7 Useful Things for Urban Sketchers

Re-uploading this to make some information clearer. Sorry about the lost comments.
If you have a cool tip or trick, share it with me.
Bag hook:
bit.ly/bag-hook-ebay
Blunt needle and syringe (Amazon US):
amzn.to/2zLCDDk
Ball bearing (Amazon US):
amzn.to/2zLMHMW
Mist spray bottle (Amazon US)
amzn.to/2S0m79K
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[@teohyc]

Re-uploading to put emphasis on using non-rusting beads or ball bearings in point 1.

[@BirdwithaBrush]

I work in a field where we use a lot of fluid acrylics and pigment inks. We strongly recommend that people NOT use ANY metal for an agitator. Numerous people have had problems with even stainless steel products eventually corroding in their paint bottles. Pewter has been safely used, but generally the recommendation is plastic, or if you want something with a bit more weight, hematite beads. Thanks for this and all your other great videos!

[@elsagrace3893]

Teoh Yi Chie I wouldn’t use plastic beads. They are to light to mix the liquid. The ball bearings are ideal.

[@UWunicornwalker]

There are many different grades of 'stainless steel' and most people erroneously believe if a product is marked as 'stainless' then it will not rust which isn't the case. The grade used in medical, cosmetics and paints is 316 stainless, even then you have to be careful to read the manufacturer recommendations and if you don't know what's in your paint, then test it first! I paid $8 for 50 1/4" steel balls, they were way too small, now I am looking at getting some just over a half inch but they run $8-$12 for 5 at a reputable suppler. Anything less then that and your looking at bulk pricing or it's probably a scam (if your in the US anyway). The rule of thumb for shiny things is, if it has a mirror finish, it has metal in it. There is no other synthetic at this time that can produce a mirror metallic finish. The bead is probably chrome plated as chrome plating plastic is cheap and common so you probably don't want it in your paint.

[@AaronKimmins]

Copper BB's should work

[@sami0397]

How about using small round glass beads? As metal beads (even stainless steel) may have chemical reaction in long term use with pigment or binder; plastics are even more reactive and lightweight being problematic to the function. During our lab days we were taught glass is the most non-reactive to any chemical agent.

[@juliearmymom7807]

Sephora will give you a super tiny mister for free. They use it for liquid samples. I think it holds 3 mil of liquid. Handy to give a mist to get your watercolors going, takes up no space.

[@bethanygraham427]

I use glass beads - heavier than plastic and no change of rusting.

[@rebeccapage4411]

Great ideas--I especially like the S hook. I cut the leg portion off an old crew sock, fold it in half, and wear it on my left wrist so I have a rag handy all the time to meter water and paint. It's an old trick I learned when I was first painting.

[@bwong8765]

Genius!

[@teohyc]

Now that you mention it, I see a few of my friends doing that too, not sure if they are using socks though.

[@bwong8765]

A friend of mine uses a sweat band she got from a sports outfitter.

[@threesixfiveart563]

I use a terry cloth wrist sweatband for that!

[@juliearmymom7807]

Would probably slide over a small journal also.

[@gwensimmons_gigi1629]

I rummage through my friend’s discarded water bottles and recycle the plastic bottle caps to hold my seven favorite paints in my DIY portable paint tins. I secure the caps with magnetic adhesive strips. Also any old pill bottles for my water supply comes in handy. TFS! 👍🏾🍁

[@lynnholbein3795]

Although I also have travel brushes, I have one squirrel mop brush I love to take sketching with me. How to protect its tip? When they sell long-stemmed roses, they often put small vials of water at the end of each stem to keep them fresh. I use those vials to fit over the brush tips. There Is always a hole in the rubber cap which is intended for the stem, and at the bottom of the vial I make a little snip so the brush can dry more easily.

[@teohyc]

After each use, you just have to shape them back to a point and they should stay sharp. If you have difficulty, you can get brush soap to do the shaping. If you mean protecting the brush while transporting, I suggest getting a brush wrap.

[@GlendaVGarcia]

Hi, Teoh. Great video, as always. I use a pipette instead of a syringe with blunt needle. They are often much easier and cheaper to find, and come in packs. I also used to put magnets on the bottom of small plastic bottles so they stayed put on my palette, but now I use one of those medium clip on containers used by oil painters for plein air. They come in plastic and in metal, and usually come in two wells side by side, so you can have your dirty and clean water.

