I've been making Arches blocks for years; love being able to make custom sizes, and way cheaper than buying them. I cut the backing board to size, clamp the sides with binder clips, glue edges with Lineco ph neutral PVA glue. Once dried cut a piece of black bellyband paper to make front flap and wrap over the top edge, then glue and clamp to the backboard . I usually put a piece of glassine over the top sheet just to keep it from getting messed up. Have a fun trip and happy painting 🙂
Thank you for the tips. My heart is very sick and I can't do things the way I used to. I don't want my husband to answer my every whim. Saying that, I want to paint again. Your tip for the water bottles are perfect for me as well. I am in a wheelchair and it is a pain just to empty water, but I don't like using dirty water. I like all of your travel tips and will adapt to a version for myself. I really love how you made your own watercolor paper pad. I am definitely going to make a pad and try it out.
I have carried my water brushes full on airplanes and have never had any problems. Also, I have used a silicone cupcake cup for water. Once I’m done, I can dump the water and collapse that thing really small. My solution to painting on airplanes are water soluble colored pencils. They let you bring pencil sharpeners onto airplanes so it’s not really a problem getting them sharp. They are a lot less of a problem than a paint box. The other solution is either Peerless or Viviva watercolors, which are super lightweight and dry really fast.
I make my pads by using hot glue all around the edges after they are stacked. I squirt the glue on one side then smooth it down with the hot tip. I continue this process leaving a space on one side to lift the top sheet off.
A couple of things I thought while watching your video. Your waste water bottle, maybe try and use a wide necked orange juice bottle. It might make it easier to pour into. And I always wipe my brush a couple of times on my cloth before rinsing and the cleanness of the water lasts longer. I use those microfiber facecloth sized clothes for my painting rag. They work a treat. They are absorbent, easy to launder, have no lint or threads to deal with like an old torn up rag, and they are cheap. Have a lovely holiday.
A tiny spray bottle is a good bonus. Also some small isopropyl alcohol pad like what you use for first aid. Smaller than sanitizer wipes and they are great for cleaning up that little spatter that might “stain” the airplane tray table. Very tiny and handy. Great video! Thanks!!!
I would love to see a video of you actually painting on the plane. I can NOT even imagine the fuss on those tiny tables. I would be spilling and dropping stuff everywhere! The comment to bring water soluble pencils might be easier for clumsy moi. I always tuck my travel art stuff into backpack or suitcase and many of your items are in my bag too! Excellent ideas here!
Great video .. I use a small spray bottle to wet my paints (travel sized that eye glass cleaner comes in or plastic auto mixer for perfume) I travel with gouache - and rewet them .. traveling with a tube of white too. I’d be VERY interested in the update - once you tried this set up what worked and what didn’t. :
I make my own blocks using aches pad paper which is cheaper than blocks. My favorite is buying the 9-12 pad, cutting it in half to make 6x9 sheets, gather them up and add a backing board cut from the cardboard from pad, clamp all together and glue around the edges of the paper stack with Lineco glue (just tape off a small area to insert a palette knife). I add the cover of the pad as a cover for the new block so nothing goes to waste! 1 9x12 pad makes a 24 sheet 6x9 block for about $17. It sounds like a hassle, but it is really very easy and saves some $$.
I really like my portable painter and it has 2 water containers that are part of the cover. They would be easy to empty into your waste water container.
Great setup! Tip for the brushes: with a pencil sharpener, sharpen the tips of the brushes, to scratch the paper to create texture, grasses, etc. Water brushes are also great, if you find one you like. I make my own sketchbooks, by folding Arches or fabriano paper. I bind them with thread, just 8 pages each, so I dont have to carry lots of pages during the day. I bring 3/6 such sketchbooks on a trip...and take one at a time during the days I am painting. I never paint 8 pages a day!
Another great thing is just a hand fan. The collapsible kind. They are great for keeping yourself cool and drying sweat and paint. I don’t keep mine in my art set, it just goes in my regular handbag for the plane. Great for those time when the plane is just sitting on the runway and it’s hot and stuffy. Also handy if traveling somewhere warm.
Looks like quite a large kit. I paint while traveling all the time - on planes - yep lots. Size matters. You can get much smaller with it all - but I hope what you have suits how you work. The water brushes are not good - if you paint lots - they are really annoying and don't have a nice feel. I have invested in high quality travel brushes - best investment ever! For clean easy - I use a black (terry cloth) wrist "sweat" band. If you use lots of water - just get a bigger mouth plastic bottle and just use that. For as much as you might try to do on the plane - you probably won't need to change water so much - or just change it out when you have a bathroom break. I use a salad dressing cup with a secure lid - it's enough water and does not spill. I also quilt and knit on planes - beyond just drawing and watercolor... many fun makers tasks - but it is the size of the kit that makes or breaks the experience. Please post your resultant work and how the plan worked out (or didn't).
