Why watercolor works well for travel
Watercolor is one of the easiest painting media to carry. Dry pans, a couple of brushes and a small pad fit in a coat pocket, there are no solvents to manage, and a sketch can be done in a short stop. The aim of travel painting is usually to capture a memory of a place, not to produce a gallery piece, so a lightweight, low-fuss kit is the best approach. If you prefer pencil and pen, see travel sketching for beginners.
What to pack
A small travel kit generally includes:
- A pocket palette or pan set. Many travel sets hold 12 to 24 half-pans. Fewer colors are easier to carry and use.
- One or two brushes. A travel round brush with a cap, or a water brush that holds water in the handle, are the common choices. See types of brushes for watercolor painting.
- A small sketchbook or pad. Choose watercolor paper, not general sketch paper, so washes do not buckle badly.
- A pencil and eraser. See how to draw for watercolor painting for light sketching methods.
- A cloth or paper towel.
- A small water container. A collapsible cup or a screw-top jar works, or a water brush on its own.
- Optional extras: a pen for line work, binder clips for windy days, a small mixing tray if your palette lacks one.
How to choose a travel set
When comparing pocket sets, consider:
- Pigment quality. Student-grade sets are cheaper and fine for sketching. Artist-grade pans usually offer stronger color and better lightfastness but cost more.
- Palette layout. Look for a lid or tray with mixing space. A set with no mixing area can be limiting.
- Size and weight. Check that it fits the bag you plan to carry.
- Refillability. Sets that allow you to swap in your own colors are flexible. You can also fill an empty tin with pans you choose yourself.
- Color range. A set with a warm and cool of each primary, plus an earth tone or two, covers most travel subjects.
There is no single best set for everyone, so choose based on budget and how often you will paint. The watercolor supplies for beginners guide explains paint grades.
Flying with watercolor paints
Rules can differ by country and airline and may change, so check the current guidance from your airline and the security authority of the places you travel through before packing.
In general, solid pan watercolors and brushes are usually carried without much trouble, while liquid paints, tubes, and water-filled brushes may be treated as liquids under carry-on limits. Empty water brushes can be filled after security. If you are unsure, pack questionable items in checked luggage or ask the airline. Keep any art knife or blade out of carry-on bags.
Tips for painting on the go
- Keep sketches short. Ten to twenty minutes is plenty. A quick sketch of a street corner is worth more than an unfinished ambitious scene.
- Simplify. Choose two or three big shapes and a limited set of colors.
- Paint the light parts first. Add darks last.
- Use a pen and wash approach. A waterproof pen with a light wash of color is fast and forgiving. See the best pens for ink drawing.
- Add notes. A few words about the place, date or weather make the page a travel journal.
- Let pages dry before closing the book. Wet pages can stick together. Separate with a sheet of scrap paper if needed.
- Be considerate. Do not block doorways or paths, and be aware of your surroundings.
For painting outdoors in more depth, see plein air painting in watercolor. If cityscapes are on your list, an easy cityscape watercolor tutorial gives a simple approach to buildings.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best watercolor travel set?
It depends on your budget and style. Look for a compact tin with good mixing space and a balanced range of colors, and consider refillable pans if you want to customize.
How to watercolor while traveling?
Carry a small kit, sketch lightly, work in short sessions and keep the subjects simple. A water brush makes it easy to paint without carrying much water.
Can I bring watercolor paint through TSA?
Rules vary and can change, so check the current guidance from the TSA or the authority that applies to your trip. Solid pans are usually less restricted than liquid paints or tubes.
What is the golden rule of watercolor?
A common guideline is to work from light to dark and to save the white of the paper, since light areas are hard to recover later.