The mountains were enshrouded in clouds, the snow-capped peaks playing peekaboo as the clouds danced around them, the sun occasionally showing up to illuminate. It was a magical moment in Chamonix, France, and though I was on vacation with my sweetie, I wanted to paint this magic.
Packing for a painting trip is one thing: You dedicate a lot of space and weight to your supplies, then throw in a piece of paint clothing or two. But for vacation, and for times you have to hike in quite a ways, you need to be light.
Below are a few pics of my lightest travel paint set up. Clockwise from top left:
– Only essential paint brushes with short handles. I keep it to about five brushes.
– Raymar wet paint canvas carrying case. Hold 6 canvases. I pack only 6×8 or 5×7.
– Lightweight tripod to hold pochade box. This one is the Sirui T-005KX 52″ Aluminum Alloy Tripod.
– Small 5×7 pochade box. Limited palette water soluble oil paints inside.
– Metal brush cleaner to hold water for my water mixable oil paint.
– Thermal water bottle for me and to clean brushes.
This basic set up served me very well and I still only brought carry on luggage. I was able to hike with this on my back up steep inclines and remain very mobile. It’s truly all you need to bring a lightweight basic kit with you while traveling.
Happy painting!