Traveling doesn’t mean you have to leave your creativity behind. Whether you're road-tripping in an RV, sitting by the lake, or squeezing in a few peaceful minutes during a busy weekend, painting on the go is totally doable—with the right supplies.

In this post, I’m sharing everything I packed for a recent trip to my son’s baseball tournament. I even filmed a quick timelapse while painting in our RV—scroll down to watch the video and see these supplies in action!

My Go-To Travel Watercolor Supplies:

Here’s what I packed in my compact, no-fuss travel kit:

Ceramic Travel Palette

I love the feel of ceramic when mixing colors—it keeps things smooth and vibrant. It’s small, sturdy, and easy to clean.
👉 [Link to Palette]

2. Travel Brushes in Leather Pouch

This set comes with 4 different brush sizes and fits neatly into a pocket-sized leather pouch. It’s perfect for painting on the go without taking up much space.
👉 [Link to brushes]

3. Mechanical Pencil

Simple and reliable for sketching out ideas before painting. I prefer one that doesn’t need constant sharpening.
👉 [Link to Pencils]

4. Water Brushes

These brushes hold water in the handle, which makes them incredibly handy when you’re not near a sink. Great for quick sketches or small paintings outdoors.
👉 [Link to Water Brushes]

5. Artist Tape

I always tape my paper down before painting—especially when I’m on the move. It keeps the paper flat and clean, even in humid or bumpy conditions.
👉 [Link to Tape]

6. Hardboard

You won’t see me painting without it. I tape my paper to a piece of hardboard whether I’m at home or on the road. It helps prevent warping and keeps the corners protected.
👉 [Link to Hardboard Surface]

7. Reusable Snack Bags

Instead of disposable containers, I use small, reusable snack bags to stay organized:

A small one for holding folded paper towels
A slightly larger one to keep all my supplies together in one place

I sewed the ones you see in the video, but any small zippered or velcro pouch will work!
👉 [Link to similar products to the ones featured in my video]

8. Small Jar with Lid

This is my go-to water container when I’m not using a water brush. The plastic lid helps prevent spills in transit. This is a set of 2, so you’ll always have a backup. Or bring both and have a clean water and paint water jar.
👉 [Link to jars]

See It All in Action

Want to see how it all fits together—and what I painted?
Watch my video here: 👉 [Watch the Travel Watercolor Video]

Final Thoughts

Painting while traveling doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few thoughtfully chosen tools, you can create anywhere—even from the passenger seat of an RV. I hope this post helps you build a kit that works for you!

Got questions or want a peek inside more of my supplies? Let me know—I'd love to share more!

Some of these links are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting my art!

Painting on the Go: My Travel Watercolor Kit

My Go-To Travel Watercolor Supplies: