Essential Art Supplies for On-Location Sketchers: A Guide for Everyone

Every artist, no matter how experienced, begins with a simple tool—a pen, a pencil, a few pigments, and a brush. Sometimes, these are all that’s needed to create stunning sketches and artworks. But with so many choices available, how do you find the right supplies that match your sketching style? Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your toolkit, this write-up will help you navigate the essential tools for outdoor sketching and painting, from pens and paper to watercolors and brushes.

I have been sketching and painting for the past eight years. From bustling city streets to quiet countryside scenes, I’ve experimented with countless art supplies—some that became my trusted companions and others that didn’t quite suit my style. I’ve learned that the right tools can make a big difference, whether it’s a reliable fountain pen that glides effortlessly on paper or a compact watercolor set that fits into a pocket for spontaneous color sketches.

As a beginner, I experimented with a vast array of materials, many of which I later regretted purchasing. In this guide, I’ll share my go-to materials for sketching and painting on location and insights on what beginners should consider when building their toolkit. While these are my personal preferences, I hope this breakdown helps you find the tools that suit your style and make sketching an enjoyable part of your routine.

1. Sketching Tools

I use three main types of sketching tools, all of which are handy and convenient.

Pencils

Pencils are perhaps the most versatile of all sketching tools. I always carry one with me—either a mechanical pencil with 0.7mm lead or a traditional pencil like the Blackwing. Pencils are easy to use but difficult to master. I typically start my sketches with light pencil outlines to establish big shapes and perspective. I don’t delve into details with pencils; the ink lines will do that. Pencil marks can be quickly erased before applying watercolors.

Fountain Pens

Fountain pens are my top choice for sketching. They are reusable through ink refills, and I prefer waterproof inks like De Atramentis Document Ink and Noodler’s Bulletproof inks. Fountain pen nibs come in various sizes, from extra fine to bold, as well as different styles like straight or bent nibs. The bent nib, also known as a “fude,” is my favorite because it produces unique line variations depending on the angle and pressure applied. While it takes practice to master, the results are well worth it. A high-quality fountain pen can be a lifelong sketching companion with the proper care.

Three fountain pen nibs arranged closely together, showcasing different styles and designs. The nibs include a pointed tip and decorative features, set against a light background. — Observe the difference between the straight nib (center) and the Fude bent nibs (left and right). The Fude produces interesting line variations depending on the angle and pressure. My absolute favorite!

Fineliner Markers & Inks

Fineliner markers or pens are disposable plastic pens available in various nib sizes from 0.005 to 1.0, typically in black, pigmented waterproof ink. I appreciate their convenience, lightweight nature, and affordability, especially when I want to avoid the hassle of refilling fountain pens. While they offer minimal line variation, they produce clean, precise lines. A common mistake I see beginners make is treating fineliners like pencils and sketching with hesitant, scratchy lines. Pens are best used with confident strokes—practice is key! Avoid “hairy” lines in sketches at all costs.

A hand holds several pens, including black, brown, and blue colors, all labeled with their sizes. The background features a marble texture. — Fineliners are inexpensive and handy for travel sketching. They are available in different nib sizes and colors. Get those with permanent ink if you wish to apply color washes over the pen lines. *Pictured: Uni Pin Fineliner (0.3, 0.5, BR—brush tip) in black, grey and brown permanent ink, black Kuratake Zig Millennium Fineliner Pen (0.5), and blue Schneider Pictus Fineliner (0.5).*

A collection of six bottles of ink displayed on a marbled background. The inks include blue, white, yellow, black, and grey, with one bottle featuring a colorful label. A small box labeled "Noodler's Ink" is positioned at the bottom with the text "Made in USA." — Inks are so pretty! Love ‘em all! My to-go inks are De Atramentis Document and Noodler’s Bulletproof. They dry fast, allowing me to paint over in no time. I mix inks of the same brand to create personalized shades. *Pictured (top row) Noodler’s Ink (Ganges Blue), De Atramentis Document Ink White, Sailor Storia Mix Yellow Ink, (bottom row) De Atramentis Document Ink in Brown, Black, and Urban Grey.*

2. Coloring Mediums

The range of available art media can be overwhelming, but I will focus on water-based options that are easy to carry and manage outdoors: watercolor and gouache.

