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Supplies:
One of the main keys to success to working on location is to test your paper, pens and tools before you ever step foot outside! Please make sure your paper plays well with pen, pencil and watercolor before you attempt to work on location.
Recommended Art Supply List
The items below are my basic kit. I may not use every item each time I’m on location, but I’ve used them enough to make it worthwhile to have them at all times.
A bag appropriate for carrying the items below. Please avoid leather as it gets heavy very quickly.
5.5” x 8.5,” 7” x 7” or 7” x 10” Watercolor Sketchbook (For someone just getting started I recommend Canson Montval Watercolor Spiral Bound Pad, 5.5” x 8.5”) Regardless of the brand, please be sure your sketchbook plays well with watercolors!
#2 Pencil - I like mechanical pencils as I don’t need a sharpener.
White Eraser
Kneaded Eraser
Permanent Ink Pen* in gray, black or sepia in a thick and thin nib size
Uni•Ball® White Signo Gel pen in white
White Sharpie® Poster Paint Pen in a Fine Tip OR a white POSCA Paint Marker in a Fine Tip
A few pieces of Tracing Paper cut down to fit in the back of your sketchbook
A few pieces of scrap watercolor paper for testing ideas and pigments
Ruler
Large and small waterbrushes
Watercolors - A small portable kit. (e.g. Winsor Newton, Koi, Cotman)
Facial Tissues - An inexpensive brand works best!
Paper Towels
On Location Supplies
Stool - easy to set-up and break-down quickly in case a bench is not handy or the ground is inhospitable
Long-sleeve shirt and/or sunscreen
Hat
Sunglasses
Water bottle for staying hydrated
Comfortable, flat shoes
*Pen Recommendations: For the Gray Permanent Pen - Derwent Graphik LineMaker. For the Permanent Black Pen - Faber Castell® Pitt® Pens, Pigma® Micron® and Prismacolor. All brands make a wide range of permanent colored markers. Be very careful of using Sharpie® ink markers as they can bleed through your paper months after you use them. The paint markers are fine.
Please do not bring any “favorite” art supplies that cannot be easily and inexpensively be replaced. Leave Great-Aunt Margaret’s palette at home along with the fountain pen that set you back a month’s pay! There are few things more heartbreaking than to damage, lose, or drop a favorite art toy.