[@samhaacke]

Great tips! One can buy magnetic self adhesive tape, it usually comes in a roll like sellotape or double sided tape, and is sticky on one side. You cut off squares for sticking to the bottom of your paint pans, which makes them stay in place and be repositional in any metal paint box. Just a cleaner alternative to blue tack which can get gunky after a while. Greetings from South Africa :)

[@mkbuike7895]

Be careful with credit cards next to magnets, though

[@capyboppy]

@@mkbuike7895 why would someone keep their credit card next to a watercolour pan? Just curious.

[@mkbuike7895]

@@capyboppy If the wallet is in the same bag and near the palette with magnets

[@capyboppy]

@@mkbuike7895 thanks for replying. I would have my credit card in a holder in my handbag. Any 'on the go' arty stuff I would have in a separate bag.

[@callmekite]

I store my wallet and palette in the same bag/pocket typically myself - also, I’ve had great success with small velcro adhesives. I found some at the store Michaels.

[@toadie2929]

Thanks for the tips Teoh! Very helpful :) I save the small fish shaped soy sauce containers you get when you order sushi. I put water in them and the small mouth makes them ideal for filling your waterbrush with fresh water. I hope this is helpful!

[@danielziegler9434]

Whenever I need a mixer in a bottle or a pen, I use PEBBLES (little rocks)... they come in any size you want.

[@lalaithan]

That's a cool idea!

[@UWunicornwalker]

Not all rock is inert, which means it can discolor your paint. But if that isn't a big deal for your application then that's okay. glass is a better choice for plastic containers, glass on glass is likely to shatter the agitator.

[@ccchk378]

the spray bottle can help to make softer edges of trees as well.

[@teohyc]

Good idea

[@amiraltrex]

Very useful tips. Thanks for sharing Teoh! I also use small plastic bottles for water like you do, but I glued magnets beneath to keep them stable on my travel palette because my son used to knock the bottles over so often when he roams around. For the bluetack, I make “drying loop” for brushes out of it. Just roll the bluetack into a loop slightly smaller than the diameter of your brush, stick it to the wall and put your brush through the loop to dry it upright :)

[@RebeDrawsStuff]

I'm a bit late for the party but here are my tips and tricks, some of them are quite female-oriented to be honest but I'm sure that men and LGTB++ people will find other alternatives too: - In my country (Mexico), some female pads tend to give small tin boxes with their products. You can collect these tin boxes, paint them white inside and black outside and have travel sketch boxes. Alternatively, Altoids tin boxes, old tin pencil cases (from a kid or empty art materials) and even pill containers could do the trick. - I'm currently making a palette but instead of using rectangular plastic pans, I get milk caps and cut some plastic pieces that help to open up the milk container. The only downside is that circular containers can be a waste of space but they could work temporarily. - Instead of Glue Tack, I use magnets. Magnets are amazing for plenty of things, not only to keep the pans in place but also to place the whole palette next to the sketchbook with modified binder clips (just paste some magnets to the clips, put the clip on the sketchbook and place the tin palette on top).

[@sydneypatterson7961]

I love this channel so much, so happy this video got re-uploaded

[@33Jenesis]

I cut and stick masking tape on the sides of the plastic pans to write down (use ballpoint pen for non smudging) color name, tube number, and/or brand. Doing so I can put pans back to palette using swatches as a guide. I don’t write directly on pans in case I would reuse them for different colors. I tend to pick out 5 colors or less for any project and often take the pans out from the palettes they belong to. I find that doing this, my removable pans will always be back to palette they belong to in the order according to that palette’s swatch.

[@higherground711]

I took note of the Daler Rowney gouache. Also getting a medium line Sakura white gel pen is a great suggestion. This was very helpful to me. Thanks Teoh. 👍 😄

[@jenna2431]

I only use gouache for my sketching. it's the best of all worlds--can be transparent, but also opaque.

[@danellemalan]

Great video, thanks! I also like to have a wash cloth with me to wipe my brush, so that I don't get my rinse water dirty as easily. Also it's useful to clean up any spills, especially in restaurants where they give you the stink eye for making a mess.

[@n0vaart687]

Very cool , like all your other video ! Continue like that. I love the trick with the metal ball !

