Armand Cabrera
I paint from 4 x 6 up to 36 x 48 outdoors. There is no single system that is the perfect easel or Pochade box. That’s why I have different equipment for traveling as light as possible. The recent popularity of outdoor painting has made equipment more affordable. Whatever your preferred medium—whether it is watercolor, pastels, acrylic or oil painting—there are great solutions for your outdoor painting needs.
I originally published this article on www.OutdoorPainting.com five years ago. I have updated it with current information for today’s air travel restrictions.
Part 1FLYING WITH ONLY CARRY-ON LUGGAGE
Painting trips are a great way to renew the spark of creativity. When I travel to a painting spot for a week to ten days, I streamline my painting setup. I make sure I get all my equipment and clothes in my carry-on luggage. This minimizes loss and or damage to my painting gear. If carrying on your luggage is not an option, I recommend shipping it to the destination in advance. Airlines will not be responsible for damages to your expensive gear in checked luggage.
Solvents are prohibited on planes. I usually switch to water-based oils, acrylics or watercolors for my trips, unless I’ve got a contact at my destination who will supply my Gamsol. The new TSA rules allow liquid containers 3.4 ounces or less when placed in a clear zip-top quart-sized bag. A normal 37 ml tube is equal to 1.25 ounces. Large tubes of paint are more than 3.4 ounces, so remember to swap your big tube of white paint for a 37 ml tube. Otherwise the TSA will dispose of it. Remember, this quart bag must contain all your liquids, not just your paints, so leave room for bug spray, hand cream, toothpaste, and deodorant. Also, do not bring a paint scraper as the TSA does not allow sharp objects on planes anymore.
As long as you follow the 3-1-1 rule, you should be fine. The rule is as follows, and I quote from the TSA website:
“3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce bottle or less (by volume); 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3.4 oz. container size is a security measure.”
A collapsible brush holder works great for cleaning brushes. If it starts to leak, just place a Ziploc in it to hold the water.
I limit the size of my sketches to 12 x 16 or smaller when I fly. I cut a number of pieces of oil primed linen to size and only bring one board to clip my paintings onto, saving on weight and space. I use clips, rather than tape, because weather can make the adhesive on tape unreliable.
I place the blank panel in the Pochade box.
My collapsible brush holder slides under the panel in my Pochade box.
I roll my linen and place it in a clear mailing tube. When paintings are finished and dry, I roll them and replace them in the tube.
All my brushes and clips go into the tube also. I do this to make it easy for inspection at the airport.
The mailing tube and Pochade go into a high impact plastic briefcase. A pistol case is perfect for this. You can buy thin rolls of foam rubber to line the inside of the case to cushion the equipment. 
In my small luggage bag, I place all my clothes, toiletries, cell phone, camera and tripod. Airlines allow one briefcase and one small piece of luggage as carry-on items. I’m ready to go.
Resource List
Below are the vendors I used to purchase the equipment for this article. Please mention my name when purchasing from vendors.
Water soluble oil paints
Water soluble oil paints are manufactured by the following companies:
Windsor Newton Artisan
Holbein Duo
Holbein also makes the collapsible brush washer
AcrylicsGolden Acrylics makes a line of slow drying acrylics called Open. They are not quite the same as oils, but might be a solution for some people.
Paints and SolventPaint, turpentine and other art supplies, including the collapsible brush washer, can be purchased from most art stores. I use these national art supply distributors:
Cheap Joes
http://www.cheapjoes.com/
Daniel Smith 1-800-426-7923
http://www.danielsmith.com/
Jack Richeson
(800) 233-2404
http://www.richesonart.com/
Utretcht 1-800-223-9132http://www.utrecht.com/
Art Supply Warehouse
1-800-995-6778http://www.aswexpress.com/
I use Gamblin Oils and Gamsol odorless turpentine by Gamblin when I am painting with regular oil paints.
Canvas and Panels
I buy my linen panels and panel blanks from SourceTek.
http://www.canvaspanels.com/
800-587-5462
Pochade BoxesPochade boxes come in many sizes and configurations.
The following vendors make quality products. It’s best to speak with them to see if their products will satisfy your specific painting needs and budget.
Open Box M
1-800-473-8098
http://www.openboxm.com/
Artwork Essentials
949-856-2196
http://www.artworkessentials.com/
Wet Panel Carriers
Wet panel carriers are as varied as Pochade boxes. The Pochade vendors and Sourcetek offer wet panel carriers as part of their product line. A lightweight panel carrier is made by Raymar.
888.809.3314
http://www.raymarart.com/
Miscellaneous Gear
Extreme weather gear, clothing, backpacks and pistol cases can be purchased from a local sporting goods store or from an online store, such as Cabela’s.
1-800-237-4444
http://www.cabelas.com/
The plastic totes are available from Home Depot, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Target, etc. The 35 gallon tote I purchased cost about 8 dollars.
