Educating Rita: MY FULL SKETCH KIT

For my new friend Rita Robinson substack (https://substack.com/@ritakararobinson) asked….

 “Can I ask about what tools you use for your travel sketching?

They look like fat felt tips that you paint. Do you use charcoal and wet it?

I asked my artist friend, and she wasn't sure either.”

 Dear Rita Here are the answers

See accompanying photograph above

1.        Fine liners.  I use two kinds: STAEDTLER and Uni Pin

2.        Dip pens   My favourite is the Tachikawa Comic Pen Nib Holder

3.        Caran d'Ache Neo Color II Water Soluble Pastels, brilliant for travel

4.        Big brush cut down for travel and Pentel Water Brush Pen

5.        More Caran d'Ache Neo Color II  - this tin is earth colours the. Other is bright colours

6.        Indian Ink -  my go-to for dip pens. Dries quick total permanent. I don’t carry the big bottle though  - small old jar does me

7.        Various mark makers: graphite sticks, clutch holder Pentel G2 gel pen, Pentel Brush Pen and latest discovery (7c) Posca Pens – acrylic marker!

NOT SHOWN BUT VITAL 

8.        Carbon Black Ink Link  the only Ink I found that you can put in the Fountain pen and know that it will work and not clog the pen.. although I have very careful to flush my pen out regularly.

9.         The pen? The best on the planet…Lamy Safari Fountain Pen. LINK 

Use it often and it becomes flexible and offers many line possibilities. Tough as old boots and mine is  great friend. I lose it regularly and my Lamy keeps coming back. Filled with carbon black ink it is invincible and regularly saves my planet.

Don’t haul all these things around with me all the time. I’ve italicised the stuff! I really do pack on travel trips.

Hopefully I have not over-answered the exam question 😊 Best wishes  Tim