Working en plein air has become a large part of my practice, particularly when I travel. Keeping a travel journal has become a deeply fulfilling art form, a passport to reliving my adventures and emotions long after the journey ends. It's a way to encapsulate the essence of a place and time. As I pay close attention to my surroundings and really focus on the things that catch my attention, I find that it helps me to remember the trip more vividly than any photograph. Occasionally, I bring my pochade box when I paint nearby but, typically, I like to make it as easy as possible for me. There were two things that I realized I needed in order to embrace this process:
1. The supplies had to be simple, lightweight and accessible.
2. I had to love using them.
I struggle with adhesive capsulitis in both of my shoulders so I recognized early on that the materials I use cannot be heavy as I tend to walk long distances on travels. After attempting many different options for sketching on the go (including a mini Altoids tin), I finally found something that works well for me. Minimal supplies include a Demi Art Toolkit palette (the exact colours don't tend to matter), a small 3.5 x 5.5 inch Handbook Journal sketchbook, a Pentel mini waterbrush, and a light grey waterproof Unipin fine line pen (optional: white Gelly Roll pen). Small enough to fit into my shoulder pack and light enough to carry long distances. Plus, the simplicity of the supplies means that I actually pull them out to use them anywhere...outside, in a restaurant or cafe, on a boat, in a car or an airplane.
1. The supplies had to be simple, lightweight and accessible.
2. I had to love using them.
I struggle with adhesive capsulitis in both of my shoulders so I recognized early on that the materials I use cannot be heavy as I tend to walk long distances on travels. After attempting many different options for sketching on the go (including a mini Altoids tin), I finally found something that works well for me. Minimal supplies include a Demi Art Toolkit palette (the exact colours don't tend to matter), a small 3.5 x 5.5 inch Handbook Journal sketchbook, a Pentel mini waterbrush, and a light grey waterproof Unipin fine line pen (optional: white Gelly Roll pen). Small enough to fit into my shoulder pack and light enough to carry long distances. Plus, the simplicity of the supplies means that I actually pull them out to use them anywhere...outside, in a restaurant or cafe, on a boat, in a car or an airplane.
