Supplies for Watercolor Sketching
I like to keep the supplies I drag around with me to a minimum. Here is a list of what is in my sketching kit and what I suggest my students bring to class.
Click the links for photos and more details.
Essentials:
Watercolor Sketchbook, Pencils, Erasers, Waterproof Ink Pens, Artist-quality Watercolor Palette, Brushes, Small Spray Bottle, Paper Towels, Pouch.
Very Helpful:
Checklist for sketching outside:
Personal Comfort/Safety in the Field:
Sun protection - hat, sunscreen, sun shirt
Layers - windbreaker/rain jacket, fleece jacket, warm hat
Water - to drink and to replenish your water brushes
Snacks - to keep your energy up.
Folding stool - keep it light and packable.
10 Essentials - if you are the adventurous hiker-type, be sure you carry the 10 essentials as explained by The Mountaineers.
***LEAVE NOTHING BEHIND - so be prepared to pack out your wet paper towels and dirty water!
Pentalic Aqua Journal
Watercolor Sketchbook - My favorite is a Pentelic “Watercolor Sketch Journal.” I prefer the 5x8, landscape version because I sketch a lot of landscapes. I like the Pentelic w/c sketch journal because it is reasonably priced, has a hard cover (no spiral), and I like the paper. You, of course can use whatever brand or size you like, but if you will be using watercolor, you really need to get one made of watercolor paper. Regular “sketch” books have thin paper that is great for pencil and ink, but will buckle when you add the moist paint - and some don’t even accept the color very well.
Mechanical pencils with erasers.
Pencils - I use a mechanical pencil to sketch simple shapes before adding watercolor or ink. I like the mechanical pencil because I don’t need a pencil sharpener or worry about disposing of shavings in the field. I also carry a tiny container of extra leads that fit my pencil.
If you prefer a traditional pencil, I suggest a B or a 2B. Leads that are softer than that, i.e., 4B or 6B, smear and make dark marks that show through your watercolor more. If you choose a regular pencil, please remember to carry a pencil sharpener that collects the shavings so you don’t leave a mess!
Left - kneaded eraser. Right - vinyl eraser.
Erasers - Most of the time, the white, vinyl eraser on the mechanical pencil is sufficient, but I also carry a kneaded eraser for removing graphite over larger areas and lightening pencil marks before adding watercolor. If you are using a traditional pencil, you should also carry a separate white vinyl eraser.
Pigma Micron waterproof ink pens come in a variety of tip sizes and colors.
Waterproof Pen - I carry either a fine point Sharpie or a Pigma Micron, both are waterproof which allows you to add watercolor over an ink sketch. I sometimes carry a fountain pen, but when traveling, I leave the fountain pens and ink bottles at home to avoid possible spills and leaks in my luggage!
Left: My palette.
Right: Winsor & Newton "Cotman" palette of 14 colors.
Watercolor Palette - An artist-quality palette of about 12 colors is all you need. Do not use the watercolors found in the grocery store - the pigments are mixed with so much filler that your sketches will be pale and unsatisfying. Opt for something in the $20 range, Winsor & Newton’s Cotman sketch/travel palettes are a good choice.
Pentel waterbrushes, size medium round.
Brushes - I use medium-sized, round Pentel water brushes in my sketch kit. A waterbrush has a reservoir in the handle that holds enough water to complete the typical sketch. You squeeze water out of the handle and through the bristles to both add water to your palette and clean the brush onto a paper towel. I prefer not to fuss with a traditional brush and a cup of water because I am likely to spill it on my sketchbook! And - I always carry at least 2 brushes (just in case). If you prefer traditional brushes, I suggest you not bring your expensive brushes into the field because it’s so easy to drop things irretrievably between boulders or accidentally leave them behind. You can get a decent set of inexpensive travel brushes online.
Small spray bottle with lid.
Small Spray Bottle - Use it to moisten your colors before starting to paint.
Folded paper towels.
Paper Towels - Use paper towels to clean your brush and lift color. I always make sure to fold up several before heading out to sketch.
This is my Darsie Beck sketch pouch
Pouch - You need something to carry and organize your sketching supplies, and I find having a pouch just big enough to carry essential supplies discourages me from hauling too much into the field. I like a pouch with a long, adjustable strap to carry crossbody. Mine is from Darsie Beck. You can use any pouch, backpack, purse, etc. that makes sense for you!
Binder clip or clamp.
Clamp holding page from blowing.
Clip/Clamp - keeps the page from blowing, the clamp can also be used to clip your palette to your sketchbook.
Tube of white designer's gouache.
Gouache - opaque white paint useful for adding sparkles of light in your sketch. Get a tube of designer’s gouache and keep it in its own tin (empty mint tin). Since gouache is opaque, I keep it in its own palette, away from my transparent watercolors.
Mead Pencil Pouch, closed.
Mead Pencil Pouch, open.
Pencil Bag - Keep your stuff handy in a pencil bag. I love this Mead pencil pouch from the grocery store school supplies isle.
Sit-Upon made from a windshield sun shade.
Sit-Upon, folded.
Sit-Upon - Back in Girl Scouts, we made sit-upons- small quilted cushions to keep clean and dry while sitting on the ground. The sit-upon I carry in my sketching kit is the same idea - only I have cut up an inexpensive windshield sun shade. It is silver bubble wrap that cushions, insulates, and keeps me dry while sitting on mosy logs, uncomfortable rocks, or damp grass. It folds up and slips right into my pouch. And - it can be cut into any size you like.
