1. Some type of carrying case or pack is needed for daily on-location work. The small nylon book packs are excellent as well as other types of carrying bags. A small sketchbook or diary, watercolor paper, painting and other art supplies, lunch snacks or purchased around our daily bases, water container, weather related gear, camera and other items are part of the artist “look”. Make sure these items will fit and the bag or carrying case is comfortable and not too heavy. Although, some people in the past workshops have been known to "wear" their daily art supplies!
   
   
2. Drawing supplies are left open for your own preference. I do suggest using fine-tipped marker or ballpoint pens for sketchbook notations and drawings. Graphite drawings eventually smear, but it can still be used, especially on your watercolor paper. You may bring a variety materials or pursue a single medium in order to develop ideas bleed and work right on the watercolor paper. A white watercolor pencil or graphic pencil could be utilized to work back into the watercolors as well as wax resist or crayons.
   
   
3. A water bottle or container is needed for drinking water while traveling and painting purposes. Bottles used for biking are excellent. Make sure the bottle does not leak and is not too large and heavy. Certainly, you can buy drinking bottles/ or bottled water everywhere. Liquids are important while traveling.
   
   
4. Optional item – stool
   
   Many participants in the past have brought along a stool, which folds up and is easy to carry. This gear is very practical for many, but maybe too much to handle. Please try carrying all of your gear a few times and see how it will pack up.
   
   
5. A small, cheap sponge or part of one perhaps for pursing textures and certainly Spain is filled with subtle textures and color.
   
   
6. Paper towels are useful while painting and they can be packed in sheets.
   They also have a multitude of purposes!
   
   
7. Palette- for years I have used a plastic Tupperware container with a lid. It can hold paint tubes while traveling, emptied out to hold water and the lid used to mix paint on-location. You may bring a palette as they are flat and pack easily, but a large traditional plastic palette may seem too cumbersome for daily travel. I am going to bring a smaller metal travel palette. A palette can also be made by using clear acetate over some white foam core board or another stiffer and flat surface.
   
   
8. Brushes- two are suggested, but you may bring others. A #8-#12 smaller pointed brush for detail and a larger 1” flat or 1” rounded for larger applications of paint and water. There are various brands and quality, test the brush hair to make sure they have some life. Certainly, you may prefer more than two, but two is really all you need.
   
   Be sure to find some type of container for your brushes, tube taped up or plastic baggie or something similar to protect the brushes because of moisture and damage when shoved into a pack. Traditional bamboo rollup mats are also excellent.
   
   
9. Some masking tape for holding paper down, packing and traveling with your paintings.
   
   
10. Paint- professional quality watercolors, gouache and acrylics may be used. The suggested colors for beginning watercolor painters can include: Alizarin Crimson (dark red), Burnt Sienna ( reddish brown), Paynes Gray (Neutral tint), Chinese white, Violet ( some type of dark purple), Sepia (dark brown), Hooker’s Green Dark, Cadmium or New Gamboge Yellow ( bright), Prussian, or French Ultramarine Blue, and Yellow Ocher.
    
    I am going to recommend that you do bring a tube of white paint, Chinese White or Designer’s Gouache.
    
    Also, if you are having trouble with simple primary colors I will recommend one of these three primary triad combinations:
    
    SEMITRANSPARENT: New Gamboge (yellow); Cadmium Red Deep; French Ultramarine Blue
    TRANSPARENT: Aureolin (yellow); Permanent Rose; Cobalt Blue
    INTENSE: Winsor Yellow; Winsor Red; Winsor Blue
    
    
11. Sketchbook or some sketching paper. This may be minimal at best as I will suggest a spiral book or sketching book with multipurpose paper for sketching and note taking for a daily journal. I like the idea of a daily journal , something small for notes and small sketches. You will be working for eight days. Perhaps your watercolor paper could also serve as note taking or small sketching for future ideas and needs. If you work inside of your paper you can write on the bottom or on the backside. I have also been known to sketch and take notes right on the watercolor sheets and save them for later, back at the hotel in the evening or in my Texas studio. Time is so critical for painting.
    
    
12. Watercolor paper-a variety of papers may be used: a watercolor book format, watercolor block form or loose paper on various surfaces or similar surfaces will work very well. I would like you to create a series of about fifteen small paintings and I am suggesting a similar size so the paintings can function as a book, as plates or as single paintings with a similar theme. You can always put sheets together to make multi-hinged paintings.
    
    The paintings can be carried in your luggage, in a carrier or rolled in a tube. I carry mine in the bottom of my suitcase wrapped in plastic for protection. I have both a watercolor book of paper as well as small papers which are either torn down from larger sheets or single sheets of handmade paper. Please select paper you have tried. I will be demonstrating on half-sheets of 300 lb. paper so I do not have to stretch the paper and it is wrapped in a plastic sheet so I can also sit on the plastic or use it as a surface and for protection.
    
    You may also work larger, a tube can be packed in your luggage or carried. I pack my paper in large plastic zip-lock bags to protect the papers from moisture and the elements. In addition, I also take two pieces of foam core board and tape it together and put paper to pack in my suitcase. Not only does the container protect the paper in shipping but the container can function as a small board or table. On this trip, I will be tearing down a full sheet of paper into half-sheets and keeping them in a small portfolio.
    
    IT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO TRAVEL LIGHT AND NOT TAKE TOO MANY THINGS WITH YOU. YOU WILL USE FEWER SUPPLIES THAN YOU THINK, SO DON’T BRING YOUR WHOLE STUDIO.
    
