Today’s plein air painters have lots of options when it comes to traveling and painting outdoors. In the past, painters needed to practically carry their whole studio with them. The first recognized mention of an easel was by Pliny the Elder in the 1st century. By the 13th century, easels were fairly common in artists studios. The modern French Easel or box easel didn’t come around until the 18th century as painting outside became more popular. Even so there are lots of accounts where some of our famous painters had their servants not only carry their studio easel out to the fields but rather large canopies and other furniture in order for the artists and their entourage to be comfortable during the excursion.
Nowadays, the artist has many options in their gear and with newer technology and materials, the artists tools have become much lighter and mobile. If you’re an artist who ventures out of the studio, even if it’s to paint in another studio, more than likely you’ve come up with a method of bringing your preferred gear along. Often times, even plein air painters are just wandering a few feet from their car, but there are other times where one may want or need to travel some distance. That’s where “what’s in your bag” becomes important.
When a group of artists get together, it’s almost inevitable that the conversation will eventually include what the artist carries and what they can’t live without. For those artists who have only painted locally or just out of their cars, it’s not as important but if you have traveled much to paint or as a few, hike in to places, sometimes great distances, what you carry is vitally important. Let’s set aside air travel because I’ve already written about that previously. What is in an artist’s everyday kit and maybe a modification for different circumstances.
There are basic things an artist needs, whether it’s in a studio or out in the open air. Some artists may have a set of equipment that they use both in the studio and also away from the studio. Others may have separate kits. One set of tools for the studio and a totally separate but maybe identical set for taking outside or away. Ok, so I’m going to break the ice by telling you that I have a completely separate set of tools for the studio and plein air or painting away from my place. While they, brushes, paints, knives may be much the same, there are a few different items in my backpack or painting bag.
I’m an oil painter and there are certain things most of us need. With the advent of water miscible paints some painters have eliminated solvents but otherwise still use the same basic materials and tools. I am going to attempt to list what I consider necessary below.
§ Brushes
§ Paints
§ Rags or towels
§ Painting surface(s)
§ Palette
§ Solvent
§ Bag for garbage, towels etc.
§ Bag or case to carry the above items in.
§ Hat (sometimes a ball cap, other times larger brimmed)
What? Where’s the easel? Well the truth is an easel is nice but it isn’t an absolute necessity. You can put a canvas, panel or book on a rock or on your knees if you need to. The next list are the things that are nice to have (and are included in my kits).
§ Easel1
§ Tripod (I really consider this part of the easel system I carry)
§ Palette knives
§ Razor scraper
§ Painting medium(s)
§ Plastic bag(s) for dirty towels or rags2
The following are things that I carry and consider necessary for me but may not necessarily be on your list.
§ Extra solvent and medium(s)3
§ First aid tin4
§ Bug spray
§ Sunscreen
§ Sm pair of channel lock pliers (I always have a multi-tool but channel locks are better at opening a stuck paint cap, and other things)
§ Knife. I also always have a pocket or foldable knife at all times.
§ Theatrical clamps5
§ Length of para 550 cord (I carry around two-three yards +/-)
§ Umbrella6
§ Gloves7
1 There are many types and brand of plein air easels. I have grown accustomed to STRADA Easels and have three of them. Other people find the small pochade boxes suit their needs, others use the French easels and I’ve found on the East coast (of America) a traditional tripod easel is popular. Nowadays it’s manufactured by Take it Easel. The easel you chose has a lot to do with the size of work you normally produce. In a plein air kit, weight is an important consideration. I chose the Strada because I prefer to carry everything in a pack on my back, rather than carrying something in my hand or hands if I can avoid it.
2If push comes to shove, you can always store dirty towels in a pocket of your pack or kit but it’s much more efficient to have a container to put them in.
3I carry a small fuel can in my pack for a little extra solvent. It’s a MSR can that will not leak or break. There is always that chance you either spill or just plain need to replenish your solvent. I also carry a little 3oz plastic travel bottle with extra Alkyd walnut oil. In addition to these I usually have a small bottle of Liquin. 2.5 oz I believe.
4I believe it’s always a good idea to have some, if minimal first aid equipment with you. In our vehicles we carry pretty extensive first aid, including tourniquets but I don’t believe it’s necessary or want to carry that much with me. Coleman makes a little tin the size of an Altoids box that at least has some bandages, sterile wipes and such. Cheap and worth having with you.
5I carry two to three small theatrical clamps. They are used for clamping my garbage bag to the easel. Holding a paper towel down. Clamping something I need when I need it.
6An umbrella is really a luxury item. I usually just turn my easel and palette in a way that the sun isn’t shining directly on them. I use a 5’ photographers umbrella when I do use one. On a hot day, it not only shades your easel but you too.
7Gloves…. Many artists have started using surgical or mechanics gloves. I don’t find them useful and more of an annoyance than anything. There is nothing in oil paints that are particularly toxic unless you eat them or are sensitive to something. In the winter I throw in a pair of light weight fabric gloves into my pack. These are generally fine down into the 30s-40s. This is not for snow painting, which I’ve done down to 5° or so.
Something I mentioned above and included in the necessary list is painting substrate but didn’t go into how to carry them. Most but not all plein air painters paint rather small, at least if they are carrying their equipment more than a few steps from their vehicle. Additionally most paint on hard surfaces, whether it’s a gesso’d board or one that has canvas adhered to it. I’ve found the two easiest ways for me to carry them is either using a Panel Pack™️ or a panel case, such as those made by Raymar. Single stretched canvases are difficult to carry without damaging them. At least for any distance. I can usually stuff a panel pack into my backpack if necessary but many times just carry them in my hand. The Raymar case you can either sling over your shoulder or if you are hiking for some distance, strap on to your pack.
With all of this stuff, what do I carry it in and how much does it weigh? My backpack with all of the items listed above, not including painting substrates weighs in a slightly under 24lbs. As I mentioned above, I have three different easels so depending on which I am carrying, the weight can be reduced by 2-3 lbs. I also have a small very light weight tripod that I have used when traveling which can reduce the weight down another pound or so. My regular backpack is a 44 liter pack. I have a smaller 32 liter pack that I sometimes use if I’m traveling light. Mine are both Kelty’s but there are a number of packs that may suit your needs. You just want to make sure that it fits you and you have to be willing to have a backpack just for your painting equipment. Once it’s used much, you’re not going to want to use it for much else.
I also know of a couple of people who actually backpack in to places to paint, hearty souls they are. While they carry much of the stuff on my list but also include a sleeping bag, some food stuffs and other backpacking necessities.
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