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The Ultimate Backpack

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The Ultimate Backpack:
Professional Tips for Packing the Lightest Weight Painting Gear

Through trial and error, over the years, we have figured out how to pack for our foot-powered painting adventures.  We like to keep our heavy-duty Eagle Creek packs ready to go at a moment's notice with most of the tools that we might need.  However, since we work in a variety of media, the following pictures illustrate the different configurations that our equipment might take.  Of course, if we are working from a vehicle, we might just take everything!  This pack and watercolor easel have traveled to Europe and back several times, no worse for the wear, which proves that it is a good investment to spend more on top-quality equipment.   Note the carry handle attached to the pack - a very useful feature.

The Ultimate Backpack

Pack with light-weight Anderson Easel attached

Photo of The Ultimate Backpack First Pocket                    Photo of the Ultimate Backpack Second Pocket  
The smallest outside pocket is perfect for holding
small items you want frequent access to:
moleskin
waterproof matches
eyedrops/medications
sunblock/bug spray
glasses repair kit
medications
maps
compass/gps
travel journal
pencils/sharpeners/eraser/knife		The second pocket (next larger) is perfect for holding larger items:
small roll of paper towels
collapsible water container for painting
small sketchbook
view catcher
fleece gloves (chilly mornings)
emergency space blanket
hat

           Photo of The Ultimate Backpack Third Pocket                    Photo of the Ultimate Backpack Third Pocket Heavyweight Kit

The largest pocket when used for watercolor holds:
sketchbooks
folding ultralight watercolor painting palette
collapsible easel umbrella with universal clamp
brushes with case
mini-water bottle for wetting palette
raincoat/polar fleece (not shown)		This photo shows alternative heavier-weight watercolor set-up used for shorter hikes:
larger John Pike palette (allowing room for paint and mixing)
12 x 16" Arches watercolor block

 

Photo of Ultralight Anderson Easel                 Photo of Heavyweight Watercolor Setup


Ultra light-weight aluminum Anderson Easel with tilting head - perfect for watercolor
Anderson Easel setup with heavyweight watercolor gear.  Palette holder custom-made by author

        Photo of The Ultimate Backpack with Lightweight Pastel Gear                    Photo of the Ultimate Backpack with Lightweight Oil Gear         

This is the lightweight pastel gear which can alternatively be carried in the largest pocket:
Dakota art pastel carrier box (holds 96 sticks)
Sennelier pad of multi-colored sanded pastel cards
the author's custom-made Fome-Cor carrying box for finished pastel paintings		This is the lightweight oil gear which can alternatively be carried in the largest pocket:
10.5 x 13" Open Box M wooden oil palette
portable turpentine holder
zippered folding self-standing brush case
tripod for mounting wooden palette (not shown)


Photo of Dakota Art Pastel Box                    Photo of Fome-Cor Pastel Painting Storage Box

As shown above, the smaller Dakota Art Pastel Carrying Case - holds 96 full stick pastelsAs shown above, the author's custom Fome-Cor pastel painting storage box with glassine leaves


Photo of Dakota Art Pastels plein air gear                    Photo of John Hulsey painting watercolor en plein air in Colorado

As a contrast to the ultralight backpack gear, when painting nearer campsite or car,
it is sometimes worthwhile to carry heavier gear. 
This allows for a  greater selection of colors and more stability. 
These photos show the heavier gear in pastel (left) and watercolor (right).
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We are artists, authors and teachers with over 35 years of experience in painting the world's beautiful places. We created The Artist's Road in order to share our knowledge and experiences with you, and create a community of like-minded individuals.  You can learn more about us and see our original paintings by clicking on the links below.
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