ULTRALIGHT Compact Watercolor Travel Sketch Kit ✶ Great for hikers
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- Опубліковано 18 сер 2024
- I created this ultralight compact watercolor sketch kit to make life easier on the trail. Not only is it ultralight, but it’s really compact. It easily fits into any of my pockets. It’s easy to hold while painting. It's quick to setup and breakdown. But why so small? When hiking, the saying goes, “every ounce is a pound.” It's a reminder that after 5...10...20 miles, you feel everything you're carrying. Over the years I’ve slimmed down my hiking gear list to the bare minimum, but as an artist I've always struggled to minimize my painting kit - because I want it all! After last year's increased mileage I realized it was time to create an ultralight compact watercolor sketch kit. The temptation is to bring more than you need, just in case (I've done it more often than I care to admit). But as my hikes get longer, the consequences of overpacking become much worse.
Blog post w/supply links ➤ bit.ly/SBMicro...
Note on the pens:
The Uni Signo DX .38mm is not waterproof on all papers. But I love how smooth it is. If you want a fadeproof/waterproof pen with ultra thin lines, get the Uni Jetstream Edge. It’s my favorite, just a bit heavy for the ultralight kit.
But I don’t always use the pens underneath watercolor. I sometimes only add ink on top for effects/details.
00:00 Intro
00:23 Tiny sketchbook
00:57 What I draw with outside
01:48 Fave travel brushes
02:05 Waterbrushes?
02:46 Micro watercolor palette
04:26 Adding a clip
04:47 Thoughts about traveling light - Розваги
This is obviously an extreme version of 'traveling light' but I hope it gives you some ideas! I'll be sharing a separate video about my "normal" sketch kits / favorite supplies soon. 😊
The clip and the velcro are genius! This is such a convenient little set-up!
I completely agree. What is the clip style named?
I love this! And yes, I for one, would love to see you paint with it too!
Got it!
When people think of artists and creativity they think of finished artwork. They never see how much inventiveness goes into things like your little plein air kit. I can't count the number of hacks (for want of a better word) I've come up with to help streamline my studio process.
that big escoda brush is gorgeous 😍 I much prefer travelling light too, plein air painting is so fun to do
I am also constantly optimizing my travel kit and instead of using tissue paper I recommend cheap sports wristbands for cleaning the waterbrushes. Reusable (washable) and you don't have to fiddle with them, Sarah. As for the water brushes, try to get the Faber Castell ones which are even smaller than the Pentel but hold almost as much water.
If you are talking about the sort of mint-green one FC makes, I have both it and the Caran D'Ache. They are pretty much the same, except that the former only has one size, while the latter has two plus a sort of marker nib. Filled to full capacity, both brand brushes actually wind up pretty long, but the beauty of them is that you don't _have_ to have them fully extended. If you are going to be carrying a water bottle anyway, leave the water brush empty or only full in the smallest state, them refill as needed.
@@PhoenyxAshe, in the meantime FC has brought out a second size, too. Thank you for the tips.
Wristbands are great! I like them! But be careful. That means not using any toxic pigments like Cobalts, Cadmiums etc. You don't want them touching your skin.
@@Zoomfreaky, sure!
I bought a biker side-bag-fanny-pack-thingy. It allows me to carry lots of stuff without backpain, and it's always acessible. It fits an a5 hannemule toned sketchbooks, 2 pencil tins, one derwent graphitint case, one small watercolor case, and some pens. I have been using gel pens a lot, since they are not usually waterproof, so you can sketch and shade using a water brush. I might steal the velcro idea,because it is GENIUS
Superb ultralight compact kit, love it. Perfect for hikers as you say. I'm impressed by how you've focused in on this simple minimalist set up THAT WORKS! That's a great idea for the interchangeable clip. Thank you for this.
Yes, please post a video of you painting with this setup!
Genius idea on using those clips and 3M! Thank you for sharing!
Yes, I’d love to see you use the kit on location. Having the clip attached is brilliant.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I am a retired gal who, and just recently have decided to take up plein air. I am often hikes in the beautiful mountains which are wonderfully close to my home. As such, I am in search for ultralight travel sketch kits. Again thank you for sharing today and I am so happy to have found your channel.❤
I never thought to modify a micro palette that way- great idea. Ive tried about 5 different brands of small sketchbooks, and the S&B remains my favorite. Now I need to try that waterbrush, I’ve avoided them because they are so long, they probably wont fit in my Art Toolkit. Thanks for sharing
Which S&B do you like the best?
