There’s something special about painting outside. The way the light shifts, the breeze carries smells from the land, and the whole world becomes your studio. Over the years I’ve honed my plein air setup to be lightweight, simple, and just enough to get me going without fuss. Here’s a peek at the supplies I keep in my kit and why I love them.
My Go-To Easels
I bounce between two easels, depending on what I’m painting and how far I’m hiking.
The New Wave Ugo Pochade Box (I use the medium size) is my go-to for smaller panels. It’s compact, easy to carry, and customizable. You can add side trays and other accessories to make space for brushes, paper towel, and paint. Everything has a spot, which keeps my setup tidy and efficient. It mounts to a tripod and works well with panels in the 8x10, 9x12, 10x10, and 12x12 range. If I’m packing light and planning to paint something small, this is the one I bring.
The KraftGeek Field Easel is what I use when I want to go bigger. It’s especially great for panels 12x12 and up, and it easily holds both canvas panels and stretched canvases. I love how sturdy it is, even on uneven ground or windy days. It sets up super quickly, and the best part is it doesn’t require a separate tripod. The easel legs are built in, so it’s one less thing to carry. It doesn’t have as many accessories, but it still works beautifully when I want a more open, flexible setup. It works great in studio as well.
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Paints, Panels, and Brushes
I mostly use Tri-art high viscosity paints for plein air. They’re vibrant, creamy, and dry quickly enough that I can keep layering, but not so fast that I feel rushed. I also love them for a very practical reason: the caps. They stay on securely, don’t crack or fall off in my backpack, and help keep the paint from drying out. I used to use Golden, which makes beautiful paint, but I got so frustrated with the caps constantly popping off and making a mess.
I keep my colour choices simple with a limited palette, usually just one warm and one cool of each primary, plus lots of white. These are the colours I almost always bring:
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Titanium White (I bring a bigger tube because I go through it quickly)
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Cadmium Yellow Medium (warm)
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Bismuth Yellow Light (cool)
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Cadmium Red Medium (warm)
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Permanent Alizarin Crimson (cool)
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Cerulean Blue (warm)
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Ultramarine Blue (cool)
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To keep my paints workable while I’m out, I use a Sta-Wet Masterson palette. It helps keep my acrylics from drying out too fast, especially in sun or wind.
I paint on canvas panels, usually prepped with a base colour before I head out. A coloured ground helps me break the white of the surface and gives a nice undertone to the finished piece. I often use earthy pinks or golden ochres.
I usually only bring three brushes — a flat, a filbert, and a round. I’ve found that limiting my tools helps me focus more on the painting and less on overthinking.
Sketching Essentials
I always tuck a small sketchbook and a few pencils into my pack. Sometimes I’ll do a quick line sketch before painting to work out composition, or just scribble down colour notes and ideas if I’m not quite ready to dive in with paint. It’s also a great way to stay creative if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Small but Mighty Extras
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A mason jar for water (plus a lid for travel). It’s sturdy, doesn’t leak, and makes it easy to bring your paint water back to the studio so you can dispose of it safely instead of pouring it out on the ground.
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A spray bottle to keep my palette and paints from drying out
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Plastic bags (for trash, messy rags, or wrapping a wet panel if needed)
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Paper towel because I always need more than I think
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A tripod for my Ugo easel
Don’t Forget the Outdoor Essentials
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Bug spray is a must in the summer months, especially near water or at golden hour.
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Sunscreen I always apply before heading out, and keep a small tube in my backpack just in case,
My Backpack
Everything fits into my Mobius backpack by tentree (I use an older version of this one). It’s roomy, comfortable to carry, and made from sustainable materials. I love that it keeps my hands free when I’m walking to a painting spot, and the modular compartments make it easy to organize everything from brushes to snacks.
If you’ve been curious about painting outside but feel unsure where to start, I say keep it simple. A few supplies, a spot that speaks to you, and a willingness to experiment. That’s really all you need!
