My Sketching Kit

My sketching kit is constantly evolving but I’ve hit upon a system recently that works better than anything I’ve tried yet so I wanted to tell you about it. Actually its an adjustment of a system I learned at a Richard Scott Sketching on Location workshop several years ago. For too long, I have had my supplies spread out all around me on the ground as I perch precariously on my camp stool, or if I am lucky I spread it all out on a bench. Then every time I need something I have to pause and scan the ground or bench for my paint palette, pencil or paper towel. In the meantime, my newly applied wash is drying too fast for the wet in wet effect I wanted. Plus I never can remember exactly how I have the supplies arranged so a lot of my sketching time turns into searching time. How frustrating!

I discovered that the key to organized urban or field sketching is to create a small ‘tabletop’ to mount my supplies on so what I need is right at my fingertips…no more searching! A clip board or plain masonite board works great for this purpose because it is light and can be easily slipped into a carrying bag. I have 2 sizes of clip boards that correspond to my small or large sketchbooks. Bull dog clips or the clip already attached to the clip board holds my sketchbook firmly in place (you can see the edge of the large clip on the right in the photo.). Next I slip my palette cups onto the edge of my board. I use either velcro or a clip to hold my palette in place. The flat palette in the photo attaches nicely with a clip but velcro works better for my W&N travel palette. Then I tuck my scrap paper for testing color on my ‘tabletop’, and lay my brushes and pencils on the ledge created by my sketchbook so viola–everything is right there to grab the second I need it. I even have extra room for a paper towel or other things.

While I am at it, I’ll tell you about some more favorite sketching supplies. I have used this handy organizer for years and love its compactness and all of the slots and pouches to tuck small odds and ends into. I keep my brushes, pencils, pens, scrap paper, eraser, pencil sharpener, ruler and other odds and ends rolled up inside and ready to go at a moments notice. Despite its years of use it still looks just like new. Its a tri-fold pencil case that I got from Jetpens. The velcro closure keeps it into a nice tight bundle to tuck into a corner of my bag. Sometimes I even roll my W&N palette into it as well, although it’s a tight squeeze. The Tri-fold case has been sold out for quite awhile but Jetpens has an amazing array of other versions of Nomadic brand pouches for bargain prices that are worth checking out.

Since my sable brushes are too valuable for field sketching, I use synthetic brushes in my travel kit. I think Loew-Cornell Ultra Round Brushes are almost as good as sable and ever so much cheaper! I have used the same brushes for years and they still perform well. The #2 has a great point for details and the #4 is good for washes in my small sketchbook. If one rolls off into the bushes, it won’t ruin my day! I have some water brushes too but they just don’t work nearly as well for me as regular brushes so I use them only when necessity dictates.

Another must-have is a water bottle to keep myself and my palette cup hydrated! It’s also handy to have a small camera to capture the scene when I begin in case disaster strikes and I don’t get to finish the sketch at the moment, although its always my goal to complete it before I leave. The further details of specific supplies I would take varies according to the outing, but these are some of my favorite basics.

Finally, here is my watercolor sketch of a Canadian Goose with some goslings that I came across in a park while on a sketch crawl with my local sketching group. The goslings must have been ‘teenagers’ because they were so big and had those long, gawky teenager legs, yet still were fluffy with downy gosling feathers. It was fun to watch them wander around exploring, yet never straying too far from the adult geese.

Disclaimer: I am not an agent of the businesses I have mentioned in this post and do not profit in any way from endorsing these products.