First test-run with my newly acquired antique pochade box (a fab Christmas gift from Dirty Jane’s, Canberra)…

In the box

• palette (the top of an egg carton was perfect width and height for the box)

• 3 rags (to wipe brushes as well as use for paint application or removal)

• 4 small boards, primed and prepped with a colour wash

• sunscreen

• 3 flat-head brushes: med-large, medium, small (the intent was to make myself stay simple)

• water mixable oil paints:

1. mixing white (didn’t get used)

2. Naples yellow

3. burnt umber

4. burnt sienna

5. Prussian blue

6. cadmium red

7. cadmium yellow medium

8. olive green

9. sap green

Carried separately

• small water jar

• water bottle

• small thermos of hot coffee

• biscuits snack (a banana and water on prior expeditions just did not cut it!)

• cheese sandwich (never tasted so good than out bush!)

Lessons learned

I sat on the ground on this day, intending to use the inside lid of the box as my easel. The box was too deep for my little arms to reach comfortably, though, and instead I had to hold the boad in one hand or rest on a knee. It was a nice extra connection to sit in the dirt and kangaroo-poo, however next time will take my smaller box (as well, to paint on) and a tripod…. Or work out of the back of the car, as I’ve found a few spots I can back the car right up to the Nature Reserve edge.