Travel Art Supplies: The Best Portable Art Kits for Sketching, Painting & Creating on the Go

Portable Art Kits, Mini Watercolour Sets & Creative Gear for Artists on the Move

It’s officially Australia’s biggest travel season, and artists all over the country are packing bags, loading cars and boarding planes with that familiar feeling of I don’t want to forget this. Travelling has a way of slowing you down in the best possible way. You notice colours more clearly, light behaves differently, and suddenly small, ordinary details feel worth capturing. A photo can record where you were, but it rarely captures how it actually felt to be there.

That’s where travel art comes in. Sketching or painting while you travel lets you sit with a place for a few extra minutes, long enough to understand it. The curve of a road, the colour of the sky just before dusk, the fruit shop you’d never notice at home. Travel art supplies make it possible to capture those moments without turning your trip into a logistics exercise. You shouldn’t need to bring your entire studio to paint on the go, and you definitely shouldn’t need perfect conditions or hours of free time.

Here at Art Shed, we didn’t just guess what works. Our in-house artists tested portable art kits across real travel scenarios, from road trips and flights to weekend getaways and quick outdoor painting sessions close to home. The result is a curated selection of travel art supplies that are genuinely tried and tested, from pocket-sized watercolour sets to lightweight sketching tools and portable painting supplies that earns its place in your bag, these are the tools that make it easier to capture moments a camera never quite gets right. 

What is a travel art kit?

A travel art kit is a deliberately stripped-back version of your usual setup. It’s not about squeezing your whole studio into a bag and hoping for the best. It’s about choosing art supplies that earn their place when space, time and patience are limited. The best travel art kits are compact, quick to use and flexible enough to work wherever you land.

Most travel art kits are built around portable formats like mini watercolour sets, half pan palettes, sketching kits and small pads or journals. These are supplies designed to fit into carry-on luggage, backpacks and day bags, and to be used in real-life situations, not ideal ones. Think café tables, park benches, car seats, lookouts and slightly wobbly outdoor surfaces. Travel art supplies need to handle short sessions, changing light and imperfect conditions without becoming a hassle.

What goes into your travel art kit depends on how you travel and how you work. Some artists keep it ultra-light with a pocket watercolour set and sketchbook. Others build slightly bigger kits for road trips or longer stays, adding acrylics, oil sticks or simple field tools. The rule we stand by is simple: the best art supplies for travel are the ones you’ll actually pull out and use, not the ones that feel impressive but stay zipped up the whole trip.

Tip from the Shed: painting on the go without overthinking it

When you’re creating a scene while travelling, start by blocking in the big shapes and main colours first. Don’t worry about details, edges or finishing everything on the spot. If time is tight, take a quick photo and add the finer details later in your sketchbook or back at your accommodation. This approach keeps travel painting relaxed and makes it easier to work in short sessions without losing the feel of the place.

Watercolour Travel Kits

Portable watercolour sets that actually earn their spot in your bag

Watercolour is a travel favourite because it adapts. It works when you only have ten minutes, when your surface isn’t perfect, and when inspiration hits mid-journey. But not all travel watercolour kits are built the same. Some are designed for fast line-and-wash sketching, some for colour exploration, and some for proper outdoor painting without a table in sight. These are the watercolour travel kits that stand out for how they’re designed, not just how small they pack down.

Derwent Line & Wash Paint Pan Set with Line Makers

This is a kit built for artists who think in lines first and colour second. The inclusion of fine line markers alongside watercolour pans makes it ideal for urban sketching, travel illustration and architectural scenes where structure matters. Instead of juggling pens and paints separately, everything lives in one compact case, which keeps setup fast and decisions minimal. It’s especially good for artists who sketch on the move and want clean, confident line work before loosening things up with washes.

Mont Marte Watercolour Half Pan Set 20pc

This set is about colour freedom rather than minimalism. With 20 half pans, it gives you far more range than a pocket set, which makes it easier to respond to changing landscapes, foliage and light while travelling. It’s still compact enough for backpacks and day bags, but it’s better suited to road trips or longer stays where you know you’ll be painting regularly. A great choice for artists who don’t want to feel boxed in by a tiny palette.

Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolour 8 Half Pan Pocket Set – Landscape

This is the definition of a grab-and-go travel watercolour set. The compact pocket design includes eight landscape-focused half pans and a built-in brush, so you can paint straight out of the case without adding anything else to your kit. It’s small enough to slip into a jacket pocket or handbag, making it ideal for flights, day trips and spontaneous sketches. The landscape version is part of a wider Cotman Pocket range, with themed colour selections available depending on what you like to paint.
Click here to explore the full Winsor & Newton Cotman Pocket Watercolour range.

Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolour Compact Set – 14 Half Pans + Brush

This compact set is for artists who want more choice without jumping up to a full studio palette. Fourteen half pans offer a broader mixing range than the pocket sets, while the included brush keeps the kit self-contained. It still travels well in backpacks and carry-on luggage, but gives you more flexibility for varied subjects like city scenes, landscapes and travel journaling. Ideal for artists who paint often while travelling and don’t want to compromise on colour options.

Derwent Inktense 12 Pan Ink / Watercolour Paint Travel Set

Inktense is a favourite for travel artists who like bold colour and layered work. These pans activate like watercolour but dry permanent, which means you can build layers without disturbing what’s underneath. That makes this set especially useful for mixed media travel journals, line-and-wash work and more graphic styles. Compact and highly pigmented, it’s a smart option for artists who want strong colour that holds up to reworking.

Sennelier La Petite Aquarelle Hands-Free Watercolour Box with Magic Arm

This is where travel watercolour gets clever. Designed for outdoor and plein air painting, this system attaches directly to your sketchbook or support so you can paint standing up, without needing a table. The hands-free design is ideal for lookouts, trails and uneven ground, while the artist-grade pigments deliver smooth washes and excellent colour strength. It’s best suited to painters who genuinely work outdoors and want a setup that keeps up with them rather than slowing them down.

Oil & Oil-Based Travel Sets

Rich colour, expressive marks and travel-friendly formats (with a bit of common sense)

Oil painting and travel can work together, as long as expectations are set correctly. These oil and oil-based travel supplies are best suited to road trips, longer stays and situations where you have a bit of space and airflow. They’re not designed for cramped flights or elbowing your neighbour while you crack out solvents at 30,000 feet. The good news is that modern oil formats like water-mixable oils, oil sticks and oil pastels make it possible to work richly and expressively without dragging your entire studio along.

Mont Marte Intro Paint Set – H2O Water Mixable Oil Paint 8pc x 18ml

This set is a genuinely travel-friendly way into oil painting. The water-mixable formula gives you the blending time and richness of traditional oils without requiring solvents, which makes it far more suitable for accommodation, shared spaces and longer stays. The 18ml tubes are compact but practical, allowing for studies and small works without excess weight. Ideal for artists who want to explore oil painting on trips without committing to a full, ventilated studio setup.

Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Studio Set – 14pc

This is a step up for artists who know oil painting will be a key part of their trip. With a broader colour range, it supports more intentional mixing and layered work while still avoiding traditional solvents. Best suited to road trips, holiday rentals or studios where ventilation is easy. It’s a great option for painters who want a proper oil experience without the logistics of carrying turps through an airport.

Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Paint Seascape Set – 5 x 37ml

Built around a specific mood, this seascape palette focuses on coastal blues, neutrals and atmospheric tones. The larger 37ml tubes give you freedom to paint more generously, which makes this set better for longer stays rather than minimalist travel. Think destination painting, not quick café sketches. If you’re planning to paint beaches, skies and horizons, this set makes colour decisions easier straight out of the box.

Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Colour Set 10pc x 21ml

A balanced traditional oil set in a more manageable size. The 21ml tubes travel better than full studio tubes while still offering enough paint for multiple sessions. Best suited to artists who want to work small, stay organised and paint in well-ventilated areas rather than on-the-go sketching situations.

