Plein Air Painting Preparation for a Trip to Alaska

Travel Sketching

May 6

After many years of wanting to visit Alaska, I finally planned a trip lasting 10-days across several different towns - Anchorage, Denali, Girdwood and Seward being the bulk of the trip. In the past, I took a road trip in August 2017 through the Eastern Sierras in California and brought my oil painting gear, which was a bit of a hassle since it filled up my entire backpack. For this trip, I’m flying - so that complicates but also simplifies things a bit. I’ve decided to go with watercolors and sketches for this trip and minimized my materials for ease of use when traveling.

Materials I’m Packing

I narrowed down my materials to the bare minimum of what I think I will need while traveling - to do pen & pencil sketches and watercolor sketches. I originally thought about bringing the actual tubes of watercolor but decided against it due to the possibility of it being a problem at the airport, since I’m only bringing carry-on bags. So I filled up my palette with a lot of paint and added more amounts of White, Yellows and Blues mostly, since I’ll be painting landscapes - I won’t be needing much of Red or Magenta. I’ll most likely have more than enough paint for the entire 10 days.

Here’s a full list of my materials (click links below to view on Amazon):

Artist’s Tape
Watercolors & Palette
Brushes
Pencils
Pencil Sharpener
Erasers
Pens - White & Black
Toned Tan Sketchbook
Watercolor Sketchbook
Water Container
Paper Towels

What I Hope to Accomplish

I’m hoping to fill up the entire 24-page, watercolor sketchbook with Alaskan landscapes and keep it as a visual journal of my travels. With the toned tan sketchbook, I’m bringing it to do quick black and white sketches when I may not have enough time to do a watercolor sketch. I don’t have many activities planned for this trip which leaves plenty of time for painting and relaxing.

And from what I’ve read online, sunset won’t be until 10:35 PM - which will be kind of weird, but it’ll give me plenty of daylight to paint later in the evening if I wish.

Stay tuned for future posts, as I plan on sharing some of my sketches, watercolors, and photos from the trip.

[UPDATE]: Here’s what I accomplished on my trip: Alaska Plein Air Painting Trip Recap

Why Overconsumption Dulls Your Ability to See

In the past, it's always been important to look at other art and learn from other artists to create great work. This is how it's been for the last couple hundreds of years.

But things are a bit different today.

Why Consuming Less Art Made My Work Better

I realized those artists are only known because their art looks like someone else's. You can probably think of artist's right now that you currently follow who have a style that mimics other famous artists.

This made me question the work I was creating and all the studying I was doing.

What To Do When Your Art Lets You Down

Think back to a time when you were disappointed with your work. What kind of thoughts and emotions did you experience?

If you're like me, you probably felt that you weren't good enough. You put yourself down. You tied your self-worth to the thing you created.

The Illusion of Stability (in Art and Life)

We learn from a young age to look for stability in just about everything we do. After a while, stability becomes something we try to manufacture.

The problem with this is that is just doesn't line up with reality.

The Strengths Behind Every Painting (and Transition)

Transitions have a way of teaching lessons you don’t sign up for.

At first, they can feel disruptive or even painful. Like something's been taken from you. But if you stay with them long enough, you realize they’re shaping you in ways you couldn’t have planned yourself.

What 35 Paintings in 7 Days Taught Me

This Sketchbook Holds More Than Drawings

Out of all the sketchbooks I’ve filled over the years, one stands out more than the rest. This particular one, I started back in 2018 which I dedicated to drawing only my cat, Kitty, from life.

The Ebb and Flow of Creative Energy

Working long hours, putting pressure on yourself to create more each day is a recipe for burnout. This kind of lifestyle lacks balance and harmony. We weren’t meant to live like this.

The problem is: this goes against nature.

Nature is patient and takes her time.

What Clutter is Really Costing You

Why You Should Take An Inspiration Fast

The point behind all of these paintings I made was that during this time I was taking an inspiration fast. This helped me to create more freely and to create more often too.

I Made 58 Paintings in One Month - What I Learned

This month was a month full of focus and painting for me. I somehow created 58 paintings - almost 2 per day, while still working a day job. I’ll share what I learned, my process, experiments, and results for this month of focused painting.

How to Sketch Simple Architecture in Pen & Ink

Nothing adds more contrast to your sketches than pen & ink.

But the problem is when you’re too afraid to try it because it’s permanent. And when you do try it, you’re so concerned with making mistakes that your linework turns out too stiff. There’s no life in your lines or your sketch.

About Brandon Schaefer

I’m an artist exploring creativity, mindset, and the practice of making art over a lifetime. I share my work through writing, courses, and original paintings.

→ Explore my courses and work

travelplein airpainting

Brandon Schaefer

Plein Air Painting Preparation for a Trip to Alaska

Materials I’m Packing

What I Hope to Accomplish

Art with depth. Life with purpose.

© All Rights Reserved.

Plein Air Painting Preparation for a Trip to Alaska

Materials I’m Packing

What I Hope to Accomplish

Alaska Plein Air Painting Trip Recap & Anchorage Art Museum

Exploring Color with an Expanded Painting Palette

Art with depth. Life with purpose.

© All Rights Reserved.