Sketch Bag

[@corikay]

Thanks Brenda! It's always fun to see what each artist keeps as treasures in their travel kits! Inspiring! My travel kit is a compilation of many tips I have learned from your videos and blog! Looking forward to more videos from you!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you!

[@sylvia4425]

Sponge in soapbox...✅. Paper towels rolled like a 'mini-taquito'...✅. Gouache in lip container...✅. These were amazing tips! Hope to see more plein air tips & trips! :)

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

It’s called a Canvas rigger tool bag. I’m not sure who makes them anymore. I found it at Harbor Freight Tools

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Glad you like my helpful hints and tips.

[@Windkisssed]

Very inspirational! I love the soap container for the sponge!! I've nit seen that before. Thanks for the idea!!! Lauri

[@1aliveandwell]

Fun, going to find what left of pencils, pens, markers and experiment ( again). Used to meet at Active adult center with small art group and 1 person had bought the wheeled canvas bag from HF for her oil painting supplies. Thanks so much for inspiration. Still hunting up what bin left the watercolors in (some in frig- Waldorf paints made from plant materials).

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you for the wonderful comment.

[@bekahjanthevintagedreamer]

I love how you rolled your paper towels!! I'm going to have to try that instead of folding it.

[@telegraph_hill]

6:23 is this the journal? Stillman & Birn Archival Sketchbooks Beta Series - 8-1/2'' x 5-1/2'', Portrait, Hardbound, 26 Sheets I see in a related comment you like the delta or beta. Thanks! Looks like Delta is Ivory toned paper. Both are 270 gsm.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

The Beta and Delta a favorites! Yes the Delta has an ivory tone.

[@doowopdinosaur8632]

I loved this video, thanks for sharing. I would also love to hear the story about all those patches on your bag.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

The patches I "earn". I must sketch and paint on location in those cities and countries. =)

[@EmeralDQueenTV]

Lots of goodies in your bag, love the brushes and the palette. Great setup! :D

[@bibiyamalindahl]

I loved your bag so much I ordered one and it's now been to my first outdoor sketching this season. All I need is to attach a shoulder strap, like you did, and it'll be perfect! Thanks again! ♥ Greetings from a newbie watercolorist in Norway.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Bibi, wonderful!

[@naturesketches126]

I got one, too, after watching this video, it's a great bag 👍

[@elizabethk.stratton9586]

Bibi - where did you order yours from?

[@ohheydevin1992]

I love the idea of a lip gloss container for gouache!

[@Boompoet]

Did you alter your bag other than adding the eyelets for the strap? I picked one up but the side pockets are very narrow. I was thinking of taking a seam ripper to the pocket stitching, but don't want to ruin it before I get the change to use it.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Yes. I took some of the stitching out to open up the pockets. The larger pockets work perfectly!

[@amymclaughlin1201]

Really like your kit. Love the watercolors in your sketchbook.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Amy, Thank you!

[@experienced.novice]

It's all brilliant, but the headbands to keep the sketchbooks closed, especially brilliant! I'm stealing that idea for sure! I can then pretend I've got talent like yours if I do what you do! ;)

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Melanie, Glad you like my tips 😉

[@elizabethk.stratton9586]

Brenda - I would like to know where you purchased your sketch bag. I looked online last night through several stores, but could not find anything as attractive and useful as yours. Thank you. Elizabeth

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Elizabeth, I got it a Harbor Freight Tools. It's a Canvas Rigger Bag. From what I've heard many stores stopped carry them. I think Cheap Joe's Art Stuff has something similar, though.

[@Meerkatseatapples]

Lovely video, you have given so many great ideas, very nice use of space in the bag

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

India-may Williams Thanks!

[@diannemiddaugh2478]

Such a great bag. Do you have info on the brand or where you purchased it.?

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

It's a tool bag. Here's a link: l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fm.harborfreight.com%2Fcanvas-riggers-bag-38124.html%3FDdirect%252Fnot%2520provided&h=tAQEmAU-y

[@mikeswenson9965]

Dianne, Don't worry no pens were harmed in the making of the video. I usually keep my fountain pens in a separate pouch =)

[@sharonmcmann-morelli4896]

where can i buy a fountain pen, i have one but unable to find ink cartridges.....

[@fredhubbard7210]

If you go to Home Depot, they have similar tool bags (in black and red) which are crazy cheap.

