My Favorite Traveling Art Supplies (For Creative Adventures on the Go)

Hey there, artist! If you’re anything like me, packing your suitcase never feels complete without sneaking in a few art supplies—even if you swear you’re “traveling light” this time.

Over the years, I’ve found some go-to tools that make it easy to stay creative on the road, whether I’m sketching on a plane, painting by the beach, or just playing with ideas in a cozy café.

In this post, I’m sharing my favorite traveling art supplies that keep my creativity flowing without taking up precious backpack space. Heads up: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you shop through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my work!

Table of Contents

• Why Pack Art Supplies for Travel?

• My Must-Have Portable Art Tools

• Quick Tips for Traveling Creatively

• Final Thoughts

Why Pack Art Supplies for Travel?

Travel naturally sparks creativity—new places, new people, new moments you want to capture. Having even a small art kit with you lets you slow down, process your experience, and make art anywhere.

Plus, I find creating on the go helps ground me, specially as multi-passionate artist—it’s like bringing a little piece of home wherever I am.

My Must-Have Portable Art Tools

Here’s what I always try to sneak into my bag:

1. Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, 12 Half Pan w/ Brush, Sponge, Bottle

My take: I’ve used a lot of portable watercolor sets over the years, and this little Winsor & Newton kit is still one of my favorites. It’s tiny enough to fit in your pocket or bag, but the color quality is impressive—vibrant, reliable, and perfect for quick studies or travel sketching.

Quality: Great for beginners to intermediate artists. The paints have solid pigment and blend well, plus the set comes with a small brush that surprisingly holds up for on-the-go painting. It’s a plastic case, but durable—I’ve dropped mine a few times with no casualties.

Budget: Very reasonable considering the brand and quality. It’s one of the most budget-friendly ways to get reliable watercolors that won’t disappoint.

Great for: Urban sketching, nature journaling, or anytime you want color without lugging around a studio.

Find it Here

2. Transon Airtight 16-Well Paint Saver Palette

My take: Game-changer for anyone who hates wasting paint. I used to avoid packing palettes for short trips because they’d dry out overnight—but this airtight palette actually keeps your paint fresh between sessions.

Quality: Sturdy plastic with a solid seal. It’s lightweight but doesn’t feel flimsy, and the wells are deep enough for mixing. I’ve tossed mine in a backpack plenty of times without leaks.

Budget: Super affordable for how useful it is. Honestly feels like a must-have if you use watercolors or gouache on the go.

Great for: Artists who hate wasting paint, plein-air sessions, and staying organized with color mixes.

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3. Deluxe 27-Piece Acrylic Art Set with Tabletop Easel

My take: Full disclosure—this isn’t the fanciest acrylic set you’ll ever own, but for travel or beginners, it’s fantastic. You get everything: vibrant paints, a foldable tabletop easel, brushes, palettes, and canvas panels. It’s like packing your own mini art studio.

Quality: Solid entry-level kit. The paints have nice coverage, the brushes are decent, and the easel holds up well for quick setups indoors or outside.

Budget: Budget-friendly and accessible. Great value considering you get so many pieces, especially for artists testing acrylics or wanting a temporary setup during trips.

Great for: Longer stays, retreats, Airbnb creativity bursts, or beginners building confidence with acrylics.

Take a look here

4. 18 x 24 Art Portfolio Case with Backpack & Tote Straps

My take: If you work with larger sketchbooks, loose sheets, or flat canvas panels, a regular backpack won’t cut it. This portfolio case is surprisingly roomy but still manageable—and the fact that it works as both a backpack and a tote makes traveling way easier.

Quality: The material feels durable enough for regular use, and the zipper runs smooth (which matters when you're rushing through airports or moving between spots). The straps are adjustable, and it holds its shape well even when full.

Budget: Affordable for an art-specific case, especially considering the size. It’s one of those things that feels like a small splurge but protects your work, so it’s worth it.

Great for: Art students, traveling with oversized pieces, portfolio reviews, or protecting your artwork during commutes and day trips.

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5. Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens (Set of 6)

An absolute must.

My take: If you love clean lines, precise details, or bulletproof journaling tools, these are unbeatable. The archival ink doesn’t bleed, smudge, or fade—and it’s waterproof, so you can layer watercolor washes without ruining your lines.

Quality: Professional-grade. The tips hold their shape, the ink flows consistently, and the set offers various sizes for different detailing needs. I’ve used these for years and always bring a few when I travel.

Budget: Not the cheapest pens on the market, but totally worth the price for reliability and longevity. They last a long time with normal use.

Great for: Sketching, inking, travel journals, adding fine details to mixed media pieces, or everyday drawing.

Find them here

Quick Tips for Art-Making on the Go

• Keep your kit lightweight—a few essentials are all you need.

• Use travel time (planes, trains, long café stops) to doodle or jot ideas.

• Be okay with imperfect pages—it’s about the process, not perfection.

• Keep supplies in a zip pouch or small case for easy access.

Final Thoughts

Creativity doesn’t stop when you leave home—and your art supplies shouldn’t either. A compact kit lets you stay inspired, grounded, and expressive wherever your journey takes you.

I’d love to hear your favorite traveling art tools—what do you always bring along? Drop a comment or message me your go-to recommendations.

Safe travels and happy creating! ✨