Sennelier Artist’s Oil Sticks Set of 12 – 38ml Wooden Box

Oil sticks are oil paint in solid form, and they’re a brilliant workaround for travel painting. You can draw, block in colour and build texture directly onto the surface without brushes or palettes. The wooden box adds weight, so this set is better for car travel or longer stays, but it’s perfect for expressive painters who want the richness of oils without liquid paint everywhere.

Sennelier Oil Stick Mini 6pc Sets (Full Range)

These mini oil stick sets offer the same artist-grade pigment as the full-size versions in a far more portable format. They slip easily into a sketching kit and work beautifully in travel journals and mixed media pads. Ideal for artists who want oil texture and colour while keeping their kit compact and low-fuss.

Sennelier Oil Pastel 6pc Sets – Seascape & Range

Oil pastels are one of the most underrated travel art supplies. They deliver intense colour and creamy application without any liquids, brushes or drying time. Themed palettes like the Seascape set make colour choices quick and intuitive, which is perfect for travel studies, highlights and layered journal work. Great for artists who want expressive colour without setup or cleanup.

Mont Marte Premium Watersoluble Oil Pastels 24pc

These oil pastels combine the immediacy of drawing with the option to blend using water. The water-soluble formula allows for softer transitions and painterly effects while staying dry and travel-friendly. A strong choice for mixed media travel artists who want flexibility without juggling multiple paint systems.

A quick reality check (from the Shed)

Oil-based supplies are best enjoyed when you’ve got a bit of breathing room. If you’re travelling by plane, stick to water-mixable oils, oil sticks or pastels, and save traditional oils and mediums for destinations where ventilation and space aren’t an issue. Great art memories are made on trips, awkward conversations with flight attendants about solvents don’t need to be one of them.

Acrylic Travel Kits

Fast-drying, versatile and made for artists who don’t wait around

Acrylic paint is one of the most practical mediums for travel art. It dries quickly, doesn’t require solvents, and works across a wide range of surfaces, which makes it ideal for unpredictable schedules and changing locations. Acrylic travel supplies suit artists who like to paint, pack up and move on, whether that’s after a ten-minute sketch or a longer painting session. From tiny tube sets and paint pens to full portable studios, these acrylic kits are built for very different ways of travelling and working.

Mont Marte Signature Acrylic Paint Set 12pc x 8ml

This set is designed for artists who want acrylic paint available without committing to a full painting setup. The 8ml tubes keep the kit extremely lightweight, making it ideal for travel journals, sketchbooks and mixed media pages where acrylic is used for blocking shapes, adding colour or layering details. Best suited to flights, day trips and minimal kits, this set works well for artists who treat acrylic as a supporting medium rather than the main event.

Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Paint Set – 10 x 12ml Tubes

Galeria acrylics offer a smooth, mid-weight consistency with strong opacity and reliable colour strength. The 12ml tube size gives you enough paint to work confidently without tipping into bulky territory, making this a good middle-ground travel set. It suits artists who plan to paint properly while travelling, rather than just sketch, and want acrylics that behave consistently across paper, board and canvas.

Mont Marte Intro Paint Set – Dimension Acrylic Paint 8pc x 18ml

This set is built for artists who like their acrylics thick and physical. The Dimension range has a heavier body, which holds texture and palette knife marks well. The 18ml tubes give you more paint to play with, making this set better suited to road trips, longer stays or destination painting rather than carry-on travel. Ideal for artists who want their travel work to feel bold and expressive, not delicate.

Uni Ball Posca Paint Pens 1.3mm PC-3M – 8 Pack

Posca pens are one of the most travel-friendly acrylic formats available. These opaque, water-based acrylic pens require no setup, dry quickly and work on paper, card, canvas, wood and more. The 1.3mm nib is perfect for illustration, lettering, symbols and crisp details, making them ideal for travel journaling, urban sketching and mixed media pages. They’re especially useful in situations where pulling out paint tubes would be impractical. zero mess, instant use, great for planes, cafés and tight spaces.

