ArtistsNetwork.com 53What I Pack
Here are the supplies I carry
with me in a backpack when
I head out to sketch on-site:- Sketchbook. I don’t have
a brand favorite, but I
always use one with 140-
lb., smooth watercolor
paper. Sometimes I create
my own sketchbooks using
Canson XL watercolor
paper. It’s not the fanciest
or the most expensive
paper out there, but I
absolutely love the way it
feels when I apply media. - Faber-Castell Pitt Artist
Micron Pens (superfine
nib). These durable pens
feature acid-free India ink
that’s archival, waterproof
and quick-drying, making
it smudge-proof. I keep a
handful of them in my bag
at all times. - HB pencil and a hand-
held sharpener. I also use
mechanical pencils with
HB lead. I prefer the
Papermate Clearpoint. - White Staedtler Mars
plastic eraser or a
kneaded eraser - Black Gold travel brushes.
I prefer sizes 6 and 8. - Winsor & Newton Cotman
Watercolor Compact Set
of artist-grade paints - Small Nalgene water bottle.
I use this both for painting
and for cleaning my brushes.
I prefer this brand because it
doesn’t leak when tossed in
a backpack. - Tissues or paper towels.
I use these to blot water or
test the colors on my brush. - Travel stool. This comes in
handy when there are no
comfortable rocks nearby. - Sunscreen, water, snacks,
bug repellent, hat and
jacket. It’s best to be
aware of current weather
conditions and plan
accordingly.
Mountain Peaks From the Hollowell Park Picnic Area in Rocky Mountain National Park, 2014
(ink and watercolor) was painted in a Moleskine watercolor sketchbook as a demonstration. The
2¾ x12¼ -inch sketch was an example of a vignette that didn’t fi ll the page, showing my class how
sometimes you can focus on one particular aspect of a place. You can see where I added a
National Park Passport stamp at the top left of the page. You can usually fi nd these rubber stamps
available for use at visitor centers and ranger stations.
I painted View of Longs Peak From the Upper Beaver Meadows Picnic Area in Rocky Mountain
National Park, 2014 (ink and watercolor) on Canson XL watercolor paper as a demonstration for
my Rocky Mountain Conservancy course. The sketch is small, approximately 2¼ x4¾ inches, which
was meant to illustrate that, if you’re short on time, not all sketches have to fi ll the page.
Drawn to the Parks
In 2009, as a way to share my love of the parks and art, I started teaching local
watercolor workshops at the Colorado National Monument, Arches National
Park and Canyonlands National Park. A few years later, I started teaching
workshops in watercolor, colored pencil and travel sketching at Rocky Mountain
National Park for the Rocky Mountain Conservancy and at Yellowstone National
Park with Yellowstone Forever. Th ese nonprofi t organizations act as educational
and fundraising partners for the parks.