Gear Up: The Sequel

This is the second part of a post on plein air gear. The first was about choosing the right easel for you.

Many of you asked how I actually pack my paint gear when heading out into the field for plein air work.  Sorry it has taken so long.  Here goes...

This pic shows everything I pack with the exception of a small digital camera which I am using to take this photo. : )  All of this will pack in my backpack except for the tripod.  (Actually, I have two different sized Open Box M palettes.  IF I use the smaller one, the tripod will fit as well.) For 99% of my painting excursions, this is exactly what I pack. There may be a slight difference in size of Panelroo, but you get the idea.  I can either get one-8"x10" and one-6"x8" Panelroo inside the backpack together, OR  one-9"x12" Panelroo by itself.  (If I decide to take other sizes that are larger, I put them in a canvas tote-type bag and hang it over my shoulder.) Each Panelroo holds two panels safely without touching.

Here I have started packing the backpack.  No kidding... I bought this Eddie Bauer backpack at a Marshall's or something for about $12.  It's pretty worn out, but I just cannot bring myself to pay full price for a new one.

See how everything all stacks neatly? On the other side of the brush roll is a roll of paper towels. The backpack itself measures 18" tall by 11" wide and is approximately 7" deep with several smaller pockets and mesh pockets on either side.

I have used an interior pocket to hold the utility knife and some business cards and the mesh water-bottle pockets to hold the OMS can, sunscreen, metal brush holder, etc. on one side...

Bottled water, paint tubes (which I sometimes put in a paint roll), and bug spray are on the other side, and my sketchpad and viewfinder and a small pack of baby wipes are in the front pouches.

It certainly helps that I use a limited palette of only 3 colors and white. Usually I load fairly big piles of paint onto my palette from large tubes kept in the car, and pack the small tubes in my backpack for replenishing if needed.

Now it is all zipped up and ready to go except for the tripod.

Notice that I am a huge fan of cariabiner (clips)? I use them for everything I can think of.  Below I show how I clip the tripod to a loop on the backpack on either the side that hangs off my back, or the strap that my arm goes through placing the tripod on the front.  It just depends on the situation which I choose to do. 

Sometimes I take along a plein air umbrella.  I have a small one that will do in a pinch, and I can either cram it in the bag or in the canvas tote bag with the larger Panelroos I might carry. On occasion I also stick in a rain poncho there as well.

Well, that's it. Hope it was helpful.