Creating On the Go: Portable Supplies for Artistic Adventures

Traveling is the perfect excuse to step away from your daily routine, but it’s also a great way to tap into your creative side! Whether you're on a weekend getaway or heading out on a cross-country adventure, capturing your surroundings by creating art can help make your journey even more memorable. And the best part? You don’t need to drag around a whole studio to make it happen! With the right products (like art supply organizers and portable easels), you can create some seriously stunning artwork no matter where you are.

Why Creating on the Go is Inspiring

Creating art on the go can be inspiring because it lets you capture the raw, unfiltered beauty of the world around you. Whether it's a stunning landscape, a quirky street scene, or the hustle and bustle of a local market, the act of drawing or painting in the moment helps you connect more deeply with your surroundings. There’s something truly special about creating memories through art while exploring new destinations.

Here are some tips and must-have travel-friendly art supplies to bring along on your next trip:

1. Travel Watercolor Kits
   Watercolor painting is one of the easiest and most satisfying ways to capture the world around you. Travel watercolor kits are compact and lightweight, so they’re perfect for slipping into your bag without weighing you down. Look for kits that come with a small palette of colors, a water brush (no need to carry a separate container), sturdy cases, or art supply organizers to keep everything in place. Whether you're sketching a scenic view or just experimenting with color, a travel kit lets you get creative wherever you are.
   
   
2. Compact Sketchbooks
   Sketchbooks and journal books are a must-have for any artist, and when you're traveling, it’s important to find one that's small enough to carry around easily. Look for sketchbooks that are designed to be portable— something that fits in your backpack or tote without taking up too much space. Quite a few travel sketchbooks have durable covers and high-quality paper that can handle different mediums like pencils, ink, and watercolor.
   
   
3. Miniature Easels
   If you’re serious about painting or just want a stable surface while you’re creating outdoors, a miniature easel is a game-changer. These little easels fold up into a compact size but provide plenty of support for your canvas or watercolor block. They’re perfect for sketching landscapes on location, and many can be adjusted to different heights. Toss one in your luggage and set it up in a park or at the beach — it's a fun way to embrace the outdoors while still focusing on your craft.
   
   
4. Portable Pencils, Pens, and Brushes
   When you’re traveling, you really don’t need a full set of art supplies. Instead, pick up a few high-quality portable pencils, pens, or brushes that are easy to carry around. For example, a set of watercolor pencils lets you draw and then add a splash of color with just a brush and some water. We also recommend trying to find multi-purpose tools that can serve more than one function — like a pencil that doubles as a brush or a pen that can be used for both sketching and inking.
   
   
5. Keep It Simple
   The beauty of creating while traveling is the freedom to be spontaneous and inspired by your surroundings. Don’t worry about having all the supplies you think you should have. Focus on keeping your kit simple and versatile, with just the essentials. Sometimes, a pencil and a small notebook are all you need to sketch the things that catch your eye — the rest is just extra!

Embrace What Plein Air Has to Offer

We have plenty of plein air tools available for you to choose from in our collection, and they’re perfect for bringing along on your travels. For example, our selection of portable and plein air artist easels is extensive. We have everything you could need for your plein air setup, including French-style easels and folding tripod ones. We also offer organizers and travel kits, such as the Sienna Plein Air Supply Box and the Richeson Plein Air Travel Brush Set.

Traveling doesn’t mean putting your creativity on pause. With the right portable supplies, you can make art wherever you go. So, grab your travel watercolor kit, pack a compact sketchbook, and get ready to capture the world one brushstroke at a time. If you need some inspiration, make sure to check out our blog. We have many posts on creating outdoors, such as A Simple Plein Air Oil Painting Set Up and Free Art Lessons on Plein Air Painting. Happy travels and happy creating!