Hi All, I have recently started a new job which requires a far amount of travel, vehicle and Air. i do have a construction kit I take with me however this has increased my "Grey Army" . Does any one have or an idea of a travel paint kit (light is an issue for me). Thanks in advance. Thomo.

Welcome to the Planet, Thomo! Like Nap said, air travel regulations will influence what you can and can't put into a travel kit, and how big it can be.

I have a mobile kit, but it's based on driving to meetups, shows, club meetings, and so, I can carry a little more with me. I have two tool boxes for that purpose.

The first one is a small pine box with a tray that lifts out:


I got this from an art supply store, and originally, it was for my oils. But almost immediately, I packed other paints and some basic scale modeling tools into it.

The other tool box is bigger, holds the rest of my paints in bottles or jars (I don't take any rattlecans on the road), more tools, a portable desk lamp with a power strip and extension cord, my wet palette, sculpting supplies, etc:



For road travel, this serves me pretty well. Unfortunately, I can't speak to packing for air travel.

Hope that helps nevertheless!

Prost!
Brad

Hi Nap and Brad

Thanks for the reply's and welcome. most helpful, I use acrylic's and unfortunately do a fair bit of flying. I like the setup and will need to massage that to a smaller model. My sort of main issue is lighting. i have purchase a couple of portables but they are not that good

Cheers
Thomo

I have a similar set up to the baron, I have a wooden box with a lift out tray, which carries all my painting essentials for the present project. I have a bigger box, if I want to take a bigger model and more tools.

Re lighting try one of those optivisor type things with built in led lighting.

Yes, that's the one thing I wish I'd gotten with my Optivisor-built-in lighting. My work areas are generally well-lit, whether I'm at the bench, my kitchen table, or on the road. But I found that have an additional light, focused along my line of sight, was very helpful, no matter how well-lit my work area was.

I bought this style of magnifier for that very reason-it has a built-in light:

https://hobbyisthaven.com/products/adjustable-5-lens-led-light-headband-magnifier-glasses

But I've found that I don't like its weight on the bridge of my nose. And, even the highest magnification with these glasses is not as strong as the loupe on my Optivisor.

I may just sell this magnifier and do what I should have done in the first place-get myself an upgraded Optivisor with built-in lighting.

Also, I do recommend including a small, portable desk lamp, in any mobile kit. Again, no matter how well-lit my work area is, I find it helpful to have a pool of focused light on the area immediately in front of me on the bench. I have one that folds up, and has a thin base, so it fits easily in my travel kit.

Prost!
Brad

I don't use a travel kit except for sketching/painting, but suspect that one of those octopus flexi mobile stands would be useful (eg to use the light on your phone).
eg: Flexible Cell Phone Tripod and Bluetooth Remote Control Camera Shutter - for iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and many more - Octopus Style Mount - Universal Phone Holder - Solution for Smartphone Photography: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

GEEKOTO Flexible Phone Tripod, Mini Travel Tripod with Phone Holder and Wireless Remote, Universal Clip 360° Rotating Camera Stand Holder for GoPro and Small Camera: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

I'm pretty sure that you could also find a vice/clamp that would fit onto the standard screw fitting?

As Brad says, a lightweight LED lamp may work:
Flexible Cell Phone Tripod and Bluetooth Remote Control Camera Shutter - for iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and many more - Octopus Style Mount - Universal Phone Holder - Solution for Smartphone Photography: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Woputne Desk Lamp Clip Light, 10 Dimmable Brightness 3 Light Modes Reading Light, Clamp Bedside Lamp for Gaming, Painting, Piano, Craft, Study, Video Conference(Black) : Amazon.co.uk: Lighting

Brush rolls are useful for not only brushes but small tools/scalpels/files etc:
Paint Brush Holder, JTDEAL 22 Slots Paint Brush Storage for Acrylic Oil Watercolor Gouache Artist Paint Brush Roll Canvas Pouch, Army Green : Amazon.co.uk: Stationery & Office Supplies

Derwent Canvas Pencil Wrap, 30 Pencils and Accessory Capacity, Professional Quality, 700434 : Amazon.co.uk: Stationery & Office Supplies

I have a stacking storage box set (c25x15x15cm) that I bought from one of those bargain stores: it has four trays and clamps together strongly... the benefit is that it also provides a raised work surface to sit on top of a hotel desk or whatever (unfortunately I've never seen a similar one since )

Those rolls are a great idea, Neil! I've been thinking about a better way of packing my brushes; right now, I have them stuck in plastic straws, but of course, they slide around. And the straws are just loose in one half of the lift-out tray. I had not thought about a roll-up like that. I should have, because I have similar packs for tools out in the garage, like wrenches and wood chisels. I think I will stop at Richard Blick's on Saturday and have a look...

Prost!
Brad

You'll perhaps find the ones intended for pencils better for craft brushes than those designed for longer art brushes?

I wound up buying one through eBay yesterday afternoon. Unrolled, it's 42cm x 34 cm. Most of my brushes are about 15cm in length, so it should work. My Windsor & Newtons don't go on the road Thank you again for sharing that tip!

Prost!
Brad

A postscript...

I was surprised to see that discount retailers like WalMart had a better selection than specialty art suppliers like Blick.

Well, thanks for the advice so far, we are again in lockdown however I have assembled some stuff for everyones pointers

in general, if a box must be purchased, i would suggest a plastic style with no seams to leak (instead of wood or folded metal).