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, I finally found something that works well for me. Minimal supplies include a small mint tin with three primary watercolours (the exact colours don't tend to matter), a small 3.5 x 5.5 inch sketchbook, a waterbrush, red pencil crayon and fountain pen with filled permanent red ink. 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, I finally found something that works well for me. Minimal supplies include a small mint tin with three primary watercolours (the exact colours don't tend to matter), a small 3.5 x 5.5 inch sketchbook, a waterbrush, red pencil crayon and fountain pen with filled permanent red ink. 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.
