Plein Air Painting:
Is Your Gear Holding You Back?
7 Tips for Your Pochade Box.
blog
So, you’ve mustered the courage to take your art outside. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and your creativity is buzzing. Then, reality hits: the wind tries to steal your canvas, your palette is a muddy mess, and you’re fumbling for a brush while the perfect light slips away.
Sound familiar? We’ve all been there. Painting en plein air is incredibly rewarding, but it comes with a unique set of challenges. Most of them aren't about your artistic skill—they're about your strategy and gear.
Let's walk through the seven most common plein air painting mistakes and how to sidestep them, so you can focus on what truly matters: creating beautiful art.
Sound familiar? We’ve all been there. Painting en plein air is incredibly rewarding, but it comes with a unique set of challenges. Most of them aren't about your artistic skill—they're about your strategy and gear.
Let's walk through the seven most common plein air painting mistakes and how to sidestep them, so you can focus on what truly matters: creating beautiful art.
01. The Pack Mule Paradox:
How to Lighten Your Load for Plein Air Painting
It’s tempting to bring every tube of paint and every brush you own, "just in case." But hauling 20 kilos of gear for a kilometer will drain your creative energy before you even unscrew a cap.
The Fix: Embrace minimalism. Choose a limited palette of 5-7 colors that can mix a wide range of hues. Pack only the brushes you need. Most importantly, invest in a dedicated, all-in-one setup. A well-designed pochade box combines your palette, canvas carrier, and easel into one compact, lightweight unit that feels like a feather compared to a full French easel.
The Fix: Embrace minimalism. Choose a limited palette of 5-7 colors that can mix a wide range of hues. Pack only the brushes you need. Most importantly, invest in a dedicated, all-in-one setup. A well-designed pochade box combines your palette, canvas carrier, and easel into one compact, lightweight unit that feels like a feather compared to a full French easel.
Travel Painter™, 8" x 8" pochade box for easy outings
So, what’s the modern solution? It is our all-in-one setup designed for mobility, not just for storage.
Travel Painter™: the pochade box is designed to be the antidote to the "Pack Mule Paradox." This isn’t just a box; it’s your mobile studio. It seamlessly combines a lightweight easel, a spacious mixing palette, and a secure carrier for two 8 × 8" panels (wet or dry) into a single, compact unit that weighs just 950 g / 2 lbs.
Forget the backache and the fumbling. With dedicated slots for brushes and a logical, clean workspace, the Travel Painter™ box lets you start painting in minutes. Your energy should be spent on creating art, not on carrying it.
Well, if Vincent only knew...
Travel Painter™: the pochade box is designed to be the antidote to the "Pack Mule Paradox." This isn’t just a box; it’s your mobile studio. It seamlessly combines a lightweight easel, a spacious mixing palette, and a secure carrier for two 8 × 8" panels (wet or dry) into a single, compact unit that weighs just 950 g / 2 lbs.
Forget the backache and the fumbling. With dedicated slots for brushes and a logical, clean workspace, the Travel Painter™ box lets you start painting in minutes. Your energy should be spent on creating art, not on carrying it.
Well, if Vincent only knew...
02. Think Small, Paint Fast:
Choosing the Right Pochade Box Size
That vast, breathtaking landscape is begging to be captured on a giant, 24x30-inch canvas. Resist the urge! Large formats take time, and light changes fast. You’ll end up with a frustrated, unfinished piece.
The Fix: Think small and fast. Start with canvases or panels that are 6x8”, 8x8”, or 10x10”. A small format forces you to simplify shapes and capture the essence of the scene quickly. It’s about capturing a feeling, not every single leaf. A small panel also fits perfectly into a standard pochade box, making setup a breeze.
The Fix: Think small and fast. Start with canvases or panels that are 6x8”, 8x8”, or 10x10”. A small format forces you to simplify shapes and capture the essence of the scene quickly. It’s about capturing a feeling, not every single leaf. A small panel also fits perfectly into a standard pochade box, making setup a breeze.
Travel Painter™, 8" x 8" Size: the Great Artists' Choice
03. From Overwhelm to Action:
A Simple Start for Any Plein Air Painting
You find the perfect spot, set up your gear, and then... just stare. There’s too much information. Where do you even begin?
