Art Supply Essentials for the Long Haul: A Visual Artist’s Guide to OTR Life
Life on the road as a trucker has its challenges. Long hours, tight schedules, and limited space can make it hard to maintain hobbies, especially creative ones. But for visual artists working OTR truck driving jobs, carving out time and space for art isn’t just doable; it’s necessary for mental balance and personal fulfillment. Here’s a practical guide to essential art supplies that fit the unique needs of OTR life.
1. Portability First
When you’re living out of a truck cab, space is at a premium. Look for supplies that are compact and lightweight. Sketchbooks with hard covers protect your work and double as a drawing surface. Opt for smaller sizes—5×7 or 6×9 inches are great for travel. Consider using a roll-up pencil case to keep drawing tools tidy and accessible without taking up much room.
2. Dry Media is King
Paint can be messy and difficult to manage in a small or moving space. Dry media, such as pencils, pens, colored pencils, charcoal, and pastels, are more practical. They don’t require water, cleanup is minimal, and you can stop and start whenever your schedule allows. Waterproof fine liners are another solid choice; they provide crisp lines, dry instantly, and won’t smudge if you decide to add color later.
3. Watercolor Travel Sets
If you can’t live without paint, consider compact watercolor sets designed for travel. These usually come with a small brush, a mixing tray, and pans of paint in a durable plastic case. Add a refillable water brush pen, and you can paint without needing a separate water container. Be sure to have paper towels or rags handy for cleanup.
4. Multi-Use Tools
Look for tools that serve multiple purposes. For example, a stylus pen can be used for both sketching on paper and digital tablets. Scissors with a built-in ruler or a small folding palette knife can serve double duty as tools and straight edges. Multi-colored pens or mechanical pencils with interchangeable leads also help reduce clutter.
5. Digital Drawing Gear
Digital art is particularly well-suited to life on the road. A tablet, such as an iPad, with a stylus can replace an entire studio. You don’t need to worry about lighting, mess, or storage. Plus, digital files are easy to store, edit, and share from anywhere. Load up on art apps like Procreate, Adobe Fresco, or Sketchbook, and you’ve got a mobile art studio.
Keep charging cables and a portable power bank on hand. A mount or stand for your tablet can also make drawing easier when parked.
6. Storage and Organization
Use stackable plastic bins or soft-sided storage cubes to keep everything organized and tidy. Magnetic containers or small tool organizers also work well for storing pens and pencils without taking up desk space.
7. Protect Your Work
Use folders or zippered pouches to protect finished pieces. Plastic sleeves or portfolio books can help prevent smudging and damage. If you use a scanner or your phone to digitize your work, consider backing up your files regularly to cloud storage.
8. Make Time for Art
Supplies are only half the battle. The other half is carving out time to create. Use downtime at rest stops or long waits at loading docks to sketch. Even 10 minutes a day adds up. Try setting goals like sketching a day or completing a small painting per week. Keeping a visual journal can also turn your travels into a creative record.
9. Inspiration on the Road
The road itself is a rich source of inspiration. Landscape views, cityscapes, quirky roadside attractions, and everyday moments can all fuel your creativity. Take reference photos or jot down notes when something catches your eye. Later, those moments can turn into full pieces.
10. Keep It Flexible
Your setup doesn’t have to be fancy. Start small and adjust as needed. Some days, you’ll do more, while others, you’ll do less. What matters is that you keep the habit going. Over time, those small bursts of creativity can turn into a meaningful body of work.
Creating art on the road is absolutely possible with the right tools and mindset. With a little planning and some space-saving gear, your truck can become more than just a workplace—it can be a rolling studio.