Amsterdam Acrylic Paint Primary Set – 5 x 120ml

This set is about colour control rather than variety. With five large primary colours, artists can mix a wide spectrum of hues while keeping the kit conceptually simple. The 120ml tube size makes this set unsuitable for minimalist travel, but it’s excellent for road trips, creative retreats or longer stays where acrylic painting is a main focus. Ideal for artists who enjoy mixing their own palettes and working at a slightly larger scale.

Amsterdam Acrylic Backpack Set – 94pc

This is a fully portable acrylic studio designed for artists who are travelling with intention. The backpack format keeps paints, tools and accessories organised and protected, making it easy to set up and pack down repeatedly. This kit is best suited to road trips, van travel, workshops or extended stays where painting is a planned part of the journey, not a spontaneous add-on.

Sketching & Drawing Travel Kits

Fast, flexible tools for capturing ideas as they happen

Sketching is the backbone of travel art. It’s immediate, lightweight and works in almost any situation, from crowded cafés and train platforms to quiet lookout points and long car trips. Travel sketching supplies are all about speed and observation. These kits are designed for artists who want to record what they see without setting up paint, waiting for things to dry or worrying about mess. Whether you prefer loose tonal studies, detailed line work or a mix of drawing and wash, these sketching kits are built to move with you.

Derwent Shade & Tone Paint Pan Set with Pencils – 12 Professional Colours

This set is designed for artists who think in values rather than outlines. It combines tonal paint pans with pencils, allowing you to build depth, light and shadow quickly. Ideal for expressive travel sketches, figure studies and moody landscapes, it works particularly well for artists who like to suggest form without overworking detail. Compact and travel-friendly, it’s well suited to sketchbooks and mixed media journals.

Cretacolor Artist Studio Pencil, Wrap and Brush Set

A beautifully considered sketching kit for artists who like traditional drawing tools. This set focuses on tonal pencils and includes a brush for soft blending, making it ideal for charcoal-style travel sketches and atmospheric studies. Everything rolls neatly into a wrap, which keeps tools protected and easy to pack. Best suited to artists who enjoy slowing down and building tone rather than quick line sketches.

Mont Marte Signature Sketch and Drawing Set – 30pc

This is a comprehensive sketching kit designed for flexibility. With a wide range of drawing tools included, it allows artists to switch between graphite, charcoal-style marks and mixed sketching techniques while travelling. Despite its size, it packs down neatly, making it a good option for road trips or longer stays where you want options without carrying multiple separate kits.

Derwent Sketching Wallet Set

A classic travel sketching set that keeps things simple and effective. The wallet format protects your pencils while keeping them accessible, making it ideal for quick sketches and observational drawing on the move. This set suits artists who want reliable sketching tools without overcomplicating their kit, and it travels easily in backpacks and day bags.

Mont Marte Signature Sketching Set in Wooden Box – 21pc

This set offers a more refined sketching experience in a compact wooden box. It’s best suited to road trips or destination-based travel rather than minimalist carry-on packing, but it provides a cohesive selection of drawing tools that feel intentional and well-organised. Ideal for artists who like their sketching kits to feel complete and considered.

Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen Set – Assorted Nibs 8pc

These pigment-based pens are a travel sketching staple for good reason. Waterproof, fade-resistant and fast drying, they’re perfect for line work, urban sketching and travel journaling. The assorted nib sizes allow for variation in line weight, making this set ideal for artists who prefer pens over pencils or want clean lines before adding colour later.

Derwent Line and Wash Sketching Set

Designed for artists who like to combine drawing with subtle colour, this set supports classic line-and-wash techniques. It’s ideal for travel journaling, architectural sketches and loose observational work where structure comes first. Everything is chosen to work together, which keeps setup fast and decisions minimal while travelling.

