Let’s be honest, painting in the summer sounds dreamy. Birds chirping, light streaming through trees, maybe a soft breeze.
But reality? Sunburn, sweat in your eyes, and a palette that dries faster than your patience.
Whether you’re painting landscapes en plein air, working on a mural in the blistering heat, or giving your house a fresh coat, summer painting has its own charm and you’ll need more than just paint and a canvas to get through it.
I’ve melted brushes, fried on rooftops, and learned a few tricks the hard way.
So here’s my no-fluff, actually-useful list of 20 essential tools I swear by for summer painting.
Also see: 16 Must Try Summer Watercolor Techniques
1. UV-Resistant Paints
Here’s the thing, regular paint fades. Fast. Especially under direct sunlight. I once painted a vibrant wall mural only to see it turn pastel-ish in two months. UV-resistant paints are designed to fight the fade.
If you’re painting outdoors, go for brands like Golden’s MSA or Behr’s exterior range. They’re pricier, but worth every drop.
2. Wide-Brimmed Hat & UV Clothing
Forget style, think survival. I now wear a floppy hat that makes me look like a gardening grandma. But hey, it shields my face and neck. UV-blocking shirts (those rated UPF 50+) are breathable, protect your skin, and you won’t end up reapplying sunscreen every 20 minutes.
Also see: 15 Easy Summer Canvas Painting Ideas (You Can’t Resist)
3. Portable Shade Umbrella or Canopy
I’ve painted under trees, car hoods, and even umbrellas taped to tripods. Eventually, I got a proper artist’s umbrella that clamps onto my easel. Game changer. For bigger jobs (like murals), a pop-up canopy is gold. Shade keeps both you and your paint cooler.
4. High-Quality Synthetic Brushes
Natural bristles? Nah. They get weird in the heat, it swell, lose shape, and take forever to dry. Synthetic brushes (especially nylon or Taklon) handle summer better and are easier to clean when things get sticky.
5. Hydration System (Water Bottle or Hydration Pack)
I once passed out mid-stroke. Yep. Dehydration’s real. Now I carry a 1L bottle everywhere, and sometimes wear a CamelBak-style hydration pack when muraling. Sounds extra? Maybe. But fainting on scaffolding is worse.
6. Cooling Towel or Ice Pack
One time, I wrapped frozen peas in a scarf and tied it around my neck in pure desperation. Then I found cooling towels. Just wet them, snap them, and drape over your shoulders. Instant relief. Especially when painting for hours.
7. Early Start Timer or Weather App
Painting at noon is like asking the sun to roast you. I set a weather app alert every evening to check the next day’s heat index, then set a timer to wake up before 6 am. Mornings = softer light, cooler air, and fewer distractions.
8. Surface Thermometer
Ever tried painting a metal door at 1 pm? It’s like painting on a frying pan. A surface thermometer (cheap, infrared ones work great) tells you when a surface is too hot to hold or paint. Saved me from melted paint more than once.
9. Paint Additives (Retarders)
Hot weather = fast-drying paint = panic. I add retarders to acrylics to extend drying time. Golden and Liquitex make reliable ones. For wall painting, even adding a splash of Floetrol can help your brush strokes level out.
10. Wet Panel Carrier or Covered Palette
If you’re plein air painting, transporting wet work without smudging it is tricky. I use a wet panel carrier (aka magic box). For palettes, I carry a lidded container, sometimes just a Tupperware with a damp sponge inside, to keep the paint usable longer.
11. Multipurpose Tool (5-in-1 or Multi-Tool)
This is that one tool you don’t know you need until you do. Scrape dried paint, open cans, tighten screws, clean rollers, jab the wall lightly when frustrated—this tool’s got your back. Mine lives in my back pocket.
12. Lightweight Folding Easel
Forget heavy wooden ones. For summer painting, go light. I love aluminum easels with telescopic legs. It is easy to carry, easy to angle, and they don’t burn your hand like metal tripods do when left in the sun.
13. Paint Sprayer (for Large Surfaces)
I’ve painted fences and walls with a brush before. Never again in summer. A sprayer saves hours, minimizes direct sun exposure, and gives even coats. Just prep well, wind can be your worst enemy.
14. Drop Cloths & Plastic Sheets
You’d think summer = dry ground, right? But summer also = random dust storms, bird poop, and falling leaves. I use drop cloths not just for paint protection, but to create a “clean zone” around where I work.
15. Extension Poles for Rollers/Brushes
Stretching on a ladder in 34°C heat is torture. With extension poles, I stay grounded and move faster. Bonus: you can even rig a pole to hold your umbrella if you’re clever with duct tape.
16. Sealable Brush Washing Container
Hot weather = fast-evaporating water. I use a brush washer with a lid to keep things wet and reduce the stink. Keeps the brushes moist longer between sessions and saves water, which matters if you’re outdoors.
17. Digital Hygrometer
This one’s underrated. Humidity affects how paint behaves – sticky brushes, weird streaks, unexpected drying. I once couldn’t figure out why my varnish wouldn’t cure… until I saw the 90% humidity reading. Now I check it before starting any big job.
18. Spray Bottle (for Water or Mist)
Simple but effective. I mist my palette to keep paints from drying and also spritz my arms or neck when I need a refresh. Just don’t confuse it with your fixative spray (yes, I’ve done that once).
19. Non-Slip, Lightweight Footwear
Painting while slipping around in sweaty sneakers? Not ideal. I now wear breathable, grippy shoes, like hiking sandals or mesh sneakers. They’re cool and stable, especially when painting on uneven ground or ladders.
20. Scheduling App or Reminder
I use Notion and Google Calendar to schedule sessions around the weather. You can also set reminders to reapply sunscreen, hydrate, or even just take a break. Burnout is real when the sun’s blazing and you’re in flow mode.
The 3-Hour Mural Melt
Last year, I was painting a school mural in July. Started late, no umbrella, forgot my retarders. Within three hours, the paint thickened like glue, my neck was lobster-red, and the wall was too hot to touch.
Lesson? Just having the right tools isn’t enough, you need the right rhythm. Start early, pace yourself, and treat your setup like part of your painting kit.
Final Thought
Painting in summer is a unique kind of battle, equal parts joy and sweat. But with the right gear, it becomes way more bearable.
Even fun. Every tool on this list has saved my day at least once. And honestly, when you’re prepared, the heat feels less like a hurdle and more like a background character.
So pack smart, paint early, and stay hydrated out there. Your future (less sunburned) self will thank you.