As the Bath County Plein Air Competition draws closer, I've been frantically bumbling around the house trying to pack everything for the trip. It takes extra planning since the competition is in another state, and art store resources are questionable, especially for gouache which is less common in art stores (but thank goodness it's growing in popularity!)

This isn't my first rodeo, but I'm sure I'm still going to forget something crucial. KNOCKING ON ALL THE WOOD. My most often forgotten item is actually my palette, so I'm triple checking that I have one in my bag. Here's a little checklist that might come in handy for any of you that might be attending your first competition, or maybe you're a seasoned veteran that just needs some reminders.

This list is specifically for gouache artists; oil painters have a series of other stuff to worry about, such as solvents, brush cleaners, panel holders, etc. This post will also go over some of the basics that I've learned from participating in some of the plein-air events over the year. I'm still relatively new to this all, so take the advice with a grain of salt, but hopefully it will be helpful to someone.

Read Artists' instructions thoroughly! And then...read it again! And one more time! I swear I find something new and important with each read, and taking notes and scheduling events in my calendar is a must. For multi-day events, it's even more crucial that you have the addresses of everything (in case you are in a remote area with iffy cell service, bonus points if you download off-line maps). 

Framing! Each event is going to be different. Some require a specific framing method. There are a lot of competitions that don't allow glass, so make sure to check, because gouache is typically framed under glass, so you will need to replace it with plexi. Trusty D hangers and wire are typically used for events. Sawtooth hangers and others are usually frowned upon. Buying a bulk amount of D hangers, and a roll of wire make it easy to always have the stuff on hand. Taking time to pre-drill and install the D hangers for both vertical and horizontal layouts will save precious time and energy at the end. Don't forget that watercolors/gouache should be under an acid-free mat and separated from the glass. Be sure to pack in wire cutters, painters tape, and a screw driver as well. 

Check the weather! It's important to check the forecast to know what to bring. Bath county looks mostly sunny but with the chance of showers, so rain gear is important (especially waterproof shoes). I've gone as far as borrowing my friend, Lydia's, Under the Weather Pod so that my painting can stay dry in wet weather. Pack extra layers, because painting in the cold is the worst! My packable super light weight down jacket is perfect for plein air because it stuffs down into my backpack but provides a lot of warmth. Especially if you're ambitious enough to do a nocturne, it gets mighty chilly and little hot packs like this can be a lifesaver for your dainty painter hands. There are small electronic ones that serve a dual purpose as a charger, but I haven't used one yet. I have a bestbrella that I use which helps for sunny days, but if it's windy it's not worth bringing out. I used to use the reflective one, but found that the white diffusing one allows me to see the values better. It doesn't provide adequate sun protection though, so bring your sunscreen! Many easels have taken pretty hard falls, including my own, from high winds and umbrellas. Don't forget your sun hat and sunglasses! Sunscreen and bug spray are essentials that I pretty much keep in my painting bag at all times.

I've painted in uncomfortably cold temperatures...

and some brutally hot temps...

Painting Supplies! These belong at the top of the list. You'll want plenty of extra paint, your palette (this one is my favorite) , brushes, your easel, a water vessel, extra water, plenty of paper (I try to stick with two sizes, a small and large to minimize the amount of frames that are needed), painting lights if you're doing a nocturne, a roll of paper towels, a sketchbook, pencils, a kneaded eraser, artists' tape, and your trusty spray bottle. For the paint, make sure you go through your inventory and have a good amount of each color. I've mentioned this before, but I like to separate my paints into their color groups so that it's easier and more efficient to find when out in the field.

Stamping! Prior to competitions, it's common to have your papers and canvases stamped to prove that you did the painting during the competitions. It's a little tricky if you're using watercolor blocks, but I try to peel off a corner and then awkwardly have them stamp the back side. It's important to separate the pages so the stamp doesn't bleed onto another page, but it works. Stamp extras to make up for any that don't make the cut.

At the Reception... Once all the work is completed, depending on the rules, people select their paintings to show and to be judged. There's often a big reception, and it took me a couple of tries to get the hang of it. You will want to be sure to have some way to display your business cards. Some clip onto the wall, and some people have brought small tables to display business cards and brochures. I was surprised at how fast my business cards went, and ran out early in Capitola, so be sure to bring a lot. For the Bath County plein air, I am going to bring a handful of my sticker sheets to give to anyone that comes to visit me and says the secret word..."Coconut". People have bought paintings as well during the reception, so one thing I am hoping to start doing this year is bringing packaging to wrap up the paintings for them to make it seem extra special, and to keep the painting safe. It's wise to have an email sign up list, to add people to your newsletter.

Final thoughts and extra items - It might seem like all of this stuff is overkill, but what I've learned is that the more comfortable and seamless you can make it, the more time you can focus on doing what matters...PAINTING. You'll need to adjust the list to fit your needs. There are a couple of other things that might not be as essential, but have proven to be helpful.  A first aid kit if you are going to be away from home. Band aids, ibuprofen, maybe dramamine if you're going to be on a bunch of winding roads. Pack lots of snacks, because us artists tend to forget to eat. And then there are other random items like an external battery for my phone since I'm usually out for a long time, art books for inspiration (if traveling), and headphones (over the ear types work well if you want people to not bother you while painting). If you will be completing a large amount of paintings, it's advisable to bring a way to store the paintings, such as an art portfolio or folder to keep them safe.

Well that wraps it up! I hope that's been helpful, and let me know (PLEASE) if I'm forgetting anything! Again, click here to go to the google doc checklist, and you can create a copy and edit it to fit your own needs. Thank you for reading, and now to finish packing!