I absolutely love camping! My main annual holiday for many more years than I’ve been painting has been spent camping, not to mention the many smaller vacations in between! What has changed over the years, is how much I dislike packing to actually go camping, a dislike that grows stronger each year!
The only exception to this rule, is my packing of my art kit, which I absolutely love. I certainly spend far much more time thinking about my art kit than I do what clothes to take!
By the time you read this, we’ll all hopefully be settling into a familiar camping lifestyle – so it’s far too late start making any new suggestions for what I should have taken with me- for this year at least!
Here’s what I eventually settled on to take with me this year:
All pretty straightforward stuff really but my hope is to keep it relatively minimal and streamlined, with my main aim being to just ‘lighten up’ – in terms of mood, spirit and approach – and to have a little bit of fun!
I’m sure I’m not alone in also seeing a holiday as a time to catch up on a little reading! Here’s what I’ve pulled out of the library to keep me company this year!
This book comes highly recommended by a reader! 
One of the great masters of watercolour figures, this book is packed with informative advice and exercises 
Starting in Watercolour, by Rowland Hilder, the expanded reprint of the 1966 first edition 
I just love old books like this!
Hopefully there’ll be enough here to keep me occupied (and relaxed!), not to mention inspired! I’ll also be travelling with my camera to capture as much reference material as possible to bring home with me.
I’ll only have limited access to the internet where I am so may not be as prompt at replying as I’d like, but I’ll do my best!
In the meantime, I’d love to hear about what books (as long as they’re watercolour or art related!) that you’d choose to take on your holiday, as well as your essential art materials – let’s face it, I’ll need to start thinking about what to pack for next year pretty soon!
Painting abroad is the best, though if you forget something, it can be tricky. I always find there’s never enough time and more ideas come out as you’re on your way home. It’s great to get out and explore somewhere new.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I know all of these feelings far too well – especially the ‘never enough time’ one! Hopefully I’ll come back with some good ideas and reference material to keep me busy for a while (and so far, apart from my sub standard sketchbooks, I don’t feel like I’m missing anything important!)
LikeLike
Couldn’t agree with you more, creating abroad always feels like just dumping thoughts and ideas and then finishing it all up at home 🙂
LikeLike
haha, yes Chloe, I quite agree – I’ve got a lot of sorting out the wheat from the chaff from this year’s vacation. I took lots of photos but as I’m looking through them now, there aren’t that many that will be any good to me for painting from!
LikeLike
I like your travel art kit John and your reading material. I’m always interested in what art supplies other people use and I love books – especially watercolour books… ! Have a great holiday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Evelyn and thanks for this, I’m pleased you like the art kit – it’s seems to be serving me pretty well at the moment! As for the books, I think they’re a bit of a mixed bag! (I’ll say more in a future post!)
LikeLike
Have fun and wonderful vacation! Thanks for the many book tips!
Moony
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for this and apologies for not replying sooner (lack of wifi or phone signal is frustrating me, but I’m also enjoying the digital detox!)
LikeLike
Have a good time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Rob – I’m having a good-ish time, but not really for any painting related reasons – hopefully this will change with what’s left of my time away!
LikeLike