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MY CONTROVERSIAL TRAVEL OPINION IS THAT YOU SHOULD SPEND YOUR PRECIOUS VACATION TIME PURSUING YOUR INTERESTS, AND ONLY YOUR INTERESTS.

Travel expectations are a trap.

Don’t bother with the Churchill War Rooms if you aren’t interested in history, for example.

Instead, seek out activities that align with your long-standing hobbies or emerging interests.

For artists, whether professional or aspiring, creating art during a trip to Europe can involve mediums like watercolor and oil paints, or charcoal pencils.

And there’s no better souvenir to bring back from your travels than a work you’ve created yourself.

HERE’S THE ARTIST PACKING LIST, FULL OF TRAVEL ART SUPPLIES AND TIPS FOR HOW TO PACK THEM, SO THAT YOU CAN PRACTICE YOUR CRAFT WHILE TRAVELING EUROPE.

The Artist Packing List: This Is What You Need For Colorful Arts Travel

Plein Air Watercolor Setup

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 the size of 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 are easier to pack in luggage 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.

CTA Graphics for Summary Blocks

Travel Painting with Acrylics or Oils

I’ve observed so many artists set up outside famous landmarks, painting the view on their canvas, lost in the reverie of creativity.

IT SEEMS LIKE SUCH A WONDERFUL WAY TO IMMERSE YOURSELF IN A PLACE AND 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 sometimes long drying times of oil paints, it’s best to ensure you’ll be in one place for at least 3-4 days to allow for proper drying.

THIS OIL PAINTING TRAVEL KIT INCLUDES A TRAVEL EASEL BOX, A DOZEN TUBES OF ARTIST GRADE OIL PAINT, OIL BRUSHES AND PALETTE KNIVES, A GREAT CHOICE FOR BEGINNER OR HOBBY PAINTERS.

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.

The 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.

If the longer drying times and extra steps involved in packing oil paints are too much for you, then consider painting with acrylics, instead.

Museum Sketching with Charcoal or Graphite

I'M ALWAYS SO ENVIOUS WHEN I SEE PEOPLE SKETCHING IN 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 that 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.

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Other Travel Art Supplies

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 so many everyday buildings resemble works of art.

THERE ARE INFINITE DESIGN CODES HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT — IT MAKES SENSE TO PACK A FEW TOOLS FOR CAPTURING INSPIRATION WHENEVER IT 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 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.

Conclusion

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. 🖤

Until next time,

Angela

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