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Painting Trips on a Harley Davidson
So why do I have a web page about a Harley Davidson? Actually,
I make frequent plein air trips on my Harley. When I travel and paint
on the Harley, I can't decide which is more fun...the trip there, or the
painting while there!
Many people ask how I do it, so thought I would add some
information on what painting equipment I take. For
Harley enthusiasts, click here for information on what accessories I have
on my FLHRI Road King.
Basically, I have miniaturized and reduced all my equipment
down to fit in the two hard saddlebags on the back of the Harley. Although
my primary plein air easel is a Soltek, it won't fit in the side bags
and is a little cumbersome to strap on the back of the motorcycle. I don't
want anything strapped on the back, hanging off the side, etc.
I purchased an Open
Box M Palm box, which fits perfectly in a side bag with room to spare
for other items.
After lugging around my fairly expensive and large digital
camera, getting it scratched and dinged up, I wanted something a little
more portable, I found a great solution in the Philips
Wearable Key010. The camera is about the size of a Bic Lighter, has
a 2 megapixel lens, and holds about 300 pictures. It is great for hiking,
painting, and riding the Harley. I just wear it around my neck at all
times. It has a few drawbacks: no LCD to tell what you took, no zoom,
and no flash; but for my purpose is great.
Below is a list of equipment I pack in the saddlebags:
- Open
Box M Palm box (paints are stored in the box)
- Camera Tripod (to hold the Palm Box. Most any tripod will do)
- Several 6x8 and 8x10 canvas boards (usually RayMar
brand)
- 3-4 Brushes (usually a size 6, 8, & 10 Bright)
- Shop Towels (I just take enough for the day...not the entire roll)
- Small water spray bottle (if painting in Acrylic)
- Paper Palette (if painting in Acrylic. For oils, I just use the Palm
Box palette)
- Small brush washer (if painting in Oil)
- Small container of Goop (For cleanup)
- Viewfinder (Check out Artworkessentials.com
for a really great viewfinder)
- A few miscellaneous items such as sun tan lotion packed in small plastic
containers.
- Camera (Philips
Wearable Key010)
- RayMar 8x10
Panel Carrier which can hold six wet panels. The Open
Box M Palm box can hold two wet panels, so I carry this only on
days or trips when I might do more than two paintings.
This gives me room to spare to take other items like baseball
cap, lunch, etc.
The Palm box holds two wet canvases, so when I paint in
oils, I may also take a RayMar
8x10 Panel Carrier which can hold six wet panels. This cramps the sidebags,
but I still have plenty room.
Lately, I have wanted to do larger format paintings, so
instead of the Pochade Box, I have been carrying my Soltek
easel and a wet box in a T-Bag on the back of the bike:
This allows me to do up to a 12x16 size painting.
Below are some pictures of me, the Harley and painting.
Notice the Pochade box, an Open Box M Palm box on the
tripod behind the bike.
Painting with the Palm box.
Cool picture taken by a fellow rider.
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