No, not the kind that takes a sabbatical to travel the world with a backpack. Not even the artist-in-residence who isolates for extended periods in a romantic, lush-filled location with a peaceful room, perfect lighting, healthy food, and resources to foster creativity…although this sounds like a dream.

I’m referring to the artist who travels with family or friends and doesn’t want to give up a daily practice. This artist is inspired by what they see, as if life, once viewed in black and white, now appears in high-definition color: The vibrancy of fruit found at a morning breakfast spread, flowers blooming in a botanical garden, architecture seen in the town square, or the various shades of turquoise green moving in and out along faraway coastlines.

I’m talking about the everyday artist.

This artist wants to draw and paint elements of the trip as precious souvenirs.

This artist wants to have their tools at the ready, but doesn’t want to check her luggage to do so. 

This artist wants to remain present with travel companions but becomes obsessed with the ‘perfect painting subjects’ seen at every turn.

The balance is a delicate one. Time spent away from home, work, responsibilities, and daily routines is important to embrace. Allowing ourselves the freedom to explore new places, eat unique foods, and relax is the very essence of a vacation. We are meant to thoroughly enjoy these opportunities.

With careful planning and packing, opportunistic sketching is possible and can be achieved without being disruptive. Some examples:

• If you’re traveling with family, note nap times as windows to paint

• For early risers, take your sketchbook with you when getting morning coffee

• Toss the sketchbook and pencil in your bag for quick reference sketching while on the beach, at the cathedral, or in the museum (allow 5 minutes tops)

• Take advantage of your phone camera to snap a few inspirational pics to revisit later (take one version in portrait mode to remove the visual chaos of background noise)

• Don’t feel pressured to complete an entire composition: sketch now and paint later (even when you get home from your trip)

• Consider further personalizing your sketchbook to include handwritten memories or stories, tape in ticket stubs or lightweight business cards to create a unique art collage on some pages

Repeat after me: LESS IS MORE

This is your mantra when it comes to packing. Coming from the girl who wants all 48 watercolors, all brush sizes (for large landscape scenes…which she never does, btw), a variety of pencil leads, several rolls of masking tape, and Micron pens from tip size .003 to .03. This girl likes options and wants to be prepared for the ‘just in case’ creative moment.

The reality is that’s not going to happen on vacation. You don’t have the time, space, or freedom to expand the hotel room courtesy desk into your personal art studio. Trust me when I say, the less you bring, the more art you’ll create.

Here are some considerations for your traveling art studio:

• LIGHTWEIGHT POUCH

• Search “nylon toiletry bag” on your favorite shopping website (Amazon, Etsy, etc.)

• TRAVEL KIT OF PAINT

• Art Toolkit palettes offer you plenty of options to fit your color/quantity needs - Shop HERE

• Fill with tube paints or slice off rings of color from Daniel Smith watercolor sticks (use small double-sided sticky dot to adhere to each tray) - Shop HERE

• PALETTE TRAY

• The lid inside the Art Toolkit is great for mixing

• If you need more room, plastic is the lightest weight option

• If you want to copy me, take your beloved Pottery By Eleni trinket tray - Shop HERE

• BRUSHES

• A water brush and three travel brushes with protective caps are plenty - Shop HERE

• If you’re going to bring brushes, use an old flat pencil tin to store them (use masking tape to hold them in place)

• PENCILS / PENS

• Two pencils are enough  (H for light sketching and HB or 2B for shading)

• The Pentel GraphGear 1000 is my go-to mechanical pencil - Shop HERE

• My monogamous relationship with Sakura Micron pen is unwavering (.005 & .01) - Shop HERE

• ERASER

• A kneadable eraser is your friend…just ¼ cube fits perfectly inside a tiny plastic earplug box - Shop HERE

• Fine tip erasers are great for detail work - Shop HERE

• ACCESSORIES

• Two binder clips of medium size and a few paperclips are plenty to hold the paper down

• One small roll of removable tape (Washi works) to make off your page

• WATER VESSEL

• All the cool kids use and LOVE this one by Faber Castell - Shop HERE

• SKETCHBOOK

• The Hahnemuhle sketchbooks are the ones I use and love - Shop HERE

If it doesn’t fit in your travel toiletry bag, it stays home.

There is freedom in having fewer options. Your ability to go with the flow, draw on the fly, and include your sketchbook + pen in your purse without adding significant weight is the ultimate goal of being a travel artist. If there is ample time spent in one place (out of direct sunlight, of course), bring the entire kit, set up shop and complete the composition. After all, this is why your kit is portable.

Keep in mind, this is as close as you’ll get to ‘plein air’ painting. Your experience will be met with the disappearance of time, the hum of strangers pondering over your shoulder, speaking foreign languages, and even stopping to ask about your art, medium, and subject matter. 

These are the moments that matter. Relish them. You deserve the recognition, the praise, the curiosity. Sit up a little taller, be grateful for your pared-down kit, and comfort to paint in public. You are, after all, a traveling artist.