Minimal Sketching Kit-Watercolor
Today's post is all about sketching, specifically about the supplies. They are the most basic for getting started on sketching with watercolor outside. You don't need anything fancy, especially when it's your first time. Everyone can learn from sketching out in nature; there are many organic shapes, and it's a way to connect with a place, especially if you plan to create a studio painting.
The first supply in my sketching kit is a sketching pad. I also use cut-up watercolor paper that I've had from leftover paper from a past painting. It saves paper and is useful for future references once I sketch on them. You can use a watercolor sketchbook, I just wanted to use my leftover paper. Now, onto the palette. It's helpful if you have a portable-size watercolor palette, but you can up-cycle a mint tin like I did. I lined it with freezer paper to squeeze the paint onto for the mixing space.
Along with the palette and painting surface, I carry water in two ways: a spray bottle for misting the palette and a water pen! Water pens come in handy because they are brushes that hold water. They store water in the handle part of the brush, which drips water onto the bristles. Always bring paper towels or a rag for wiping your brush.
In addition, I also carry a mechanical pencil for the ease of a fine tip. You don't have to sharpen it or bring a sharpener (it's one less thing to carry or worry about where you misplaced it). I also have a pen at hand. It is not waterproof, so if you use a pen to sketch first and then add the watercolor on top, you should use a waterproof pen. If not, the ink will bleed into the watercolor and smear. I work in reverse order. I like to loosely add color and shapes. Then, work around it after the watercolor has dried to add definitions and marks.
Lastly, I use a viewfinder. There was a time once when I was using the viewfinder outside, and a lady called out to me to ask if it worked. She said it was strange since she'd never seen someone use such a tool. I laughed and said yes, it's handy. This tool helps crop the scene you are observing to sketch.
It's similar to taking a picture on your phone. People might comment about you holding it up, but it's worth using. A viewfinder is needed to find a good composition. You can buy one made or make your own like mine.
I up-cycled a mini frame (some tape and marked grid lines are all I needed to create one).
You can watch the video below for a short tutorial on the supplies.
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