TPK’s 10 Best Art Projects for Traveling

As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, many of us are scrambling to figure out travel logistics. We’re thinking about what to pack, loose ends to tie up before we go, and what to do while we are away! It’s important to remember, though, that the official definition of holiday is “a day of festivity or recreation when no work is done”. This is the perfect chance to spend time with family *and* indulge your artistic side! In today’s post, we’ll go over ten art projects for traveling. All of these projects require minimal setup and minimal supplies! Tackling one (or more) of these projects can help to add to the pleasure and relaxation of your holiday break.

1. Simple Lettering Art

I love this lettering art concept as a way to celebrate your relationship with a loved one! This piece that I made for my husband, Hernán, uses hand-lettered special memories to make an “h” silhouette.

No-mess packing list:

• Pen (try Muji or Pilot G2)
• Pencil + eraser
• Colored pencils
• Paper (or sketchbook)

2. Talavera Mexican Tile Mail Art

Mail art is a fantastic project to create away from home! You can send your decorated envelope directly from your travel destination to switch up your usual postmark.

No-mess packing list:

• Envelope (preferably dark-colored)
• White mechanical pencil
• White Gelly Roll pen
• Postage stamps

3. Hand-Lettering Exemplar

I love to practice hand-lettering styles by writing out nice, orderly alphabets! These alphabets double as works of art; after all, there are few things that are more pleasing to the eye than an artistic alphabet! You can write out one or more of TPK’s hand-lettering styles, or you can work on developing your own style.

No-mess packing list:

• Pen (I like Muji because the ink doesn’t smear when you erase pencil guidelines)
• Pencil + eraser
• Ruler (I like the parallel glider)
• Paper (or sketchbook)
• Optional: Lettering exemplar, either printed out or ready to view on your iPad or laptop

4. State Lettering Map

Another great way to practice your lettering? Do so within an outline of your state or country! Once you finish, you’ll have a stunning and gift-worthy piece. As a bonus, this is one of those projects that you can work on a little bit here and there over the course of your break.

No-mess packing list:

• Pen (I used a dip pen for the tutorial, but a Muji pen would work well and travel better)
• Pencil + eraser
• Paper (or sketchbook)
• Printed outline of your chosen state or country (read the tutorial for tips on where to find this)
• Optional: Lasso Lettering Exemplar, either printed out or ready to view on your iPad or laptop

5. Ink Wash Art

Sometimes, non-waterproof pens offer amazing artistic opportunities! I love using a cotton swab and water (or a paintbrush) to smudge whatever I’ve drawn with a G2 pen. The smudging leads to a lovely, vintage effect that looks much more complicated than it actually is.

Here’s more ink wash art inspiration:

No-mess packing list:

• Pilot G2 pen
• Cotton swab or paintbrush (in a pinch, your finger could work to smudge the ink)
• Paper (or sketchbook)
• Water

6. Brush Pen Drills (or a Worksheet)

A brush pen is just a marker, really, so it travels very well! You can pack several brush pens in different colors to make projects; or, if you just want to get in some practice, take a solo brush pen along.

No-mess packing list:

• Brush pens (learn about different types in this article)
• Printed out brush pen drills sheet, free worksheet, or premium worksheet

7. Botanical Letter

This botanical letter just needs a few modifications before you take the project on the road! First, use a waterproof pen (such as Muji) instead of a dip pen. Second, if you don’t want to travel with watercolors, use colored pencils or markers instead to give the project some color!

No-mess packing list:

• Pen (preferably Muji because it’s waterproof)
• Pencil + eraser
• Paper (or sketchbook)
• Printed outline of your letter
• Watercolors + brush, colored pencils, crayons, or markers — just something to add color!

8. “Juicy” Brush Pen Calligraphy

If you want to make brush pen calligraphy with panache, you’ll need a small collection of brush pens (in different shades of the same color)! If you want to make mail art using this concept, then feel free to bring along a couple of light-colored envelopes. Otherwise, you can write out quotes on loose leaf paper or in a sketchbook.

No-mess packing list:

• Pen (try Muji or Pilot G2)
• Pencil + eraser
• Paper, sketchbook, or envelope
• Brush pens
• White Gelly Roll pen

9. Crayola Calligraphy

If brush pens aren’t in the budget (or washable markers are a better fit for your trip), consider “Crayola calligraphy”! This is just calligraphy created with a broad-tipped marker. It’s portable, kid-friendly, and you don’t have to worry about messes, which is definitely something I’m thinking about now that we travel with a toddler!

No-mess packing list:

• Broad-tipped markers
• Paper (or sketchbook)

10. Hand-Lettered Envelopes

If you plan on sending out Christmas cards this year, try making some envelopes over your break! If you choose to letter your envelopes with a regular pen, the process will be mess-free and totally portable.

No-mess packing list:

• Pen (preferably Muji or Micron)
• Envelope
• Postage stamps
• Pencil + eraser
• Optional: Ruler (I like the parallel glider)
• Optional: Lettering exemplar, either printed out or ready to view on your iPad or laptop

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I hope that this collection of calligraphy, lettering, and art projects for traveling helps to make your holidays even more pleasant! I know that I will be bringing four things with me to Kansas: my sketchbook, a Muji pen, a pencil, and an eraser. I’ll add color to anything that I create when I return home! After all, I think the more simple your setup, the more likely you are to create.

Just as an FYI, this weekend’s blog post won’t be a tutorial. I figure you’re probably a bit busy this weekend spending time with family! Instead, look for the 2019 collection of TPK holiday giveaways plus Black Friday sales announcements on select TPK Catalog and Supplies items. 🙂

Happy trails,