Pack Your Painting Gear - We Are Off To France!

Have you started to think about what painting gear you will need to take along?


It is very important to think minimal and keep it light! You will need to carry your things as we tour villages and out in the open. There will be times when we will just take out sketch books, but most likely you will want to throw your kit into the van just in case.
I have posted more detailed information and photos of brushes, my palette etc. below but here are a few ideas to keep things simple and portable.

1. A rolling backpack works well to cart painting equipment.

2. A small water flask for drinking or painting. There will be jugs available in the van, but you will want to have a small container.

3. Watercolour paper.

4. A small piece of plexi-glass cut to size to fit your pack.

5. Brush caddy and brushes (see below)


6. Light weight wooden board. Cut to fit in your pack.

7. Clips or clothes pegs to stop your masterpieces from blowing away.

8. Palette (see below)

9. Sketch book(s) and marker.

10. Collapsible water container and small water sprayer.

11. Pencil case with pencils, markers, sharpener, watercolour pencils if you wish to use them etc.
12. Paints in a sealed container. (see below)

13. Small sack or paint bag to use when travelling extra light.

14. Tissue! Bring several packages - multi purpose... there may be times when there is no TP in the public toilettes. (Don't worry - once you get the hang of it you might actually enjoy the adventures that each new day brings!) Here is a bit of reading to bring you up to speed:
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/June05/1520atoilettimidtourists.htm
http://gofrance.about.com/od/travelplanning/ht/toilet.htm

15. Binoculars/bird watching book if you are into birding

16. Paper towel and a terry-cloth hand towel. The cloth towel works well to sit on if you find yourself on a hillside or other natural perch.

17. Wet wipes

18. How about your camera, extra memory cards and battery charger? There is so much to see and many photo-ops,

 ** note that most things go into your kit in zip-lock bags so as to protect the rest of our equipment and clothes.
No doubt there are more things you will want to add - a light rain jacket, snacks, sun screen, bug repelant (you can purchase small individual wipes rather than bringing big heavy bottles), candy for the teacher...

If you can think of things that I have left off the list, please leave a comment. Why not leave a comment if you can't think of something/anything.. or even if your mind is blank?


L.