what I pack in my bag for sketching on the go
Sketching on the go is one of my favorite ways to expand my creative vision. There is nothing like sitting on the bank of a river or a bench in a city park, throwing down colors and marks in real-time, watching light create shadows, color combinations, and lines right before your eyes. I hate being cliché and saying it's magical, but it is.
When I first started creating art regularly, I didn't understand the value of using a sketchbook to develop my ideas and skills. I know it sounds cliché, but once artists figure out how valuable this practice is, it feels like discovering a secret code to growing your skills.
These items are not an exhaustive list, but this is the list of supplies I typically carry with me to any outdoor location.
Sketchbooks- I like to use sketchbooks with heavier weighted paper. I find the paper that is too thin tends to buckle too quickly, and I get frustrated. I will sometimes pre-gesso the pages if the sketchbook is a little more flimsy; that gives the paper a little more tooth and weight.
Small plastic palette- I like having a palette with me (even if it's just an extra page from the sketchbook, that's appropriate too). I love mixing colors and trying to match what I see when I'm in nature. You can find very inexpensive plastic palettes anywhere you get art or craft supplies.
Graphite Pencils- My favorite pencils are Derwent Graphite or Prismacolor. I used to use just basic graphite, but sketching with these more colorful pencils adds a layer of color that inspires my sketch work. You can also bring waterproof drawing pens, if you prefer.
Acrylic Inks- I use Daler-Rowney, but there are many brands of inks. Just double-check that you are using acrylic inks and not India inks or alcohol inks; they don't work great on the go because they dry extremely fast, especially if there is any wind.
Sharpener- trust me, you will need one.
Eraser- again, it might seem like a no-brainer, but when I forget this, I am frustrated.
Watercolor pencils- I use Arteza, but there are many brands.
Water bottle- To transport water that you will use to clean your brushes.
Spray bottle- this is not essential for some, but for me, it is. I love splatters and drips.
Metal straw- This is entirely optional, but again, I love the effects I get with it, so it's essential for me.
Paintbrushes- Bring a variety, large and small.
Paints- I find it's best to limit your palette and not take as many paint colors, especially if you are taking inks too. You can always mix the inks with white, gray, black, or any other color to create various colors. I tend to stick to the primary colors and a few tertiary colors like teal, indigo, and chartreuse.
Blanket- I like to feel cozy.
Towel- I have an old paint towel; the fabric is similar to t-shirt material. REMEMBER THE WIND. I find paper towels to be extraordinarily frustrating and wasteful.
Color shapers- One of my all-time favorite tools!
Water containers- Something with a lid is ideal because you can store things inside them in transport. Old Tupperware works great; you might need to weigh them down by throwing a rock inside the container, again WIND!
Oil pastels- I love the added color and texture of oil pastels, but they aren't necessary.
Cardboard pieces-This has become one of my favorite substrates to sketch on. I use small sections from shipping boxes (I have a million from Amazon) that I paint with a bright color or gesso.
Color wheel- Even a seasoned artist can get stuck in a color rut, and a color wheel is one of my favorite tools to help me break my color patterns.
Drink- Stay hydrated!
Snacks- You will get hungry, I promise.
Phone- Do I even need to put this on the list?
Bulldog Clips- These help fight the wind.
