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My controversial travel theory is that you should spend your precious vacation time pursuing your interests, and only your interests.

So often friends will ask me, “What should I see in Paris?”

I understand that they’re asking this question on two levels - for starters, they’ve turned to someone they know to ask for a recommendation based on their personality. But lingering just below that first level is the more expectation driven question - what should anyone visiting Paris do?

Travel expectations are a trap.

Don’t bother with the Churchill War Rooms if you aren’t interested in history, for example. Instead, lean into the things you do like, whether they be long-standing hobbies or emerging interests.

Artists and designers, whether professional, aspiring, or dabbling, can enjoy a veritable playground of immersive experiences throughout Europe.

Below is a Europe packing guide for artists and designers looking to capitalize on the creative inspiration the continent holds.

Oil Painting on Vacation?!

After countless museum visits, it makes sense to want to try your hand at oil painting on your next visit to Europe. I’ve observed so many artists set up outside famous landmarks, painting the view on their canvas, lost in the reverie of creative expression. It’s such a wonderful way to immerse yourself in a place and a passion at the same time. And imagine explaining the story of that painting years later when someone sees it hanging in your home? It knocks every souvenir painting out of the park.

Due to the medium’s sometimes long drying times, make sure you’ll be in one place for at least 3-4 days to ensure the ideal holiday oil painting set-up. This oil painting travel kit includes a travel easel box, a dozen tubes of artist grade oil paint, oil brushes and palette knives that are perfect for a beginner or hobby painter. Advanced painters, or those who prefer a more robust oil painting set up for use outside or to paint historic landmarks, should invest in this oil painting plein air easel. Its high-quality aluminum tripod is topped with a premium beech wood box, with plenty of space for supplies, including wet canvas storage and a magnetic paint brush holder.

Keep in mind that traveling with oils will require them to be packed in checked luggage, and you should avoid packing any solvents or brush cleaning agents - just buy those at a local art supply store when you land. It’s also best practice to print out your paint manufacturer’s material safety data sheet to keep in packed luggage in case it is inspected. Oil Painters of America have further tips on packing art supplies for air travel, and you may want to try this packing trick for bringing your artwork back home.

I created this downloadable ⬇️ Packing Checklist ⬇️ that you can snag right now.

It helps you plan what you’ll pack, and then keeps you organized as you cross things off once they’ve been packed.

Plein Air Watercolor Painting

Watercolors are the perfect medium for a plein air painting set up when you’re traveling. Just add water - literally - and a seemingly small, rinky-dink travel palette of watercolor paints comes to life. This is my preferred method of painting while I’m traveling. I use a travel palette similar to this one by Winsor & Newton, which includes fourteen paints, an integrated palette plate for mixing colors and a standard brush.

During my last trip to London, I picked up a booklet of watercolor paper formatted to the same size as a postcard at a museum gift shop, and it’s quickly become my favorite way to share the watercolors I paint while on holiday. A similar booklet of watercolor postcard paper can be found here, and it’s also included in this beginner’s watercolor travel set, which also comes with a drawing pencil and refillable water brush pen. I also can’t forget to mention these Goldfaber Aqua watercolor pencils, which allow for precise lines that are difficult to create with paints.

I find that watercolor paper or booklets pack in luggage just a little bit easier than watercolor canvas boards. Strathmore makes some reliable pads of watercolor paper, either tape or wire bound, as well as a great watercolor journal for those who prefer to keep their works bound together.

(Psst! Still trying to decide where to go for your next holiday? Check out my list of the Top Art & History Destinations in Europe.)

Charcoal and Pencil Sketching

I'm always so envious when I see people sketching inside of a museum. They appear so lost in the creative process, immune to the crowds as they interact with a piece of artwork by trying to recreate it in their notebooks. Sketching inside a museum allows you to experience a painting through more than just your gaze. It's the same for those who sketch in the center of a busy square or next to a major landmark; they're not just observing, but rather they're considering the scale, the shape, the quantity of everything in their line of vision and committing it to the unwavering memory of lines on paper.

Traveling with charcoal and pencil sketching supplies is easier than traveling with paints. The minimalism of the medium allows for multiple tools to be compactly packaged, like in this pro drawing kit which includes sketching pencils, charcoal pencils, charcoal sticks, and necessary sharpeners. If you prefer to sketch in color, these Polychromos colored pencils by German brand Faber Castell are richly pigmented and smooth on paper for fantastic blendability. They also come in a handy tin case that’s easy to pack in your bag. And those pen drawing aficionados should check out this compact set of twelve drawing pens. Bachmore sketchpads offer good quality paper in a handy over the top wire binding the is suitable for both right and left-handed drawers. Those who want something a little more luxe feeling should check out these chic Fabriano Venezia drawing books or the always reliable Moleskine sketchbooks.

There are some important things to keep in mind when traveling with charcoal and pencil sketching supplies. For flights, any sharpeners or tools with pointy edges should be packed into checked luggage only. And while pencil sketching on the plane is fine, using charcoals or other mediums that put off dust is a big no-no as it will surely annoy those traveling in close proximity.

Organize Design Inspiration while Traveling

Designers of all disciplines will find plenty of inspiration in Europe, from the highly tactile, like interior, fashion, and industrial designers, to digital designers specializing in graphics, UX, and websites. It can even be a bit, well, overwhelming, especially in places like Lisbon or Paris, where everyday buildings resemble works of art. There are so many design codes hiding in plain sight that it makes sense to pack a few tools for whenever a quick bit of inspiration strikes.

An easy set up for designers is to carry a pocket sketch pad and a sturdy mechanical pencil like these from KOH-I-NOOR. Add a classic Bellroy pencil case for stylish packing of pencils, erasers, and other small accessories. Those who prefer inspiration photos should check out a few of the best apps for designers to capture inspiration while traveling, including Milanote, Mural, or Eagle.

Interior designers who take advantage of their time abroad to source special items for clients will want to stay organized as they collect samples, quotes, and business cards from potential suppliers. I really like these options from two separate Japanese stationery brands, first, these chic expandable folders from Sandit, as well as this smaller, pocket sized organizer from LIHIT LAB. I also like these vertical A4 plastic project folders which include a snap closure.

Embracing your hobbies or passions is the secret to having an unforgettable trip to Europe.

Travel offers a unique opportunity for artists and designers to immerse themselves in their craft while exploring new cultures, design codes, and creative expressions. By packing the right tools, any trip can be turned into a creative adventure. So the next time you plan a trip to Europe, consider setting up an easel in front of a historic landmark, plein air watercolor painting in a bustling square, or sketching design inspiration for use back home.

Let your creativity flow, no matter where you go. 🖤

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