It's the eternal question for us traveling artists. Which art supplies to take? On my upcoming trip to Italy to attend the TBDI 2014, I'll be taking only a carry-on bag, so the lack of space makes the question even more agonizing.
I am usually a quick decider, but on this question, I waffle with the worst of them.
The truth of this hit me hard recently as I was choosing some of my sketches to be published in Cathy Johnson's upcoming book, provisionally titled, "Sketching on the Spot.' The first decision, then as now, boiled down to which would be the default sketching tool: pens or pencils?
I most often sketch with pens, such as my Pentel Pocket brush pen, which feels like an extension of my fingertips. Being a painter, I love the brushiness of those lines. They do robust, they do atmospheric, they play well with color or on their own.
Bouziès, France
Copenhagen, Denmark
Bergen, Norway
Other times I want a crisp line, so I use a fine-tipped pen like the Ecco Pigment pen... again, with or without color:
Fontaine de l'Observatoire, Paris
But lately, my heart is leading me back to pencil, that most sensuous of drawing tools. There is NOTHING like the skidmarks, the fractured trails of a big, fat, soft pencil on good paper. With or without color added.
Brittany, Presqu'ile de Rhuys
Middleton Place, Charleston, SC Northern Norway
And then there is the matter of the which and the how of taking watercolors! I think this time, I'll take a few squeezed-out blobs from my paint tubes in a very lightweight plastic travel palette.
So here's the plan for now: two pens (one brush pen, one hard tip), a couple of pencils, limited watercolors and, if I have space, 4 or 5 watercolor crayons. And did I mention which sketchbook to take? I did not. That's a thought, alas, for another day. My decider synapses, now exhausted, have taken to their beds.
Hi, Laura. It's Jo again. Just thought you should know: The pans that come in the palette are very tiny; so, I'm not sure if the jumbo pans would be large enough for your needs. Have you tried the Peerless Transparent Watercolor sheets? Good luck in your quest and safe travels.
Posted by: Jo | September 26, 2014 at 01:17 AM
Thanks for the link, Jo! That little palette looks so cute! I'm going to consider it... although it may be too late to order it for this trip. I paint big and use big brushes, but I could order the jumbo pans... hmmm.
I have taken really lightweight, larger plastic travel palettes when I've had to pare down before and I may do that again this time, for issues of time, primarily.
Thanks again for taking the time to share this good info!
Posted by: Laura | September 24, 2014 at 09:10 PM
Hi, I stubbled upon your blog today when searching for reviews on the Lowe-Cornell 7200 Ultra Round brushes. After reading your post I wondered if you had seen this travel kit: http://expeditionaryart.com/shop/art-toolkit/. (If you have concerns about opening this link, please search Expeditionary Art.)
I'm not an artist—just a supply junkie; thus, I ordered the watercolor palette. I received excellent service from Maria. I believe I had the palette in two or three days.
Hope this helps and good luck!
Posted by: Jo C | September 24, 2014 at 08:53 PM
Jeff, that's a great idea! Will have to check that out... would need a pretty dark line. I'll google to get more info about it. And thank you so much for your very kind invitation. I will take you up on it one of these soon days.
Posted by: Laura | September 22, 2014 at 12:33 PM
Hi Laura,
One thing I do, and it's always a struggle to prune, is use a clutch pencil (2mm drafting) and carry a few different leads (can also carry colors). You can add a chisel point on the unused end for broad lines. A sharpener is built-in to the Staedtlers.
Have fun and remember you always have a standing invitation to visit Austin.
Jeff D
Posted by: Jeff DeLargy | September 22, 2014 at 12:08 PM
Ha ha, it DOES help me, Cathy! Thank you! I figure I'm finally going to test the "Less is more" hypothesis ;D. Anyway, I forgot I'll have to take a tiny spray bottle for water and a collapsible nylon water holder and a couple of paintbrushes. So there's going to be a little more of less, after all. Thanks so much for commenting. Nice to see you again!
Posted by: Laura | September 20, 2014 at 04:43 PM