Hi Doug and Sue,

I know it’s aways off - but I’m working out packing my supplies for Pleine air travel. 

My current setup 9x12 Gorilla Box with a good tripod. The Gorilla Box takes up most of a good sized rolling suitcase. It’s annoying!! But I’ll stick with it if you think I should. 

Can you share your setups with me? I’m open to investing in a smaller or lighter but useful setup. 

Much thanks!!

Jenny

Here's what we wrote:

Hi Jenny,

We are definitely planning a Zoom call about this!  It's about personal preference but also about a ton of practicality.

I'm not entirely sure what Doug is thinking about for himself, but I am happy to share my thoughts.

I am leaving my oils behind for this trip and plan to take a core set of acrylics, as well as stripped down sets of watercolour and gouache.  Because we will be hopping on and off the bus at perhaps 3 or 4 painting spots per day, I want my own set up to be light, quick and easy.  My current set-up is a 12x16 pochade box (bulky, although light) on a camera tripod, (bulky and heavy). I know I need to think of something better for the situation.

I have my eye on a small pochade box like the u-go 6x8 or a little light thumb box like the Fuumii. Doug has both of these in the store and both are awesome. The u-go will work well for oil (tubes of paint and brushes can be transported in ziploc bags for ease of transport in luggage. Strada also has a lovely mini set up but oh-so-pricey! I think I might go with something like this and a folding stool so that I can work seated with my stuff on the ground around me. It will all pop in and out of a backpack easily and take a mere 'open, put out support, put out paint minute to set up and get going'.

Several people I know who travel a lot to paint, work on paper or unstretched canvas pieces that can be taped onto a rigid surface for painting, rather than a bunch of panels (3-4 per day could get heavy!), and then the work is stored in a wet painting carrier. Great idea!