PLEIN AIR PAINTING SUPPLIES
A comprehensive list of outdoor painting necessities
When painting outdoors (en plein air), these are the supplies I take with me. However, feel free to use what you are accustomed to.
Dress accordingly
- Check the local weather forecast. I recommend dressing in layers (in cold weather), with a neutral-colored shirt/coat.
Supplies
- Portable easel
- Canvas/panel/paper for paint on. Recommended size: aprox 8×10″ to 12×16″. Gessoed panels are great for oils.
- Paints. I will be working and demonstrating in oils. You’re welcome to work in your favorite medium of choice.
- Landscape palette: Click here for a list of paints/supplies I use for landscape painting.
- True Colors workshop palette: Click here to view a printable list and/or a prepared shopping cart.
- Palette layout: How I lay out the colors on my palette (approximate colors): Lefties / Righties
- Palette: wood with a nice patina or plexiglas.
- Painting medium: optional. A variety exist to improve the flow of your paints. Follow the fat-over-lean principle for long-lasting paintings.
- Solvent to clean brushes (oil: odorless mineral spirits; watercolor/acrylic: water. TIP: in winter, you can add alcohol to your water to keep it from freezing).
- Brushes: I use hog bristle filberts #2, 4, 6, and 8 and a flat #4 and 6 for landscapes.
- Palette knife: I use a thin diamond-shaped knife, about 2″ long x .5″ wide.
- Paper Towels
- Hat to shade from the sun’s glare
- Small trash bag for soiled towels
- Insect repellent
- Folding chair if needed
- Snack, bottled water
- Sense of humor
- Most of the supplies above can be purchased at DickBlick.com. Click here to view supplies: Ready-to-order Plein Air Painting Supply List. Printable list of supplies.
Wet paintings
- Be sure to have a shallow cardboard box in your car to keep your painting safely secure when traveling home. Here are a few wet canvas carrier options:
- Artwork Tuffbox by Road Cases– Heavy-duty wood cases, large sizes ($139+)
- Lightweight Painting Carriers by Raymar ($21+)
- Canvas Caddy– Carry your canvas like a suitcase ($10)
- Panel Pak– Lightweight carrier for panels (no stretchers) ($20+)
- Artwork Tuffbox by Road Cases
Questions? Please feel free to contact the studio.
Tim Chambers
