I have been painting for 26 years now and painting plein aire for about 14 of those years. Painting "en plein aire" means painting outside on location. In 2005, after years of hauling so much gear, I was considering a pack mule named Pepe! My search began for a less cumbersome set of equipment. I tried many variations of lightening my load as well as reducing the amount of time it takes me to complete a painting on site. I now have two versions of a Plein Aire set of equipment. The Main one is a black Travel Bag with an adjustable wide strap for ease of wearing it across my body and roomy enough to carry a minimal amount painting supplies. I have carried this on many painting trips and love it. This bag and contents have been to Amsterdam, Prague, all over Ireland (twice) and of course my beloved Northwest. The 3"x5" size of paper I now use means the painting can be completed in an average of 30-45 minutes. If time is a crunch, I sketch the scene quickly and make notes on the back of the colors in the shadows for future reference. Missing from the photo is my small camera that I usually carry in my pocket. I take a reference photo of the scene chosen and then get right to painting.

Supplies include: 1 small squirt bottle of water, 1 each, 1/4", 1/2" and 1 " flat brush, a size 3 and 6 round travel brush, pencil, and 2 waterproof pens brown and black. 2 palettes loaded with my favorite watercolors, a kneeded eraser, a pencil sharpener, 3"x5" watercolor paper, a plastic 4 x 6 index card holder, a collapsible water container, business cards, and napkins or a couple paper towels.

I have discovered that if I paint or sketch something every day for 30 days prior to a trip I can get into the "zone" a lot quicker on location. It makes it easier to get the hand, eye, brain communication going on a moments notice.

Stay tuned for the ziplock quart size freezer bag plein aire paint kit.....  Happy Painting!