Mile high club

[Mousethatroared]

As a nomadic worker who spends significant time on planes and trains I am curious as to whether any fellow painters of lead and plastics have ever whiled away the tedious hours of travelling by churning out a regiment or two. Can’t say I have noticed any other passengers doing it either. I would confess to being too self-conscious to do so, choosing to indulge my interest behind closed doors.

[joroas]

I have taken quite a few Transatlantic flights and I am unsure how easy it would be to paint in such confined positions, I finfd it hard enough to eat the meal without elbowing my neighbours.....

[FramFramson]

Yeah, I need work space and can't imagine getting any of that on a train, bus or plane. Plus good luck trying not to mess up any fine detail if there's the least bump.

[fastolfrus]

If you want to paint, take a ferry.
North Sea to Scandinavia is a good choice (it used to be 24 hours sailing time to Norway).

We have taken figures on camping holidays.

[Vanvlak]

Hang on, how can you even take paints in an aeroplane? Sealed in one of those small ziplocked bags?
In any case, I never tried this on any form of transport, and don't think I ever will - too afraid of losing bits or making an utter mess.

[HerbyF]

Don't know about Europe or the rest of the world, but here in the US you would probably just get all your paints taken away. 

[Michi]

Don't know about Europe or the rest of the world, but here in the US you would probably just get all your paints taken away. 

100ml is the maximum per container, therefore you could take your paint pots with you in Europe.
However I am too tall to get into a convenient position for painting in a plane and the light conditions would never be sufficient for my needs. I wouldn´t even try...

[joroas]

Just read a book about a period you are interested in.........

[syrinx0]

I have taken figures to clean and prime (with gesso) on trips where I would have some downtime in a hotel room. Otherwise I stick to reading while traveling.

[Mousethatroared]

When you think about it the airline seat is designed with miniature painters in mind.

For those of us in cattle class:
Uncomfortable seating position
Individual lighting - good enough to read by, good enough to paint by!
Arm rests set at about the right height to support mini holding and paintbrush holding hands/ arms/ elbows.
A cup holder on the back of the chair facing you for your clean water cup.
An adequate sized fold down tray with an inbuilt recess for mixing your paint – acrylic paint recommended as the flight attendant might get upset at the use of oil based slap.
I would however recommend an aisle seat – choosing the aisle according to your left or right handed preference so that you can give full range to your artistic talents.
Turbulence/ chop on the flight would be nature's way of telling you to take a break.
And finally, if you strike up a good rapport with the traveller(s) in the seat(s) beside you, you could breeze through the undercoating of six boxes of Perry’s ACW infantry in no time at all.

So as there is a purpose built paint station available for you it just comes down to how comfortable you would feel getting your minis out in public.

[Cecil Gaybody]

Dear Boy,
Sounds like my sort of club.

Keep it up
Cecil

[Stu]

Army lists and scenarios are the best I've been able to manage.

[Archie]

I stay away on business for a week a month and I have put together a self contained paint, basing and tool kit that fits inside a smallish case. It also has a padded box for figure transport. I paint about ten or so figures a trip.

But I hasten to add only whilst at the accomodation. Cant imagine doing it on trains or planes. Too little space and bad light!

[Deuce]

I used to paint on flights, many years ago. But it's not easy. These days, the increased hassle of getting through airport security, the hassle of transporting figures, brushes, paints, water pot, etc. in the first place, and an increased conscientiousness about the quality of my painting mean I probably wouldn't bother. I haven't taken a flight in about five years though anyway.

A train would theoretically be a better location, I think, although workspace would be an issue: those fold-down tables are tiny and unless you get more than a quarter of a facing table that's going to be a struggle, not to mention the reaction of neighbouring passengers.