Equipment I use for painting en plein air
One of the most crucial factors to a successful outcome in plein air painting is having the right kit to make your painting experience as relaxing and easy as possible; it makes painting much more difficult and less enjoyable if you are battling with the wrong set-up. It can be tricky at the beginning of your painting journey to invest money in expensive equipment but a few wise purchases may transform your painting time outdoors.
Here is a list of equipment and art supplies I recommend for plein air oil painting. These are all products I use myself from Jackson's.
(These are affiliate links to Jackson's Art products. Customers new to Jackson's will receive 10% off and I will earn a small commission to spend with them.)
I use a very old Winsor and Newton half box easel on a day to day basis but for travel and when I want to pack lightly this small pochade is very useful. It can fit a variety of panels up to some quite large sizes.
This tripod fits easily to my pochade and comes with the attachments you need. It is light and has a good bag with carry straps.
I get MDF panels in bulk cut at my local builders merchant but when I am short between orders I order these packs of MDF panels which come in a variety of sizes, are very light to carry and arrive quickly.
Michael Harding Non-Absorbent Acrylic Primer
I prime my MDF panels with this super handy acrylic primer, which comes in white, clear or in a variety of ready coloured mixes which saves so much time!
I mix a small amount of this drying medium with some Zest-it thinners for my initial layers to speed drying and add a bit of gloss.
Zest-It brush cleaner and oil paint dilutant
These non-toxic thinners are a staple of mine and are suitable for air travel.
Pro Arte Sterling Acrylix Synthetic brushes
I use a variety of brushes including hog and synthetic but I always have a range of these on me in pointed round, long square and filbert. They are the brushes I use most regularly and have a lovely softness too them so you can work over initial layers alla prima without disturbing them.
I love my airtight metal brush washer for transporting my Zest-it solvent around with me. It either hangs on the hook supplied with my Sienna Pochade or it sits in a compartment in my french easel.
