If you’re planning a trip, don’t forget to pack a few art supplies.
No, you don’t need to take your plein air easel and a full set of painting supplies, but you may want to add a small journal and a few painting or drawing instruments to your luggage.
You never know when the urge will hit for a creative diversion.
Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, recording bits of your experience can be a rewarding experience that’s far more personal and satisfying than snapshots on your smart phone.
Your sketches may be the start of a completed composition or series of paintings long after your trip is a mere memory, and your little journal is a lasting reminder of the experiences and sights of your journey.
Jornals
There are some great Journals you could take with you…
Moleskine Classic Notebook
Moleskine Classic Notebook ISBN-10: 8883707265
Moleskine has been the traveler’s choice for years, and this classic notebook is the perfect size for sketching.
The 7.5 x 10 inch size is large enough for sketching and small enough to slip in a purse or backpack.
It comes with 192 acid free pages and has a bookmark.
The journal has an elastic closure, inner pocket and a rounded corner, softbound cover.
Pentalic Traveler Pocket Journal
Pentalic Traveler Pocket Journal Sketch, 3-Inch by 4-Inch, Black By Pentalic ASIN: B0025TZ35Q
If storage space is really tight, this tiny sketch journal will fit just about anywhere.
It contains 160 pages for your sketching pleasure and is 74 pound, acid-free recycled paper.
The cover is flexible and has a pocket, elastic enclose and ribbon marker.
The paper is thick and has a bit of tooth.
It also stands up to ink and doesn’t bleed through, so both sides of each page may be used for tiny representations of your travels.
Global Art Materials Drawing Book
Here’s a sketchbook that’s perfect for landscape layouts.
It’s 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 inches in diameter, so it has the correct proportions for perfect landscapes.
The 128 pages are acid-free and are a heavy, off-white color that are just right for sketching.
The sturdy cover has an elastic closure, and the back contains an inside envelope.
The cover is available in several color choices and the manufacturer also has a number of different formats in their line.
Drawing Instruments
Now let’s check out some of the cool drawing tools…
Prismacolor Colored Pencil Set
Sanford Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencil Set – 48/Tin By Sanford ASIN: B00006IEEV
This great set of colored pencils gives you all the colors you’ll need in a compact, tin storage container that’s a mere 9-3/4 x 8-1/8 x 7/8 inches.
These artist-quality pencils blend easily and are waterproof, so they’re perfect for outdoor sketching.
The core of the pencil is thick, so it resists breaking.
You’ll be able to create wide swaths of color for blending and shading with the richly saturated pigments used to produce these superior drawing pencils.
Prismacolor Double Ended Chisel Tip
Prismacolor makes a great quality product for the discerning artist.
Although these pens aren’t cheap, the double-ended points give you twice the bang for your buck.
With both a wide and a fine tip on each pen, you’re minimizing your drawing supplies. Anything to keep you traveling light helps.
This set of 12 pens includes black and grey shades from 10 to 90 percent, so you have a complete range of neutral shades.
Add a traveler’s set of watercolors and you’re ready to produce pen and ink watercolors.
Sanford Watercolor Pencil Set
Sanford Prismacolor Watercolor Pencil Set, 24-Pack By MACPHERSONS ASIN: B0019IKWIM
This set of watercolor pencils is perfect for the traveling artist.
It comes with 24 colors that include black, terra cotta, crimson red, pink, orange, spring green, grass green, violet, white, sunburst yellow, carmine red, olive green, true blue, cool grey 50%, French grey 20%, Copenhagen, Spanish orange, dark umber, lilac, true green, goldenrod, peacock blue, ultramarine blue and dark green.
The pencils can be used dry or blended with water to create watercolor effects.
The pencils come in a handy tin storage container that’s only 0.9 x 4.7 x 8.2 inches in diameter, so they pack neatly and safely in your travel gear.
When you’re packing for your next journey, don’t forget to take along a few essential artist supplies. You never know when you’ll be hit by your muse and feel the need to create. It may be the beginning of your next masterpiece.
