Travel Journal/Urban Sketching Supply List
updated August 2026
Note: you do not need to buy everything (or anything) on this list, but have an assortment of options. At minimum, bring a Sketchbook and pen to the first class. There, I will discuss my favorites, explain why, so you know more before you buy!
Sketching outdoors is all about traveling light so that you can grab your tools easily and sketch in the moment!
You will want:
-Watercolor journal (I prefer Hotpress) or mixed media sketchbook that lays flat when open. see options below
-2 black pens of different nib sizes (permanent ink). see options below
-5-6 colored pencils
-travel watercolors. see options below
-reservoir brush by Pentel large size only
-water container
-paper towel or rag
-small bag/backpack to carry it all in
-folding chair or stool
-hat for the sun
optional-
-white gel pen
_______________________________________________
My Favorites
a comprehensive supply list and resources:
Sketchbook, Journal, or paper to sketch on-papers vary greatly; so you might want more than one journal/sketchbook of varying sizes and paper thickness (5x7 or larger). Personally, I prefer hot press watercolor paper or mixed media paper. Here's a few favorites:
Global Art Hand Book
Travel Series Sketchbooks
Strathmore Mixed Media 400 series 117 lb
Canson Mixed Media Sketchbooks
Stillman and Birn, series
Fabriano Artistico Hot Press Paper 140lb for folded travel journals
Black Ink pens, Waterproof: Use a variety of nib sizes (thin, fine and medium nibs for example). Popular waterproof brands are:
Micron,
Steadtler,
Copic,
Uni PIN fine liner,
Faber-Castell,
OHTO Graphic Liner, rollerball
Black Ink pens, NON-waterproof
Pilot Precise with a rollerball nib, as the ink flows beautifully, for a non-waterproof option.
5-6 Colored Pencils and sharpener:
‘Prismacolor’ (which are wax based), or
Faber-Castell Polychromos (oil-based colored pencils)
Compact Watercolor travel kit or watercolor Tubes and half pans to fill (we can discuss this more in class). When it comes to watercolors, quality matters, so again, avoid craft or student grade. Quality affordable brands:
Arttool kit my favorite filled with my own preferred watercolors.
Winsor-Newton professional,
Daniel Smith,
or these lovely Watercolor Crayons: Caran d'Ache Neocolor. Beautifully made in Switzerland and high quality.
Ecoline Brush Markers by Royal Talens- I love having a light and dark gray for adding quick shadows when watercolors are inconvenient, especially #704
Pentel Water Brush (large size only)
Container or bag to hold everything for sketching in the field. Think travel size-something easy to carry (daypack, shoulder bag, cloth bag. I use a heavy cloth shoulder bag with a long strap. It keeps my supplies at hand while I walk the city sites.
And more misc products:
Colored markers for accents
White Gouache
Small stool -(so many choices, read here for partial review)
Cretacolor Nero soft, for a very rich black line
Graphite pencils (especially 2h, h, hb, 2b)
Micron pen, Sepia 005 (.20mm)
Paper stumps for blending graphite
Rapesco 64 pencil sharpener
Tombow Mono Zero polymer refillable eraser
small pad of sandpaper for sharpening paper stumps and graphite pencils
assortment of short handle watercolor brushes, rounds
Water Container
Lyra Rembrandt splendor blender for blending oil colored pencils
Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils
Faber-Castell Polychromos oil-based colored pencils.
|
|
|
____________________________________________________________________
The Internet! So much that I have learned about products, I have learned by asking the internet. It's a wealth of information! Read, research, follow artists, look for their websites, follow them on Instagram, read a lot of reviews, then experiment and find what works for you!
Urban Sketcher-Parka Blogs, Yeoh Yi Chie is a well known reviewer of Usk products. Check him out.
Usk (Urban Sketching) International to find a chapter most anywhere in the world!
Usk Portland if you want to go sketch at the monthly sketchcrawl.
Everything you ever wanted to know (or not) about watercolors, like picking a palette- artist Jane Blundell
Botanical Artists: Ann Swan, Wendy Hollander, Nora Sherwood, Mindy Lighthipe
An incredible source for all things about ink and fountain pens and a great 'how to' section- Goulet Pen Co.
____________________________________________________________________
The Internet! So much that I have learned about products, I have learned by asking the internet. It's a wealth of information! Read, research, follow artists, look for their websites, follow them on Instagram, read a lot of reviews, then experiment and find what works for you!
Urban Sketcher-Parka Blogs, Yeoh Yi Chie is a well known reviewer of Usk products. Check him out.
Usk (Urban Sketching) International to find a chapter most anywhere in the world!
Usk Portland if you want to go sketch at the monthly sketchcrawl.
Everything you ever wanted to know (or not) about watercolors, like picking a palette- artist Jane Blundell
Botanical Artists: Ann Swan, Wendy Hollander, Nora Sherwood, Mindy Lighthipe
An incredible source for all things about ink and fountain pens and a great 'how to' section- Goulet Pen Co.
____________________________________________________________________
©2016 to present. The creative contents of this website, (text, photos, and artwork) are the intellectual property of Lauren Ohlgren, unless otherwise. No portion may be copied, reproduced in any way, or downloaded without prior permission. Please feel free to link to this site.
