Forget December 25th, Santa dropped down my chimney last week — at least it feels that way! I ordered a Schmincke travel paint tin from Blick Art Materials (none of my local art stores, including Blick, carry Schmincke products) and expected to wait 2 months for its arrival. Sigh. Within a few weeks I got an email saying my order had been shipped. The anticipation began to build and I was soon feeling like a 5-year-old on Christmas Eve listening to the radio report about where Kris Kringle had last been sited.
When the package arrived I ripped it open. There it was — a small black tin — along with a bag of 12 half pans. What is it about something small like this tin, or a lidded ceramic dish or carved wooden box, that is immediately so endearing? I had already read about this useful tin and yet, when I received mine, it was as if I knew nothing about it or its use. At each step of opening the tin, my delight grew. By the time I had filled the 12 half pans with paints I was practically giddy. Click on an image for a larger view.
The 4-part tin is very smartly designed. The lid has deep bowls for mixing the colors; the inner flap covers the paint pans without touching the paints.
The section holding the half pans of paint lifts out of the tin, making it easier to fill the pans. I launched right into filling the pans from my tubes of paints.
The tin also comes with a small chart to record the names of each of the paints. It fits neatly on top of the section which covers the paint pans. Schmincke really thought this completely through.
And here is my travel bag all ready to grab and go:
I’ve packed a few postcards recently made from junk mail, a pad of virgin watercolor postcards, pencil, pen, eraser, Niji waterbrush, a spray bottle and the paint tin — and there is ample room to tuck in a sketch book. All I need are a few postcard stamps and I’m ready for come what may.
And here’s the first sketch completed using the paint tin.
This eucalyptus is a very different species from the trees near my home. I found this tree near Sulphur Creek Nature Center when I attended their Flight to Freedom event recently. The volunteers at this organization rehabilitate wild creatures and release them back to the wild whenever possible. The night I was there a barn owl was released. It was quite exciting and satisfying to see this majestic bird fly away! If you have such an organization nearby, I hope you are supporting it.
This post has been shared with Off the Wall Friday.
Now that is slick Franki! Oh the fun you are going to have.
You said it! I think it will fall under the title of “More than the law allows!”
I love your ability to find joy in the little things. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Gosh, when I stop enjoying the little things I won’t have much joy in my life!
Gorgeous! Both the elegant tin, and the
Franki, Thanks for sharing this — I have a couple of people for whom this would be the PERFECT holiday gift. Plus I loved seeing your beautiful eucalyptus….it had that elegant feel of 19th century botanical drawings, which I’m a complete and total sucker for!
Hope all is well with you and Mr. K. xx Linda P
Linda, I’m so happy this could be useful for you. Check your local art stores now. You may end up, as I did, ordering on line. Not a big deal, really, but you’ll have to allow time in case it’s a back ordered item. As for the eucalyptus: I still have a sprig of it and will be doing several more drawings. The green of these leaves has a gray tint to it and what looks like a light white wash on top. Tricky! I’ll be experimenting with mixing those greens. All is well here with us. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Hi Franki, Several years ago on my birthday I treated myself to that very same set. I love it! It has already traveled far and wide. Your travel kit looks about identical to mine, even the same wonderful Sharpie pen, by far my favorite of all pens. I don’t have any hand made postcards in my kit, but I guess I could do something about that. Enjoy your new paints. You know what they say, the best things come in small packages.
Well, if I’m carrying the same supplies, there is hope for me! I wanted to keep it simple and just carry the basics. I’m thoroughly enjoying the paint box. Indeed, the best things do come in small packages — or they’re free!
What a handy little tin! Thank you for sharing this I can see so many times this would come in handy.
It really is terrific. And a must-have if you’re going to travel with paints.
I find reading of (and seeing) an artist’s tools so interesting. It helps me, a musician/amateur photographer, understand the process behind your craft.
I feel the same way Cindi. And I often learn about tools I’ve never heard of before. Gets me going!