[@aaliyah1326]

I'm getting a bunch of art stuff soon and a new bag! I can't wait!! It is definitely expensive but it's so worth it!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

WildOne420 , Worth every penny!

[@aaliyah1326]

Oh for sure!! Also I love your videos!

[@jignacholera6191]

You are really a very nice artist

[@joannehopper261]

Thank you Brenda! You’re such an inspiration!!! How do you get your sketchbooks spiral bound please? I used to do that and then the machines at staples changed and I could only make very thin books. Do you have your own machine? I’d love to get back to making them that way with lots of different papers - including papers for metalpoint drawing which I love. I make bound sketchbooks now, but I really miss my old spiral bound companions. Thanks so much for everything you put out there❣️

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Joanne, I have a Akiles CoilMac-M 4:1 Pitch Plastic Spiral Coil Binding Machine. I found a link for the same model: www.digitalbuyer.com/akiles-coilmac-m-plastic-coil-binding-machine-4-1-pitch.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwmqKJBhAWEiwAMvGt6IXQiU9-DgZS1qcLD4vlHHKnW7RVtIBNLKXO0kPuCSwCqFjHc-xajBoCdxoQAvD_BwE#1461=4822

[@joannehopper261]

@@brendaswensonwatercolors Thank you very much! Have a great weekend :)

[@jenniferschultz6458]

SOLD! Thanks for this video I just purchased this bag! I've been searching (for too long) for a bag/tote to carry all of my supplies.

[@elizabethk.stratton9586]

Jennifer- Where did you find it?

[@jenniferschultz6458]

@@elizabethk.stratton9586 Amazon! :D

[@linesbylisa3557]

Hello! I was wondering if you had links to your supplies... That is one of the best setups I have seen. Thank you for sharing!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Hi Lisa, Thank you! Here's a link to my supply list. www.swensonsart.net/supplies.html

[@elizabethk.stratton9586]

Brenda - I’ve tried the link but it won’t open. I’m looking for your supply bag.

[@shyamshyam12345]

Hi Brenda.I have been waiting for your next video for some time now and was so glad to see it pop up this morning.great video .look forward to more of your sketchbook reviews. Your work is very inspiring.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

It's nice to know you were waiting eagerly for a new post. Happy Sketching!

[@creationslandscapedesigns]

I prefer to watercolor in 5X7 size. But love watching videos of how others artist to it. Also interesting that you have one (I think I only saw one) green in your palette. I have 5.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

I prefer to mix greens with the colors on my palette.

[@charlesjacques750]

Brenda I found that big black custom “Paint Box Company’s The Pallet Box” with the deep removable wells you have - $450 🙀. Can you suggest something similar but way cheaper? Love the big size and large removable wells for large washes. I’ve copied your exact set up thus far and really love it!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

I have two folding palettes; the black one you see and the Heritage. The Heritage Is reasonably priced, lightweight, and sturdy. I’ve added mixing trays so I can build larger washers. You can find info about this on my blog. brendaswenson.blogspot.com/2017/07/modified-watercolor-palette.html?m=1

[@peggywilliams8229]

Lol it made me ill to see you throw that Visconti in that bag like that. Great video

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Peggy, no pens were harmed in the making of this video 😉 The good news is... I usually keep my fountain pens in a lined pen pouch. Happy Sketching!🖋

[@alisamelissa4382]

I like you have a snack in your bag! I have it in all my bags ))

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Alisa, Gotta have a snack.😉

[@gbpatriot2]

Valuable insight. Thank you Brenda. Ray

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thank you!

[@Harmonie66]

Hi Brenda! When you make your own 10"x11" sketchbooks, do you have your own binding machine, or do you take them someplace like Staples to be put together? And what do you use for cover materials? I remember when I took one of your studio workshops two years ago that I loved your self-made books, but I forgot to ask how you make them. Thanks!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

I have my own binding machine but an office supply store (Stapes, FedEx Office...) can do it. Here's my blog post with instructions for the cover, size... brendaswenson.blogspot.com/2012/05/perfect-sketchbookcontinued.html

[@Harmonie66]

Thank you! Looking forward to reading the post.

