Tools For Sketching On The Go

Sketching on the go, whether it’s while vacationing in a foreign country or while sipping coffee in your local neighborhood cafe, is an exciting way to experience the world.

I’ve had a number of requests to share some info about what I take with me on these excursions. The answer varies depending on where I am, how long I’m planning to be out, and what I’m hoping to capture. But, that said, here’s the scoop on the basics and the extras.

At its simplest, a tiny sketchbook and a pen will let you sketch on a moment’s notice. I always carry both in my everyday purse or tote bag.

I’ve sketched while parked in the car waiting to pick someone up, while shuffling my way through a very long customs line at an airport, and yes, even in church during a lengthy sermon on Sunday morning.

Are these sketches works of art? Rarely. But they do let me practice my drawing in those small lost moments of the day.

BASICS – If I’m planning to be painting, these are the basics you will find in my kit:

• Watercolor paper (usually in sketchbook form)
• Paint palette with pigments
• Mechanical pencil and kneaded eraser
• Permanent ink pens
• Brushes
• Collapsible Water Container & Water
• Tissues/Paper towel
• Camera/phone

EXTRAS – If I’m going to be outdoors and gone a long time, I might add some of these extras:

Hat & Umbrella

Sunscreen & Mosquito Repellent

Portable folding stool

Snacks

Extra water (for me not the paints!)

As for what to carry it all in, I will use a shoulder bag or backpack depending on how much I’m toting and how far I’m walking.

Here’s a bit more info for those of you who are looking for more details.

PAINT PALETTES:   My favorite for light weight portability is the Winsor Newton Field Box. It will accommodate 14 colors, offers 3 mixing areas, and includes a detachable water container.

A loop on the back allows you to hold the palette in the palm of your hand while anchored to one of your fingers so it doesn’t blow away or tip over.

There are other paint boxes that accommodate more colors (and I use those, too), but to gain the extra colors you must be prepared to tote more weight and bulk.

PIGMENTS:  Every painter has their favorite pigments. I use a combination of colors from Daniel Smith, Winsor Newton and QOR. These are a few of my favorite colors:

You don’t need all these colors. If you’re starting from scratch, the eight I’ve starred in the list are usually my ‘go-to’ pigments and they make a versatile starting set.

WATERCOLOR PAPER:  You can use watercolor blocks so there’s no need to tape the paper down to a backing board. However, I usually travel with portable sized sketchbooks with paper specifically designed for use with watercolor (at least 140 lb paper) in a size that can easily be tucked into a tote bag or backpack.

One of my favorites is the 7” x 10” Pentalic wire bound Watercolor Field Book – with 24 sheets of 140 lb paper with a Cold Press surface.

I’ve also enjoyed using these sketchbooks: Strathmore ring bound Visual Journal for Watercolor with 140 lb cold press paper in the 5.5 x 8.5” size, and the Field ring bound Watercolor Journal from Speedball in 7” x 10” with 140 lb cold press paper.

WATERCOLOR BRUSHES: I prefer several round WC brushes ranging in size from #6 to #12. My favorites are the Escoda Reserva rounds with short handles and travel tops to protect the bristles.

I use a 1 inch flat WC brush for washes. A Fritch scrubber about size #6 or any small size brush with hard short bristles can be used for lifting color.

PENS: Several waterproof permanent Black Ink Pens – size 03, 05, and 1.0 will give you plenty of variety in line. Copic Multiliner or Micron Pigma or Mitsubishi UniPin Fine Line are all good brands.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS: If you’re going to be working on location, here are a few other considerations in choosing where to set up.

Security: Choose a secure location with good sight lines for people approaching and circulating around you. Position yourself out of the way of traffic – foot and vehicular. Secure your valuables. Paint with a friend. Let someone know where you are going to be and when you’re planning to return.

Comfort: Look for shade on a hot day and shelter on a day that is windy or threatening rain.

Onlookers: Bystanders will be intrigued and curious about what you’re doing. Don’t worry about criticism or judgment, most people just admire you for being brave enough to make art in public. People often want to engage in conversations and ask questions, so be prepared for that.

Gather yourself together a basic kit and have it ready for action at all times so you will find it easy to grab and go. Happy painting.