Sketching On-Location: Besides My Sketching Kit What Else Do I Need?
The items I’ve suggested in my previous articles leave you pretty well equipped to go anywhere and do a complete sketch from initial pencil (or ink) mark through to adding watercolor to finish your rendition of a scene. In addition to adding a water container, something on which to wipe your brushes, and something to sit on, however, there are a few things you might want to add to be comfortable and safe.
You may want to bring your own water supply for the cup in which you rinse your brush. And if you have room, you may want to include a second rinsing cup. Speaking of water, if it’s warm or hot, you should also bring water to drink to keep yourself hydrated! Again, if warm or hot, a hat or some type of shade-providing cover is advisable. Sunscreen in sunny conditions is also a good thing to throw in your bag. If the area in which you’ll be working is prone to mosquitoes or other bothersome bugs, you might want to include a can of bug spray in your carry bag. Conversely, if it’s cold or windy, wear clothes that will keep you warm. I always have office binder clips in my “kit” to use to hold down the pages of my sketchbook, but if you don’t, you’ll need them on a windy day.
Coroplast drawing board with sketchbook, palette, mixing surface, scratch paper, and paper towel attached.
Many sketchers simply do everything with their sketchbook as support. They attach a clip to one side of their sketchbook that holds their water container. Others may also use a clip on the sketchbook to hold brushes and pencils. They then hold their paint palette in one hand while resting their sketchbook on their lap. However, I prefer to have a homemade drawing board that either sits on my lap or attaches to a tripod. I’ve made such “drawing boards out of scrap cardboard and Coroplast. The latter is material used by politicians and realtors for yard signs. I like it better than cardboard, as I can cut part way through a 12” x 18” (30.5x45.7cm) so I can fold it in half and easily store it in my carry bag. In order to attach it to a tripod, you have to add a piece with a 1/4-20 hole into which the tripod can be screwed. Though this is very handy, the tripod is yet one more thing to have to carry, so it may not be something you want to do.
My Coroplast drawing board has magnetic tape strips on it so I can attach my paint palette to one and a mixing palette (an old sour cream top with magnetic tape) to the other. I use office binder clips to hold a paper towel and scrap strip (to test paint color mixes) and my sketchbook to the Coroplast.
