Karen Sako Supply List: PLEIN AIR AFTER DARK

General Essentials (All Mediums)
Portable Easel or Pochade Box – sturdy and stable on uneven ground
Chair or stool (optional but nice for longer sessions)
Sketchbook + Pencil or Pen – for value and composition thumbnails before dark
Headlamp
Clip-on light for easel or palette (LED, rechargeable or battery-powered)
Flashlight or lantern for setup/cleanup
Reflective vest or armband (safety near roads or trails)
Bug spray, hat, layers, and fingerless gloves – evenings can get cool
Small folding table or tray for supplies
Towel or rags
Wet Ones wipes – for easy cleanup
Drinking water & snacks
Phone fully charged – with flashlight app as backup
🛢 Oil Painters
Oil paints – limited nocturne palette (Unbleached Titanium White, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, 
Transparent Oxide Red, Yellow Ochre, Cad Red, Payne’s Gray)
Panels – small sizes like 6x8", 8x10", or 9x12" for quick work
Brushes – 3–5 favorites (flats or filberts, synthetic or bristle)
Medium – Gamsol or odorless mineral spirits in a sealed metal cup
Palette knife
Palette – compact or attached to pochade box
Wet panel carrier
💡 Tip: Paint lighter than you think — values compress under dim light!
🎨 Acrylic Painters
Acrylic paints – same as daytime, but avoid neon colors (they distort under LEDs)
Stay-wet palette or disposable sheets
Spray bottle to keep paints workable
Water container with lid (to prevent spills in dark)
Panels or acrylic paper – pre-toned mid-value surface works best
💡 Tip: A headlamp with a neutral white bulb will help keep color accuracy.

💧 Watercolor Painters
Watercolor paints – limited palette for harmony
Watercolor block or taped pad (so wind doesn’t flip pages)
Two water containers – one clean, one rinse
Brushes – mid-size rounds, ats, and mop
Paper towels or sponge
Board to support your paper
LED clip light with soft filter to avoid glare
💡 Tip: Paint larger shapes, skip detail — focus on glowing light against dark.
✴ Gouache Painters
Gouache paints – primaries, plus Titanium White, Payne’s Gray, Burnt Sienna - Holbein Best
Mixed-media or watercolor paper
Water container
Brushes – a few synthetics in mid-sizes
Palette – white enamel or plastic tray for visibility
Misting bottle
💡 Tip: Gouache loves nocturne work — you can punch in bright highlights easily.
🔦 Lighting Gear Recommendations
Headlamp: Petzl, Black Diamond, or Energizer models with red light mode
Clip light: Mighty Bright or OxyLED rechargeable
Portable lantern: soft-glow LED for ambient lighting (place behind you, not on painting)
Power bank for recharging lights or phone
⚠ Safety Tips
Scout your location in daylight first.
Paint with a buddy or in a group.
Avoid direct light on your painting surface — it kills your night vision.
Bring a small first aid kit.
Let someone know your location and expected finish time.