Supply List for The Weather Journal 
updated August 2026

When it comes to art supplies, there are so many options, it can be hard to chose. And what was my favorite one month, can change quickly throughout the seasons. So, I put together this list of my (still) favorite materials that I use out in the field and/or in the studio. 
 
Suggested supply list:
 
  • Mixed Media Sketchbook, Journal, or paper to sketch on
  • extra papers you might have laying around the studio that might be: cold press, hot press, heavy, thin, textured, colored. We'll try them all!
  • Black Ink sketching pens-at least one should be waterproof!
  • Graphite Pencils-at least 2-3 different hardnesses (example: 4B, 2B and F or HB)
  • Water soluble pencil like a LYRA Graphite stick
  • White Polymer Erasers- both ones that fit on end of pencil, and a large rectangle one
  • Paper stump (large)
  • Colored Pencils
  • Watercolor set or individual tubes (small travel kit works well)
  • small spray bottle

optional- for working in layers or embellishing a drawing, I like to mix up my media:
-Colored pencils- prismacolor or oil based Polychromos 
-Lyra Graphite stick -water soluble
-large paper stump
-charcoal pencils
-fixative or travel size hairspray if using charcoal
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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.

​Fountain pens
Sailer Fude, my favorite sketching pen
Lamy is also a popular fountain pen style.
​
Fountain pen ink: my ''go-to inks are:
-Platinum Carbon Black Waterproof- very rich, black, quick drying
-Lexington Gray Waterproof- dries to look like a #2 pencil
-Noodler’s Golden Brown, NOT waterproof, but a beautiful bright golden hue
​
Brush pens (come pre-filled with ink): These are gradually becoming a standard in my go-to bag
Ecoline Brush Pen-water soluble (favorites being gray tones: #704, 706, 717, 728)
Gasenfude brush pen Waterproof- by Copic has a fine synthetic brush nib, waterproof pigment that does NOT bleed with regular copic markers. Rich, solid black ink.
Pentel brush marker- non-waterproof option, comes in variety of colors

Colored Pencils and sharpener:
‘Prismacolor’ or
Faber-Castell Polychromos oil-based colored pencils. You only need 5-10 colors of the rainbow.

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:
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 these for adding quick shadows when watercolors are inconvenient, especially #704

Pentel Water Brush (large size only), OR assortment of short handle round brushes. I recommend 1 medium sizes (8, or 10, or 12), and a smaller #4 or #5 round.  These don't have to be expensive or professional grade brushes. Some artists like flat brushes too (1/2" or 3/4").

Container or bag to hold everything for sketching in the field. Think travel size-something easy to carry (daypack, shoulder bag, cloth bag. I like a heavy cloth bag with a long strap that I can carry over my shoulder. 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
Kneaded eraser
Tombow Mono Zero polymer refillable eraser
​Helping Hands seems silly, but I love this little thing to hold plants while I sketch
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.​
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