My Traveling Art Making Essentials

When I travel I typically take an art journal for sketching, thoughts, and lots of ideas!  Having a kit also gives me the ability to make art while I am not in my studio, which is extremely important. I love art and crafting supplies- but what person doesn't? I could spend hours in an art store just deciding over the perfect paint brush or the best paper and my traveling art bag starting getting so full that in turned into more of a chore to make art on the road.  So I decided to break it down to just the bare essentials- things that I couldn't make art with out.

1.  Watercolor Set- Now the trick is to picking a set is when you open the case that the pigment is slightly tacky not chalky. It doesn't have to be a fancy set, just look for that tacky pigment. I love to have lots of color while I paint so having some sort of paint is necessary to give your art that burst of color.
2.  Erasure- just the cheap ones are fine.
3. Pencil Sharpener
4. Pen- I like a Stabilo pen because they don't bleed onto the paper when using water color.
5.  Pencils- a regular #2 nothing fancy.
6.  Water Color Brush- This is a Koi Water Color Brush that holds the water inside the pen- so no need for a water cup.  Amazing and clever all in a a little brush.
7.  Water Color Paper- I usually use a thicker stock so that it can hold up to all different types of art projects.

9 comments

Thelma Frayne said...

Love that messy paint set. I carry a notebook and pencils everywhere too.

Outcast said...

I love this little guide. Especially how real it is, like things are a little messy and some things here are very basic yet obviously make such a big impact on the canvas when you get down to work, awesome to see.

Erin said...

I have a mini watercolor set that was my dad's that I adore. Those little squares of color all lined up so perfectly...heaven. xo

OrangeMew said...

This is adorable, and I love how clever that watercolor brush is. I'm just imagining you just being carried away by something you see and getting lost in captured it but hey, see you were all totally prepared because you had all these supplies!

Happy Little Trees Studio said...

What would we do without our little art making kits! Inspiration, just can't wait until we get home!!

his_girl_friday said...

I love that you're all art all the time.

The Dainty Dolls House said...

Love the paint set. I always carry paper and things like that, as when I'm out is when some idea pops in my head :)) x

Mandy Crandell said...

Typically, I make tiny sketches on napkins while traveling. I really need to start doing this instead.

http://mandycrandell.blogspot.com/

Leah said...

*leaving my comment again, because my page shut down when i hit submit - sorry*
when we take roadtrips, i love to take paper and pencil with me to doodle on or think up a new project. that's usually when creativity seems to hit. also that watercolor brush idea is phenomenal!