Tools of the Trade #1 - The Sketching Kit

Thanks for joining me again.

This week I'm beginning a new blog series, which will discuss media and techniques, and review new materials -- from pencils to pens to inks to journals (i.e.; the "Tools of the Trade.") The series will run in alternate installments with the "Old Gold" series and other posts along the highways and byways of fun, exploration, and adventure. And, as always, I hope you'll come along.

To get the series started, I thought I'd focus on the "old kit bag." And the questions for the day is, "What do you take on your sketching outings? And how do you get it there?"

Our kit doesn't usually play large in the actual creation of our field sketches, journals and plein-air paintings. But -- since it carries most, if not all, of our supplies and equipment when we go afield -- it's fair to say that the bag is a deciding factor in what we can, and can't, do when we want to create images away from the studio. It's also fair to say that our sketch bags are both a reflection of our personal artistic interests and a work-in-progress.

I've been carrying a sketching kit for over 2 decades now. Interestingly, the bag I carry now is just about the same size as the one I carried 20 years ago -- even though I've used (and eventually discarded) larger bags from time to time. My current bag was produced for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, is compact (7.25" wide x 5.25" deep x 9" high) even when stuffed with enough goodies for an extended sketching safari, rugged (double stitched, heavy nylon canvas construction), and reliable. (8 years, 10 states, 2 national parks, 5 countries with no signs of wear and tear.) It has both a side-mounted shoulder strap (my personal preference) and a broad belt loop on the rear. I never go out the door without it!

In the expandable cargo pocket (with its flap and secure buckle) I carry a Derwent tin of HB graphite pencils, a zippered translucent red bag of Sakura micron pens (in sizes 02, 01, and 005), and a double lens field magnifying glass. In 2 of the 4 vertical side pockets I carry a mechanical pencil (emergency backup for the Derwent tin) and a mini Mag Lite flashlight (for finishing up that last sketch of the day as the light fades... or finding my way home after I spend too much time of that last sketch.) And, in the zippered main compartment I carry 2 large Moleskine journals (one Japanese accordion, and one watercolor journal), a tin of Prismacolor color pencils, a Daniel Smith 24 half-pan watercolor box (with 3 travel brushes), a spare pair of prescription eyeglasses, and (depending on my goal for the day) either a Fabriano Artist's Journal with assorted toned papers or a pair of binoculars.

With the small penknife and vinyl eraser I always carry in my pants pocket (and, if I'm feeling particularly ambitious, an Arches 10"x14" HP watercolor block and Coleman's folding camp stool in my left hand), I'm happy as a clam and good to go -- around the corner, into the woods, or across the globe.

So, how about sharing your equipment experience by posting a comment? Let us know what kind of kit you currently carry? What have you tried in the past? What's worked for you? And what hasn't?

Thanks again for letting me drop by and I hope you'll let me share my post with you next time too. In the meantime please let me know what you think and, I hope, you'll share the blog with others who are interested in sketching, journaling, art and adventure. :-D 

Winter Visitor, South River

"The man of science, the naturalist, too often looses sight of the essential oneness of all living beings in seeking to classify them in kingdoms, orders, species, etc. While the eye of the poet, the seer, never closes on the kinship of all God's creatures. And his heart ever beats in sympathy with great and small alike, as Earth-born companions and fellow mortals, equally dependent on Heaven's eternal love."

                                                                                                                        -- John Muir