What I Pack to Make Art Anywhere | 10 Essential Art Supplies for Summer 2025

When I first started my art journey, I dreamed of being able to create anywhere—on a mountaintop, by a lake, or during a long walk through a new city. Nature fuels my creativity, and I’ve always loved the idea of packing a small kit of essentials and heading out to make something beautiful on the spot.

After years of experimenting, I’ve found a reliable set of tools and art supplies I pack that travel well, feel inspiring to use, and never weigh me down. Whether I’m hopping on a plane or heading down a dirt trail, these 10 supplies come with me every time.

✈️ A Quick Note on Flying with Art Supplies

Most art supplies are allowed on planes—both in carry-ons and checked bags—but there are a few rules. You can safely bring paper, brushes, pencils, pens, and dry media. Just be mindful with liquids (like inks or paint tubes), aerosols, or sharp tools, which may be subject to restrictions depending on the airline or destination.

My Tinker Tote Filled with Art Supplies

My Top 10 Travel Art Supplies

1. Renesans by Polska Professional Watercolor Paints These are my go-to paints for rich, blendable color. I use the half pans and load them into a portable tin palette. They’re a fantastic value for professional-grade paints, and I source them through A Little Creative Me in North America.

2. Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brushes I take these beautiful brushes out of their leather case and tuck them into my Tinker Tote. Their responsiveness and spring make them a joy to use on the road.

3. Collapsible Water Cup is a must. It folds flat, fits into my pouch, and pops open when I need a quick rinse cup—perfect for plein air painting or quick sketches.

4. Prismacolor Colored Pencils Soft, vibrant, and perfect for layering, these pencils travel well and are great for adding a touch of detail or color to a quick sketch.

5. Travel sketchbooks with Strathmore paper or Sax Brand Sulphite Drawing Paper text-weight paper. It’s light enough for easy packing, handles loose watercolor washes beautifully, and doubles as a place to jot down notes and observations while on the move. Another option for my traveling sketchbooks include Canson XL Watercolor Paper (140lb/300gsm)A classic for a reason. It’s a great all-around paper that stands up to mixed media, washes, and sketching alike.

6.Winsor & Newton Fineliner Fine Point Pen Set (Set of 3, Sepia) These fine point pens are a beautiful alternative to black ink. The warm sepia tones feel earthy and expressive, perfect for travel journaling or adding subtle linework to a sketch. I love how smoothly they glide across paper—and they tuck right into my Tinker Tote, of course.

7. Winsor & Newton Sketching Pencils Reliable, smooth, and satisfying to use. I always have a few tucked into my Tinker Tote—they’re great for line work, shading, and fast studies.

8. Pencil Sharpener (compact and travel-friendly) This one may seem simple, but a good sharpener makes all the difference. Mine fits perfectly in the Tinker Tote’s zip pouch.

9.Faber-Castell Kneaded Eraser with Case eraser comes with me everywhere. It’s reusable, moldable, and doesn’t smudge like traditional erasers—perfect for traveling and reworking a sketch on the go.

10. My Tinker Tote It’s the heart of my travel setup. It holds my brushes, pencils, paper, and little essentials all in one place. Compact, organized, and made for artists on the move.

Watercolor Painting at the Lake

Why I Always Pack Art Supplies When I Travel

For me, travel is a chance to observe, to slow down, and to see things differently. Whether I’m sitting in an off beat park or people-watching in a busy square, sketching helps me feel grounded. It’s a way to gather ideas, record textures and colors, or simply play with line and form without pressure.

And really, what better souvenir is there than a page filled with memories I created myself?

So next time you pack your bag, leave a little room for your sketchbook and brushes. You never know where inspiration will find you. 🖤Let your creativity flow, no matter where you go.