journal. Since everything is compact, there is no trouble putting them away in a small pocket in your shirt or bag.

Though it is made of plastic, it is surprisingly sturdy. I also like how the lid closes tightly, keeping the palette secure and protected whenever you travel.

While that already sounds impressive, the colors do not fall short of their quality and performance. The brilliant colors have a nice amount of pigment, revealing a bright and stunning spectrum of colors. Furthermore, these watercolors are highly blendable, making it much easier to create washes and preserve some translucent watercolor effects.

One more thing I noticed is the ceramic calligraphy tray. I did not know what to use it for but I think it would be useful for artists who practice calligraphy art.

• A portable and great quality starting watercolor kit for beginners
• Sleek and slim design for hassle-free transportation
• Brilliant color selection; very pigmented hues
• Highly blendable colors that can create vibrant washes
• Includes a water brush, a calligraphy pan, a sponge, and a removable mixing tray
• No color labels; difficult to find matching watercolor replacements

At first glance, I could already tell that this watercolor paint set would be an exquisite gem. Right from its vibrant mint metal box and dainty artwork details, ARTISTRO did a great job of making this kit to be aesthetically pleasing as possible. I even love the elegant metal lid lock that looks like the one you see on classic musical boxes.

Upon opening the watercolor palette, everything inside is even more fascinating. You can see all 48 vibrant colors arranged into a neat and beautiful layout – ranging from light to dark tones.

On the upper part of the lid is an organized space for the essential painting tools. This includes a water brush pen, a sponge, a drawing pencil, an eraser, a watercolor brush, and a swatch sheet. Plus, there are small watercolor sheets as well. As a beginner, I sincerely do not think there is anything else to ask for!

The palette is a combination of pigmented fluorescents and metallics, rendering unique, vibrant colors. When mixing the colors, I can tell that the watercolors are highly blendable, producing rich washes and artistic textures. Mind you, the binder is thick and a bit gelatinous, causing the watercolors to create grainy or granulated textures and finishes.

With that in mind, some artists might not fancy such grainy textures. However, this allows you to create artistic effects and colors besides smooth and colorful washes. I find this an amazing trick to amplify watercolor artworks. Aside from that, the exclusive water brush pen and original brush make blending and layering effortless.

On the other hand, the size is not as compact and slim as the previous watercolor sets on the list. It is a bit bulky though it can still fit well in your bag. And since it is a metal tin case, it can protect the palette from damages.

• Offers vibrant and pigmented colors that can produce washes
• Creates granulated textures for unique and artistic effects
• Includes essential painting tools for convenient travel painting
• Comes in a sturdy metal tin case for added protection
• Suitable for advanced and professional artists
• Not the ideal option for beginners
• Slightly bulky compared to other compact watercolor sets

I have always been hunting for the best watercolor paints for professionals. But my curious self has always wanted to try other reputable brands other than Winsor & Newton. Thus, Sennelier was my next target, and I am glad I did give it a shot.

I hear a lot of amazing things about this brand, particularly the superb quality of watercolors. However, I admit that the price tag is the least attractive thing. But the question is, what is so special about it? To concur with the reviews and rumors, it was definitely the pigmented colors that I have seen the best so far.

Unbeknownst to many, the highlighted ingredient is honey. This helps preserve the longevity and quality of colors, making them impeccably brilliant and luminous at the same time.

As expected, the colors give off vivid hues that blend nicely in a beautiful shade. Even with simply dampening the colors, it is easy to obtain pigments and render bright washes and representations of what every color should be.

In terms of portability, this half-pan watercolor palette is small and slim, providing an ideal size for traveling. Plus, it comes in a sturdy metal case that secures all the colors.

• Impeccably brilliant and pigmented colors that easily blend
• Creates vivid strokes and washes even with just a few dabs
• Very compact and sleek design for hassle-free storage and travel painting
• Comes in a sturdy metal tin case
• Excellent color longevity
• No brushes included

Another budget-friendly option for watercolor travel sets is this one from Artify. This mini kit gives amateur watercolor artists a chance to try great quality watercolor without breaking their banks. I know for sure because I have seen the quality pigments that produce an imaginative and endless range of colors.

Impressively, the colors blend well and deliver vibrant hues when mixed with water. Therefore, making washes and artistic effects would not be a problem. Aside from that, the watercolors dry quickly, preventing any messy spills that can bleed through paper.

How about the size? I must say that this set is the perfect fit for your pocket whether it is a bag or your shirt. The plastic case is sturdy, securing the palette from any damage.

In addition to its portable and innovative design, I think the removable palette is genius. Not only can you arrange the colors according to your preference, but also reuse and wash them should you ever need to. Plus, the mixing tray is detachable and can be placed anywhere within your reach.

