My 2024 Watercolor Travel Kit! ✈️ Packing My Art Supply Essentials for a Trip

[@durgasarvepalli2355]

Hi, The best watercolor sketchbook is self made.. all you need is a needle and some thread, a piece of cloth, glue , couple of boards and your favourite 100% cotton paper. One sheet (22x30 inch) will give a sketchbook (3.75X 5.5 inch )of 32 sheets (64 pages).. it is the cheapest and the best..

[@srsigdesigns]

Ooh thanks for the suggestion! I’ve never made a sketchbook with a threaded binding, but I’ll have to try it out

[@OneTrueWord1988]

@durgasarvepalli2355 I agree! I have made sketchbooks without boards, and I love using exact size and type of paper I want. What do you use for boards? Trying that next. 💐

[@durgasarvepalli2355]

@@OneTrueWord1988 I only have access to a thin (1 mm) display board, that school kids use to display their charts. I use that. and even after 5 years they are still holding up well. To cover the display boards I use vinyl wall paper or car sticker..no fussing with glue and you get plenty of designs to choose from. You also get beautiful duct tape ( various designs) , that you can use to strengthen the spine..

[@samantharankinstinamisan5583]

Paul Ruben’s watercolor sketchbook is 100% cotton & cheap ( and pink🥰)

[@srsigdesigns]

ooh! I believe I've tried one of theirs but it was hot pressed. If they have cold pressed too I'll definitely add it to my list

[@jillbartos8893]

One of my favorites, too and I like the 5"x7" size. I don't normally use hot press paper, however this paper is more like a lightly textured cold press.

[@donuteh2461]

I know im coming into this a bit late, but i love my Baohong watercolor sketch book. Its 100% cotton and fairly cheap on Temu.

[@srsigdesigns]

I’m always happy to hear recommendations!! These are definitely on my list to try bc I love their blocks

[@joanhelgeson9118]

Try a terry wrist band for sports to clean your brush. You just slip them on your wrist and they work great and washable! Have a lovely trip!

[@srsigdesigns]

Oh that’s a fantastic idea! I’ll have to try it. Thank you for the suggestion!

[@MsPitenali]

Etchr sketchbook is my favorite so far ✨

[@srsigdesigns]

It’s definitely my favorite too! Both the everyday sketchbook and the perfect sketchbook versions are great

[@jessicapp2545]

I really love the Hahnemuhle 100% cotton books.

[@srsigdesigns]

That’s what I brought with me on this trip! Still getting to know the paper but I’m liking it so far

[@jillbartos8893]

Etchr white everyday sketchbooks also come in a smaller A6 (approx. 4"x6") size. Enjoyed seeing your vacation sketches.

[@srsigdesigns]

Thank you! Maybe I’ll have to try the smaller size then, because I really like the everyday sketchbook

[@sararamer-dean7846]

Enjoy your trip. I use M. Graham paints in travel palettes with no problems. You just need to pour them and let them dry for a while before travel.

[@srsigdesigns]

Thanks so much! And that’s really good to know-I love my m graham cerulean but it’s never dried completely in a pan for me. I was worried about what would happen with it banging around in my bag. Maybe I’ll experiment on plein air trips this summer with it and see!

[@dorothyminor7581]

When I travel with my M Graham I put a piece of cling wrap over the paint and then close the lid. Works great. No leaks!

[@srsigdesigns]

Oh I might have to try that then! Do you find that the cling wrap is necessary or is it more of an extra precaution?

[@dorothyminor7581]

I have found the cling wrap works the best!

[@srsigdesigns]

good to know! Thank you!

[@Grassless24]

Just want to point out that real hair brushes are the same as fur coats in the fashion industry. It’s time we all became aware of the horror behind them. Trapping animals or breeding them in cramped cages with no floors. Skinning them while they aren’t dead. It’s a real true horror show. They don’t just clip the tail hairs and send them in their way. And newer synthetic brushes from the last 3 years or so are so similar to sable in fibre shape, water holding capacity and often have better points than most sables. Not judging anyone who has these brushes already. I have a few from some years ago and I’ll keep them until they don’t work. But I couldn’t buy another.

[@srsigdesigns]

it’s really sad to hear that - do you have any suggestions for brushes similar to silver black velvet? While the real hair brush in this video isn’t my favorite and I don’t really use it, I do really love my silver black velvet ones that I use for most of my paintings, which I believe are a blend of synthetic and real hair. I like my travel brushes, but I don’t love them as much I love the silver black velvet ones I usually use.

[@OneTrueWord1988]

I agree! Only purchase synthetic brushes. 😢

[@LudwinV]

I make my own sketchbooks but I also use the baohong and rubens 100% sketchbooks if you can find them at a reasonable price. If you do not wanna make a cover you can a leather cover with a refillable block and swap it every time you finish one.

[@srsigdesigns]

Oh that’s interesting! So you use the baohong blocks and put them into a cover? What do you do with the pages once they’re done? I love baohong paper, and would totally get a sketchbook with it

[@ohdearbri]

@@srsigdesignsBaohong makes a cold pressed (green) and hot pressed (red) sketchbook in 3 different sizes.

[@srsigdesigns]

Oh I haven’t seen those!! Will definitely have to look for them

[@GingahSnapsArt]

Happy travels! Lately I've been alllll for the accordion sketchbook. There are a couple brands who make 90lb cotton watercolor paper (Blick carries Arches and I think Saunders). An imperial sheet (22x30") makes a 5.5"x7.5" sketchbook. A half-imperial (22x15") makes a 3.75"x5.5" sketchbook - I think if you can live without the hardcover, you might find the arrangement works for you. M.D.Campbell makes a video on making accordion sketchbooks, it's wicked easy and also quite fun (:

[@srsigdesigns]

Ooh this is such a good idea! I’ve made my own mini sketchbook before, but hadn’t thought about trying an accordion version. The Etchr accordion sketchbook is on my list to try eventually but it’s bigger than I want for a travel version. Making my own would be a fun way to see if I like them. Thanks so much for the suggestion!

[@GingahSnapsArt]

@@srsigdesigns of course! I've been hooked on them since they are very fun but also take less than two minutes to make. They make me feel like a lazy genius 😂 heheh

[@christianebehr138]

What Brand is your Watercuo thank you Christiane 😊

[@srsigdesigns]

I can’t seem to find the one I bought before and it doesn’t have a brand on it, but this link looks like it might be super similar: www.amazon.com/yayacone-Silicone-Collapsible-Drinking-Camping/dp/B07PT6DL5R/ref=dp_prsubs_sccl_1/141-4888715-4127423