I’ve sketched for so many years and it’s only through having made many mistakes that I’ve been able to establish the right size kits for individual situations. Yes, I’ve actually arrived at my sketching location with everything except my paints, or water for my watercolors, or the right pen or pencil. It’s frustrating when that happens but a simple checklist can avoid those moments.

There are some basic kits I use. I will always prefer to take my larger and more complete kit but there are many times when that just doesn’t work and I can only accomodate a minimal kit with a few essentials.

A warning. Keep it handy and ready to go at a moment’s notice. No kit, no sketch. Only the thought of I should have brought it. Not acceptable. 

Let’s see what these kits might contain. You can of course add or subtract at your own discretion. The following is just what works for me.

Kit 1. Most minimal: 

• Sketchbook
• Pencil or pen
• Pencil sharpener
• Kneaded eraser

You can always add color later but this will let you capture any scene with minimal materials.

Kit2. Minimal: 

• Sketchbook
• Pencil(s)
• Fountain pen or Micron style pen
  • Waterproof ink is the key to remenber here because adding watercolor over regular ink just causes bleeding and unwanted results.
• Kneaded eraser
• Watercolors
  • Just a few select colors, 6 is ideal.
    • Payne’s Gray,
    • Burnt Sienna,
    • Ultramarine Blue,
    • Sap Green,
    • Yellow Ochre
    • Cadmium Red
  • Any combination of colors that suit your style are acceptable.
  • I’ve put my colors in a small Altoid Mint size tin
• Water brushes
  • Lightweight and easy to carry, water brushes contain their own water supply
• Paper towels or rag towels.

Sometimes I use water soluble colored pencils with water brushes for the watercolor look.

Kit3. Complete for when you are able to bring it all:

• Sketchbook
• Pencil(s)
• Pencil sharpener
• Assorted brushes in a roll up canvas brush case. This type of case will actually hold pens and pencils also.
• Fountain pen(s) or Micron style pens.
  • Waterproof ink is the key to remember here.
• A white uniball Signo (UM-153) marker to add white highlights.
• Kneaded eraser
• Watercolors.
  • My box holds 18 colors plus I bring a tube of white gouache for added highlights.
• Water container
• Spray bottle with water
• Paper towels or rag towels
• I sometimes like to bring a few Prismacolor colored pencils for final touches.
• A tool type bag with multiple compartments to store all that stuff and give you easy access.
• A portable, foldable stool or chair for those locations that don’t provide a place to sit.
• A portable easel if that is a preferable way to paint.
  • There are many styles and options available for every individual preference. You may end up going through a few different versions before you settle on the one that works best for you.