Various watercolor paint palettes are spread out on a marble surface. The palettes contain bright and vibrant colors, along with a few empty sections. Some loose watercolors and a cloth are also visible. — Travel palettes are an absolute must for travel sketching. Before Art Toolkit’s palettes, I was using large metal palettes (below). The Art Toolkit Folio and Pocket series offer convenience and maximum configurability for my customized palette. *Pictured top to bottom: Art Toolkit Pocket Palette (Red), Art Toolkit Folio Palette (Silver), generic travel metal palette with half pans, generic travel metal palette with full pans.*

A blue art kit opened to reveal various art supplies including markers, pens, and a watercolor palette with vibrant colors. An artist's tape and a round mixing tray are also visible inside the zipped case. — Here’s my setup for lightweight travel sketching: a Pentel Aquash Water Brush, mechanical pencil, a fountain pen, 0.3 fineliner, white gel pen, a collapsible silicone water cup, an eraser, and an Art Toolkit Folio Palette with 22 colors—all in Art Toolkit’s latest Blue Pocket Art Toolkit! So compact and convenient for maximum travel sketching fun!

Watercolors

Watercolors are my preferred medium for on-location sketching. Their transparency allows for luminous, layered effects and a delicate quality. I usually buy my favorite colors in tubes and squeeze them into small pans that fit securely on a palette. There’s no need to start with a 24- or 36-color set; 12 to 18 colors are comfortably sufficient. Learning to work with a limited palette and discovering the joy of color mixing is an essential part of an artist’s journey.

Gouache

Gouache, another water-based medium, is known for its high opacity and vibrant colors, making it ideal for bold artwork. Gouache pigments can be rewetted, making them easy to use. However, gouache techniques differ significantly from watercolor, as gouache requires painting light over dark. I carry gouache in their original tubes, squeezing out pigment onto my palette and rewetting them as needed. Some of my favorite brands include Daniel Smith and Holbein.

3. Brushes

Synthetic or animal hair? I prefer synthetic brushes—they have improved significantly in quality and are more economical. A good brush, if well-maintained, will last a long time. I recommend investing in a few sizes (typically 4, 8, 12, and 16).

A set of six paintbrushes arranged on a light marble surface. The brushes vary in size and have shiny metallic ferrules and dark bristles. One brush is positioned horizontally, separate from the others. — Here are my travel brushes: Sizes 12, 10, 8, 6 and 4. These are lightweight with bristles protected by the metallic cover/handle. Great for outdoors and travel. *Pictured top to bottom: Escoda Ultimo Travel Brushes (sizes 12, 10, 8, 6, 4).*

A collection of four water brush pens with varying brush tip shapes and colors, resting on a light marble surface. Behind them, a colorful watercolor palette is partially visible. — Water brushes are well suited for light and small washes. Plenty of choices but I like those from Pentel and Niji. *Pictured left to right: Pentel Aquash Water Brush Mini, Pentel Aquash Water Brush Medium, Niji Flat Water Brush, generic water brush with long tip.*

Travel Brushes

Brushes come in all shapes and sizes, but my favorites are the travel brush series from Escoda. Each comes with a metal tube that serves as both a protective cover and a handle.

Note: Rosemary & Co travel brushes are similar in design and available in the Art Toolkit web shop.

Water Brushes

Water brushes are incredibly convenient for travel and outdoor use, as they have a built-in water reservoir. However, they do not allow for some wet watercolor techniques that require more water flow. Watercolors rely on water movement on paper, guided by the brush. If there’s too little water and too much pigment, the result can be an undesirably dry look. I use water brushes for smaller sketches, keeping traditional brushes for more extensive watercolor work.

4. Paper & Sketchbooks

There are many sketchbooks to choose from, varying in size, binding, paper quality, and format. Sketchbooks are a personal choice—there is no one-size-fits-all. I used to prefer large 8x5-inch sketchbooks, but these days, I find smaller sizes (6x4, 6x8, or 6x6 inches) more convenient and less intimidating to fill.

A collection of various notebooks and sketchbooks arranged on a marble surface. The stack includes black and green hardcover journals, a small green notebook, and a pad of thick artist paper. A yellow binder clip and tag are attached to one of the notebooks. — Too many sketchbooks, and yet I want more! Here are some of my stash. For watercolor paper sheets, I like Fabriano Artistico 100% Cotton 140lbs (300gms), either cold pressed or hot pressed.

A collage of illustrated sketches in various styles, featuring detailed drawings of architectural landmarks and scenes from different locations, including a market and gallery. The art is arranged on a textured background, showcasing vibrant colors and intricate line work. — Here are some pages of my travel sketchbooks. … Lately I have been traveling and journaling with the TRAVELER’S COMPANY Notebook and Sketch Paper inserts. Read “Sketching in Japan” on the Art Toolkit Blog.

Given a choice, I always opt for 100% cotton paper over cellulose paper, as cotton better supports my wet and layered watercolor techniques. However, 100% cotton watercolor paper is expensive and typically sold in loose sheets, blocks, or pads. While some 100% cotton sketchbooks exist, they tend to be costly and heavy.

