Every time I travel, I face the same question:

Should I bring art supplies, or leave them at home?

For years, I debated it. Space is limited. Bags get heavy. And honestly, most trips are packed with activities, sightseeing, and trying to fit everything into a few short days.

But I've noticed something over time.

I've never regretted bringing art supplies.

I've only regretted not bringing them.

There have been countless moments while traveling when I've found myself sitting in a coffee shop, waiting for a ferry, relaxing after a long day, or staring at a beautiful view thinking:

"I wish I had something to draw with."

So when my dad and I recently traveled to San Francisco, I packed a small collection of travel art supplies and tucked them into my bag.

Not because I expected to create a lot.

But because I wanted the option.

And I'm really glad I did.

 

Creativity Doesn't Need Much Space

One thing I've learned is that creativity doesn't require an entire studio.

For this trip, I packed:

• A small travel journal
• A mechanical pencil and eraser
• A few paint brush markers
• A couple Micro Line Pens

Everything fit inside a small clear pencil pouch.

That's it.

As much as I love traditional art supplies, I've become a big believer in keeping things simple when traveling. There are so many creative tools designed specifically for artists on the go now—compact paint brushes, collapsible water cups, pocket-sized palettes, and compact sketchbooks.

I've even considered bringing my drawing tablet on future trips because it would condense everything into a single device.

But if I'm being honest, there's still something about traditional media that keeps pulling me back.

A pen on paper.

Paint on a page.

A journal filling up with memories.

For me, that experience is hard to replace.

 

The Moments I Would Have Missed

What surprised me wasn't how much art I created.

It was how meaningful those small moments became.

During our Golden Gate Bridge boat tour, I sketched a safety buoy named "Old Blue" while taking a break from photographing the bridge.

After visiting Muir Woods, I sat in Sausalito and doodled leaves and tree shapes inspired by the towering redwoods we'd just seen.

At the San Francisco Botanical Gardens, I found a quiet corner, chose a single leaf, and painted it.

None of these drawings took very long.

None of them were masterpieces.

But each one helped me slow down enough to truly notice where I was.

And that's something photos alone don't always give me.

 

Photos Capture the Moment. Creativity Helps Me Experience It.

I still take plenty of photos when I travel.

Sometimes I don't have the time to sit down and sketch.

Sometimes the moment is moving too fast.

And that's okay.

A photo can become a reference for later.

A reminder of something I want to revisit when I get home.

But when I do have the opportunity to create on location, something shifts.

Instead of quickly moving on to the next thing, I spend a little longer observing.

I notice colors.

Shapes.

Textures.

Small details I might have otherwise overlooked.

Creativity invites me to participate in the experience rather than simply document it.

And I think that's one of the biggest gifts creative travel can offer.

 

It's Not About Making Great Art

One realization I've had recently is that not every creative act needs to produce something amazing.

Sometimes the value isn't in the finished piece.

It's in the pause.

It's in taking ten minutes with a cup of coffee and a sketchbook.

It's in sitting on a bench and people-watching.

It's in giving yourself permission to slow down while the rest of the world rushes by.

The drawings I made in San Francisco aren't my best work.

But they remind me exactly how those moments felt.

And that's worth far more to me than perfection.

 

A Gentle Reminder

If you're debating whether to bring art supplies on your next trip, this is your sign to pack them.

Keep them small.

Keep them simple.

Bring a journal, a pen, a few markers, or whatever feels right for you.

Maybe you'll use them.

Maybe they'll stay in your bag the entire trip.

But in my experience, it's better to have them and not need them than to find yourself wishing you'd brought them along.

Because creativity doesn't have to stop when we travel.

Sometimes travel is exactly what inspires it.

Do you bring creative supplies when you travel? I'd love to hear what makes it into your bag and how you stay connected to creativity while you're away from home.