Painting on the Road – My Mobile Studio

Özlem
Oct 10
2 min read

Before we hit the road, I spent a lot of time thinking: How am I going to paint while traveling? As an oil painter, it’s no small challenge – oil paints dry slowly, and large canvases, the ones I usually love, are hardly feasible.

Yet I didn’t want to stop. I wanted to capture the moment, the landscape, the air, the light, the freedom. So I reimagined my painting: smaller, lighter, mobile.

My Tiny Van Studio

I chose drawers and painting boxes so my artworks could dry safely. A painting case and a converted tripod allow me to paint standing – a little like at home, but outdoors, breathing freedom.

My favorite brushes, a bucket of paints, a small sealed container for solvents, and most importantly: a fast-drying medium. Everything is compact, everything within reach – to stay creative even in a small space.

First Experiments in France

In France, I tried my setup for the first time. Two small bird paintings as commissions – and I was surprised at how well it worked.

Of course, you adapt to the situation: light falls differently, the wind plays, the canvas moves. But that’s what makes it exciting. I feel every movement, every color more intensely. Every stroke tells the story of the moment.

A Bit of Magic in a Small Space

Painting on the road means focusing on the essentials:

Choose smaller formats – easier to transport, quicker to dry
Flexible drying – use drawers or boxes for safe storage
Standing painting – a mobile tripod gives freedom
Right tools – favorite brushes, small containers for solvents, fast-drying medium
Adapt & experiment – accept the differences from home and use them creatively

Every sketch, every small painting carries the day’s mood. My van becomes a studio that breathes the world outside – giving me space to capture it.

Conclusion

Painting in a van is different, unpredictable, a little daring. But that’s its beauty: freedom, experimentation, amazement at what emerges. My small mobile studio is more than just a setup – it’s a companion that inspires and challenges me to paint on the road, again and again.

✨ Tips for Your Mobile Painting Studio

Stick to smaller formats for more flexibility
Invest in a compact, organized system for brushes, paints, and medium
Use fast-drying oil or medium for commissions
Experiment with light and perspective – every place inspires new ideas
Embrace the unexpected – often the best works arise from small limitations