Plein Air Painting Gear: What’s in My Bag?
I was painting plein air at Descanso Gardens yesterday, using my new plein air setup for the first time, and I felt so legit—like, I am an artist!!
The gardens were bursting with spring color, with literal busloads of people gawking and snapping pictures of themselves, the flowers, and even a trash can. People stopped often to peek at my painting, ask questions, and, as is common, tell me they’ve always wanted to paint. A few were particularly curious about my setup, and I promised I’d write up a post about what I use and where to find it.
So here we are.
I actually have two setups I use depending on the situation. Today, I’m sharing the full plein air ensemble—the gear I use when I want to create finished work on location. This is the stuff I also use in the studio, but it packs up beautifully for a day in the gardens.
I’ve included Amazon affiliate links when I can. They help support my art practice, but I also encourage you to buy from local shops when possible. I’ve included some Pasadena-area favorites below.
My Go-To Gear for a Day Outdoors
When you're ready to move beyond sketchbook doodles and into full-size paintings, having the right gear can make a world of difference. Here's what I bring when I'm planning to stay a while:
En Plein Air Pro Watercolor Easel - A significant upgrade for me. It happens to be on sale right now. Buy on Amazon
Meeden Easel – My starter easel. It is inexpensive and very light. Having the tray that holds my paint and water right in front of me was a big deal. Buy on Amazon
SoHo Urban Artist Umbrella – It is usually easy to find a spot in the shade, but this baby is aces when the perfect place is in full sun. Buy on Amazon
Mr. Pen Airtight Palette – My first palette and still the best. 18 wells are not enough (for me), but I solved that with a bit of rubber cement and some half pans.
Buy on AmazonSilver Black Velvet Brushes – I’ve been through an astonishing number of brushes in my short art career. These are the best all-around brushes for me.
Buy on AmazonJapanese Brushes – A chance find at Kinokuniya Los Angeles, a Japanese bookstore. Fabulous quality for a tiny price.
Leyton Watercolor Paper – Lovely texture and takes a wash like a dream
Buy on AmazonBaohong Watercolor Paper - As good (or maybe better) than the gold standard Arches. For the moment it is still a bit less expensive than Arches.
Buy On Amazon
Paints: What I Actually Use (and What I Wish I Hadn’t)
Let’s talk about paint—because it makes a bigger difference than most beginners realize.
I started with the Winsor & Newton Cotman set. It’s compact and affordable, and it got me started. Buy on Amazon
But do I love it? Not really. The colors are weak, and I found myself fighting with the paint more than painting with it. If you’re truly unsure about watercolor and want the cheapest way in, fine. Otherwise, skip it.
A much better student-grade option is Grumbacher. It gives you better saturation, smoother mixing, and a much less frustrating experience overall.
Buy on Amazon
These days, I mostly use Daniel Smith professional watercolors, and I can’t imagine going back. The pigments are rich, the flow is gorgeous, and they make me look better than I am, which, frankly, is the dream. It is spendy stuff- and if money is a consideration, get the Grumbacher and invest in good paper.
Here are my go-to Daniel Smith colors, grouped by color family:
Yellows & Oranges
Hansa Yellow Medium
Quinacridone Gold
Quinacridone Burnt Orange
Reds & Pinks
Anthraquinoid Scarlet
Quinacridone Rose
Blues
Cerulean Blue
Cobalt Blue
French Ultramarine Blue
You can find all of these on Amazon, but I usually get mine from Blick Art Materials (they consistently have the best prices) or Blue Rooster, which is only a few pennies more and locally owned.
Want to travel light?
I also carry a pared-down ultralight sketch kit that fits in almost any bag—perfect for travel or those surprise moments when inspiration strikes. That setup deserves its own post, and it's coming soon.
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I write Studio Notes for fellow creatives, curious souls, and anyone navigating their Third Act with a little more color. It’s part story, part inspiration, part "here’s what’s actually working." Subscribe on Substack if that sounds like your kind of thing.
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