Plein Air Painting: My Gear Checklist
I despise feeling unprepared so I tend to over-pack. Here’s a list of the essentials I keep in my painting backpack and the occasional tool I pack in my trunk - just in case.
In the Backpack:
I try to keep everything ready in the bag at all times except my paint and the board.
Easel & Tripod: I use a STRADA Mark II kit, the palette weighs 2 lbs 12 oz, and is easy to fold up and store. It has two adjustable arms that attach to any tripod, side panels that double as a brush holder and palette cover. A Mast that measures 34", weighs 1 lb 9 oz, and can hold a panel of any size up to 30" high or wide depending on the orientation or can be disassembled into two 17” parts, which is how I use it most frequently. The carbon fiber tripod comes in just about 4 lbs.
I’m pretty sure they no longer use my tripod version it’s an OBO BC285, so if you have an extra quick-release plate in this size please let me know. It’s out of stock on their website and has been for forever! The reason I chose the Mark II is because I disliked how most poachade boxes wobbled when you put pressure on the painting surface and palette mixing space. It’s very wide and a tad heavy but I love how indestructible it is. If STRADA ever made another version with a more narrow palette, I’d buy it in an instant.
Panels: For plein air, I almost always bring homemade masonite panels or hand-cut ABS board panels.
Wet Panel Carrier: I have already done a blog post on this topic, click here. The quick notes version is that I prefer the low-profile PanelPaks because they are easy to fit in my bag.
Brushes: I use a lot of Rosemary in Ivory and Masters Choice in a variety of styles. A couple of super cheap hog hair bristles that are falling apart but are great for washing in. I also throw in a couple of Trekell in Legion or Spectrum. I also bring along a palette knife for cleaning my palette and a silicone shaper to “erase”.
Brush Carrier: A beat-up zipper case.
Brush Holder: You can only look like Wolverine for so long. I find strapping this onto my easel is super handy.
Brush Washing Container and Solvent: I use a small stainless steel container with a lid that seals with 3 latches to hold my solvent for cleaning my brushes. I use Gamsol odorless mineral spirits and use a hook to attach it to my palette. Unlike other containers with 2 latches, I’ve never leaked with this one.
Paint: Normally a warm and cool of: yellow, blue, red, and then a transparent brown, radiant blue, titanium buff, and titanium white. I’m also known to throw in random colors to spice things up and challenge me on how to use them in the piece. I use the brands: Gamblin/1980, Winsor and Newton, M. Graham, Rembrandt, and Michael Harding.
Paint Holder: I found this really neat contraption called the boxNpaint. I hate having to tote heavy tubes around either in my pack or car. I bought one of the very first interactions of this thing and found it works great! It can leak due to the oil content of your paint or get stuck if you let it dry inside. So I try to be proactive by using a ziplock bag when traveling and then transferring leftover paint to my home studio palette.
Covering: Either an apron or lab coat, click here to hear my debate.
View Finder: A tool to help with composition can be helpful, I recommend this. I also got this new red Color Evaluator to help tell value and it’s been fun to play around with.
Small Sketchbook and Pencil: Useful for sketches, value matrices, and notes.
Paper Towels: I recently started using the Viva brand. It seems to grab the paint when cleaning your brushes and you use less of them overall.
Old Grocery Bags: Any bag will do but I tie them onto the easel and collect used paper towels so they can be easily disposed of.
Gloves: I always wear nitrile gloves, I know someone who got cadmium poisoning so I try not to take chances with it absorbing through my skin.
Misc: Sunscreen, Insect Repellant, my Owalla, Baby Wipes, Business Cards, and a Portable Charger.
Backpack: A Kelty Redwing 32 to carry it all. I wish I had gotten the next size up but this guy was on a good sale on Amazon.
Just in Case:
I keep a collapsible crate in the back of my trunk - just in case.
Drop Cloth
Extra Water/Snacks/Cooler: Depending on location and weather.
Lightweight Hiking Chair: I got mine from Costco.
Rain Coat
Filming Gear: Just a tripod with a phone attachment.
Trekking Poles
Wishlist:
Things I want to buy for my kit but haven’t pulled the trigger on yet.
2-Gallon Water Jug in Charcoal
STRADA Easel Light: I’m intrigued by nocturne painting.
Does it sound like a lot? It sure does to me! I was once told that John Singer Sargent used to take a caravan with him to set up a massive outdoor studio and would leave it up for consecutive days - which made me feel a bit better.
Let me know if I missed any of your favorite tools in the comments!
