The idea of a group of people sketching together fascinated me. I decided to try my hand at Urban Sketching and visited the London group who were meeting at the V&A.
I wasn’t too sure about what to take or what I would need but I was determined to be comfy if I had to sit for a few hours in the street! I travelled by train to Paddington station.
Most of what this trolley contains is my fold-up stool and cushion (I’ll write about seating options in due course). The rest is what I thought would be necessary. I’ve already shown my paintbox and below is my container which can double up as something to press on. I have a neat little handbag which I can wear while I draw so that I don’t leave my money or camera lying around in the trolley.
Here’s the equipment:
viewfinder for my square format sketch book
Paintbox with 14 colours
Small jar of walnut ink (which I didn’t use)
Small enamel plate for mixing watercolours
nifty attachable water containers with screw-tops – (didn’t use)
Various drawing pens but in the end I only used two:
Sakura Pigma Micron 05 pen; .45 line*
and a Mangaka Sepia 01 pen*
pencils, eraser – all in a see-through wallett
various brushes
Cutting knife with snap off blades to sharpen pencils
matchbox for pencil sharpenings
some bits of balsa wood with bevelled edge in front – this is to do some quick flat-edged painting – I love them!
also, not in the plastic folder:
toilet roll
Sketch books – cartridge and watercolour paper in a folder
water jar with clip-on lid
camera
bottle of water.
*Pens These are both pens that draw in a brown waterproof ink. The ink in both is pigment-based rather than dye- based and they are waterproof. I don’t like felt tips which glide about – I prefer a pen that has a point that ‘grips’ the paper. I bought them at Jackson’s and they also have a very nice article on technical pens and sketching pens.
More tomorrow about this exciting outing.
It “is” exciting Lin. At first I was not confident sketching in public but now I love it. People are intrigued but keep their distance. I take much less than you do and keep to a small pencil case and a Strathmore sketchpad. I travel light because it make the urban sketching quick and easy. I like cafes indoors or out, public buildings and malls. As long as I am comfortable and warm I am happy to sketch anything from quick gestural poses to cafe & piazza happenings. I loved being with Sharon Zeugin and her “Sketch Austin” group in Texas last summer doing just this.
Hi Gemma
Oh cool I’m so pleased you responded. I think my work is very ‘tight’ still – all those years of calligraphy? But I can only loosen up from here onwards. Especially as I do more and more and 10 minute sketches. I’ll be doing more on my holiday and in the summer. I’d love to see some of your stuff. Please email me some images.
Lin