It seems that every drawing class requires a whole new list of things that you should get. Do not run out and buy everything on this list. It is expensive and unnecessary. You can get by just fine with a pencil and a sketchbook. I think it is better to get more experience using the mediums you enjoy the most. Consider this list as suggestions and thoughts about different items that you can bring with you rather than a required shopping list. There are three guidelines to keep in mind when selecting field equipment: simple, light, and portable. Hold all your materials to this standard. Everyone has favorite tools so customize this list to meet your needs. My favorite items or essentials are in bold. You can get many good and inexpensive art supplies online from Daniel Smith art supplies. Click here to get 20% off your orders to Daniel Smith. Or click here to get free shipping from Daniel Smith.
Sketchbooks/Paper
Sketchbook or drawing pad: There are two good ways to go on this, either a bound hardcover sketchbook or a Komtrak Inspiral notebook with removable pages. Hardcover sketchbooks with sewn in bindings will protect your work and stands up to field conditions. You may need to reinforce the binding with duct tape as the book gets older. I avoid the spiral bound books because the pages are able to rub against each other and smear your pencil work. My favorite is the Canson Basic Sketch Book 8.5" X11". It is acid free with 65 lb. paper and cost around $8.00. It has a hard black cover and sewn in pages. The paper has decent texture for pencil work and will accept a little watercolor (although you will have to live with some buckling of the paper and will not be able to do much lifting out). There are other brands of look alike sketchbooks but the smoother, whiter paper will immediately absorb watercolor, making it difficult to make a decent wash and the color bleeds through to the next page. If you do more watercolor in a sketchbook, get your hands on a Fabriano Venezia Book (ether the 9"x12" or the 6"x9"). It has wonderful 90 pound (heavy weight) paper. The Komtrak Inspiral Notebook allows you to remove clasps at either end of the binding, remove the spiral binding, and insert or remove punched pages as you wish. You can buy pre punched pages from Komtrak. I like the "premium artists' sketch paper" for general sketching. You can also cut your own paper to a size you wish and get it punched at a photocopy/binding store such as Kinko's. I use this notebook when I am backpacking and need to keep my sketching kit light or when I want to have a variety of paper types.If you can not find Komtrak Inspiral notebooks at your local art supply store, you can call Komtrak at (516) 293-7170.My favorite paper for illustration is Strathmore Writing paper, 110 lb. cover bristol, Ultimate White, with a wove finish. I get this punched for use in my Komtrak journal for field use. Toned Paper: You can buy a few sheets of gray or brown toned paper at an art supply store, cut them to fit your sketchbook. I like the Canson mi-tientes paper. I use colors that are a mid tone so that I can both push darks with my pencil and pull lights with colored pencil or gouache. Try Oyster 340 (medium brown), Moonstone 426 (warm gray), Sky Blue 354 (blue gray), and Flannel Gray 122 (flat gray). You get interesting effects with watercolor, gouache, or colored pencils. Use wet media lightly or the paper will buckle a little. You may keep a few sheets at the back of your sketchbook and glue them in at appropriate places or get them cut and punched and added to your Inspiral notebook. Watercolor Postcards: This is heavier stock paper that takes watercolor better than a sketchbook. You can glue the cards into your book or mail them to a friend.
Drawing Tools
Prismacolor Col-erase Non-photo Blue Pencil: This is the essential tool for sketching in the posture, proportions and angles before you start a detailed drawing. Use it lightly and you do not even need to erase.
Mechanical Pencils: I use a 0.5 mm pencil for fast sketching. A soft lead makes rich dark lines but is more prone to smudging. I prefer HB lead. For detail work, switch to a 0.3 mm pencil. You will need to draw more slowly and precisely but it will give you a consistent, delicate line.
A water soluble pencil can be used to sketch like a regular pencil but you can add quick shadows with a damp brush.
You can sketch or add details with a hard tipped colored pencil such as Sanford Verithin or Prismacolor Col-erase. These pencils do not smudge as much as graphite. Try sketching with a dark brown pencil.
White Pencils: These can be used over dry watercolor to add or strengthen highlights or before applying watercolor to act as a resist that prevents watercolor for adhering to the paper.
A water soluble fiber tipped pen lays down dark lines that can be blended into shadows with a damp brush. Try a Pilot razor point II pen (creates a cool gray wash when you add water with a brush) or a fine Espresso pen (creates a warm brown wash- but be careful, the ink form this pen can bleed through some sketchbook paper).
A dark gray brush pen lays down dark tones which can be overlaid to black. Some have a small nib on the other side of the pen for detail work. These pens are water soluble.
Use a white jell pen to add white lines on top of dry watercolor. Useful for plant veins, primary edges, or eye highlights. Once it is try, it can be tinted with a quick watercolor wash or lifted back out with a damp brush.
