Packing for a plein air session can feel overwhelming the first few times. Bring too much and you're exhausted before you start painting. Bring too little and you're improvising solutions for problems that a $3 item would have solved.
This gear list covers everything you need for a productive outdoor painting session, organized by category so you can build your kit systematically. Not every item is essential for every outing, so adjust based on your medium, location, and session length.
The Easel or Pochade Box
Quick answer: For most plein air painters, a pochade box with integrated legs is the most efficient choice. It combines easel, palette, storage, and panel holder into a single carry unit, eliminating the need for separate bags.
This is the foundation of your entire setup. Your easel holds the panel, organizes your tools, and determines how comfortable the next three hours will be.
For most plein air painters, a pochade box with integrated legs is the most efficient choice. It combines the easel, palette, storage, and panel holder into a single carry unit. Look for one with independently articulating legs for uneven terrain, a weight hook for wind stability, and enough internal storage to keep everything in one place.
A standalone tripod with a separate pochade box is another option, but it adds weight and another piece of equipment to carry and set up. For painters who hike to their spots, the all-in-one design saves real effort.
Paint
Quick answer: Five tubes cover an enormous range: titanium white, cadmium yellow (or yellow ochre), cadmium red, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue, and viridian. Bring 37ml tubes instead of studio-size to save weight.
Start with a limited palette. You don't need twenty tubes in the field — five or six well-chosen colors cover an enormous range of mixtures.
A reliable plein air oil palette: titanium white, cadmium yellow (or yellow ochre), cadmium red, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue, and viridian or phthalo green. Some painters add burnt sienna or raw umber for quick warm darks. Bring paint in smaller tubes (37ml) rather than studio-size tubes to save weight.
For watercolor, a compact pan set with 12–18 colors is usually sufficient. Gouache painters can follow a similar limited palette approach with tubes.
Brushes
Bring four to six brushes — enough variety to cover broad washes and fine details without overcrowding your rack. A typical oil painting selection: a large flat (size 8–10) for blocking in, a medium flat (size 4–6) for general work, a small flat or filbert (size 2) for details, and a rigger or liner for calligraphy marks and branches.
Carry them in a brush roll or inside your pochade box's built-in storage. Loose brushes in a bag get damaged tips and bent ferrules.
Panels and Canvas
Pre-cut panels are the most practical choice for plein air work. They're lightweight, rigid, and fit neatly into pochade box panel holders.
Bring two to three panels per session — one for your main piece and extras in case you want a quick study or start over. Common sizes for plein air: 6×8, 8×10, 9×12, and 11×14. Canvas panels, gessoed hardboard, and linen-covered panels all work well.
If you work on stretched canvas, keep in mind that it's bulkier to transport and more vulnerable to wind catching its surface.
Medium and Solvent
For oil painters, bring a small container of painting medium (linseed oil, Liquin, or your preferred mix) and a minimal amount of solvent if you use it. Many plein air painters have shifted to solvent-minimal or solvent-free workflows using walnut oil or safflower oil for brush cleaning.
A brush washer with a coil insert lets you swirl brushes clean between color changes without wasting solvent. Look for a leakproof container that fits your pochade box's rack system.
Watercolor painters need a water container — a collapsible bottle or a dedicated water cup that secures to the easel.
Palette
Some pochade boxes include a palette; others require you to bring your own. An aluminum palette is ideal for oil painting — it cleans easily, won't warp, and doesn't absorb oil like wood palettes do. A flexible palette that can be lifted out for handheld mixing adds versatility.
For watercolor, a folding palette with mixing wells or a ceramic palette works well, though most watercolor pochade setups have built-in mixing areas.
Accessories and Supplies
These are the small items that make the difference between a smooth session and a frustrating one:
Paper towels or rags for wiping brushes and cleaning up. Bring more than you think you need. A palette knife for mixing paint and scraping the palette clean. A viewfinder or a phone app that helps you frame compositions before committing. Clips or tape for securing reference photos or value sketches to your box. Trash bags — small ones that tie to your rack openings keep used wipes contained and your site clean.
Wet Panel Carrier
If your pochade box has a built-in wet panel carrier in the lid, you're covered for studies up to that size. For larger panels, a separate wet panel carrier with spacer clips is essential. Wet oil paint takes days to dry, and nothing ruins a session's work faster than smearing the surface during transport.
The Walnut Art Easel Box carries a wet panel up to 9×10.5 inches inside the lid — large enough for the small studies that make up most plein air work. For anything larger, a standalone carrier is worth the extra investment.
Sun and Weather Protection
A wide-brimmed hat is possibly the most important non-painting item you can bring. It shades your palette and panel from direct sun, reducing glare that distorts your color perception. An umbrella that clamps to your easel is even better for extended sessions in harsh light, though it adds weight and wind resistance.
Sunscreen, especially for hands and arms that are exposed while painting. Insect repellent in warm months. A light layer you can add or remove as temperatures shift — mornings start cold and afternoons heat up quickly.
Hydration and Comfort
Water or a thermos of coffee. A folding stool if you prefer painting seated and your easel supports both heights. A small first aid kit with bandages and antiseptic can help you when there is an unexpected cut.
Clothing
Wear clothes you don't mind staining. Dark colors show paint less than light ones. Shoes with good grip matter more than you'd expect — painting on slopes or wet grass in smooth soles is asking for trouble. Pockets help for keeping your phone, viewfinder, and small items accessible without cluttering your easel.
Putting the Kit Together
The goal is a single, self-contained system that you can grab and go. The fewer separate bags and cases you need, the lower the friction between deciding to paint and actually painting.
A pochade box with integrated storage — like the Walnut Art Easel Box with its built-in racks, palette, brush washer, oil jar, water jar, adjustable shoulder straps, and canvas secure system — eliminates most of the organizational burden. Everything fits inside, the straps go over your shoulders, and you walk to your spot with both hands free.
Build your kit once, keep it packed, and you'll find that getting out to paint becomes something you do on a Tuesday evening instead of something you plan for a weekend that never comes.
What's the one gear item you can't paint without outdoors? Share in the comments — we're always looking for smart additions to the kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the essential plein air gear list for beginners?
A pochade box or easel, five tubes of paint (titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna), four to six brushes, two to three pre-cut panels (6×8 or 8×10), a small bottle of painting medium, paper towels, and a hat. The entire kit fits in a single carry system.
Do I need a separate tripod for my pochade box?
A pochade box with integrated legs eliminates the need for a separate tripod, saving weight and setup time. If your box requires an external tripod, factor in the extra 2 to 3 pounds and the additional assembly step. For hikers and travelers, integrated legs are the more efficient choice.
What brushes should I bring for plein air painting?
Four to six brushes cover most plein air needs: a large flat (size 8 to 10) for blocking in, a medium flat (size 4 to 6) for general work, a small flat or filbert (size 2) for details, and a round for fine marks. Carry them in a brush roll or inside your pochade box's built-in racks to protect the tips.
