Supply List for Travel

Rebecca Zdybel's Supply List for Travel and Painting on Location

If working in Watercolor:

• Watercolor pad, ¼ sheets of watercolor paper or watercolor journal.  (My favorite watercolor journals are Moleskin watercolor journals or Aquabee Super Deluxe Spiral) 
• a firm, flat support if you plan to paint on location using loose paper or loose canvas.  (I like using a piece of foam core board covered with clear packing tape to make it waterproof.)
• Do-It-Urselfers can try this idea from Karlyn Holman: Cut 2 pieces of foam core a bit larger than your ¼ sheet of paper...about 12X16 or 12.5 X 16.6.  Cover with plastic shelf liner (Contac Paper) or with Clear plastic packing tape to make them waterproof.  Create straps from velcro tape to hold the two pieces of foam core together and form a carrying case for your loose sheets of watercolor paper. I cover the sticky backs of the velcro tape with fabric.
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• Sketchpad for notes or thumbnails
• Clips or tape to keep your paper/canvas from blowing away
• Pencil with separate eraser (I like mine on a string around my neck)
• Salt in a plastic ziploc bag or Rx bottle
• Watercolors in a small palette.  I like folding palettes for travel.  I use artist quality tube watercolors to keep the paint moist, but pan colors can avoid mess and are less likely to flow while moving.  I travel with my palette in a ziploc bag.  (I love this palette, which is sold empty or filled with great colors of paint at  https://karlynsgallery.worldsecuresystems.com/supplies?Page=3&Items=12
• Water-soluble crayons can be substituted for watercolors. You can lift the pigment from the crayon with a wet brush and use in your painting.
• Water-soluble pencils can also be used instead of paints
• Elegant Writer calligraphy markers or other water-soluble markers like Tombow can be used to draw and then animated with water and/or watercolors.  
• Permanent markers can also make a nice combination with watercolor.  I suggest a very fine point archival variety like Micron Pigma 05 in black or sepia.  A nib of around .4-.45 is my favorite.  Sharpies are not archival and will eat through your paper over time.
• Container to carry water and something to hold water for painting. Collapsible bowls and water bags are my favorite, but a plastic water bottle can be used.
• As an alternative, you can use a “water brush"- a brush with a water reservoir in the handle.  This way you don’t really need a water container.  I have some you can purchase, and they can be found online, including at https://karlynsgallery.worldsecuresystems.com/supplies?Page=3&Items=12
• Rag towel, Kleenex or paper towel
• optional folding chair or blanket

I love having a lightweight chair for sitting while painting. I find it very helpful  for working on location. GCI Outdoor has a sturdy chair that folds up to a small size that weighs only 26 ounces and is priced at around $20 on Amazon  Here is the link GCI Outdoor Packseat purchase on Amazon with this link.  Or go to http://www.integrityoutdoorbrands.com/camping-stools/packseat-stool.htm for the GCI Outdoor Pack Seat or call 800-956-SEAT (7328).

• Hat, umbrella and/or shirt for sun protection
• Bug spray and sunscreen
• Camera, extra SD card, Ipad or tablet  (These can help you with composition on location.) SD card reader or adaptor for quick transferring of photos from your camera to your iPad or tablet. 
• Lightweight backpack  (I use one on wheels.) Click this Link to Amazon for Backpacks which I use

If working in Acrylic or oil:

• Canvas cut into flat pieces-acrylic or empty wrapped canvas
• palette
• Oils/Acrylic
• Easel
• Mediums to slow the drying time of acrylics
• Rags
• Palette
• Solvents or soap and water to clean brushes