As we’re moving towards the holiday season, I thought I’d write a bit about what I take with me when I’m travelling.
This does change and depend upon a few key things: how we’re travelling (plane/train/car); how long we’re going for (weekend/one week/two weeks) and what type of holiday (city break/family/activity/relaxation). Because the most important point is to not take too much.
Think realistically about how much time you’re likely to have to indulge in some art making. I’ve learned my lesson over the years of thinking I’ll have loads of spare time and then hardly having any or feeling too tired after a day’s sight-seeing or walking or I’ve just got to a good bit in my book and I really just want to read!
It’s also worth bearing in mind available space where you’re staying – is there a table, desk, a nice garden, a sea view?
Thinking about these elements helps me decide what to pack, keeping it to only the things I’ll need. Think of it as a capsule wardrobe for your painting equipment.
So, we’ve just got back from a holiday in Yorkshire. We were there for one week. We stayed in a remote, quite large cottage with a garden and a desk. We drove there, it was with the family and the dog, and I knew we’d be walking, visiting nearby towns for a bit of shopping and probably wandering around a National Trust property or two, so it was fairly likely that I’d find a bit of creative time in between.
This is what I took with me:
· My sketchbook
· Some loose watercolour paper – A4, 2 A5, 2 A6
· My watercolour set – contains about 24 colours with a mixing tray in the lid
· A small set of crayons
· Pencils, three artist fine liners (varying sizes), charcoal pencil, four paintbrushes (varying widths), eraser and sharpener – these all roll up in a case to protect them.
When I went to Paris for a weekend of busy sight-seeing, I only took a small A6 sketchbook with a few loose sheets of drawing paper (size 10cm x 10cm) tucked inside and two artist fine liners because I knew I wouldn’t have time to do anything other than a doodle or sketch and I had to carry my bag and keep weight to a minimum.
If I’m away for a longer two week stay somewhere and we’re driving, I’ll probably add some larger pieces of watercolour paper that’s primed before I leave, and a limited palette of three colours plus black and white of acrylic paint as well as my watercolour set. For an acrylic stay wet palette I use a lightweight A4 tray with a damp kitchen towel and some baking paper.
Happy Travels!