There are so many supplies available for the artist to work (or play) on the go. The equipment can get really elaborate as well as expensive. So, I have put together a few things I have carried with me from time to time with no problems. By problems I mean, I have never sat down to sketch and said, “Man! I wish I would have brought_____!”
Sketching
I am first and foremost a graphite girl! I like to draw on a smooth papers. And the above are my papers of choice.
–400 Series Strathmore Drawing Pad – 8 x 10, 80 lb., pad is coiled so it folds flat (which is awesome). Paper has a slight tooth, but I still consider this a smooth(ish) paper.
–400 Series Strathmore Sketch Pad – 5.5 x 8.5, 60 lb., pad is also coiled, slight tooth and not as thick as the 80 lb.
-Canson Drawing – 5.5 x 8.5, 70 lb., pad is coiled and has very little tooth. It is the mid range weight between the two pads above.
-Canson Drawing – 5.5 x 8.5, 65 lb., pad is coiled, slight tooth and also a good mid range weight
The two Canson pads are not available, but here is a link to see the Canson line.
–Moleskine Journal – unlined, stapled and smooth tooth, compact and very versatile.
Tools
These are all the tools I need to keep me happy!
–A stump – for blending
–A kneaded eraser – erasing mistake of course 😉
–2B lead – a very versatile degree of graphite. Depending on the amount of pressure and using a stump, this one soft graphite can give you anywhere from a 4H, 3H, 2H, H, HB, as well as 2B!
–Lead Pencil – Trimming your pencil may not be an option, so for me a lead pencil is a definite must.
When I want to sketch on the go and I don’t want to or can’t take a bigger pad. I throw a Moleskine, stump, kneaded eraser, lead and a lead pencil in a Ziploc baggie and off I go!
Colored Pencil…Would be essentials
I rarely take colored pencil on the go. I may if we are traveling by car, but not usually as a rule. If I decided to and I had no plan in mind, this is what I would probably take with me. I bought this portfolio from Dick Blick many years ago, and I love it. The portfolio holds a pad of paper, 12 Prismacolor Pencils, and a sharpener.
The additional pad:
–300 Series Strathmore Bristol Smooth – 6 x 6, 100 lb. paper, heavyweight paper that will hold many layers of pencil.
Tools
-Colored Pencil Portfolio – I bought this on clearance for a whopping $20.00…ikr, yay me! Sadly, I don’t think this is available anymore.
–A 12 color pack of colored pencils
-Sharpener
–Lead Pencil – not shown.
–typing eraser – great hard eraser
-A Baggie – for pencil shavings
Watercolor….Would be essentials
I haven’t had the pleasure of working in watercolor (yet). But I do have a few things that I would choose as my essentials if I were to paint on go.
Paper
–300 Series Strathmore Bristol Smooth – 6 x 6, 100 lb. paper, heavyweight paper that will hold many layers of pencil.
Tools
–Loew-Cornell dry watercolor pan
-12 color pan no longer available
–Winsor & Newton – 12 color travel set – linked to a similar set
or Watercolor Pencils not pictured
-A Mister
-a folded paper towel not pictured
Ink
Sometimes, I want to Zentangle and this is perfect to throw in my purse!
Paper
–300 Series Strathmore Bristol Smooth – 6 x 6, 100 lb. paper, heavyweight paper
–Moleskine Journal – unlined, staples and smooth., compact and very versatile.
Tools
I think oil and acrylic would fall under the en plein air category. And since we all can’t know everything I have no idea what a charcoal or pastel artist would carry. But I would definitely be interested in finding out.
Nothing is set in stone and you should carry what makes you feel comfortable. For me these things mentioned is what makes me comfortable to sketch in the past and what I shall continue to have with me in future.
What are your go to sketching essentials?
Be Well and Happy!
Carol Ottaway 