@@SarahBurnsStudio the beta, 3.5x5.5 inch, for all the same reasons you mention. Plus there is something really tactile and nice about that cover, it just feels good. I may order myself some of that grey green ink, my favorite was Kakimori lichen, but they discontinued it. I have been searching for a replacement ever since.
Yout
Sarah, you totally blew my mind! I never thought to ditch the outer case of the PP micro, I am going to try this, thank you!
Micro gets even micro-er! 🤪
I love your customization of even the micro as I always thought the little attachments seemed bothersome to me - though I haven't used it. I have the regular portable painter and love it. I have ordered the mini pans and added an extra row to my portable painter for more choices. I can see where the micro - modified would be fun to leave in. Y pocket!!!
I love my regular PP and I use that on shorter trails, car painting, picnics, etc. :)
I love your tip about using 3M velcro strips! Then they are removable if you wish to reposition things. Thank-you! What a great little set up.
I loved this. I love the Etcher books in that size or the smaller Hahnemuhle Cotton ones, a mechanical pencil (Pentel P205), kneaded eraser, paper towel, Pentel waterbrush and an Expeditionary Art pocket palette as my ultra portable kit (basically this is always in my daily carry bag and I just have them on me at all times). If I want to go a little larger I can bring a slightly larger palette (a Meeden smaller tin palette) and a travel brush (I use Escoda Versatils and Princeton Neptunes ... but I want that Rosemary Rigger you have!!) and a collapsible cup). I think it's one of the magic things about watercolor ... you can do so much with stuff that can fit in your pocket.
Also, I struggled with the Caran D'Ache brushes because they were so dry, but I love your hack of rinsing them out some!
It’s so great to keep a little kit in your bag so you always have it.
Hello,
I've lately binge watched your videos! They are super informative and extremely helpful as I'm just venturing into the gouache. Thank you very much for posting it all!
A quick note: Jackson's art changed their website and most of the links on UA-cam videos aren't working anymore, so it might be that you might want to check on that 🙈😉
I have a cheap waterbrush that had too much flow but I put diluted India ink in it for a while which clogged it slightly and now it's perfect for watercolour.
3M strip idea is genius!
I LOVE Copic's fineliner. It is my favorite pen! Good choice.
When I have to be absolutely minimalist I’ll sketch with a pen with non-waterproof ink and use a water brush to get different values. If I have room for one more item I bring my pentel multi-8. I love drawing with the sailor fude nibs but didn’t like how long the pens themselves were. Until I found the Fude DE Mannen 1911 😍 now that is my current favorite Sailor fountain pen for sketching.
Yea I agree it's a LONG pen! I sometimes leave the cap off just to shorten it
What a cute little setup! And those carandache waterbrushes look so awesome for water control, which is something I'm struggling with in my current waterbrushes. Thanks for sharing, Sarah!
They were a game changer for me! I initially got them to use with my water soluble pencils
Wow. Great. I'm going to try to complete such a kit for myself.
You’ve solved all of my issues in one go with this brilliant setup! Thanks so much. ❤😊
Of course we would love a demostration! Great kit.
Nice little setup and I admire your creativity in putting it together. I always strive to keep my plein air kit to a minimum, but I usually fall short. I always think I'm going to spend way more time painting than I actually do, so I have a bag full of supplies that just gets carried back home (mostly) unused! Being realistic about how much time I will actually paint is key to putting any kit together these days. And I have a gazillion little portable boxes and palettes to chose from! I love travel brushes too - especially the Escoda Ultimo and the Rosemary squirrel mop.
Yep I used to do that same. Minimal is key for my hikes!
This is such a good idea!!!!! 😊 i will definitely put frog stickers on mine 😅
Such great information! Thanks for sharing! I made a small/simple cigar box pochade box, and I love your small palette.
Thank you for sharing and yes a video of you using it, too!
Love love love this! Definitely gives me some inspiration to go portable
90% preference match: S&B beta, but portrait, Sailor fude with de Atramentis but black/brown, Pilot’s mechanical pencil with blue led, waterbrushes Caran d’Ache and Pentel, real brushes Escoda reserva/versatil, Rosemary’s daggers and stripers. Only my palette preference is Art Toolkit’s pocket palette that I changed into steel business card case from Muji so it works with magnets ^_^
Would love to see you use this kit! Love the way you really thought about how best to make a compact style work for you. Great video! Thanks Sarah!❤
My Goodness! I love this!
