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Painting outside, on location is hard work - here are three items I find indispensable.

#1 Nite Ize S-Biner SlideLock

Turps containers are expensive and losing one while hiking really makes for an interesting day of painting.  This strong but lightweight piece of gear from Nite Ize allows me to clip my turps can to the outside of my backpack and actually lock the S-Biner closed using the sliding plastic knob things on each arm.  There are tons of uses for these and they come in several sizes.  $3-$5 ea.

Link to Amazon: Here

#2 Nitrile Coated Work Gloves

Marc Hanson told me about these and I use them all the time now.  They are a lightweight knit gloves that have a nitrile coating applied to the fingers and palm providing a waterproof surface with tremendous grip with no loss of dexterity.  The backs of the gloves aren't coated so they breathe well.  They stay cool in the summer and provide a bit of protection and warmth in the winter.  Tough, light and inexpensive - another must have.  There are several brands available.  About $1.50 a pair.  

Link to Amazon: Here

#3 Nite Ize Gear Tie

Basically a rubber-coated, giant twisty tie, these are so versatile you will want a few of them.  They are available in lengths from 3" to 64".  I use the 12" to secure my tripod and umbrella to the outside of my pack and smaller lengths to hang my pack from my tripod while painting (to weigh it down).  Although you can use them over and over again, they won't last forever...but who cares, they're inexpensive.  One tip - buy bright colors so you can find them easily if you drop one in the field.

Prices vary but you can buy a multi-pack of various sizes for about $12.

Link to Amazon: Here

Often overlooked, small items like these can make a big difference in your plein air experience.

If you have a great gear suggestion, let me know!

Scott 

[email protected]

Varnish is a clear coating, made of resin dissolved in a liquid which can be applied as a final layer to a painting.

I varnish my painting for three reasons:

1. Color saturation - Some oil colors lose their vibrancy when dry.  Varnish saturates the colors bringing back their original punch.

2. Surface uniformity - I personally like the surface of my paintings to have a uniform sheen.  Unvarnished paintings can have glossy areas and matte areas, depending on the oil color and if any painting medium was used.  I don't want this to distract the viewer.

3. Protection - The most important reason I varnish is because it protects the painting.  This clear coating provides a barrier to airborne contaminates and helps the painting age better.  

I prefer Gamblin's Gamvar varnish because it won't yellow with age and is easily removed with odorless mineral spirits if cleaning or restoration of the painting is ever required.

Learn more about Gamvar here: http://www.gamblincolors.com/varnishes/index.html

Here's a video I put together on YouTube: Varnishing Paintings

Here's a example of what varnish can do for a painting (the left side is varnished):

My painter friends and I have this secret spot in Rocky Mountain National park that we hike to in the Fall to paint.  I call it the cathedral because upon entering this grove of Aspen you are enveloped in golden light.  The breeze rattles the leaves like a million golden sequins rustling and shimmering overhead and gently raining down all around.  It is a magical place and while I was painting this piece, we had a heard of Elk bugling off in the distance.

An in-progress photo.  A wonderful day amid the bugling elk under this golden canopy.