OpenTube

The BEST Travel Art Bag for Watercolor Artists + My Plein Air Setup

RustyThicketStudio

37,867 views

Looking for the BEST travel art bag for watercolor painting? Today I’m sharing my complete plein air setup — the portable watercolor supplies, tools, and travel bag I rely on when painting outdoors. If you’ve been searching for a lightweight, organized, and beginner-friendly watercolor travel kit, this video walks you through everything I pack and why it works so well.

🌿 In this video:
• My travel art bag setup
• What’s in my watercolor travel kit
• How I pack for plein air painting
• Lightweight watercolor supplies I recommend
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🪱Worm welcome to the channel!! 🪱 and ✨ Thanks for watching! ✨
I’m so glad you’re here! This channel is all about blending art, nature, and creativity in a cozy, goblincore inspired way. If you enjoy painting, learning little nature facts, or just slowing down to appreciate the world around us, you’re in the right place.
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🌿 Connect with me:
🔗 Linktree (all my links in one place) https://linktr.ee/therustythicket
🛒 Etsy Shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/rustythicke...
🎨 Redbubble Shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/rustythicke...
📷 Instagram Instagram: rustythicketstudio
🪽 Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/rustythicket...
📌 Pinterest Pinterest: therustythicket
📘 Facebook Facebook: therustythicket
📬 Newsletter: (free wallpapers & updates) ✨(Coming Soon)✨
💌 Patreon: (behind-the-scenes & extras) ✨(Coming Soon)✨
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LINKS: Some links may be affiliate links
The original medium bag: https://amzn.to/3Kis3Hu
The bag (smaller version) https://rb.gy/tu19n
The bag (PEN version) https://amzn.to/48uLh8n
Mini water cup (similar) https://rb.gy/61sgy
White pearl eraser: https://rb.gy/hgq8o
Sweat bands: https://rb.gy/20d4q
Sketchbook: https://rb.gy/etcfu7
Koi Palate: https://shorturl.at/rwBL4
Micron Pens: https://shorturl.at/kqvR8
Gelly Roll: https://shorturl.at/duFK0
Travel paint brush (similar) https://shorturl.at/doqGT

New from the last video
Holbein Watercolors 36 Half-Pans with Brush https://amzn.to/443klvf
Holbein watercolor masking ink https://amzn.to/4pKneti
Moleskine Classic Notebook (3.5" x 5.5") https://amzn.to/4iuMEIQ
Moleskine Classic 2026 Planner (3.5" x 5.5") https://amzn.to/48qQIp2
Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer https://amzn.to/48x9cEg
Faber-Castell Kneadable Eraser https://amzn.to/49STxl3
Wisdompro Pen Clip, 12 Pack Stainless Steel https://amzn.to/4pIBORQ
Self-Healing Cutting Mat 3.5 x 5 inch (smaller but similar) https://amzn.to/49TB5ZI
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🎶Goblincore Spotify Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5gD...
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🎶 Music Credits:
Epidemic Sound: https://www.epidemicsound.com
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📌 About this video:
The update is FINALLY here!! I hope you enjoy this new, lived-in review of the utlim Smasta bags! I have 4 and I need more haha.
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💬 Let’s chat!
What was your favorite part of today’s video? Do you have any personal stories, facts, or connections with these little trinkets and critters? Drop them in the comments—I love hearing from you!
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📅 New videos most every Thursday @ 9PM JST
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20 Comments

@dawn4224 10 months ago

Instead of paper towels or the wrist band, you can easily carry the compressed towels used for camping or traveling. Size of a quarter and they expand when wet/damp. After usage I rinse, allow to dry, and reuse them a couple of times.

@kayboath2468 6 months ago

First video of yours I’ve ever seen and wanted to say a huge thank you for sharing this bag, love it and just what I’m needing. New subbie here. ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@magickminx 5 months ago

How interesting that this came up on my home page. I've just bought 12 of these to house kits for my students for a Christmas Class I'm booked to do. I've been using mine ahead of time & it's great!

@cynthiawakefield7084 4 days ago

It would be helpful to have the measurements of the actual bag. The measurements are not on the Amazon link.

@craftSolo4011 10 months ago

These bags are great! I have two (got them years ago) . I put a handle on one so I could carry it and D-rings on the other so I could connect a shoulder strap to it

@paulakimmel3280 2 months ago

I wish the bag with the handle was available

@InnerMagpie 10 months ago

Eeeeehhhhhhhhhh! I’m squealing in delight! ❤❤❤❤❤❤

@dawn4224 10 months ago

I keep my kneaded eraser in a tiny lidded jar. Clean and easy.

@pammcardle40 10 months ago

Thank you for all the details and links!! I appreciate all the time you spent making this and I too love cute and functional bags!!!😊❤

@InnerMagpie 10 months ago (edited)

Packing cubes are the way to go. I follow a couple of ladies that are expert travelers and they swear by using the cube system. Theory of Simple ( Adventure Favors the Prepared ). Is the name of the channel. She is awesome and has tricks galore!

@yertletheturtle5843 7 months ago

I bought one of these off the back of your previous video. It is amazing and I'm regretting not buying more of them. I did buy the biggest version too (it's more briefcase size) and I love that too. The bigger version sits next to me on the sofa.

@lark6676 10 months ago

I have one of those bags.
I love it! I keep my Go Draw micro palettes packed in it ready to go.
I have 5 micro palettes and it's so nice to have them all in one place along with my supplies and brushes.

@jvisser4848 3 months ago

It looks like such a great bag! Wanted to buy it in a heartbeat but cannot find it where I live (not online, either).

@wulfseig1864 9 months ago

This would be great for gym toiletries. I like that the bottles would stand up. Just like the makeup bag idea. Thanks for sharing. Hoping for a safe and easy trip home for you guys. 🤍🤍🤍

@lifelongbreath 8 months ago

I LOVE videos like these that r so insightful & puttt usss onnnn !! Thank you! You saved me so much time looking. @.@ I already spent a good amount of hours/days looking before I decided to purchase one.

This is so perfect. You saved me so many hours that I would've spent looking through the toiletry bag section xD

Also I am not sure if it was on accident, but the links smaller version takes me to the page for the medium version (for me)

@dawn4224 10 months ago

The second eraser is a rubber eraser.

@UJB123 10 months ago (edited)

Very nice. I have something similar ... not as nice. 😊 That's nice to have rolling from post to post. Suitcase/ carry-on friendly. Enjoy the hop!

@DJBrewer 9 months ago

I ordered a large army pack from China. Probably it was military. Anyway, it had tons of zippers and compartments and pockets so that's what I use for my travel art travel bag. It weighs about 25 lb. If not convenient for Plein Air but its great for travel. Now that I'm 73, we've traded in our camping equipment for a year 2002 RV. OUR LAST CAMPING TRIP WAS MAYBE ABOUT WILL A FOURTH 2002 THAT'S FOR SURE. We were at the Grand Canyon, it was 27 degrees for 3 days we were camping with three of our four kids and each of our kids have brought a friend with them. So it was a very exciting adventure for all of us. We were prepared for cold weather and all of our kids were in their teens as were their friends. They thought it was hilarious to camp out in that freezing weather. My husband and I not so much. After that my husband said anytime we travel with our kids if they want to camp they're free to do so but we're going in a motel!

@marinabouchotstrabic5024 2 weeks ago

Would your water jar fit in your washi tape for more stability? Looked like it could fit

@isabellalucia7820 10 months ago

IKEA also have a useful A4 sized kit bag in the kids art section Mala). It doesn’t stand up like this but it has a handle and a handy board on the back for plain sour work, if you don’t mind the colour.