This travel kit is great. Love your idea for dirty water. That would work in places where you don't want to just dump it. How do you protect and carry the finished paintings?? As I understand blocks, you need to slice it off to get to the next sheet.
Hi Amy! I just keep my finished paintings in a sturdy folder once they're dry - you could add a rigid piece of cardboard or use a stiff cardboard mailer instead to keep them safe until you get home. :)
Headphones+ a cap can help. Sunglasses, too, if they don't bother you in terms of seeing the colors well. Maybe start with a pencil drawing? That stands out less.
The Frugal Crafter uses little bottles of water flavor to load her water brushes while traveling. I haven’t tried it yet but I bought some concentrated mouthwash (Scope brand) and have just finished it so I can try that trick now.
Loved this video - lots of great ideas - I had thought of a collapsible water cup before, but got stuck at the disposal part so the funnel is a great idea! I would include a small piece of Magic Eraser to clean up paint drops if needed. I think you'll like the Pentel water brushes better, but the Michaels ones are ok. Finally - The SBV Travel brushes are WELL worth their $$. I can do ANYTHING, even details, with a round 8 - it feels just like my regular one. Hope you really enjoy your trip!
Oh good to know about the SBV travel brushes, thanks! I will try one out sometime! And I will do a test run on both of the water brushes before I decide which brand to bring. I don't want anything leaking all over my painting!
Putting those clear tubes will prob ruin your brushes , they are not meant to be reused. It is very easy to catch hairs. And BTW the pentel Aqua water brushes are the best.. they way to carry “paint” is to label it as “artist pigments”.
Very cool! I usually just bring markers on a plane. Last time I just used the Procreate application for the iPhone and had a lot of fun. Oh, one more thing don't wear a white shirt…
When I've painted on a plane I took my water pens and water colour pencils ,mechanical pencil, rubber ,fine line pen, water spray bottle, but the next time I travel I own a small w/c palette with a little jar of h/made gouache , water brushes, spray bottle, block pad, normal brushes that are short,mechanical pencil,rubber,black pen.
Hi! You could try this link for a cup on Amazon, and see if it works better: www.amazon.com/Faber-Castell-Water-Cup-Clic-Turquoise/dp/B09Q2Z844R/ref=sr_1_6?crid=HPDEYSUV1W51&keywords=collapsible+water+cup&qid=1695725367&sprefix=collapsible+water+cu%2Caps%2C398&sr=8-6 Good luck!
Colored painter tape (blue) bleeds the color when wet with water.... by now you probably already know that. If you can't afford or find drafting tape... take regular masking tape and apply the piece to your pant leg or some other material to pick up small material "dust" than use for your paper and it will not rip paper when removing it.
Interesting, I've been using blue painter's tape for years (as well as the beige colored painter's tape), and the blue has never bled color for me. Perhaps it matters what brand is used? I always use Scotch professional painter's tape and Arches cold press paper. No problems at all. Good to be aware of though in case the brand of tape or paper makes a difference!
I painted on a airline I used the watercolour pens I took the extra gouache didn't get hassle at the airport either the trick is tell the truth and everything will be fine
For me, that’s too much stuff. I know I’d be fidgeting and knocking all those items everywhere. For a plane or a train, I just use a water brush and watercolor pencils or a very tiny palette, a pad: 3.5 x 5” or 4.5 x 4.5” and a small rag or paper towel.
Lineco also sells Pad/Book Compound specifically for binding the edges
I've been making Arches blocks for years; love being able to make custom sizes, and way cheaper than buying them. I cut the backing board to size, clamp the sides with binder clips, glue edges with Lineco ph neutral PVA glue. Once dried cut a piece of black bellyband paper to make front flap and wrap over the top edge, then glue and clamp to the backboard . I usually put a piece of glassine over the top sheet just to keep it from getting messed up. Have a fun trip and happy painting 🙂
Thank you for the tips. My heart is very sick and I can't do things the way I used to. I don't want my husband to answer my every whim. Saying that, I want to paint again. Your tip for the water bottles are perfect for me as well. I am in a wheelchair and it is a pain just to empty water, but I don't like using dirty water. I like all of your travel tips and will adapt to a version for myself. I really love how you made your own watercolor paper pad. I am definitely going to make a pad and try it out.
