I was showing my students my small bag I keep at the ready to take on a hike or quick car trip for sketching/watercolors and thought I’d share it here. This is the minimum I take. (I’ve taken this on planes to work in my sketchbook on long flights—have to remove sharp objects and water…) I can grab a larger brush or two, larger sketchbook or watercolor pad if I feel I’ll need them but I’ve spent many happy times with these few supplies.

From top left: extra mixing pan, simplest box of paints, water container with folded paper towels to wrap around it (keeps any drips dry and gives a supply of paper), and small watercolor blocks. Bottom row: folding brushes plus a slightly larger but short one, magnifying glass, variety of pencils and micron pens, kneaded eraser in small tin to keep it free of lint etc, and misc items ’cause, you never know. They include small post-its, scotch tape, small straight edge, good scissors, and several knives.

Some of these things are faves that mean a lot to me. The water container I’ve had from a paint set when I was 10 years old, the magnifying glass belonged to my grandfather and the straight edge to my father-in-law. The brushes were an investment, but I’ve had them for years and they are like new. The rest can be found in most art supply stores.

Watercolor supplies for a day hike.

They fit in a little bag that I think came from REI years ago – don’t know if they still have it. It also holds my cell phone, has a clip for car keys and pockets for ID etc. It all zips securely and slips around my neck, freeing both hands for hiking as our hikes always seem to entail climbing over rocks. I will often add a sun visor to hang on the strap.

Small bag for supplies.

If I need more, I can just slip this into another bag or back pack with my folding stool, water bottle, extra supplies and bug spray!