The Fix: Have a simple starting ritual. Don't think "painting," think "shapes and colors."
The Fix: Have a simple starting ritual. Don't think "painting," think "shapes and colors."
- Squint your eyes. This simplifies everything into big shapes of light and dark.
- Do a small thumbnail sketch. Just a 2-inch sketch in your sketchbook to plan your composition.
- Block in the big shapes first. Use thin paint to map out the sky, land, and major masses. Details come dead last.
04. Capturing the Light:
Why a Pochade Box is Key to Painting Fast
You start painting under warm, morning light, but an hour in, the sun is high and harsh, and your shadows have completely moved. Trying to "update" your painting often results in a muddy mess.
The Fix: Decide on your "moment" and stick to it. Make a mental snapshot of the light and shadow pattern when you start. Your goal is to paint that specific moment in time, not a 3-hour time-lapse. Most successful plein air pieces are finished in 90 minutes or less for this very reason. An organized setup, where everything is at your fingertips, is crucial for working at this speed.
The Fix: Decide on your "moment" and stick to it. Make a mental snapshot of the light and shadow pattern when you start. Your goal is to paint that specific moment in time, not a 3-hour time-lapse. Most successful plein air pieces are finished in 90 minutes or less for this very reason. An organized setup, where everything is at your fingertips, is crucial for working at this speed.
05. The Organized Artist:
How a Pochade Box Streamlines Your Painting
There’s nothing that kills a painting flow faster than digging through a messy bag for that one specific brush or your linseed oil while your mixed color dries on the palette.
The Fix: Organization is non-negotiable. Use a pochade box or a palette with dedicated spaces for everything. Your brushes should be in holders, your mediums in secure cups, and your panels within easy reach. When your tools work for you, you can stay in the creative zone.
The Fix: Organization is non-negotiable. Use a pochade box or a palette with dedicated spaces for everything. Your brushes should be in holders, your mediums in secure cups, and your panels within easy reach. When your tools work for you, you can stay in the creative zone.
Travel Painter™: hold all you need for painting inside the box
06. Avoid Muddy Colors:
The Role of an Organized Palette in Plein Air Painting
A messy, disorganized palette with piles of unintentional color mixes is a direct pipeline to a muddy painting. If you can't find a clean color on your palette, you won't find it on your canvas.
The Fix: Keep your mixing area clean. Develop a habit of scraping down your palette mid-painting if needed. A pochade box with a smooth, non-porous palette surface makes this easy—a quick wipe with a paper towel and you have a fresh start. Organize your paint tubes in a logical order (e.g., warm to cool) on the side, so you always know where to reach.
The Fix: Keep your mixing area clean. Develop a habit of scraping down your palette mid-painting if needed. A pochade box with a smooth, non-porous palette surface makes this easy—a quick wipe with a paper towel and you have a fresh start. Organize your paint tubes in a logical order (e.g., warm to cool) on the side, so you always know where to reach.
07. Beyond the Pochade Box:
Are You Really Prepared for the Outdoors?
You packed your art supplies, but did you remember water, a hat, sunscreen, and a snack? Being physically uncomfortable will cut your painting session short, no matter how inspired you are.
The Fix: Pack like a scout. Water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat, and layers of clothing are just as important as your paints. Check the weather and be prepared for it to change. Being comfortable allows you to stay focused and enjoy the process for longer.
The Fix: Pack like a scout. Water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat, and layers of clothing are just as important as your paints. Check the weather and be prepared for it to change. Being comfortable allows you to stay focused and enjoy the process for longer.
The Common Thread in Every Fix
Many of these mistakes are solved not by becoming a better painter, but by having a better system. Your gear should be a trusted partner that removes friction, not a source of it.
That’s the whole idea behind the Travel Painter™ pochade box. We designed it to be that all-in-one, organized, and lightweight partner. It’s the antidote to the "Pack Mule" Paradox, giving you a solid, reliable foundation so your mind is free to focus on the landscape, not on your equipment.
Go smart, not hard. Enjoy it!
That’s the whole idea behind the Travel Painter™ pochade box. We designed it to be that all-in-one, organized, and lightweight partner. It’s the antidote to the "Pack Mule" Paradox, giving you a solid, reliable foundation so your mind is free to focus on the landscape, not on your equipment.
Go smart, not hard. Enjoy it!
