Handouts and Resources for Artists

Plein Air Kits

I wrote the following for an Abstract Art Collective annual trip to Santa Cruz Island, in the footsteps of Diebenkorn. 

SUGGESTED ARTISTS PAINTING KITS

You will have to bring everything you want to use; there are no art supplies on the island. If you want a full kit, be sure that you can fit it in a backpack or something similar. Assemble your kit and do a plein air outing before the island trip, to test that you have all the equipment you need and that it works for you. You’ll need a support (paper, panel) and something to mark or paint with, and a camera/smart phone if you want.

Typical backpocket kit. Good for everyone in case of a long hike :

Small sketchpad, short pencil, eraser, sharpener, in a sandwich bag size container.

Small water-based painting kit: fanny pack size.

Gouache, water color or acrylic paint (bring 2 reds, 2 blues, 2 yellows, white and black if you use them)

Water container that can travel in a truck ; water sprayer (optional)

Paper or support of choice

Brush , utensils, tape if needed for support

(A bathroom kit bag is a good container for one of these kits.)

Oil painting kit (large backpack):

Oil paints , brushes

Easel suitable for plein air work (tripod, support stand and supply box in one, like a wood Yarka or Julien, or separate easel and pochade box)

Odorless mineral spirits in tight travel-proof container

Medium if you must have it, in a travel-proof container

Prepared supports

Something in which to transport wet paintings back to base camp

Rags or paper towels

Bag to carry soiled rags or paper towels

(Backpack)

The best easel for standup painting is one that can fit in a backpack. Otherwise you’d have to paint right near the truck.

Plein Air Pro used to make light easel set ups for pastels, watercolor or oils

Open Box M makes a good very small pochade box; you would need to add a tripod. Tripods are widely available at thrift shops.

If you sit while painting, you can bring a light folding chair and stay near the truck to paint or figure out how to hike with it. Or you can sit on the ground. If you stand, bring an easel. And, of course, always pack a hat, sunscreen, water for drinking as well as painting, a snack and layers of clothing in case of weather change. The island is rugged and trucks are old.

Questions? Text Meg Ricks, 805 729 4620