My favorite drawing supplies - travel edition
For me, traveling and drawing go hand in hand. My sketchbook is often the first thing I pack and the last thing I close before going to sleep. It’s my way of truly experiencing a place.
But what exactly should you pack if you want to sketch on the go without filling your entire suitcase with supplies? Over the years, I’ve put together a compact, practical set that I can take anywhere: from a terrace in Paris to a bumpy safari in Sri Lanka.
Paint
I’ve had my watercolor set for over 10 years now. I keep restocking it with new pans. The green ones usually run out the fastest. I wonder why that is? :) I also always bring a few spare pans with me in a little bag. That way, I’m sure to have enough to keep going during the trip.
van Gogh Watercolor Paint, Pocket Box Basic Colors with 12 colors in half pans
Sketchbooks
I almost always draw in the same sketchbooks—the ones from Talens. They’re not too expensive, so I don’t have to worry about “wasting” pages.
They also hold up pretty well to a light application of watercolor.
For my trip to Sri Lanka, I opted for a larger sketchbook from the German brand Hahnemühle. The paper was nice and sturdy, and the hardcover kept my drawings safe during the bumpy and sometimes sandy journey.
Talens Art Sketchbook, A5
Hahnemühle Watercolor Book, A4 landscape
Extra paper
I often bring along a few loose sheets of paper, in addition to my sketchbook. You never know when you might want to sketch a quick portrait. :)
Clairfontaine, PaintON, Mixed Media Pad (A5 / 250 gsm / 40 sheets)
Clairefontaine Goldline Aquapad (A5/300 gsm/70 sheets)
Pens
When I'm at home, I like to draw with a pen and an inkwell. Of course, that's not very practical when I'm traveling.
That's why I pack a supply of MUJI pens in my bag. They don't bleed when you paint over them with watercolors, which is very important for my work.
You can refill them, they come in different colors and thicknesses, and they’re affordable.
The only downside: Unfortunately, there aren’t any MUJI stores in Belgium yet…
Muji, Black Gel Pen
Paintbrushes
A while back, I discovered some makeup brushes in Florence that you can twist apart for easy storage when you're on the go. They're not cheap, but they're super handy. I have a thick one and a thin one. That's all I need, especially when I'm traveling.
Another tool I often use are watercolor brushes with a built-in reservoir. You fill the long shaft of the brush with water and squeeze it to release water into your paint tray. They don’t last as long as the brushes mentioned above, but they’re definitely worth trying out for the value they offer.
da Vinci, CASANEO Travel Brush
Refillable watercolor brushes, water brush pen