Love the clip/velcro idea!!
Great gear video!!! Got some good info to chew on for my own travel set up. ❤
Amazing!! One of the best videos I’ve seen! So helpful! Love this idea! Appreciate the links! Thank you!
Very practical, thank you for sharing. 😊💕🖌🎨
Great ideas for portability!
Much needed because I always way over pack which you just shouldn't do when hiking! I love yout idea on using only half of the micro pallete! I also love the stillman and birn beta.
Thank you so very much for this! :D
Great video, thank you for the tips and sharing.😅
i would love to see you painting. oh yeah im moving to mexico, and your setup would be great for me. i looked around and i think this is it. thanks
I absolutely love all of your videos! They are so helpful and give great information for a beginner or more experienced artist. I also have to say that I find your voice very easy to listen to and relaxing. I did wish that you would put a list in your description of all the materials you used. I find myself going back and forth through the video trying to find the name of things- which can be a challenge. Overall wonderful videos!
Cool kit! Love the clip!
I got two pallets…one for me, one for my daughter 🥳 they were under $20.00 on Amazon! Thank you Sarah!!!
Very ingenious setup for quick Plein Air. I love 💕 having a great variety of setups depending on the the length of traveling or time outside.
Same! And sometimes my mood is less strict so I'll take a couple more things. But those 15+ mile days...OOF
Yes we would like to see this mini in action 😊 I have a similar set up but use a mini Altoids tin and a neodymium magnet to keep it attached to my watercolor sketch book.
I've already shared my kit with you, and sadly haven't used it enough since then to have iterated on it, but I love seeing stuff like this and planning travel kits even if I can't leave the house.
I used to backpack. Now, as I watch you tackle trails on bike and foot, I feel good that you realize the toll unnecessary weight can cause. Nice setup, but I have a feeling it will evolve more as the miles pile up.
Yep, it really does take a toll!
Would love to see this kit in use! Thanks! Great ideas!
Smart solution with the on the back and also how You attached it with the 3M tape
Your kit is smaller and lighter than the one one I carry. I have made smaller ones ( than the one I carry) but find myself wanting one more color. Yes I also like the Escoda travel brushes, my loving wife brought me a set a little over a year ago. The painting club I'm in is mostly acrylic painters and right now it's winter and wet so when I paint it's usually acrylics indoors. Love your channel, Scotland appears beautiful but physically challenging for an old guy like me.
The beginning haha. Also love this art kit you’ve created. Have one for markers, waterproof pens are a universal staple too. As well as a fine liner…
Did my first gouache painting and concerned about them drying. Now I’m not. Learning so much from you.
Awesome video! I just got my Micro in the mail and ordered the pentel brush pen and the Stillman sketchbook per your recommendation
I can't wait to get out there and play
Thanks! Just made one the same you have. I also have an art toolkit with 14 colours and want to try the same with this one. Great!
Yes 🙌 please post video using it
I want to try make an even tinier kit some day when we live somewhere more nature:y :D Thank you for sharing!
This was super useful! I haven’t painted outside yet because I’m not sure what to take but this has given me a great place to start working out my own little set up! Thanks 😊
I think I have become a little obsessed with tiny plein air set ups. You're set up looks genius. I have contemplated the demi palette by art toolkit.
Thanks for showing the fude nib and caran water brush. I have been trying to decide which fude nib and water brush to buy
I’d love to see it in action 😁
Hi Sarah, great ideas in this video, sorry for asking during your live studio tour, it was late where I live and just tired and wasn't thinking. I should of looked around on your channel.
No worries! I hope it was helpful :)
Thanks for sharing!
Would love to see you using this set up,I've made loads of different kits myself and just when I think I've got the perfect one worked out, you come up with this fantastic idea, will have to try this one too
Very interesting set-up! So far, I've only sketched outdoors in places I've arrived at in a car, so I haven't had to go light yet, but this is inspirational!
I do that a lot too! I actually have a whole separate "car kit" in my car at all times 😄 But I'm making a separate video about all my other kits
thanks for sharing sarah. I love to take the stablo with me. all fits onto ist and the the magnet metal tins are fixed. This year I also want to paint more outside :) You inspire and motivate me to do that ^_^ thanks for that
Thanks and would love to see your kit in action.
