Setting Up a Watercolor Sketching Bag

a page from my art journal (watercolor and digital remix)

I was listening to Julie Fei-Fan Balzer's discussion of what she has in her watercolor sketching bag. I thought having an already-packed bag made a lot of sense. So I decided to assemble one and use it as I work on my 100 Days Creativity Project.

This is my watercolor sketch bag.  It is 12.5" x 8.5" -- so I can throw it in a pocketbook or tote.
It is created from a collage I made and sold via RedBubble.

Inside the bag I have my Koi Watercolor Field Set. It is compact and has a mixing pallet, 30 tabs of colors, sponge, and a water brush. Here's Julie discussing the watercolor kit. I have used the set before and appreciate how compact it.

I use two different watercolor journals. My go to journal is the pocket size Moleskin watercolor journal.  It's only 3.5" x 5.5", but it folds open flat so there is a larger surface to work on. I sometimes also use Global Art Materials 3-1/2-Inch by 8-1/4-Inch Travelogue Watercolor Book. This is slightly bigger, but still fits in the bag.

Both journals have 60 pages. 135 lb watercolor paper is used in the Moleskin, while 140 lb watercolor paper is used in the Travelogue.

I haven't used a Sennelier - Urban Sketch Book, but I love the accordion folding. Unfortunately, it is also rather expensive. There are only 8 pages in it (16 sides). Probably better to make my own.

In addition to the journal and paint, I also include a small misting bottle (to activate the watercolors and/or the paper), Pentel Arts Aquash Water Brushes (3), a flat brush, and a fan brush, and some folded paper towels. I like the Pental water brushes as they come with different tips.

I know these were made for kids, but I love them.
So chunky and of course water soluable.

In addition to the watercolors I also pack a couple of  Stabilo all black pencils (8046),  Stabilo woodies, several tombow dual brush markers, Lyra Graphite Sticks,  sharpeners for the Stabilo and Lyra pencils and sticks. All of these can be activated by water.

I makes sure I have an eraser and Pro Art Drawing Pencils (2H, HB, B, 2B).

I finally add permanent markers--most often, black to my kit. These will not interact with water.
Edding 8400 Bullet Tip CD Black Marker,
Pigma Micron Pen .45mm - Blue/Black
Uni-Ball UM 153 Signo Broad Point Gel Pen - White 
Sakura 9 Pcs Pigment Liner Pigma Micron Ink Fine Line Pen Set 005 01 02 03 04 05 08 


These pens are water based:
Sharpie Poster-Paint Markers Fine, White 
Sharpie Poster-Paint Markers Extra Fine, White 

Books

screenshot from Urban Watercolor Sketching --This is his watercolor sketching kit

A few books I read mostly at home. These aren't in the kit, but this one is on my phone!
Urban Watercolor Sketching: A Guide to Drawing, Painting, and Storytelling in Color

Jean Haines' Atmospheric Watercolours: Painting with Freedom, Expression and Style


I am also interested in reading Portrait Revolution: Inspiration from Around the World For Creating Art in Multiple Mediums and Styles  which will  be published April 11, 2017.

And finally for pure inspiration I turn these art books:

This is an example of the paintings by Mary Heebner that were made to accompany Pablo Neruda sea poems.

I have on a shelf:

1.  The Blue Guitar: Etchings by David Hockney Who Was Inspired by Wallace Stevens Who Was Inspired by Pablo Picasso .  Amazing work. 
2. Poems of Thomas Gray, Illustrated by William Blake
3. Neruda:  On the blue shore of silence : poems of the sea