You can lighten your pencil by tapping it with a soft kneeded eraser. Stretch and pull the kneeded eraser like taffy before using it to warm it up. When it is soft, press it firmly over the pencil lines and it will lift the graphite without smearing like silly putty on newsprint. Use a soft white vinyl eraser to remove mistakes. This eraser does a good job of lifting graphite without tearing up the paper.
A rolled paper blending tool (tortillon or stump) will smear graphite lines and blend shadows. Once the tip has picked up graphite, you can use it like a gray paintbrush, adding tone to background space. creating subtle shadows or mid vale patterns.
If you like soft pencils try the Design "Ebony" jet black extra smooth pencil or the Berol Prismacolor Warm Gray 90% pencil pencil sharpener protective pencil case A handy portable bag or soft case to hold all your sketching supplies that fits neatly into your backpack or (ideally) over your shoulder with a strap. medium sized plastic bag (to protect sketchbook in a downpour or collect trash on the way home) large rubber bands (to hold sketchbook pages down in the wind)
Media for Color
If you like colored pencils, select your favorite colors including light gray and several muted browns and greens. Bundle earth tones, cool purples and blues, and warm yellows and reds separately with rubber bands. You may also be interested to try watercolor pencils. Personally I have a lot of trouble with these because the colors change when you add the water but some people like them. If you are not already comfortable with watercolor, go for colored pencils, they are much easier to use. You do not need every color in the jumbo box, especially if you are sketching in the field. Select a set of basic colors including Process Red, True Blue, and Canary Yellow, and then add a few muddy grays, greens and browns. These muted colors will probably become your favorites. I also recommend Black Grape and Greyed Lavender, two muted purple gray pencils that make effective shadows. Consider a colorless blender. The Prismacolor Verithin 36 color set is a good starter.
If you use watercolor, find a small set of colors, portable brush (see below), and small, tightly sealed water bottle (such as Nalgine). I use a collapsible plastic palette that I can recharge with colors from paint from tubes when I need to. I let the paint dry for a couple of days before closing the palette and heading back out into the field. I use a 24 well folding plastic palette that is 3-3/4" wide by 10-1/4 inches long. It is lightweight and has five separate mixing areas (and a sixth that folds out). This is the best palette that I have found for watercolor in the field. You can order them through Black Horse Fine Art Supply 800-790-2552. Ask for item number 10243000, the "3-3/4" x 10-1/4" quality folding plastic palette"- cost is $7.17 plus shipping. They also sell a smaller 18 well palette if you use a smaller number pf paints (item # 10242000Folding Plastic Palette 3-3/4" x 8-1/4"). Each artist their own favorite colors and personal preferences will change over time. Some artists cary very few colors and mix everything else. I find that it is easier forme in the field to have more of a selection. If you are just starting, try the Winsor & Newton Cotman Sketcher's Pocket Box (12 color set). See my blog, Pimp my Palette for ideas about customizing this palette. See my blog, Watercolor Choices for a full list and description of the colors on the palette I use in the field and in my studio.
Waterbrush If you are using watercolor or watercolor pencils, consider this terrific sketching tool. It is a brush that holds water in the handle so you do not need to dip it into water to paint. It takes some getting used to but it is very handy for quick sketching especially under difficult conditions. Brushes come in several sizes. I recommend the broad tip (18mm). These brushes are made by several companies. The Pentel Aquash waterbrush with a fatter handle and slightly longer, stiffer bristles is by far my favorite. They are sold at University Art in San Francisco. They can also be ordered from Art Essentials 1-800-736-7772, ask for the pointed Aquash Waterbursh from Pentel with the broad tip. If you use a waterbrush, carry a rag to wipe the brush clean to change colors. If you use this brush, you can also dispense with bringing the tightly sealed water bottle for painting. I know this sounds like a gimmick but once you try it, you may never go back to traditional (and more expensive) brushes for your field work. I now use a pentel brush almost exclusively- even for my studio work.
Optics
Binoculars, I recommend the Pentax Papilio 8.5×21 Binoculars. They can focus on a bug on a flower a foot and a half in front of your face and are great for things that are far away as well. The close focus feature will open up whole new worlds for you. They are inexpensive too! (I do not receive a commission for this plug).
Spotting scope, I recommend the Konus Konuspot-80 20-60x80mm. It is a great scope for a low low price. Scope City in San Francisco is a good place to get optics like this.
Optional Equipment
- camera (digital?)
- hand lens or small magnifying glass
- field guides
- lightweight stool or sitting pad
- warm clothes (dress in layers)
- rain gear
- sun hat
- sunscreen
- lunch
- drinking water
- day pack
- comfortable walking shoes