On-the-Go Watercolor: Must-Have Supplies, Packing Tips, and Scenic Painting Spots

Creating a travel watercolor kit tailored for artists on the go is essential for capturing inspiration wherever it strikes. Whether you’re hiking through the Cascades or sketching in a bustling café, having a lightweight and efficient setup ensures you can paint anytime, anywhere.

🖼️ Setting Up Your Travel Watercolor Kit

Compact Watercolor Sets

Opt for sets that are lightweight yet offer a range of colors. Half-pan sets are ideal for portability.

• Winsor & Newton Cotman Sketcher’s Pocket Box: A trusted choice among artists, this set includes 12 half pans and a pocket brush, all in a compact case.
• YPLUS Pocket Watercolor Paint Kit: This set offers 9 vibrant colors, two fine line brushes, a water brush, and a detachable palette, making it perfect for fieldwork.
• Mini Wooden Watercolor Painting Palette Kit: If you have watercolor paint colors that you already love to use and want to take with you, this palette is the best option to build your own watercolor kit.

Brushes or Water Brushes

• Sable Travel Watercolor Brushes: Known for their excellent water retention and soft bristles, these brushes are great for washes and fine details. The handle also doubles as a case to ensure that the bristles don't become damaged or frayed in transit.
• Pentel Arts Water Brush: Eliminate the need to carry water in a separate container with water brushes! You add water right into the barrel, which allows for both portability and ease of use. I like the Pentel brushes because they're also dishwasher-friendly.

Portable Sketchbooks

Choose sketchbooks with durable covers and quality paper suitable for watercolor.

• Strathmore Watercolor Pad: I love this sketchbook! It contains 140lb heavyweight watercolor paper and is extremely portable with a hardbound cover to ensure your paintings don't get damaged.
• Arches Aquarelle Travel Pad: If you're feeling fancy, I can't recommend Arches more. Whenever I paint anything for clients, I always choose Arches for the paper since it is SO nice to paint on.  

Optional - Extra Accessories

The following are optional depending on your needs and limitations for your plein air painting or on-the-go travel watercolor sketching.

• An art supply pouch or case to organize all of your supplies
• Compact water jars for clean water for painting and dirty water to clean brushes in between colors
• Travel pack of wet wipes or paper towels
• Pencil and eraser for base sketches
• Micron pens, colored pencils, or white jelly pens for additional details

Want the full list? Find it all on my Amazon list!

🔭 Scoping the Perfect Location for Plein Air Painting: City Streets to Mountain Peaks

As any seasoned plein air painter will tell you, half the magic of a travel watercolor session is where you choose to unroll your sketchbook. Whether you’re nestled under a redwood tree or squeezed between a bakery and a bike rack downtown, the scene sets the mood—and the story—for your painting.

Here’s how I scope out the perfect spot, depending on the vibe I’m chasing:

Urban Plein Air: Finding Beauty in the Buzz

Tips for city-based painting:

• Look for spots with architectural interest: old brick buildings, curved balconies, market stalls, or neon signage all add character.
• Set up near a quiet café patio or public bench—somewhere you won’t be bumped by pedestrian traffic but still have a clear view.
• Keep in mind the light and shadow play—morning and late afternoon are your golden hours.

 I once sketched a cityscape from a cafe in Stockholm, Sweden. Not only did I get a chance to take in the urban scenery, I also got to enjoy a spritz!

Nature Plein Air: Chasing Light and Solitude

Tips for painting in the wild:

• Scout ahead of time using satellite views or trail guides. I love apps like AllTrails or even Pinterest for finding scenic spots that aren’t too remote.
• Look for a location with some kind of shelter likke a big rock, tree, or overhang can offer shade and wind protection.
• Choose scenes with variety: foreground details (like flowers, roots, or stones) and a strong horizon or focal point (like a tree, mountain, or waterfall).
• Think about your gear load —that cliff-edge vista might not be worth the 2-hour hike if you’re carrying brushes, paints, and a granola bar.

One summer morning in Gold Bar, I set up on a lookout point in the middle of the Wallace Falls hike. It had the perfect seating area for a quick sketch!

Whether you’re in a city alley with jazz drifting from a nearby bar, or tucked beneath alpine trees watching clouds roll over peaks, let the location speak to you. Your job is to listen—and paint. 🎨🌍

✈️ Tips for Traveling with Your Watercolor Kit

• Weight Matters: Keep your kit lightweight to avoid fatigue during hikes or long walks. Plus, you don't want to be fumbling around with too many tools and paints while you're out and about.
• Secure Liquids: Ensure all liquids are sealed properly to prevent leaks in your bag. If traveling to a destination by plane, make sure that containers do not have water for the security checkpoints! You can always refill them later.
• Weather Considerations: Use weatherproof bags to protect your supplies from the elements.
• Accessibility: Organize your tools for quick access, allowing you to capture fleeting moments with ease.

By thoughtfully selecting your materials and organizing your kit efficiently, you can enjoy the freedom of painting wherever inspiration strikes. Happy painting!