Small Sketch Kit

Field sketch kit

Field sketch kit

The basic ingredients in my current sketch kit are:

  • A Winsor & Newton Bijou Box – with a little modification – I have taken out the bars which usually hold the pans in place to fit in a few more colours.  The box came with eight pans and a tiny travel brush but now holds 14 pans. They’re held in with a dab of No More Gaps silicon sealer under each pan. A little wiggle gets them out again when I want to change a colour.
  • Uniball pens – I really like the Eye pens – they’re waterproof and reliable. (They’ll even write in a Moleskine Cahier without skipping…) In the studio I do like a dip pen and ink for a more varied line but out in the field that’s all too hard – pass me a Uniball anytime. I like their Gel Impact too – good for a heavier line.
  • Simple el cheapo 2B pencils – I like a bit of smudge AND a sharp line. Sometimes I go watersoluble, sometimes not. I use them up so fast it matters more that I have plenty around than which kind.
  • And a waterbrush. I’m not fussy about the brand. If it wets it’s all good.
  • My sketchbook changes each time. (I guess I haven’t yet fallen in love with any of them. You’ll be the first to know if it happens!) The one shown is a Stillman & Birn Alpha 8.5″ x 5.5″ – recently finished. I’ve just started in one of their Epsilon in the same size. Both are good. Next? Probably a Fabriano Venezia, if it arrives in time. None of these sketchbooks are available in Perth (I have asked you-know-where a couple of times… no response) so I am mail ordering from Melbourne.  http://www.theartshop.com.au/ has the Stillman & Birn

Field sketch kit

Sometimes I add colour pencil – either over the top of watercolour or alone – usually preferring very soft pencils for a little smudge. This box is a Derwent Coloursoft Skin Tone set with a few colours swapped out for others chosen from open stock. Specifically, I ditched the pinks, which weren’t light fast or relevant to the types of things I sketch, adding instead a pale grey and a cream for highlights. I would really like a white but my usual art shop has been sold out of those for months… They must be good. I expect the colours will change over time but I’ll be keeping the box.

Gouache in pans

Gouache

Also on the ‘sometimes’ list is this little gouache kit. It’s an old Winsor & Newton Pocket Set with the pans removed and the spaces filled with tube gouache of assorted brands.  (No, I didn’t throw the pans out, they’re in the Bijou box.) The gouache re-wets pretty well with a water brush but are really good if given a spritz of water a few minutes before use. A tip gleaned from Cathy Johnson was to carry a mini spray bottle. (It’s good with water colour pans too – check out her video demo if you need convincing.)

Small sketch kit

The “kit du jour”  (whether I carrying the box gouache or watercolour) fits neatly in an oversize plastic pencil case for ease of use and to protect my handbag from spills.