Some artists might not find this a big deal but I was impressed by how thoughtful the manufacturer designed the palette this way. Thus, it can accommodate left and right-hand painters.

Moreover, three brushes and two sponges complete this watercolor travel kit. The ring at the back of the base keeps the palette convenient to hold. Hence, this makes painting and traveling fun and easy to do!

• Removable and customizable mixing tray to accommodate left and right-hand painters
• Compact design
• Includes essential painting tools (three brushes and two sponges)
• Designed with a base ring for comfortable painting sessions
• Some paints break easily when not properly stored

When it comes to Winsor & Newton, I have nothing to expect but satisfying results in terms of color blends and vibrancy. Luckily, this Cotman Watercolor Brush Pen set is not so different from my favorite watercolor sets from this brand.

First of all, the size of this half-pan set ensures hassle-free storage when you are traveling. It is so dainty that you can fit inside your shirt pocket or mini compartments in your bag. When it is closed, it presents an understated yet sophisticated design that you can take out for a quick paint session anywhere you go.

As soon as you open the lid, the upper space provides partitions where you can mix different colors. Afterward, my eyes took me to the color labels that are neatly presented to help you organize and identify colors. Since the pans are replaceable, the color labels are crucial when finding matching shades.

As usual, Winsor & Newton did it again with this impressive array of colors. They deliver quality pigments even with just a few dabs, allowing you to create vivid washes and artistic watercolor effects.

Aside from that, the water brush pen is a handy addition to this set. It lets you paint without dipping into the water and start with your painting right away. And since it is refillable, you can simply fill it up whenever you have to. The clear barrel or reservoir lets you know how much water you have used.

• Creates vibrant color blends and watercolor effects
• Designed with color labels for easy identification
• Has a mixing tray to blend colors
• Includes a water brush pen
• Very compact
• Water flows heavily sometimes

Portability and Storage

When looking for a travel watercolor set, it is reasonable to consider whether it is compact enough to put away in your pocket or luggage. Since you will be moving from one place to another, it will not be practical to add some unnecessary weight to your things.

With that said, you must have a portable set that you can easily take out or put away and keep in mind that a complete travel painting kit does not need to be big and bulky. Fortunately, some brands offer foldable watercolor palettes and travel-friendly sizes that you can easily slip into your pocket or bag.

Accessories and Tools

A set consists of a variety of tools and accessories that will provide you with a complete setup for painting on the go. For a watercolor travel set, it should at least include a portable and refillable water brush. Since you will be traveling by air or land, this type of brush dispenses water as you paint, allowing you to paint right on the spot conveniently.

There is no need to fill up a container or cup with water, which can end up quite messy while traveling. Just fill the brush up and you are all set to paint anytime and anywhere you want. Some sets also include a pencil, a sponge to dry the brush, and a paint palette for mixing colors. Others have multiple refillable brushes for versatile applications.

Pigment Quality

Many artists use watercolor because it can spruce up drawings and sketches with an array of vivid colors. Aside from that, it can add unique effects to your artwork, especially if you love working with mixed media.

Therefore, it is important that you have high-quality pigments so as to deliver a vibrant spectrum of colors. No matter how few the color options are, a lightfast and premium quality watercolor palette can exhibit promising results.

Color Selection

The color selection all depends on your preferences and needs. But since watercolor travel sets usually have limited options, it would be better to stick with the primary shades. They typically come in sets of 9 or 12.

Lucky you if you can have more options without comprising the storage properties and portability. Some brands offer more than the usual colors that come in 24, 36, 42, 48, or more packed in a foldable or compact case.

Blendability

Watercolor is among the versatile art media that allows you to mix and blend colors, creating a custom color selection for your artwork. A watercolor travel kit homemade palette usually has that, presenting your favorite shades and mixtures.

A portable or mini travel watercolor palette should also let you do so despite the limited amount and selection of colors. Moreover, the excellent blendability allows you to maximize your palette and achieve your desired color combinations. Hence, you can browse the reviews or test the watercolor set for seamless color gradients.

TSA Approved (Transportation Security Administration)

This is a mandatory factor to consider for those who are planning to fly with their watercolor sets. Airlines provide specific and detailed regulations about the items that you are allowed to bring in a carry-on.

In general, TSA has restrictions on liquid watercolors. Every tube of watercolor paint should be no more than 3.4 ounces, and all wrapped in clear zip-top bags. For dry watercolor palette sets, they are relatively much easier to bring on a plane since they come in compact and convenient sizes.

It is quite hard to tell because there are a lot of amazing brands that offer excellent watercolor travel sets. However, Sakura is by far the most reliable brand for great quality watercolor sets that feature assorted colors and essential tools. Plus, they come at a reasonable price range. But if it is about budget-friendly decent watercolor sets that have a wide array of colors, I would go for MEEDEN.