So helpful and yes would love to see you using it on location. Great timing , just setting up a travel kit ...or more like an outings kit. Hope its ok to ask where do you obtain your blue replacement leads fir you pencil? Many thanks again
I usually get them from cultpens
Thank you for streamlining my kit! WHAT IS THAT CLIP CALLED!?! I searched Amazon and couldn’t find that particular shape!
They are drawing board clips
I love this! I just picked up the portable micro painter palette through your link and it’s almost half price on sale! I’m excited to try the sketchbook and travel brush also! 😊
I'd love seeing you use that kit on location.
I'm almost seventy, and I have terrible circulation in my feet and legs, and walking more than a couple of hundred yards, slowly, is about all I can do. Then I have to rest for an hour to an hour and a half. Funny, but about a quarter of the time, this has made be start carrying heavier items, so0metimes including a pretty large easel. If I'm going to be sitting for an hour and a half, I may as well do something big.
The rest of the time I carry a large watercolor or mixed media book, or a Strathmore Heavyweight drawing pad or Bristol Board, or Vellum, and a set of General's or Staedtler pencils. I'll sketch out something I want to watercolor, or something I want to pastel/colored pencil, or try to do a finished graphite drawing, depending on which type of paper I take.
It boils down to one type of paper, and one set of pencils. I does everything else when I get home.
I also take photos with my phone, but only rarely, usually when I see something extraordinary and just want a photo to keep.
thank you ☀️
Yes. Let's see you use this micro kit
OMG! How does it work? I have been trying to force myself to make a video about my tiny watercolor kit, and now I see your perfect kit 😍 Your one looks much more professional! Thank you fore sharing your experience!
I love the mini size ... but I can't seem to leave the house without 20 pounds of stuff yet. Haha!!
Awesome set I wish I could find those here in Colombia 😢
i've also been really liking the stillman & birn sketchbook in beta! my local art shop doesn't carry that size tho, so i might be needing to order it so i have a sketchbook in between the 2 sizes i have now 😅
The most portable box is the business card box with eyeshadow tin cans inside
Excellent video Sarah! Great insights into your process. Plein air has often put me off because of all the many expensive pieces of kit it seems artists use, but you make it seem really approachable and inexpensive. Is there any chance you could do a video on the different types of Stillman & Birn sketchbooks/ paper. I get quite confused by all the different names and end up staying away from them because I forget what they each do, and I find it a bit overwhelming. I feel like you'd do a good job at a concise, practical explanation.
Yes - my next video will be all about my sketchbooks :)
I use that exact same sketchbook :D
As for a palette, I mostly use the Art Toolkit one nowadays, with a separate little double container for water that actually comes with a clip, although I only used it once during which I spilled the water all over myself haha. Your clip and velcro setup is really cool though!! Seems like a much lower likelihood of forgetting you have liquid sloshing around when there's both your palette and your water in a single box. I also love how high-capacity that clip is! And I've been interested in trying a fude nib fountain pen, I just keep debating with myself since I rarely use linework in my art so whether I really need the line variation is dubious, but I mean knowing me, I'll definitely end up with one sooner or later (probably sooner hehe)
Those little wallet palettes as I call them are definitely compact. I just need a bit more water than they hold. Also the Art Toolkit ones are annoyingly expensive for what they are 😂 but I see why people love them.
Sarah, you might want to try the Aquastroke-Go Water Brush Pens, so much softer than the Pentel brushes and great water flow.
Oh interesting, thank you!
Love this setup and your tips! I'm curious what type of pad you bring to sit on?
I have a variety, but most often it's just a cheap 'foam camping seat' that folds up
I keep wanting to go minimalist...but I can never decide who gets to stay behind! LOL. In reality, i really dont need so many things but urban sketching can sometimes be unpredictable. I think I need to just let go of trying to get everything right!
I love this setup! Huge inspiration. Thanks for sharing! Where do you get your mini/quarter watercolor pans? I've never seen them before.
Thanks! They are new from Portable Painter (you can see them on their website)
@@SarahBurnsStudio Awesome. Thank you so much!
I don’t use a water dish with water pens. I just wipe off the paint (maybe squeeze out a drop of water if needed). Im curious why you use a water dish. I’d love to see a video of you sketching with your mini kit. Thanks.
I'd love to see a video of you using it. Also a link to that clip! I didn't see it in the blog post.