Cretacolor Creativo 27pc Tin Set plus Fabriano Classic Journal Kit

This is a cohesive travel sketching system rather than just a tool set. The Creativo tin includes a curated range of drawing media, while the Fabriano journal provides a reliable surface to work on straight away. It’s ideal for longer trips or artists who want a ready-made sketching setup without piecing things together individually.

Pads & Travel Journals

Surfaces that hold up when you actually use them

When you’re travelling, your surface matters just as much as your tools. Thin paper buckles, ink bleeds, and suddenly the moment you wanted to capture feels harder than it should. Good travel sketchbooks and pads are designed to handle quick stops, imperfect conditions and a mix of media without falling apart. Whether you’re working with watercolour, acrylic, oil or dry media, these travel-friendly surfaces are built to be used, packed away and used again.

Winsor & Newton Watercolour Diary Spiral Bound A5 – 300gsm, 20 Sheets

This A5 watercolour diary is designed for serious travel painting in a compact format. The 300gsm paper handles wet washes, layering and reworking without excessive buckling, while the spiral binding allows the book to lie flat while you paint. It’s ideal for watercolour travel journaling, line-and-wash work and artists who want to build a cohesive visual record of their trip.

Mont Marte Watercolour Travel Journal A5

A practical and approachable travel watercolour journal that’s easy to throw into a bag and actually use. The A5 format makes it perfect for quick sketches, small studies and painting on the go, while the watercolour-friendly paper handles light to moderate washes well. A great option for beginners, casual travel sketchers or artists who want a low-pressure journal for experimenting while away.

Hahnemühle A5 Sketch Book – 120gsm, 62 Sheets

This sketchbook is all about clean, reliable drawing. The 120gsm paper is ideal for pencil, pen, charcoal and dry media, making it perfect for fast travel sketches, observational drawing and planning compositions. Lightweight and slim, it’s best suited to artists who prioritise drawing over painting and want something that travels easily in carry-on or day bags.

Art Spectrum Acrylic Paint Pad A5 – 400gsm

Designed specifically for acrylic paint, this pad features thick 400gsm sheets that can handle heavier applications, layering and texture. The A5 size keeps it travel-friendly, while the sturdy paper prevents warping when working quickly. Ideal for acrylic travel studies, mixed media work and artists who prefer a more robust surface on the go.

Art Spectrum Oil Paint Pad A5 – 300gsm

This oil paint pad allows you to work with oils while travelling without carrying canvas or boards. The 300gsm oil-ready paper is treated to handle oil binders properly, making it suitable for studies, sketches and small works. A strong choice for artists using water-mixable oils, oil sticks or traditional oils in well-ventilated spaces during longer stays.

Canson Mixed Media Artist Art Book A5 Landscape – 300gsm, 56 Pages

A versatile travel journal designed for artists who switch between media. The 300gsm paper handles watercolour, ink, acrylic and drawing comfortably, while the landscape format works beautifully for horizons, cityscapes and scenery. Ideal for mixed media travel journaling and artists who don’t want to be limited to one medium on a trip.

Art Spectrum Blue Linen Hard Cover Watercolour Landscape Journal A5 – 300gsm, 16 Sheets (Cold Pressed)

This is a more premium travel journal designed for finished watercolour work. The cold-pressed 300gsm paper has a beautiful tooth that suits expressive washes and texture, while the hard linen cover protects pages during travel. Best suited to artists who want to create more considered pieces while away and keep them safe as keepsakes rather than loose studies.

Why choosing the right surface matters for travel art

A good travel sketchbook or pad removes friction. When the paper can handle your medium, you’re free to focus on observation and expression instead of fighting bleed-through or buckling. Matching your surface to how and what you like to create makes your travel art kit feel cohesive, functional and genuinely enjoyable to use.

Storage & Transport Essentials

Because loose pencils at the bottom of your bag is a lifestyle we don’t recommend

Good travel art supplies deserve good storage. When tools are protected, organised and easy to access, you’re far more likely to actually use them while travelling. These storage and transport essentials are designed to keep brushes in shape, pencils from snapping and small tools from disappearing into the abyss of your bag. Whether you’re packing light or building a more considered travel kit, these pieces make a real difference.