On the other hand, Winsor & Newton and Sennelier are my favorite brands for professional quality watercolors. They might be relatively more expensive than other brands but they have a reliable lineup of portable watercolor sets that let you paint like a pro.

Yes, you can as long as your watercolor paint palettes and sets do not violate the TSA’s regulations and restrictions. As mentioned, TSA is lenient with dry watercolor travel sets because of their small and convenient size, allowing you to bring them on a carry-on without any trouble.

The first thing you can do is list your itinerary. Jot down where you would go first and the places you would probably pass by. Sometimes, you can be spontaneous and draw the scenes and unforgettable memories you would like to record and remember. Thus, Make sure to bring a travel or portable watercolor journal or drawing book with you.

Like a travel photo journal or album, a watercolor travel journal lets you record memories, events, and beautiful sights, but with a different method – painting. For example, you can paint the dinner or lunch you have had, a beautiful sunset, or even the view from your hotel or train. As you capture these events, you can doodle around your drawings or write what your painting is all about.

Apart from the watercolor palette, a watercolor travel set usually includes a small or a refillable water brush. Although not necessary, some sets have a sponge to dry the brush, small partitions for water (in case water brushes are not available), and additional water brushes for versatile and effortless painting sessions.

Moreover, the tools and accessories in a watercolor set vary from one brand to another. Check the composition of a painting set you will buy to ensure you get the essential tools for your watercolor paintings.

The best watercolor travel set is not just about the portable size but the quality of pigments and essential tools as well. It is quite amazing how you can document everything you see when you travel, and a watercolor travel set helps you do that. This is the reason why you deserve to have the best watercolor kit that can beautifully capture and paint landscapes and even mundane sights when you wander around.

This list has jotted down the top picks for portable watercolor sets on the market. Besides their popularity, the brands mentioned offer reliable and excellent quality watercolor sets that are worth trying. Hope this helps!

Art has always been a part of my life; it influences my upbringing and later my career choice. For me, it is always a part of my parenting technique. So for whichever purpose that you come to art, you can start here with us.

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Articles » Painting » 9+ Best Travel Art Supplies for Painting Artists Who Travel

9+ Best Travel Art Supplies for Painting Artists Who Travel

• Last Updated: July 8, 2021
• Written by: Elisabeth Larson Koehler

This article may contain affiliate links, please read my affiliate disclosure for more information.

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One of the perks of painting is that all of the necessary materials are fairly portable. This article will guide you through which travel art supplies are the easiest to pack and take with you.

We are lucky in this day and age to be able to carry our paints in small paint tubes and have easels that are light and foldable. However, there are a LOT of different materials out there and it can be hard to know what exactly you need to paint and travel. I will break down exactly what you will need, so that you can easily be a traveling artist, painting on the go!

Painting Surfaces Best for Travel

This is one of the more important of the travel art supplies you’ll need to remember to take with you. As wherever you paint you will always need something to paint on.

I recommend using loose gessoed canvas that can be rolled up. Boards will take up more space than stretched canvas. Not to mention you have to be a little more careful not to puncture or damage stretch canvases!

You can gesso your own canvas or purchase it already primed and ready to paint on! When you are ready to start your painting, you will simply cut out a size that is appropriate for your project. Then attach the piece of canvas to a hard board with some masking tape. This hard board will act as a support for all of your paintings on your journey. You will be able to use both sides if you wish to do multiple paintings at a time! I do this often 😉

Art Supplies for Storing Paintings and Canvas

To transport your canvas I recommend to roll it up and store it safely inside a mailing tube. This provides excellent protection for your painting surface and keeps it from getting any creases.

In addition, I recommend for you to use the mailing tube to store your completed paintings on your travels ( once they are dry ). Again this is a wonderful way to protect your work from getting any folds or creases. When traveling we often accidentally drop things or stack things on top of one another. Therefore storing your work in a mailing tube alleviates a lot of worry about any damage that may incur to your work!

✨ A quick tip about rolling up paintings – keep the painted side on the outside! I know this sounds odd but it is the best way to take care of your paintings while rolling them up. Rolling oil paintings inwards can cause them to chip or flake which will become visible when laid out flat again.

Travel Art Carrying Case

What if your paintings are still wet and you need to continue your travels? Enter the wet panel art carrying case ! You can purchase one or make your own. They allow you to store wet painting safely inside a box in such a way so that it won’t touch anything else. I personally keep my painting taped down to a board to allow for me to place my painting safely inside a carrier if I need to do so.

Art Supplies to Speed up Drying Time

If you are using oil paints and would rather not have to deal with wet paintings while traveling. There are specific travel art supplies that can help speed up the drying time.

Liquin for traveling artists

Liquin will help a great deal to speed up the drying time! Using just a little will go a long way. Add it to your paint at times when you would normally use linseed oil to thin out your paint.