That's because I honestly can't remember what it's called or where I got it 😭 sorry
I think it is called a draughtsman's clip or a drawingboard clip. I did technical drawing classes at school.
That's it! Found em!
@@cerealnana good, enjoy!
Curious- why the blue painters tape around the travel brushes? I personally love the portable painter and the Art Toolkit palettes.
Oh I forgot to mention that - it's to improve grip and to stop them from rolling around
@@SarahBurnsStudio Great idea!! Thanks
I was wondering the same thing! Great idea!
I was just putting together 3 travel kits. In addition to the white one you are using, I took a round 3 section pill box, stuck a srip of gorilla tape and a velcro strap so I can wear it on my wrist. Each secton is filled with 3 colors, I love it is really handy. I've taken gift card tins put 8 paint cups in them as a palette. The cups have lids, so the acrylic paint doesnt dry out. Recently on Amazon I boought two bankers clips to use to keep the sketchbook open. What are the names and where can I buy the clips you showed?
You could use a phone ring to hold the box on your finger
I will NEVER understand why Arch dont make there own sketchbooks in travel sizes.....would sell like hot cakes
Agreed!
I have a quick question about the watercolour pans! I have never used dry watercolour so I don't know anything about them.
- It seems that you have different sizes than the mini pallet comes with originally, what sizes are they and where can I get them?
- And are the mini pans as deep as the larger ones even though they are smaller?
Wonderful video by the way, by far the best lightweight travel kit I've found. I plan on getting the same and experimenting with it. Thank you!
Portable Painter sells the micro pans on their website. They are as deep as the original.
Hi, great video as usual.
I wondered if cut up mini ice cube tray parts would fit the micro portable painter and how many cubes would fit? I’m trying to work out a hack for replicating the tiny expansion pans that increase your colours from 6 to 16. I haven’t bought a micro yet as I know 6 colours isn’t enough for me, I find mixing small amounts of colour outside so difficult, one drop too much of a colour and it’s leaning the wrong way. I really wish he’d ship to the UK.
Thanks in advance
I'm not sure about the mini ice cube trays..I've never seen them
Have you checked Jacksons or the amazon shop for them recently? I remember him saying they would be added
@@SarahBurnsStudiothank you for your reply 😊
Yes I have looked at both and they were both the usual set of 6 half pans. I was getting a bit impatient and ordered one from Amazon so I can have a play.
Great paintings and videos
I always use a big sketchbook and my back pays for it lol
Yup, I don’t always go ultralight either. I have a lot of different setups and some are real heavy!
My kit is
1.a6 watercolor sketchbook.
2. large and small Pentel water brush and No. 7 collapsible brush.
3. Bic pen.
4. Red and blue pencil with eraser.
5.Spray bottle.
6. No name Watercolor metal palette with 14 half pan's.
Sounds nice and portable! Love that you use red or blue pencils too :)
What do you do with the the red and blue pencils?
Great video! I like to use a fountain pen, love the idea of green grey ink, but I thought that waterproof ink would clog them up? Do you empty your pen and wash it after each use? The clip is a genius idea! 👍
No it’s ink made specifically for fountain pens :)
@@SarahBurnsStudio thanks! I'm tempted by the Fude pen…………..
@@lesleycrawford7244 the fude pen is sheer inexpensive fun. Even if you think you cant draw, it all looks good with a fude.
Hi! are there any sketch books that are taller rather than long?
How is the workability of those sketchbooks?
Fun concept. I have a Portable Painter. I see you have some very small pans which are half the footprint in the tray. Do you have a link to get them? I have gotten 1/4 pans and even smaller, but they are not the tiny footprint you have.
You'd have to go to their website to find the micro pans
@@SarahBurnsStudio Ah! Thanks very much!
Why did you go with landscape orientation vs portrait? Just personal preference?
Just wondering. I would def do portrait for the simple fact that its less awkward and I could also do a double page spread equaling an a5
Because it suits my subject better. I love long, horizontal scenes. Sometimes I do a full spread, almost like a wide angle shot of the landscape.
I have both portable painters but I can’t find the new tiny pans on Amazon. Can you tell me where you got yours please? 😊
If you live in the US you get them through their website.
@@SarahBurnsStudio I live in the U.K. England 😀
@@gillinacook1477 I got them directly through the owner, but heard they are trying to get them on on their amazon page would allow UK buyers, but not sure if they did yet?