I have carried my water brushes full on airplanes and have never had any problems. Also, I have used a silicone cupcake cup for water. Once I’m done, I can dump the water and collapse that thing really small. My solution to painting on airplanes are water soluble colored pencils. They let you bring pencil sharpeners onto airplanes so it’s not really a problem getting them sharp. They are a lot less of a problem than a paint box. The other solution is either Peerless or Viviva watercolors, which are super lightweight and dry really fast.
A flight attendant told me to use damp a sponge/s to clean my brush instead of water.
I make my pads by using hot glue all around the edges after they are stacked. I squirt the glue on one side then smooth it down with the hot tip. I continue this process leaving a space on one side to lift the top sheet off.
A couple of things I thought while watching your video. Your waste water bottle, maybe try and use a wide necked orange juice bottle. It might make it easier to pour into. And I always wipe my brush a couple of times on my cloth before rinsing and the cleanness of the water lasts longer. I use those microfiber facecloth sized clothes for my painting rag. They work a treat. They are absorbent, easy to launder, have no lint or threads to deal with like an old torn up rag, and they are cheap. Have a lovely holiday.
Those are wonderful tips! I will add those to my list, thank you so much!
This has to be the best airplane kit video on the entire internet. Thank you!
Thank you so much! Glad it was helpful!
I like your cotton hankie tip! Thanks.
That first long block of paper would probably make two nice small travel pads if you could somehow cut it in half
FedEx, Staples, etc., will do it for a charge!
A tiny spray bottle is a good bonus. Also some small isopropyl alcohol pad like what you use for first aid. Smaller than sanitizer wipes and they are great for cleaning up that little spatter that might “stain” the airplane tray table. Very tiny and handy.
Great video! Thanks!!!
I painted on my last flight. It was interesting haha. I do love waterbrushes when travelling though.
I would love to see a video of you actually painting on the plane. I can NOT even imagine the fuss on those tiny tables. I would be spilling and dropping stuff everywhere! The comment to bring water soluble pencils might be easier for clumsy moi. I always tuck my travel art stuff into backpack or suitcase and many of your items are in my bag too! Excellent ideas here!
Great ideas not only for a airplane but plain air in general Love the stack of watercolor paper .
Great video .. I use a small spray bottle to wet my paints (travel sized that eye glass cleaner comes in or plastic auto mixer for perfume) I travel with gouache - and rewet them .. traveling with a tube of white too. I’d be VERY interested in the update - once you tried this set up what worked and what didn’t. :
Love the Aqua Elite brush. Mine is a size 10 and holds such a great point. I use it to paint miniatures.😊
I make my own blocks using aches pad paper which is cheaper than blocks. My favorite is buying the 9-12 pad, cutting it in half to make 6x9 sheets, gather them up and add a backing board cut from the cardboard from pad, clamp all together and glue around the edges of the paper stack with Lineco glue (just tape off a small area to insert a palette knife). I add the cover of the pad as a cover for the new block so nothing goes to waste! 1 9x12 pad makes a 24 sheet 6x9 block for about $17. It sounds like a hassle, but it is really very easy and saves some $$.
I love your ideas! Thank you!!!
I really like my portable painter and it has 2 water containers that are part of the cover. They would be easy to empty into your waste water container.
Good idea! I'll check it out, thanks!!
Great setup! Tip for the brushes: with a pencil sharpener, sharpen the tips of the brushes, to scratch the paper to create texture, grasses, etc. Water brushes are also great, if you find one you like. I make my own sketchbooks, by folding Arches or fabriano paper. I bind them with thread, just 8 pages each, so I dont have to carry lots of pages during the day. I bring 3/6 such sketchbooks on a trip...and take one at a time during the days I am painting. I never paint 8 pages a day!
I found your video very helpful, thank you.
Lynsay the frugal crafter shows you how to make your own glued water paper blocks
Another great thing is just a hand fan. The collapsible kind. They are great for keeping yourself cool and drying sweat and paint. I don’t keep mine in my art set, it just goes in my regular handbag for the plane. Great for those time when the plane is just sitting on the runway and it’s hot and stuffy. Also handy if traveling somewhere warm.
I love how you manage your stuffs. You’re so thoughtful person. Thank you so much for sharing. 🙏🏻
Looks like quite a large kit. I paint while traveling all the time - on planes - yep lots. Size matters. You can get much smaller with it all - but I hope what you have suits how you work. The water brushes are not good - if you paint lots - they are really annoying and don't have a nice feel. I have invested in high quality travel brushes - best investment ever! For clean easy - I use a black (terry cloth) wrist "sweat" band. If you use lots of water - just get a bigger mouth plastic bottle and just use that. For as much as you might try to do on the plane - you probably won't need to change water so much - or just change it out when you have a bathroom break. I use a salad dressing cup with a secure lid - it's enough water and does not spill. I also quilt and knit on planes - beyond just drawing and watercolor... many fun makers tasks - but it is the size of the kit that makes or breaks the experience. Please post your resultant work and how the plan worked out (or didn't).
