I’m currently soaking in the beauty of Utah and, of course, brought my acrylic paints along for the ride! I set up a little makeshift studio and have all my supplies with me— paints, canvases, brushes, even some gold leaf. But it got me wondering—when you travel, do you bring your paints, or do you take a creative break? If you’re like me and can’t leave your art behind, here’s a list of essential paint supplies for traveling, plus some clever storage hacks to keep your mobile art studio organized!
1. Favorite Paints
Acrylic paints dry fast and are perfect for travel. Instead of full-sized tubes, I love using 2oz bottles from DecoArt—they’re small, vibrant, and easy to pack! (By the way, you can get 50% OFF DecoArt paints each month inside Paint Party Headquarters!)
Storage Hack: Pack your paint bottles in a Ziploc or plastic bag to prevent spills (no one wants a paint explosion in their suitcase). A small pencil case or makeup bag works great for organizing them!
2. Red Solo Cup….Let’s Have a Paint Party!
Need something to rinse your brushes while you paint? Solo cups are a great, simple solution! They’re lightweight, durable, and easy to find. You can rinse them out and reuse them throughout your trip, making them a handy go-to for traveling artists.
Storage Hack: Stack a couple of Solo cups together to save space. You can tuck them into the corner of your bag or suitcase, and they’re ready to go whenever you need to clean your brushes!
3. Practical Assortment of Brushes
Now, if you’re like me, you’re going to want to bring your favorite brushes along! Pack a few sizes to give yourself options for different techniques. The key is protecting the bristles during travel. Want access to my favorite brushes? Join PPHQ to get a list of all my favorite supplies!
Storage Hack: Use a pencil case or wrap your brushes in a soft cloth or brush roll to keep the bristles safe. You can also pop them in a cardboard tube or plastic container to avoid any bending or fraying in your bag.
4. Small Canvases
Small canvases are perfect for painting on the go. They’re easy to pack, and you can create travel-inspired art as souvenirs from your adventures.
Storage Hack: Slide your canvases into a laptop sleeve or document folder to keep them from getting bent or damaged.
5. Paint Palettes (aka Paper Plates)
Forget bulky palettes—just grab a few paper plates! They’re perfect for mixing colors on the go, and you can toss them out when you’re done. Super convenient, especially when you’re traveling and don’t want to carry extra cleaning supplies.
Storage Hack: Stack a few plates together and slip them into a resealable plastic bag or a folder. This keeps them flat and prevents paint smudges in your bag!
6. Gold Leaf Sheets
I always travel with gold leaf. It adds that extra sparkle to any painting, and it takes up hardly any space.
Storage Hack: Keep gold leaf sheets in their original packaging, but protect them by placing them between two pieces of cardboard or in a clipboard.
7. Hat to Paint On
You know I love painting hats! Hats are lightweight and fun to paint, making them a perfect travel project.
Storage Hack: Stuff your hat with softer items like brushes or paper to keep its shape while traveling.
8. Get Creative with Travel Mementos!
Here’s a fun tip: look for unique, sentimental items to paint on while you travel– like shells or rocks! I picked up a few rocks while hiking in Utah, and I’ll be painting them later. Rocks and shells are a great natural canvas and turning your trip mementos into art makes for a creative keepsake you’ll cherish!
Storage Hack: Wrap rocks or shells in a cloth or small bag to keep them from scratching your other supplies.
So, do you bring your paints when you travel, or do you take a break? Personally, I love creating wherever I go! If you’re curious about making money through paint parties or want more fun creative tips, check out Paint Party Headquarters for all the details!
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