Brush Tie Roll with Flap – 435 x 300mm

This brush roll is designed for painters who travel with proper brushes, not just throwaway tools. The tie roll format keeps brushes laid flat, protecting bristles from bending and crushing during transport. The added flap gives extra protection, making it ideal for road trips, longer stays or artists carrying watercolour, acrylic or oil brushes they actually care about.

Kent Supreme Mesh DL Zip Case – 220 x 115mm

This compact mesh zip case is perfect for organising smaller tools like pens, erasers, sharpeners and water brushes. The mesh design lets you see what’s inside at a glance, which is surprisingly useful when you’re working quickly or packing up on the move. Ideal for slipping into a day bag or backpack as a secondary organiser.

Derwent Carry-All Artist Bag – Black

This is a structured, purpose-built artist bag designed for people who want everything in one place. With multiple compartments and a durable build, it’s ideal for carrying sketchbooks, paints, tools and accessories in an organised way. Best suited to road trips, workshops or longer stays where you want your entire travel art kit ready to grab and go, rather than piecing things together.

Mont Marte Zippered Brush Wallet

A classic travel solution for brush storage. This zippered wallet keeps brushes secure and separated, reducing the risk of damage while travelling. It’s slim enough to fit into backpacks and larger handbags, making it a solid option for artists who want to protect their brushes without adding bulk.

Derwent Canvas Pocket Wrap Pencil Case – Black

This pencil wrap is made for travel sketchers who want speed and simplicity. The canvas construction is durable, while the wrap format keeps pencils and tools neatly contained and easy to access. Ideal for quick sketches, urban drawing and artists who like to work with a small, focused selection of tools while travelling.

Palettes, Easels & Field Tools

Small upgrades that make painting on the road feel possible

These are the quiet problem-solvers of a travel art kit. Palettes, easels and field tools don’t always feel exciting until you’re halfway through a painting with nowhere to mix colour or rest your surface. The right field tools make travel painting more comfortable, more stable and far less frustrating, especially when you’re working outdoors or away from a table.

Mont Marte Palette – Tear Off 36 Sheet

This tear-off palette is one of the easiest ways to keep your travel setup clean and low-fuss. Each disposable sheet gives you a fresh mixing surface, which is ideal when you’re painting on the go and don’t want to deal with cleanup. Lightweight and flat, it slips easily into a backpack or art bag and works well for acrylics, water-mixable oils and traditional oils during longer stays.

Artist’s Wooden Travel Box with Palette – Premium Beechwood Storage Case for Artists

This travel box is part storage, part workstation. Made from beechwood, it includes a built-in palette and internal compartments for paints and tools, allowing you to keep everything contained in one place. It’s best suited to road trips, destination painting or longer stays where you want a compact, self-contained setup rather than individual loose items. Ideal for artists who like their travel kit to feel organised and intentional.

Mont Marte Airtight Watercolour Palette – 16 Slot

This airtight palette is designed to keep watercolour paints usable between sessions. The 16-slot layout gives you room to build a personalised travel palette, while the airtight seal helps prevent paints from drying out too quickly. It’s a great option for artists who use tube watercolours or want to customise their colours for a specific trip without carrying full pans.

Mabef M29 Basic Tripod Field Easel

This is a classic field easel designed for stability outdoors. The tripod structure provides a solid base on uneven ground, making it suitable for plein air painting in parks, lookouts and open spaces. While it’s not designed for minimalist travel, it’s ideal for artists who plan dedicated outdoor painting sessions during longer stays or road trips.

Mont Marte Tripod Easel – Portable Aluminium Field Easel with Telescopic Legs & Carry Bag (Black)

This aluminium field easel is a more travel-friendly alternative to traditional wooden easels. Lightweight and collapsible, it features telescopic legs for adjustable height and packs down into its included carry bag. Ideal for artists who want a portable plein air setup that’s easy to transport and quick to set up, especially when space and weight matter.

