How To Take Your Art With You When You Travel

Carrying the contents of your art studio with you when you travel is impractical and cumbersome. Whether you’ve planned a long journey or a short trip, it’s helpful to scale back your art supplies and travel light. Researching your destination thoroughly before departing will allow you to find local dealers and art studios. You can purchase some of your essential items in your new location to lighten the load and ease your worries about damaging or losing something valuable. Although you may have to leave some of your tools and supplies at your house, you can use the following suggestions to travel safely with your art.

Pack Light

You may have heard travel experts promote the advantages of traveling light, and the same logic applies to art supplies. You’ll enjoy your trip more if you’re able to move freely around your new surroundings and experience the area without being overburdened by a hefty case or bag. Make a small list of the supplies you plan to bring and reduce the list to a few important items. Large drawings or paintings should be checked with your luggage if you’re traveling in an airliner, and you should pack them in a case lined with bubble wrap to protect them. If you’re bringing sculpting blades or tools, you’ll have to store them in with your checked bags to avoid security issues. When you arrive at your destination, you can carry your art in a tote bag made of lightweight material.

Contact Airlines Before Traveling

Each airline has different regulations regarding the size, weight and contents of your luggage. Before making a costly mistake, it’s best to contact the company or view its website to determine if your tools and supplies are appropriate for air travel. If you bring an unapproved item, you’ll risk losing it at a security checkpoint, or even worse, security officials may question you if they believe the item is dangerous. Brushes, pens and pencils can be stored in carry-on luggage, but knives, chisels and sharp pins are prohibited unless they’re approved for checked baggage.

Travel With Non-Flammable Supplies

Solvents and other volatile liquids are not allowed in carry-on or checked luggage. You can bring water or vegetable oil-based paints with you, but if you tell a security officer that you have oil paints, be prepared for a thorough examination. It’s better to mention that you have a vegetable oil-based paint, so they don’t infer that you have a flammable liquid. Store liquids in airtight bags or containers to avoid leakage during travel and pack all your supplies together in a resealable plastic bag to prevent direct contact with your clothes or accessories. Most airlines place a limit on the size of a bottle containing a non-flammable liquid that you can store in carry-on luggage, and you may have to leave large bottles at home.

Bring An Art Journal

Since you can’t use paint on a plane, bus or train, you can bring a sketch pad or art journal to create work during a long trip. Bring colored pencils, ballpoint pens or markers in your carry-on and document your journey to your destination with your art. Most traveling artists recommend using a lightweight pad rather than a substantial leather-bound notebook, and it’s better to use something inexpensive and nondescript to minimize the chances of theft.

Buy Insurance for Valuable Items

If you’re convinced you cannot travel without a valuable item or work of art, you can buy insurance to protect your property. Insurance for your art can be expensive, but it’s worth it if you’re traveling in an unfamiliar location.

Try Art Handling Services for Expensive Art

When you’re planning on visiting a new town for several weeks or months, you can use an art handling service to ship your valuable items. Compared to traditional shipping companies, an art handling service charges high rates, but they specialize in carefully shipping paintings, tapestries and sculptures.

With a little research and planning, you can safely travel with your art and enjoy your new destination.