Essential Supplies for Painting While Traveling: A Practical Guide for Adventurous Artists.
- Isabelle Plante
- Apr 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 30
Photo credit: Isabelle Plante
Traveling to Costa Rica offers an experience rich in color and enchanting landscapes. For artists and abstract painting enthusiasts, it is a unique opportunity to explore the country's natural beauty through brushstrokes and palette hues. However, painting while traveling presents its own challenges, including limiting equipment weight and choosing the right tools to capture the vibrant essence of Costa Rica. The right equipment facilitates the creative process and allows the artist to fully concentrate on their work.
In this article, I will list the essential equipment for painting while traveling, highlighting the specific needs of a QUEBEC painter specializing in contemporary art.
Challenge the weight limit of the material
Photo credit: Isabelle Plante
When considering painting while traveling, one of the major challenges is the CONSTRAINT of equipment weight. Airlines often impose strict baggage restrictions, meaning every kilogram counts. For artists, this means making trade-offs between equipment portability and its ability to capture the diversity and vibrancy of Costa Rican landscapes.
It's crucial to consider not only the weight of your equipment, but also the need to PROTECT your tools from the hazards of shipping. Luggage sometimes experiences rough handling and unpredictable weather conditions, which can compromise the integrity of your art supplies.
To avoid damage, it is recommended to properly protect your equipment by WRAPPING it in ziplock bags and bubble wrap. Paint tubes, brushes, and other fragile accessories should be carefully packed to minimize the risk of breakage or leakage. This simple but effective precaution allows artists to travel with PEACE OF MIND, knowing that their equipment will be in good condition upon arrival, ready to capture the artistic wonders of Costa Rica.
Why is the choice of equipment crucial when traveling, especially in a hot country like Costa Rica?
Photo credit: Isabelle Plante
Painting while traveling in a hot country like Costa Rica presents additional challenges due to the extreme weather conditions. High temperatures, which can reach 39 degrees Celsius in the sun, and humidity can alter the quality of the materials and compromise the creative process. Therefore, the choice of materials is all the more crucial.
A lightweight and compact sketchbook is essential for quickly capturing impressions and details of fleeting landscapes. Colored pencils, soft pastels, or even compact watercolors and acrylics are ideal choices for artists on the go. In a warm environment, acrylic paints can dry more quickly on the palette and canvas, which can make blending colors more difficult. Therefore, it is important to choose higher-quality acrylic paints, which are less prone to rapid drying.
Brushes should be chosen carefully, favoring those that offer VERSATILITY and precision while being compact. Opting for a limited but varied color palette allows for a lighter material while still retaining the ability to express the richness of Costa Rican nature's hues.
If you haven't read my first text explaining my adventure, here is the link to watch it: Welcome to my blog: Abstract art while traveling
Here is my list of equipment that I brought
High quality acrylic paint, to the primary colors I add a few tubes of my favorite colors: I reduced the quantity to avoid having too much weight
Small pot of paint retarder medium: to prevent my acrylic from drying too quickly
Spatulas and brushes: for a variety of strokes and effects.
Spray bottle for water: which I will frequently put on my painting
Travel notebook and felt-tip pens and oil pastels: for drawing on planes or during my excursions
Protective cases for brushes: to prevent damage during transport.
Watercolor paper : easier to bring
Napkins and wet wipes: to dry my brushes and spatulas
Medium paper palette and some plastic lids: to be used for mixing colors
Liquid nail polish: I can't bring the spray one because it's forbidden on the plane.
Folding easel: very practical because it is compact, purchased on Amazon
Lightweight backpack: for transporting equipment
Bubble wrap and Zibloc bag: to protect my equipment on the plane
My cell phone: which I will use to take wonderful photos
***This list is subject to change following my experience of this first artistic trip.
Conclusion
Photo credit: Isabelle Plante
***Photo of my first work created in Costarica - available
Choosing the right materials is essential to ensuring an enjoyable and productive painting experience while traveling, even in challenging weather conditions like Costa Rica. By choosing quality materials and taking extra precautions to protect equipment from heat and humidity while pushing the limits of equipment weight, artists can create beautiful and inspiring works wherever they go.
Hoping to help you plan your dream art trip.
You can follow me on my SOCIAL MEDIA to see more photos of my trip.
Your artist
Isabelle XXX
Photo credit: Isabelle Plante
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