[@yvans.73]

I made a couple watercolor boxes using old throat lozenge tins. For the pans, I bought a sheet of magnetic paper with one sticky side. I cut the sheet to the size of the pans and stuck the adhesive to the bottom of the pans, so they stick to my tin easily.

[@patriciasalem3606]

Altoids tins work well too in that same size range.

[@kilianhzh]

If you have empty fountain pen cartridges you can use the small glass ball as a shaker. Works well for me and it's free

[@brenttaylordotus]

Very helpful. Hook idea is excellent!

[@isabellecade277]

Thank you for all these things very useful. I notice that the number of your subscribers really rises everyday, it's deserved, your videos are always very interesting and good quality, Bravo Teoh !

[@teohyc]

Thanks. Not sure where they come from ヾ(⌐■_■)ノ♪

[@juliearmymom7807]

A great smaller portable water container is a urine sample collection bottle. Great size, great sealing lid and free from your doctor.

[@cherripaterson6066]

this is a good supply video. I like how the pans stay in place in the box with the sticky putty on the bottom of the pans. I use small glass jars as well for rinsing my brushes off, their great for taking on outings

[@nickimontie]

I do as well - I save those little glass jam jars that you get in hotels. I use them for water and for paints I might want to use a lot, like the white gouache (I make a lot of mistakes!). :-)

[@TanteDorle]

this came in right handy. I read this mister tip before (in a book I bought by your recommendation btw ;) )& were wondering what exactly means "activate the colours". Now I know it, because your video is so well explained like always ♥ I looked around for such a mister. No way to buy it empty here, but for some cents I found a sample of a cosmetic something, which I spilled out & use the mister now. With 50ml it has a handy size to schlepp around with me. If I need some certain drops I use a former ear-drop-bottle. Its pipette works exactly. Your s-hook-tip is great. Never would have thought of it but now I'm up packing one in my bag. Thank you & have a good time :)

[@lilmousechan]

Some of these are great. I never thought of these. Thanks!

[@kurtf3734]

Thank you! Another awesome video

[@MrQuaazga]

Your video is a great help. Thanks Teoh

[@kiakamill]

Water brushes are also good to use o.o you can buy a pack of different sizes or just one that you can use to make different size marks ...i bought one cause I didn't wanna have to worry about carrying water and it spilling and stuff and tho the bristles are synthetic they are good enough for me right now as I'm a beginner watercolorist

[@ryemabrahamson]

I've also used adhesive magnets in order to stick pans into portable pallets! Thank you for the video!

[@jeanbCA]

Great tips, Teoh, thank you!

[@paulaneary7877]

Thank you for the tips, very helpful. I have been painting with acrylic but I am going to try out watercolor/sketching like I see in your videos because it looks very nice, I like the style very much!

[@LifeontheHalfShell]

Wonderful tips, thank you.

[@twiggalina]

Great tips Teoh!

[@z4k4z]

Thanks, Teoh, for a very useful video. I like the multiple pans idea... I recently got my first set, 12 pans in a similar sized metal box (Sennelier). As an alternative to the ink jar, I have a honey jar that's shaped like a beehive, wide base, not so wide top, but still a good size opening for the brush. (it says "Heather Hills" on the base... might be the brand name of the honey)

[@LEDewey_MD]

Very helpful and informative video! Thanks!

[@asamandhiry8648]

Thank you Teoh for the useful tips I love the foldable hook.

[@teohyc]

There's a weight limit to the foldable hook

[@MegaAwesomeAnnie]

For making my pans less shaky in their metal container, I bought a sheet of magnetic material on Amazon which came with a little pair of scissors to cut them, and then used double-sided tape to adhere the small squares I cut onto the plastic pans. It's been really helpful because if I want to take out just a few colors at a time, I can place them on the container lid and they stay there until I move them again :)

[@artbytessiejo7218]

Great ideas!!! Thank you!

[@cindyhorton6980]

Thank you Teoh!

[@InyasArt]

it's so weird to see someone else use the little Nutella jar. I use one exactly like that but it is made out of glass. love it for being tiny and because it has a big opening.

[@eileentilston6899]

Use a thin washing up sponge slightly damp, if you cut off a small piece in you watercolour pallette and cover with cling film (saren wrap) it will keep your paints set for weeks, so you don't have to throw away your unused paint. I also use the rest of the damp sponge to wipe my brushes on out doors it works a treat.

