Plein Air Materials List
Easel
- Taylor Seamount Sketch Easel (Email me at [email protected] to purchase in-person)
- Taylor Seamount Tripod Shelf
- Nikon Compact Outdoor Tripod (Buy from B&H; the one from Amazon is missing the hook at the base of the central stalk)
- This tripod is compatible with the "narrow-legged" tripod shelf. It has an Arca-Swiss quick release system, but it comes with a quick-release plate so there's no need to buy an extra one with the easel.
- This tripod is compatible with the "narrow-legged" tripod shelf. It has an Arca-Swiss quick release system, but it comes with a quick-release plate so there's no need to buy an extra one with the easel.
Tips for purchasing a tripod:
- Decent tripods are common at thrift stores for less than $10. They are often found near sporting goods.
- Beware of new tripods that are $30 or less - they are usually flimsy. When investing in a new tripod, buy one with a hook at the base of the central stalk, so you can hang your backpack to stabilize in the wind.
- Choose a tripod without foam sheathing on the legs in case you’d like to add a tripod shelf to your setup.
Shade (Optional)
Many artist (myself included) prefer to shade their work. This prevents the drying effects of direct light and evens out dappled light.
A Wimberley Plamp II
12"x12" white collapsable diffusor
A really wide-brimmed hat with a chin strap
A Wimberley Plamp II
12"x12" white collapsable diffusor
A really wide-brimmed hat with a chin strap
Palette and Water
- DIY wet palette:
- 8.5'' x 3.4'' x 1.6'' Tin Pencil Case
- Microfiber cloth cut to size (trace the outline of the pencil case)
- Baking paper cut to size (trace the outline of the pencil case)
- 8 small ceramic magnets to tack down the corners of the baking paper
Tip: Tin works with magnets; stainless steel usually does not.
Tip: Keep a separate tin pencil case for your studio wet palette. When you get home from painting outdoors, transfer all your leftover paint to the studio tin and freeze. Wet oil and gouache paint can be frozen and saved for future use. Just beware to thaw out your gouache palette with it open to the air, otherwise the paint can become waterlogged.
- 2 oz or 4 oz tin candle cup (or a small plastic Nalgene with a magnet dropped in it)
- Reused Thayers Witch Hazel bottle (or another type of squeeze bottle) for wetting the microfiber cloth and filling the water cup
- Waste-water bottle for packing out paint water
Brushes
- Richeson Plein Air Travel Brush Set
- A small, stiff, fine-pointed calligraphy brush cut down to size to fit in the Richeson brush set holder
Towel
- Cotton T-shirt rags
- Binder clip or small plastic clamp to attach the rag to the easel
Paper
Budget alternative: Fluid Cold Press Watercolor Paper Block Easy-Block, 6x8”
- Binder clips for securing paper.
Paint
Note: My water-based palette is designed to mimic a traditional oil paint palette. I use watercolor for the translucent oil pigments and gouache for the opaque oil pigments.
Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor
- Burnt Sienna
- French Ultramarine
- Viridian
- Titanium White
- Helio Blue (a.k.a. pthalo blue)
- Vanadian Yellow
- Indian Yellow
- Olive Green
- Carmine
- Violet
- Ivory Black
- Cadmium Red (used rarely, only to achieve super-saturated reds)
Note: Shmincke Horadam gouache is formulated for fine artists (archival, single pigments) rather than designers. Designer brands offer lots of colors that are nonarchival and pre-mixed for convenience.