Packing your Pastels

 I get asked a lot - how do I pack my pastels for travel? We buy these fabulous sets and have great timber draws at home - but they are heavy and too big to take plein air or to workshops that are away from home. 

​There are a few ways to pack your pastels for travel with many on the market to purchase. Some easels come with compartments for your pastels which are good too.
My way  is just one way of many that is home made. 

I have two small boxes that are each about the size of an A4 sheet of paper. I have lined the boxes with foam rubber top and bottom. With a layer of paper towel on the bottom of the box so I can clean it every now and then. (the boxes are old rembrandt 60 half stick set boxes. But you can use plastic food containers or whatever you have that is light and sturdy.) 

One box has cool colours and one box warm. I sort them by tone and then temperature then intensity.
 
When travelling the two boxes are stacked on each other and held tightly closed with large elastic bands. As they are closely packed they do not move much and therefore do not break. They are all half stick size pastels.   I also have similar size boxes of Unison 63 half sticks that are great for plein air and travelling too. 

The best thing is they fit in my carry on luggage if flying so I can keep them safe with me. 
Weights about 1kg for two boxes. 

I hope this helps  you next time you travel with your pastels. 

Tricia Taylor

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