[@arden.0098]

Regarding the pans in the custom watercolour set, you can also use magnetic tape to stick them to the container!

[@saravanlandegem4616]

Love these tips, thank you!

[@tucainga]

Nice tips! Ive got an spray some time ago that you would think its a pen, it come with a reading glasses for cleaning, small container but does the job in activating the paint in one go and its really portable.

[@teohyc]

That's good. I've always wanted to find those really thin bottles.

[@jamesphelan2520]

I use glass beads in my Vallejo model paints. Works great and they are small enough to not break or splinter.

[@moonram2569]

Teoh, u said in a previous video that u were not happy using water brushes with watercolors. But the water brushes work well with ink washes as well as Inktense/watersoluble pencils-crayons. So, don't throw them away yet :):):)

[@Moghesinstitute]

Excellent....

[@emilyvbr1878]

Cool tips. Thank you. :)

[@debsmith7050]

Good ideas!!!

[@realfingertrouble]

Amazed I actually do a lot of these already - took me a while, wish I'd seen this video! Rubber bands - I use them like you use clips, around pads or loose paper to clamp it down in wind. And free usually as posties discard them on the ground! I have a collapsible water cup, that is really good, and there is a water cup in my Winsor & Newton Field box with bottle...I also have a small spray bottle. I also use sample bottles for ink, glass is too heavy although dropper bottles are useful. I use wax resist for highlights, e.g. an old candle, or a refillable empty pump marker with Molotow white ink...better for the environment than those single use gel pens. I use pipettes or small squeezy bottles for ink, a syringe might get the wrong sort of attention! And for paper I use an A3 tuffbox or plastic document box, protects loose sheets when wet and you can use it as a rest.

[@Art-What..]

Teoh, I've used that ball bearing trick before, it works..

[@marciabressani7445]

Like your Channel! Good videos!

[@hotmonkeyfilms]

Nice!

[@navyboymommygramma]

I don't have ball bearings or beads but I have a big bag of fish tank gravel that is going to get used instead. Hey! Whatever works hahaha

[@stellaball7289]

Some herbs and spices jars come in good sizes with wide necks.

[@hansendesigns]

Thx for vid

[@sami0397]

Hi Teoh, nice and useful video. Can you add tips on convenient ways of cleaning and drying brushes in outdoor sketching; saw some sketchers using some kind of wristband to clean/dry their brushes.

[@teohyc]

That wristband is to more to take out excess water rather than clean it. To properly clean a brush, it is best to have two cups of water, one to clean off the paint, and the other to clean it more thoroughly. If you only have one cup, just clean as normal, then flick the brush to force the water out.

[@sami0397]

Thanks a lot Teoh; learning here I'm also planning to use two small jars for that purpose.

[@lynettedouville8826]

Hi Teoh, love your videos! I really appreciate everything you share with us! What brand of palette is this tin one, please? Thanks!

[@teohyc]

The white box? It's Pebeo. The paint is very poor quality so I threw them out

[@Stellzilla]

Very helpful video! Thanks again Teoh. Btw, what sketchbook is that? It’s lovely.

[@teohyc]

It's a Hahnemuhle watercolour sketchbook kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHrKaZJtrs9ofpY

[@moonram2569]

Love all the interesting ideas !! Is filling this brush pen with ink much better than filling a water brush, like the Pentel Aquash or Holbein - if yes, then how ?? Thanks.

[@teohyc]

Should be similar either way. Just make sure they don't leak or it will be very messy.

[@cindyhorton6980]

I have heard good things about the "Mimik" brushes and been thinking of getting them. I wondered if you could do a review on them as for me I rely on your opinion! I am a beginner at watercolor. I know you prefer real hair but these are supposed to mimick that well. Thank you!

[@teohyc]

I've not tried those before. But brand doesn't really matter. Brush hair should perform similarly across brands.

[@fredkrol932]

Thank you for these wonderful tips! Could you please let us know the link to the container for the watercolor pans?

[@teohyc]

You can check out eBay rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F132070382214

[@welterdavin5486]

considerate

[@HowcrossCastle]

Great tips; thanks. What brand of bag did you show with the S-hook? It looks like something I need!

[@teohyc]

It's a Herringbone camera bag kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ3dn4CngNKVrqM

[@bwong8765]

Great tips, thank you. Especially the one with the hook. I was wondering what's the best method to bring brushes to travel outside. So far I only use 2 travel ones, a bigger and a smaller one, when outside. Thank you.

