PLEIN AIR ARTISTS
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Traveling legally with oil paints and turps
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Armand Cabrera on -
Most paint manufacturers have Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) you can print out and keep with your paints when flying. You can only take your paints in checked luggage you can't carry them on the plane with you. Because most carriers charge for checked luggage now I always look and see if its cheaper to send my stuff by Fed Ex or UPS. For OMS or turp I ship to my hotel directly from the supplier. When flying if I have unused solvent left over I will bring it by the local art league if there is one and see if anyone there wants it. They are usually happy to take it.
When driving I keep a large plastic tote with all my supplies in it. I always have an extra container to put the used turp /OMS into.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Kowalski on -
I second everything Armand has to say. Make sure that you also pack any palette knife in with your check in luggage. If you have a new unopened can of OMS you CAN ship it in your baggage with MSDS documentation, however I usually buy or ship separately.
On my most recent trip I found a waterproof container for boating that was inexpensive at Walmart. It held all my oils and watercolors. I made sure to label the container "Artists Colors" not OIL PAINTS. I had heard from others that this is the safest way to go.
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Permalink Reply by Kirk Larsen on -
One note on what Mike wrote: include a note stating they are "Plant based Artist colors".... It is helpful to include the spec sheets with safety info on them as well. It is accurate to label them that way since linseed, sunflower, safflower oils are all plant based but the words "paint" and "oil" are no nos. I am traveling to the Island of Curacao for a Plein air event and the group on the island is arranging for some thinner to be available or we can purchase some there. Thinners even in checked luggage internationally are unlikely to be allowed. I want to bring liquin impasto yet am not sure if it is safe or allowed considering its safety label. Even though it looks like paint I want to be careful.
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Permalink Reply by Jeanean Songco Martin on -
I carry an empty half-sized french easel in a nylon backpack that also holds my sketchbook and a few pencils. I have a canvas satchel that holds a few panels and precut flat pieces of linen that I carry in a makeshift portfolio out of thin foamcore. I tape the piece of linen to the backside of the board when I paint. When it dries to the touch it goes inside. The important thing is to remember to pack your paints, brushes and palette knives in with your check in luggage do not try to carry on. I purchase turpentine at our destination. I like the idea someone had about having the manufacture mail to the hotel. I like to pack my paints in small plastic containers.(child’s pencil school box) Taped shut with masking tape. These plastic containers are placed in with my clothing in my checked baggage. Palette knives and brushes should also be packed in here as they could be confiscated by a security guard as my palette knife was in NY. Mediums, turpentine and mineral spirits are regarded as hazardous and should NOT be taken on the plane. You can ship these items ahead or simply buy them at the painting destination. Hope this helps. I have been travelling with my painting materials for years now and have never had a problem. Oh and yes, do carry a printed copy from the Dept. of Transportation
Air Travel with artists' colors made from vegetable oil.
The US Department of Transportation defines "flammable liquids" as those with a flash point 140 degrees F or below. Artist grade oil colors are based on vegetable oil with a flash point at or above 450 degrees F. THEY ARE NOT HAZARDOUS.
If you need to confirm this, please contact TSA at 866-289-9673 or their Hazardous Materials Research Center at 800-467-4922
Packed with the paints is the MSDS data sheet from the paint manufactured with the exact flash point info.
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Permalink Reply by Donald Maier on -
Of course my solution to this problem was to work only in watercolor and pastel when we went to Ireland. It was much easier than the cumbersome array of equipment needed to do oils.... but I understand. I would say buy the turps when you get there. And if they will not allow the paint in a tube, then buy a very limited palette there as well... like red, blue, yellow and white.... maybe a green if you are in Ireland. haha.
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Permalink Reply by Terri Miller on -
The most flammable part of a tube of oil paint is the paper label. :-D
Jeanean Songco Martin said:
Air Travel with artists' colors made from vegetable oil.
The US Department of Transportation defines "flammable liquids" as those with a flash point 140 degrees F or below. Artist grade oil colors are based on vegetable oil with a flash point at or above 450 degrees F. THEY ARE NOT HAZARDOUS.
If you need to confirm this, please contact TSA at 866-289-9673 or their Hazardous Materials Research Center at 800-467-4922
Packed with the paints is the MSDS data sheet from the paint manufactured with the exact flash point info.
© 2013 Created by Donald Maier.
