3 paintings, 1 epic weekend 🏔️ Painting in Banff with my art bestie | Plein Air Diaries Ep. 1

I wasn’t sure how this weekend would go. Three mountain locations. Wind. Cold. Self-doubt. But… a lot of joy too! This isn’t a step-by-step tutorial but instead a peek into what it’s really like to take your paints outside, trying to capture something beautiful, and wrestle with all the messy thoughts along the way. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by plein air painting or unsure if you're “good enough” to try, I hope this video makes you feel a little less alone.

🖌️ I’ll walk you through my process (the parts that worked and the parts that didn’t), what I packed, how I picked my compositions, and what I learned from each spot. Plus, a true field test of the STRADA Micro Plus easel!

🏔️ Filmed in the beautiful Banff National Park on a weekend painting trip with a good friend.

🎒 Gear:
Plein Air Easel: ‪@STRADAEasel‬ Micro Plus,
Oil paints: ‪@MGrahamCoPaint‬
Panels: ‪@AmpersandArt‬ Gessobord panels,
Brushes: Rosemary & Co brushes (linked below),
Paint storage box: BoxNPaint small storage box (linked below)

Let me know in the comments if this kind of painting trip is something you’ve dreamed of—or done! I'd love to hear your experience.

Thanks for being here! 🫶

🎨 * ARTISTS MENTIONED*
Trish Newbery –   / creativeascentillustration  
Janet Moore –   / jan.mooreart  
Andrew Bellavie –   / andrew_bellavie_art  
Doug Swinton –   / swintondougart   & ‪@Swintonsart‬

🔗 DISCOUNT CODES + LINKS
🎨 Box N Paint
20% off at https://boxnpaint.com with code: KIMBER20

🖌️ Rosemary & Co Brushes
Affiliate code: KIMBERILLO
My current plein air brush recommendations (for oil painting): https://tinyurl.com/kimberillo-pleina...
I don’t own every brush on this list (yet), but these are the sizes and styles I reach for most when painting outside.

Note: The above links are affiliate links so I earn a small commission if you purchase anything at no cost to you. 😊 Thank you for your support!

⏱️ Timecodes
00:00:14 - Painting Day 1
00:02:21 - Setting up (and STRADA Micro Plus Field test)
00:04:29 - Painting at Tunnel Mountain
00:10:41 - What I changed in my plein air pack
00:16:02 - Painting Day 2
00:20:28 - Painting at Johnston Canyon
00:23:40 - Heading to Painting Spot 3
00:26:14 - Painting at Lake Minnewanka
00:28:38 - the final reveal!

⭐️ MY SOCIALS
Instagram:   / kimberillo  
Website: https://www.kimberillo.com
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@kimberillo
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📷 FILMING GEAR
Sony a7iii camera body + Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G lens
iPhone 12 Pro Max
LumiPad 25 Bicolor Slim Soft Light LED Panels
Rode Lavalier II mic with AI Micro
Rode PodMic
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