February 6, 2025

Among Ferns and Alders with a Red A5 Art Toolkit

A bold red that demands attention: perfect for the adventurous spirit who isn’t afraid to make a statement.

By The Art Toolkit Team

A woman sits on a fallen tree in a forest, looking up with a serene expression. She holds a notebook and pen, surrounded by tall trees and lush foliage.

We spent a calm, contemplative morning in the woods of Port Townsend. The sun hung low, and the forest was quiet—its silence broken occasionally by the calls of nuthatches and chipmunks and the croak of ravens overhead.

A person wearing a red sweater is writing in a notebook, surrounded by watercolor illustrations of plants. The notes appear to discuss a topic related to "swamp tales."
A person with long hair sits on the forest floor, engaged in writing or drawing. They are surrounded by lush green ferns and trees, creating a serene, natural atmosphere.
Close-up of vibrant green fern leaves with a textured surface, surrounded by other ferns in a natural setting.
A person wearing red fingerless gloves holds a watercolor palette open in one hand while painting a green and purple leaf design on a sketchbook. The background features natural greenery.

Marketing Coordinator Nakaia found a perch among sword ferns to sketch and journal with an A5 Art Toolkit in a Hahnemühle 100% Cotton Watercolor Book. Using a Rosemary & Co R26 size 4 brush, she explored the rich range of greens, from the fresh, bright hues of recent growth to the copper and ochre-toned layers of last year’s fronds. Nakaia noted the fern’s delicate details, from the toothed edges of the foliage to the rows of spores.

A close-up of a mossy branch, showcasing vibrant green moss growing on the surface. The blurred background features trees, adding a natural setting.
A close-up of a hand holding a fine tip marker, drawing intricate branches in a sketchbook with a red cover.
A person's hands sketch in a notebook placed on a red bag, surrounded by fallen leaves. The open notebook displays drawings of ferns and a tree, with watercolor paints and brushes nearby.
A close-up of a red fabric zipper pouch resting on lush green moss, highlighting the texture of both materials.

To take in the shapes and contours of the alder forest, Nakaia hopped up onto the trunk of a downed hemlock. With a Platinum Desk Pen and Pentel Brush Pen, she focused on the silhouettes of the trunks and rough contours of twigs.

A small mushroom with a light-colored cap stands among dark, fallen leaves and green moss on the forest floor.
Bare tree branches stretch toward a cloudy sky, creating a silhouetted pattern against the light backdrop.

Next, she observed small alder cones, contouring their shape on her page. We loved how her journal came together to capture her experience in the forest, from the verdant ferns to the stark tree branches!

Two people sitting outdoors on autumn leaves, holding sketchbooks. One sketchbook features drawings of swamp ferns and tree branches, while the other has detailed botanical illustrations. Both are in red cases.
Nakaia and Maria’s finished sketches in the changing light, resting over their A5 and Pocket Art Toolkits.

Maria joined in sketching with a Pocket Art Toolkit, quickly capturing the contours of a fern frond with ink and watercolor. Focusing next on the alder trees, she experimented with a mixed media approach, using Caran d’Ache watercolor pencils to rough in the edges. Maria then added color and shadow with watercolor, a grey Pentel Brush Pen, and more additional pencil strokes.

A person sketches a fern in a notebook while sitting on the forest floor, surrounded by fallen leaves and greenery.
A person in fingerless gloves is unzipping a bright red pouch while surrounded by lush green ferns.

We marveled at the contrast between the bold red kits and the forest’s muted tones. The atmosphere shifted throughout our visit from soft, diffuse light to filtered, dappled rays. The rain-soaked forest smelled rich, while the green mosses on tree trunks practically glowed with their luminescence.

Supplies Mentioned

Red Pocket Palette Paint List

Nakaia sketched scenes from the alder forest with pen and watercolor. Inspired by our newest kit color, Red Pocket Palettes are available on our website and in our retail shop in two configurations: Pocket Palette Without Pans and Pocket Palette with Assorted Pans.

Mini and Standard Pans with a Large Mixing Pan in a Red Pocket Palette.
A red art supply case with a cream-colored drawstring pouch labeled "Art Toolkit" placed on top. The background features scattered leaves.
A Red Pocket Palette rests on Red Art Toolkits.
Tall trees with bare branches stretch towards a bright sky, surrounded by lush green underbrush in a serene forest scene.
A person with long hair walks along a wooded trail surrounded by lush green ferns and trees, carrying a backpack and wearing winter boots. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a warm glow in the forest.

Cappy’s Trails is part of a unique network of more than 31 miles of trails that weaves green space and access between neighborhoods and parks throughout Port Townsend. Cappy’s is named for a beloved Port Townsend resident, William Capriotti (1905-1982).

Cappy’s Trails also includes part of the Quimper Wildlife Corridor, a 3.5-mile greenbelt protected through a partnership of the Jefferson Land Trust, the City of Port Townsend, and Jefferson County. The Corridor was created as a quiet refuge where native plants, birds, and animals can thrive.

Links

Two young women sit on the ground under a tree in a forest, focused on their sketchbooks. One woman has curly hair and wears a teal jacket, while the other has long, straight hair and is dressed in a dark scarf and jacket. They are surrounded by leaves and greenery, enjoying a serene moment in nature.
Maria and Nakaia add notes to their sketchbooks under a cedar tree.
A rusty wheelbarrow filled with various items, including clothes and a bag, stands on a forest floor surrounded by tall trees and ferns. A pair of brown rubber boots is positioned nearby on the ground.
A wheelbarrow of gear—a favorite behind-the-scenes shot from the morning.

Thank you for joining us in the forest to explore our new red kit and palette! Learn about all of our new kit and palette colors on the Art Toolkit Blog.
An artist sites on a rock, dipping a paintbrush in a Pocket Palette.

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