 Winsor & Newton Kit with travel brushes The Winsor
& Newton Kit
three travel brushes with caps - different sizes 6" x 8" spiral sketch book (not shown) bound block of watercolor paper in postcard sizes. large rubber band or metal clip for holding the sketchbook pages together. |
The Winsor & Newton travel kit The Winsor & Newton small
sketch box collapses to a small 2.5" x 5" x
1.5" size. Not much bigger than a cigarette package, I can easily
put
it into my shirt pocket. It contains a set of colors that
can be
customized, fold out palettes, a container for water, and an attachable
water cup/cap for the kit. It is easy to hold since it also has a
finger hold on the bottom. I put the kit on my thumb while
with the
same hand holding my 6 x 8" spiral sketch pad, the other hand is busy
drawing and painting. I can easily stand in a corner of crowded
market
and capture the scene.
 Annecy Market
The kit comes
with one small sponge and a small travel brush (aluminum handle shown)
but I found I need more choices. The travel brushes I dearly love
come with black plastic screw on caps. The bristles are made of
nylon and therefore don't rot when capped and have an especially nice
point. I have three of different sizes (usually about $15 -$25 a
piece).
The sketch above with first drawn with a permanent fine point marker then colored in on location. |
| Elroy's More Complete Set-up The other kit I carry is for longer studies. I usually bring along enough supplies so that folks who forgot theirs will have something to work with until we find an art supply store. Don't count on me having everything or supplying you for the whole trip. The John Pike palette is for those "serious artists" who expect to do larger works. This palette is two parts, one with the colors the other, the lid, that also serves as palette. It is more difficult to carry but I have canvas brief case with a shoulder strap that I can put the palette, 11" x 14" spiral sketchbook, a block of d'Arches watercolor paper, a flat toolbox with extra supplies and brushes, pens, etc. I clip the collapsible water bucket to the outside, carry a small bottle of water for drinking and painting (buy it in France or use white wine). I even have an extra pocket for the WN kit and brushes above. One miscellaneous item is a 10 ft. light-weight cord that I can tie to my water bucket to retrieve water from a stream or canal without climbing down the bank. My bag is pretty heavy when full but it works. A small digital camera is almost a must. If you don't have time to finish the scene you can take a picture for later finishing. I take two 1 gig chips if I don't have the ability to down load. Bring your camera charger. You will need an adapter plug for the camera transformer but all modern cameras can sense 110 or 220 current so no other attachment is required. Warning Expect to have your bags opened for security at the airport because of the lead tubes and liquids. Putting it in your "checked luggage" may speed up the process and make it possible to not have it confiscated at the gate. |
 John Pike palette, flat tool
carrier, water bucket and brushes.
the minimal list I bring John Pike
Palette (if you can find it, very ridged and compact)
1" broad flat nylon watercolor brush 1/2" broad flat nylon watercolor brush #10 round pointed nylon watercolor brush #6 round pointed nylon watercolor brush (I usually bring more than a dozen brushes of different sizes) 3" natural sponge #05 & 08 permanent fine marking pens ,"Micron" brand kneaded eraser white plastic gum eraser collapsible water container 10' nylon cord extra tubes of colors 11" x 14" spiral bound and/or glue bound block of heavy watercolor paper |