[@teohyc]

Maybe use those thick rubber band to go around your watercolour box, and attach the travel brushes to that?

[@bwong8765]

I'll try that. Any idea on how to transport normal brushes? Do you even bring normal brushes in a case when you go out sketching?

[@teohyc]

For normal brushes, I would use a brush wrap. A brush wrap can hold a lot of brushes so that may be overkill, but it protects the brushes well. Here's the one I have www.parkablogs.com/content/review-tran-natural-canvas-artist-paint-brush-roll You can find many examples on Amazon, or other ones that fit smaller number of brushes.

[@bwong8765]

Yes that might be a little too big for me for travelling. Thanks for the link.

[@teohyc]

The other way is to fit the brushes inside those long rectangular 24 half pan metal watercolour boxes. But you need to find some protective cover (like the ones that ship with new brushes) for the brushes to protect the hair in the box.

[@victoriachanst]

Instead of bluetack, I stick magnetic tape to the bottom of my watercolour pans and that snaps them to the metal base of my watercolour travel box. I can then rearrange them easily between my boxes. Also then I can just take out a couple of pans I am using for a sketch and stick them to the metal tray of the travel box for easy access while sketching. You can buy the magnetic tape quite cheaply from Amazon and cut them to size with scissors. Remember to label the pans, otherwise it is easy to forget which colour they are with all that rearranging!

[@teohyc]

Yeah, I always forget the colours of the pans. lol

[@moistwater8289]

Why do your paints (in half/full pans) always look semi moist or moist. Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm just curious XD

[@teohyc]

It's very humid here in Singapore. The paint can appear moist and glossy just by putting them on the table. Some paint and brands are more moist than others.

[@nickorange4881]

What was the brand of the white pallete?

[@teohyc]

Winsor Newton deluxe sketcher box?

[@OwliSketches]

🤩

[@wandrews4123]

I hope you will put closed captions soon... was kinda disappointed that there is no captions. All of your videos really educate me well. Thanks

[@teohyc]

Unfortunately I don't have the extra time to put closed captions.

[@welterdavin5486]

champion

[@Picasso_Picante92]

HHi Teoh. I couldn't catch the name of the white pen. It sounded like "white gouache pen". Is that correct?

[@teohyc]

White gel pen? You can get Sakura Gelly Roll or Uniball Signo

[@RebeDrawsStuff]

@@teohyc The Uniball Signo would be better. The ink is whiter that the Gelly Roll. I don't know if the formula has changed but the Gelly pens I have, even if they're 0.8, don't have that strong white tone I need.

[@sillycream475]

Hello Teoh, I've been searching for a material that can "white out" my mistakes & let me put WC over the mistake area. Grouche will be reactivated by water but not casein. Has anyone also thought about this problem? Or is it just me ...teeheee.

[@teohyc]

I don't know of any supplies that can "white out" the paper and allow watercolour to work over it.

[@sillycream475]

Awww that's too bad but thanks for your channel I'm a huge fan :) Really enjoying your book recommendations. Thank you!

[@OneTrueWord1988]

@@teohyc Daniel Smith makes a watercolor "ground" that is marketed to paint over mistakes, let dry, and repaint. I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds great!

[@obragg1]

I use a screw top medicine bottle instead of buying a plastic jar. They don't leak either!

[@charliemoreno8244]

A regular locking carabiner would work better to avoid somebody running off with it.

[@ohbli_oh]

I bought ball bearings that were meant to be stainless steel and they rusted after a while 😭 I had to pick them all out

[@zimrianispresent8123]

👌👽👌

[@kathybrenneman1868]

Hi Teoh, I think this should have been supplies for painters, not supplies for sketchers. There isn't a pencil to be found. Pencils, markers, erasers, stumps, wiping cloth, etc. This is a good video none the less I was just confused by the title. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. Your faithful follower. Kathy B. (Fairylady0227) 💜

[@nabi767]

I guess he was thinking more of urban sketchers.

[@CarlosBenjamin]

Quick, small, watercolor studies are called sketches as well. That’s why we have the term “pencil sketch”.

[@realfingertrouble]

@@CarlosBenjamin Also ink sketches are called...well, sketches too!

[@missmaku]

Kinda scary how you tried the needle on your finger tho 😂