My Plein Air Oil Painting Supplies

Osprey Mira plein air backpack
Osprey Mira backpack

Best hiking plein air painting supplies

The Backpack

After several trial and error attempts at finding a large enough but not too large backpack, I finally found the Osprey Mira 32.  For my frame, I find the women’s fit backpacks balance the weight better.   My requirements – padded hip belt, internal frame, and adjustable height straps. Nice to haves include an internal water bladder for long hikes and exterior straps for hiking poles, umbrella, etc.  At $180, this was an investment but well worth it.  The weight of oil painting gear adds up quickly and to minimize the impact on my back, I needed the adjustable features this pack offers.  

Plein Air Pochade Box

I researched plein air palettes extensively before deciding on the 8 x 11 New Wave u-go Plein Air Pochade Box.   This lightweight little box is indestructible surviving wind blown crashes onto the rocks (and the linen panel stayed attached!).  It easily holds my preferred panels sizes from 5×7 to 9×12.  I purchased the optional gray glass palette which has also miraculously survived multiple crashes with just a chipped corner.  

Paints

I try to avoid adding more chemicals to the environment, so I like using water mixable oils.  No need to transport mineral spirits, I can rinse my brushes in water and be good to go.  I experimented with multiple brands and found my favorites are (in order of preference): (1) Royal Talens Cobra, (2) Holbein Duo, and (3) Daniel Smith.

I buy the smaller size tubes for plein air and larger, more economical tubes for in my studio.  My current plein air palette has: Titanium white, transparent red oxide, ultramarine, viridian, permanent alizarin crimson,  yellow ochre, cadmium lemon yellow.  I have a very small tube of cadmium red hue and cadium green light hue from a Duo starter set since I don’t use them often.  

Brushes

Rosemary Ivory synthetic brushes

I usually take a few flats, a filbert, a round and a rigger.   While I initially liked Princeton Catalyst brushes quite a bit, they seemed to start to fray very quickly.  My Princeton Dakota brushes held up better, but are a bit stiffer than I prefer.  My favorite brushes so far have been the Rosemary Ivory synthetic brushes, especially the x-long flats.  

Odds and Ends

I borrowed a carabiner from my rock climbing daughter and used a hole puncher to add a hole in an expensive Holbein plastic brush holder.  This works really well with leftover produce rubber bands to hold brushes on my Pochade box.  More recently, I bought the New Wave brush holder attachment.  I find it helpful, but not essential. .  

Holbien paint brush tube with various brushes

Odds and Ends

Of course I bring a half roll of Viva paper towels and a small container of water to rinse brushes with.   For sunny days, I also bring along a Best Brella.

I also really like my red Manfrotto Element Traveller Small Aluminum 5-Section Tripod Kit with Ball Head, Element Small.  I found mine on sale at B&H Photo for 89$.  I might look for a lighter tripod in the future, but this one  is the ideal size.

plein air backpack
My plein air set up

Panel Carrier

Last but not least, bring along a means to get your completed painting home safely.  For lightweight indestructability, I really like the Raymar Panel Carriers.