Loved this!
This travel kit is great. Love your idea for dirty water. That would work in places where you don't want to just dump it. How do you protect and carry the finished paintings?? As I understand blocks, you need to slice it off to get to the next sheet.
Hi Amy! I just keep my finished paintings in a sturdy folder once they're dry - you could add a rigid piece of cardboard or use a stiff cardboard mailer instead to keep them safe until you get home. :)
Brilliant thank you!
You're welcome! Thanks for the sub! :)
Thanks for a great video with lots of good suggestions! New sub. 😊♥️
This is great info. I wish I wasn't so shy. I can't paint in front of anyone.
Headphones+ a cap can help. Sunglasses, too, if they don't bother you in terms of seeing the colors well.
Maybe start with a pencil drawing? That stands out less.
The Frugal Crafter uses little bottles of water flavor to load her water brushes while traveling. I haven’t tried it yet but I bought some concentrated mouthwash (Scope brand) and have just finished it so I can try that trick now.
Brilliant idea to create your own block!
Loved this video - lots of great ideas - I had thought of a collapsible water cup before, but got stuck at the disposal part so the funnel is a great idea! I would include a small piece of Magic Eraser to clean up paint drops if needed. I think you'll like the Pentel water brushes better, but the Michaels ones are ok. Finally - The SBV Travel brushes are WELL worth their $$. I can do ANYTHING, even details, with a round 8 - it feels just like my regular one. Hope you really enjoy your trip!
Oh good to know about the SBV travel brushes, thanks! I will try one out sometime! And I will do a test run on both of the water brushes before I decide which brand to bring. I don't want anything leaking all over my painting!
What does SBV stand for?
@@arlyhelm6219 Silver Black Velvet brushes
@@susanmouser2727 Thank you
Putting those clear tubes will prob ruin your brushes , they are not meant to be reused. It is very easy to catch hairs. And BTW the pentel Aqua water brushes are the best.. they way to carry “paint” is to label it as “artist pigments”.
You can also get makeup brush protectors to use for your paintbrushes.
I did not know that! That is such a great idea, thank you for sharing!
I didn’t know such a thing existed!
Very cool! I usually just bring markers on a plane. Last time I just used the Procreate application for the iPhone and had a lot of fun. Oh, one more thing don't wear a white shirt…
You might be able to use a letter opener with that little blade in it
When I've painted on a plane I took my water pens and water colour pencils ,mechanical pencil, rubber ,fine line pen, water spray bottle, but the next time I travel I own a small w/c palette with a little jar of h/made gouache , water brushes, spray bottle, block pad, normal brushes that are short,mechanical pencil,rubber,black pen.
Brilliant idea!
I'm curious if you have another link for the collapsible water cup. The above link doesn't work for me.
Hi! You could try this link for a cup on Amazon, and see if it works better: www.amazon.com/Faber-Castell-Water-Cup-Clic-Turquoise/dp/B09Q2Z844R/ref=sr_1_6?crid=HPDEYSUV1W51&keywords=collapsible+water+cup&qid=1695725367&sprefix=collapsible+water+cu%2Caps%2C398&sr=8-6 Good luck!
I saw them at hobbylobby
Colored painter tape (blue) bleeds the color when wet with water.... by now you probably already know that. If you can't afford or find drafting tape... take regular masking tape and apply the piece to your pant leg or some other material to pick up small material "dust" than use for your paper and it will not rip paper when removing it.
Interesting, I've been using blue painter's tape for years (as well as the beige colored painter's tape), and the blue has never bled color for me. Perhaps it matters what brand is used? I always use Scotch professional painter's tape and Arches cold press paper. No problems at all. Good to be aware of though in case the brand of tape or paper makes a difference!
I painted on a airline I used the watercolour pens I took the extra gouache didn't get hassle at the airport either the trick is tell the truth and everything will be fine
There is an element of randomness, as thousands of employees make on the fly decisions
For me, that’s too much stuff. I know I’d be fidgeting and knocking all those items everywhere. For a plane or a train, I just use a water brush and watercolor pencils or a very tiny palette, a pad: 3.5 x 5” or 4.5 x 4.5” and a small rag or paper towel.
How did it turn out? I'm flying this month.