My Favorite Travel Art Supplies

Last update : January 2026

My Go-To Travel Art Supplies (What I Use + What Works Well on the Road)

Traveling with art supplies doesn’t have to mean hauling half your studio—or sacrificing creativity. Over the years, I’ve learned that the right tools make all the difference when creating on the go. I want supplies that are lightweight, reliable, and flexible, and that invite me to notice, collect, and reflect on where I am.

Below I’m sharing a mix of exactly what I use when I travel and a few solid options that also work beautifully for travel art journaling.

🎨 Watercolors (What I Always Bring)

What I use:
I travel with a small watercolor palette filled with colors I know well and trust. I prefer professional-grade paints because they activate quickly with water and don’t require a lot of fuss—perfect when I’m painting in a hotel room, café, or at a tiny table.

I usually stick to:

• A warm and cool of each primary

• One or two earthy neutrals

• A favorite moody color (because… always)

Good options:

• Travel watercolor tins

• Pocket palettes with refillable pans

• Pre-mixed color palettes you don’t have to think about

Tip: Fewer colors = more freedom. Limiting your palette actually helps you focus on the experience, not the choices.

✏️ Pens & Mark-Making Tools

What I use:
I bring a small selection of pens, not a full case. Usually:

• A waterproof black pen for writing and outlining

• One softer pen or pencil for sketching

• Occasionally a white pen for highlights

Good options:

• Fine-line waterproof pens

• Mechanical pencils

• Brush pens (if you love expressive marks)

Travel tip: Make sure at least one pen is waterproof so it plays nicely with watercolor.

💧 Water Solutions

What I use:
I always travel with water wells instead of disposable cups. They’re compact, and easy to refill without disaster.

Good options:

• Collapsible silicone water cups

• Small lidded containers

• Dual water brush pens

This is one of those tiny upgrades that makes painting on the road feel calm instead of chaotic.

🧴 Glue & Adhesives

What I use:
I carry a small glue stick and occasionally a tiny liquid glue in a sealed bag. I keep it simple—nothing bulky, nothing that will leak all over my journal.

Good options:

• Mini glue sticks

• Tape runners

• Double-sided adhesive sheets

If it feels like overkill, it probably is. Travel art supplies should support the moment, not complicate it.

🗂 Organizing Ephemera (My Favorite Travel Trick)

What I use (and LOVE):
I use mini Rolodex files to organize ephemera I collect while traveling—tickets, receipts, maps, tags, labels, scraps, and little bits of paper that hold a memory.

Each card becomes a small container for a place, a day, or a feeling. When I get home (or settle in for a longer stay), everything is already sorted and ready to use in my journal.

Good options:

• Mini accordion files

• Small envelopes or zip pouches

• Index card boxes

But honestly? The mini Rolodex is my forever favorite.

📸 Portable Photo Printer (Always in My Bag)

What I use:
I always travel with a small photo printer. Being able to print photos instantly and tuck them into my journal while the experience is still fresh is everything.

It turns memory-keeping into a living practice instead of something I “get to later.”

Good options:

• Pocket photo printers

• Instant photo printers

• Small printers that connect to your phone

Tip: Print imperfect photos. They’re often the ones that tell the truest story.

🎒 Storage & Carrying Everything

What I use:
I keep everything in zip pouches so my supplies fit easily into a backpack or tote. Nothing rigid, nothing precious.

Good options:

• Pencil pouches

• Makeup bags

• Fabric organizers

If it’s easy to grab and easy to put away, you’re more likely to use it.

✨ Final Thoughts: Less Stuff, More Story

When I travel, my art supplies aren’t about perfection—they’re about presence. I want tools that help me slow down, notice details, and capture the feeling of a place, not just the visuals.

If you’re building your own travel art kit, start small. Choose what feels essential. Let the experience lead, and let your supplies follow.

Your journal doesn’t need more things—it needs you, paying attention.

Side note my favorite palette is from Art Tool Kit : It is really pricey so I included some other options below.

Amazon

WRITECH Pens (Copy)

Purple Willow (Copy)

Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen (Copy)

Canon Ivy 2 Mini Printer (Copy)

Pen and Brush Roll (Copy)

Plastic Envelopes (Copy)

Clear Adhesive Pockets (Copy)

Mini Paper Clips (Copy)

Etchr Accordion Journal (Copy)

Generic Accordion Journal (Copy)

Uhu Glue Sticks (Copy)

Kneaded Eraser (Copy)

Black Metal Box (Copy)

Universal Charger for Europe

*Amazon Affiliate Links USED above.