    PLEASE CONTACT ME ABOUT DETAIL QUESTIONS.
    THERE ARE NO DUMB QUESTIONS. IT IS BETTER TO ASK NOW THAN LATER!
    
    
    

GENERAL SUGGESTED PACKING LIST

* Each workshop may have a specific recommended item, please check each workshop final packing list.

1. Two bags CAN be checked. Make sure you can carry them. Suggest one larger one and a smaller bag or two smaller bags. I will have one larger suitcase and a carry-on pack as well as my painting case and that is all I can handle. For international travel, 70 lbs. per bag is the limit or else fees will be applied due to overweight baggage. Domestic travel for workshops has a 50lb. limit and the airlines are strict on this policy.
   
   Your bags will be checked through to your final group destination at departure check-in. You will have your own ticket and check-in will be on an individual basis, not dependent upon everyone checking in together as a group.
   
   
2. Carry-on items are limited to one piece in addition to a purse or camera. Make sure all mat knives or metallic art supplies, including paint tubes are packed in your check-on luggage. If not, you will be subject to searches given the new travel regulations.
   
   
3. Reminder-you are in charge of your own items. The more you have, the more difficult it is to organize, move and to keep track of your own possessions.
   
   
4. You will be responsible for making sure your bags make the transition to your hotel room. Watch out for your own bags as there will always be connecting service for the group. .
   
   
5. Please pack something to keep warm with on the plane.
   
   
6. Take only what is absolutely essential for the workshop.
   
   
7. You may feel like dressing up at night for a change of pace. Otherwise, country casual will be just fine.
   
   
8. Laundry services will be available
   
   
   

PERSONAL SUGGESTED PACKING CHECKLIST

1. Passport. Make sure your passport will not be expiring within six months of departure.
   
   
2. Extra passport photo/xerox of passport (to be carried separately).
   
   
3. Passport/money holder (wallet or small purse with neck strap/ waist belts). PLEASE make sure you have something to store your credit card, phone card as well as money in and keep it on your body.
   
   
4. Travelers checks/money (necessary for some meals and personal items). Credit cards work very well with ATM machines. I mostly travel with small bills. Traveler’s checks are okay, but more difficult to cash at times.
   
   
5. Phone cards or a calling card number with an international number may be most helpful and convenient. It will be easy to call from Europe. You will be receiving the hotel telephone numbers, fax numbers as well as e-mail addresses in the duplicate final daily schedule before departure. A calling card can be purchased and these are actually cheap and easy to use when calling the states from a phone booth. The hotel office will have a fax machine and number. Emergency emails can be sent and received from the hotels. If you have a phone card, MCI, Sprint, etc., make sure you know your pin number.
   
   
6. Sunglasses and sunblock-it will be sunny and feel warm at times!
   
   
7. Medicines-if you use medication, make sure you take an ample supply and a copy of the doctor’s prescription. The drug store number, of course, is not sufficient. Also, if you are using aspirins or any other non-prescription medication, take a supply with you. Remember, whenever you change climates the body reacts differently. If you are under medical care, notify your physician before leaving.
   
   
8. Shoes-a good pair of walking shoes and another pair for a change of pace. It is important to bring a major pair of proper walking shoes that will allow you to keep your feet dry and provide good support. I do not plan to walk you every minute, but you need to keep your feet dry due to the weather. We also do not plan to be out painting in the inclement weather if there should be any. A second pair of shoes is always important. The second pair may be lighter and more casual for evening.
   
   
9. Socks-in addition to the shoes, good socks are also very important for support and keeping your feet dry.
   
   
10. Film for your camera- film & developing is always more expensive out of the country. Make sure you have an extra camera battery with you. Watch the film speed for various lighting conditions. If you are travelling with a digital camera, make sure you have enough card space. You may find some places to download or create a CD or you may not when the workshop is in rural areas. Be prepared to take more images than you thin you will need!
    
    
11. T-shirts/tops/shirts/blouses
    
    
12. Sweatshirt/sweater, evening will be cooler.
    
    
13. Pair of jeans, I take two pairs and you will see a lot of jeans.
    
    
14. Undergarments
    
    
15. Hair dryer (also to dry painting in progress), but the hotels will have them available.
    
    
16. Electricity-to use your U.S. purchased electric-powered equipment, bring a converter and an adapter. Wall outlets take plugs with two round oversize prongs and plugs with three prongs. These devices and conversions always present the most difficult frustrations of traveling. I do not carry any devices, but hotels can be most helpful.
    
    
17. For my own evening out, I always just carry a sweater or a black turtleneck, black jeans and/or a sports coat so I am prepared for any evening out. This is not a fashion show and you will be tired in the evenings and they will vary from wanting to sit down and eat a long and slow dinner to running around and being a tourist.
    
    
18. Small portable umbrella. I do not expect rain, but I always carry one and it can be used in the sun also.
    
    
19. Laundry
    There will be a laundry service to make your packing lighter during the workshop. Then of course, you can always just buy clothes when needed!
    
    
20. Personal information
    (Pack personal addresses, phone numbers and copy of passport/photo)
    
    
21. Art supplies
    (Pack metal objects in your checked-through bag/s)
    
    
22. Music
    Music devices with headsets may be enjoyable with long trips, crowds and as an aid to sleeping.