Whenever I use Liquin in a painting, I take out a small amount of it from the jar using a palette knife and place a little pile of it onto my palette. This way it is easy for me to add it as needed while I mix my oil paints .

Lightweight Travel Easels

An easel can be a little bit of a headache for artists who are traveling, as it is most likely the largest item out of all your travel art supplies. However, there are some great travel easel options out there for every budget!

Pochade boxes for travelers

A pochade box is one of the most popular easels for plein air painters and traveling artists. They are also quite historical as they came into popularity in the 19th century when artists started to paint out of doors. Pochade boxes tend to be small and are highly portable as you can store not just your materials inside them but also your painting. You can purchase one or make your own out of a cigar box!

French easel travel supplies

I personally use a French easel when I travel as well as in my studio. So, it is nice to be able to use the same easel that I always use when on the go. Similar to the pochade box, it allows you to store a lot of supplies inside the easel including your palette. It can be folded up smaller which makes it easy to carry and transport.

However, the downside to a French easel however is that it can be a bit heavier than other options, due to its wood construction. So, if you are looking for something particularly lightweight, this might not be the best option for you.

Tripod easel with palette box

The tripod easel and palette box can sometimes be a good alternative to the traditional French easel. The versions made out of aluminum can be lighter weight and less prone to breakage. In addition, this variety gives you a good distance between the painting and the palette – something missing with a pochade box.

A good camera tripod easel with a palette box can be a little pricey. However, if you are planning to do a lot of plein air painting or walking with your painting supplies. It is really worth it to get a lightweight easel, as your back will thank you! 🙂

Brushes and Brush Cleaner

For traveling I recommend the Guerilla ‘mighty mite brush washer’ . It is leak proof, you don’t have to worry about soiling things when traveling with with linseed oil or turpenoid. In addition, it works as a terrific brush cleaner that lasts a long time.

Palette cups

You could also use oil painting palette cups. These are small metal cups that you can clip onto your palette. They are not meant to be a brush cleaners however. So you can’t clean your brush in this as thoroughly as you could in a regular brush cleaner. However, these make for super useful travel art supplies. As they work great as receptacles to keep your linseed oil and or turpenoid in – when you need to use those in your painting.

Paints for Travel

Most paint tubes come in a large or small size – typically 37 ml or 150 ml size tubes. So, when traveling with your painting supplies it is best to use small sized tubes. As this will help a great deal with keeping the weight down.

If small sized paint tubes are still too heavy and you don’t need to take that much paint with you… Then you could purchase small containers to store your paint in. Just keep in mind, that the paint will dry quicker in such containers than if it remained in a tube!

So, if you are planning to travel and paint for just a few days then small containers work nicely. However, not if you will be on the go with your travel art supplies for a couple of weeks or longer. As the paint will likely dry out over that period time.

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Traveling with Oil Paints on an Airplane

It is possible to travel with your oil painting supplies on an airplane . However, there are a few things that are valuable to know before you start packing your travel art supplies! After traveling many times with oil paints – believe me when I say that you will appreciate knowing how to fly with oil paints!

Start Taking your Travel Art Supplies with you!

Whether you are traveling by car or plane, all of the tips for painting above will help a great deal. As you now have a good base of which are the best travel art supplies to take with you. So that you can have a smooth experience as a traveling artist.

It can be extra work to carry your painting supplies with you on the move – but doing so is deeply rewarding and more than worth it…

The experience of getting to paint the places you visit is very rich. You notice and experience things you would not have otherwise. And, you have the extra perk of having a recorded visual memory of your travels!

Have you ever painted while traveling before? If so, I would love to hear how your experience went! What travel art supplies do you wish you had brought with you or maybe left behind?

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4 thoughts on “9+ best travel art supplies for painting artists who travel”.

I am not traveling very far but when I do travel I have a few art supplies! And I have taken a couple of trips to Yosemite National Park, and Big Sur, and even Lake Tahoe it was beautiful with so much to paint! I have a few travel watercolor sets! And I have gotten good at scouting out a spot with natural beauty as well as shade!

Hi Abbi – oh that is wonderful that you have taken your art supplies with you to some of those beautiful places! Watercolor sets are the best for traveling as they don’t require many materials. I have found that painting in different places does make you better at being able to scout good painting locations – and its wonderful when shade accompanies a good painting view 😉

Hi Elizabeth! I have been Plein Aire painting for years. Since I paint locally one of the best aids is my garden wagon. It collapses and stays in the car trunk ready to load up and head into nature filled up with all the painting supplies mentioned. It is better than using a backpack!

Hi Sandy! Oh that is a really good tip. What a great setup to be able to collapse it and keep it in your car. I completely agree – Carrying everything in a backpack can be quite exhausting as once you reach your destination you are a bit too tired to paint! 😉

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