Most watercolor sketchbooks are made with cellulose paper, making them lighter and more portable. The texture of the paper is usually denoted by “hot pressed,” meaning smooth, or “cold pressed,” meaning slightly grainy.

A detailed sketch of a grand building featuring domes and ornate architecture. Tall palm trees frame the scene, and a fountain is visible in the foreground. A fountain pen is positioned in the bottom right corner, suggesting the artistic process. — Sketching with the Hero 578 Fude Fountain Pen.

After years of experimenting with different formats, I have yet to find the “perfect” sketchbook—and I doubt I ever will! The key is to adapt to what’s available and keep sketching.

A person with short gray hair sits on a portable chair outside, sketching in a notebook. They wear a white t-shirt, beige shorts, and green and white sneakers. Potted plants and a quiet street are visible in the background. — Thainlin sketches architecture on a folding stool.

A watercolor painting of a building with balconies and a dog in front, displayed on an easel. Nearby, a palette with various paint colors and tubes of paint are arranged on a wooden table. Sunlight is streaming in, highlighting plants in the background. — A studio piece on toned paper.

5. Other Essentials

There are countless sketching accessories, and I could go on at length, but here are a few of my must-have items for on-location sketching:

A collapsible silicone cup and a bottle of drinking water
A handy folder, pocket sleeve, or small bag for carrying supplies
A compact camping stool or chair for comfort.

A zippered pencil case opened to reveal an assortment of pens, a paint palette with various colors, a small container, and a few other art supplies organized inside. The interior is blue, contrasting with the black exterior of the case. — Here’s my outdoor sketching gear with EVERYTHING, all in a small zipper carry case. *Pictured left to right: Travel brushes, pen knife, 0.3 fineliner (black), mechanical pencil, Hero Fude fountain pens (x2), white gel pen, black water-tight glass bottle, 1*″ *flat brush, collapsible silicone cup, generic metal travel palette with 21 half-pans, Thule Subterra PowerShuttle Travel Case.*

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the best art supplies are the ones that fit your style, feel comfortable in your hands, and inspire you to create. While getting caught up in finding the “perfect” tools is easy, remember that sketching is about practice, exploration, and enjoyment—not just materials.

If you’re just starting out, keep things simple—choose a reliable pen, a small watercolor set, and a sketchbook that feels right for you. Over time, you’ll discover what works best through experience. And if you’re already a seasoned sketcher, I hope this guide has given you fresh insights or perhaps a new tool to try.

No matter where you are in your artistic journey, the most important thing is to keep sketching. Every page you fill is a step forward, and every sketch tells a story. So grab your tools, head outside, and enjoy the process—one line, one wash, one sketch at a time.

Pocket and Folio Palette Paint Lists

A long watercolor sketch of a cityscape, featuring buildings and power lines, lies on a textured surface. Nearby, various pens and a watercolor palette with multiple colors are visible, indicating an artist's workspace. — *Thainlin fills his palettes with Daniel Smith (DS) and Holbien (HB) watercolors.* **Row 1:** Graphite Gray (DS), Van Dyck Brown (DS), Quinacridone Red (DS), Buff Titanium (DS), Verditer Blue (DS), Indanthrone Blue (DS), Permanent Green Light (DS) **Row 2:** Permanent Red (DS), Quinacridone Gold (HB),Ultramarine Blue (DS), Undersea Green (DS) **Row 3:** White Gouache, Naples Yellow (DS), New Gamboge (DS), Yellow Ochre (DS), Burnt Sienna (DS), Raw Umber (DS), Hooker’s Green (DS).

Row 1: New Gamboge (DS), Cadmium Orange Hue (DS), Raw Umber (DS), Perylene Green (DS), Indanthrone Blue (DS), White Gouache Row 2: Quinacridone Red (DS), Undersea Green (DS), Graphite Gray (DS) Row 3: Naples Yellow (DS), Permanent Red (DS), Burnt Umber (DS), Hooker’s Green (DS), Ultramarine Blue (DS), Davy’s Gray (HB) Row 4: Buff Titanium (DS), Yellow Ochre (DS), Burnt Sienna (DS), Permanent Green Light (DS), Verditer Blue (DS), Van Dyck Brown (DS) Row 5: Quinacridone Gold (HB).

A person sits on a wooden bench in a grassy area, writing in a notebook. They are wearing a black jacket and beige trousers, with black boots. In the background, there are tables and signs outside a building with large windows. — Thainlin sketches on a park bench.

About Thainlin Tay

Thainlin is an Art Toolkit Ambassador who has led an Art Toolkit Travel Sketching live demo and instructed People in Motion, available on our workshops page. Learn more about him on his Ambassador Page.