Why field tools make such a difference

When you’re painting while travelling, small comforts add up. Having a stable surface, a reliable palette and tools designed for movement allows you to focus on the scene rather than fighting your setup. The right field tools turn travel painting from a compromise into something genuinely enjoyable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Art Supplies

What art supplies are safe to bring on a plane?
Most dry art supplies like pencils, pens, markers and sketchbooks are allowed in carry-on luggage, but liquids such as tube paints and solvents are subject to airline liquid restrictions and may need to go in checked bags or be avoided entirely for cabin travel. 

How do I pack art supplies for safe travel?
Pack delicate items with designated protection, use strong cases for brushes, zippered pouches for pens and pencils, and bubble wrap or sealed bags for anything that could leak or get crushed. 

What should be in a basic travel art kit?
A reliable travel art kit typically includes a sturdy sketchbook, a small set of watercolour or dry paints, a few pencils or pens, a compact brush set or water brushes, and a pencil case or organiser to keep everything accessible. 

Can I carry paint in my carry-on bag?
Most airlines treat liquid paints as liquids, which means they must fit within the 3-1-1 rule for airport security or be packed in checked luggage, this is why many artists choose watercolour pans or dry media for carry-on travel. 

What are the best art supplies for travel sketching?
Lightweight sketchbooks, water-resistant pens, compact pencil sets, and small watercolour kits with built-in brushes are among the best art supplies for travel sketching because they’re easy to carry and work well in short outdoor sessions. 

How do I travel with wet media like watercolour or acrylics?
Dry watercolours (half pans or palettes) travel most easily; for acrylics or tube paints, double-bag them in sealed plastic to prevent leaks and consider putting them in checked luggage if flying. 

Should I pack my entire art kit or just essentials?
Pack lightly by choosing supplies you use frequently at home; if you wouldn’t pick a material for a quick session at home, you probably won’t use it on the road either. 

What art materials are best for short travel sessions?
Pencils, fineliners, compact watercolour pans and water brushes are excellent for short travel sessions, they set up fast, require minimal space and let you capture scenes on the go. 

How do I keep sketchbooks and pads from being damaged while travelling?
Use a hard cover or protective sleeve and pack them flat or upright in a bag compartment to avoid bending or creasing during transport. 

Can I travel with oil paints?
Oil paints can be travelled with in checked luggage, but solvents and thinners are typically not allowed on planes; water-mixable oils are a safer option for travel. 

What accessories make travel art easier?
Small accessories like collapsible water cups, sealed bags for wet brushes, protective wraps for tools, and pencil sharpeners help artists stay organised and reduce mess while working outside. 

How do I choose paper or journals for travel art?
Choose travel pads and journals with heavyweight paper (e.g., 300gsm or greater) for wet media and sturdy sketchbooks for dry media so your work doesn’t buckle, bleed or tear during use.

Wrapping it up

By the time you’re packing for a trip, the biggest question isn’t what should I bring, it’s what will I actually use. The best travel art kits are the ones that feel easy to reach for, quick to set up and flexible enough to suit wherever the day takes you. When your tools make sense, creating becomes a natural part of the trip rather than an extra thing to manage.

Travel art doesn’t need perfect conditions or long uninterrupted sessions. It fits into stolen moments between plans, quiet mornings before the day starts, and pauses you didn’t expect to take. Choosing portable art supplies that match how you move means you’re more likely to sit down, make marks and keep going, whether that’s a five-minute sketch or an hour-long painting session.

This guide is designed to help you build a travel art kit that works in the real world. From compact watercolour sets and sketching kits to journals, storage and field tools, every recommendation is about reducing friction and increasing follow-through. Fewer decisions, fewer regrets, more finished pages.

If you’re ready to travel lighter and create more, explore Art Shed’s full range of art supplies and put together a kit that earns its spot in your bag.