[@jendesign5537]

Hi Brenda. I just noticed all of your brushes are very large except the little flat one, you don’t have any detail brushes with you. Are you able to do the details with the point of your large brushes? I’m thinking that may be my problem, My brushes are to small. Thanks your work is amazing.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Hi Jen, Good observation! Yes, most of my brushes are large but all come to a nice point.But I have have ONE small brush, size 6. Happy Painting!

[@jendesign5537]

Hi Brenda. Thank you for the reply! I just ordered some large brushes lol!

[@Blissfulthings]

I love that pallette I think you can have a choice of layouts? if it's the same company they had wells that suited hake brushs and I do believe I'll have to sell a kidney to afford it! lol Heather 😊

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Yup...it isn't cheap. Craig Young of the Paint Box Company has many kinds of palettes to select from. I use my all the time. I've had it 10 years and its held up beautifully! We have two kidneys...wink.

[@Blissfulthings]

you are funny! we could be coffee buddy's and have a play dates with our paints lol

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Blissfulthings , Coffee & Paints?! You're my kind of person 😉

[@Blissfulthings]

I suppose we can be best friends in our heads 😉

[@DiRidpath]

I love your art so much. Which of the Stillman & Birn books/paper do you like the best? Alpha, Beta, etc?

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Diane, I favorite is Beta or Delta

[@dianacolt8104]

I really love that bag can you let me know where you got it from? I very much enjoyed this video, I am just trying to get started doing out door sketching. Your set up is great. Of all the bags I have seen I like yours the very best. Thank you

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Diana, I found the bag at a store called Harbor freight tools. They have a website. Look for the canvas rigger bag. Have fun!

[@ALittleCreative]

Great video! Can you tell me about your scraper tool in your brush kit? It looks similar to my favorite palette knife, but better because of the straight handle.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

It's a book binding tool. Really sturdy with two sides.

[@maggieinsc1967]

Thanks for boiling it down to must carries as opposed to what we think we need!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Exactly!!! Only the essentials 😊

[@Dagmar194913]

I have the same bag from Harbour Freight Tools!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

It's the best bag!

[@SusanMJB45]

I ordered this bag a year or two ago after seeing your video and I love it. Questions: where can I find your canvas brush holder? and... (2) how did you attach the shoulder strap? (that is my only negative about this bag.... i.e. no shoulder strap). Thanks in advance .....

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Hi Susan, I made the canvas brush holder by cutting a large one in half. I used grommets to punch a hole in the heavy canvas and inserted a ring in the whole. I used an old canvas strap and attached it to the rings. Happy Sketching!

[@SusanMJB45]

@@brendaswensonwatercolors Thank you !!! I'll try both of those solutions.....

[@PipSkip]

Hello! I loved your video, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with your gloves! My hands are constantly cold which hurt, and I sometimes can’t really draw, may I ask what kind of gloves these are? They look so loose and comfortable!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

The gloves are used by fly fisherman for sun protection. They are thin enough not to encumber my ability to draw. They provide a little warmth (not a lot). What brand do I use? I’ve used a few brands over the years. Do a Google search with the “fly fishing sunscreen gloves”.

[@PipSkip]

@@brendaswensonwatercolors hello! I know this is a very very late reply but I’ve been looking for gloves off an on for this time and wanted to see if I could ask which brand is it that you use specifically for this video? Like what are the gloves in this video! They seem absolutely wonderful and would love to get my hands on them! Please and thank you so much!!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

@@PipSkip The brand: Mangrove, UV sun gloves. With open fingers.

[@jendesign5537]

Hi Brenda. Your work is so outstanding. I noticed you do not take a detail brush. What number is your smallest brush and how are you getting that to work for you? Thanks, Jen

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Jen, my smallest brush is size 6, daVinci maestro. They hold a lot of paint but keep a nice tip. Brenda

[@jendesign5537]

Thanks Brenda.

[@marleneschmid6802]

Hi Brenda, You are my new hero! I've been schlepping my materials around in a Land's End Boat Bag! Your suggestion for the Riggers Bag was just what I needed. Living here in Seattle, I was able to purchase at a local Harbor Freight store. I also watched closely and was able to construct a shoulder strap. Another stroke of your brilliance I snatched is creating my own sketch book using the papers I most enjoy working with. I gathered them all together, used the firm backing from one of the pads and was off to Kinko's/FedEx to have my selections spiral bound for the cost of $4.80. A great help not to have to tote 3 or 4 different types of papers and how convenient to have them all bound together GENIOUS!I do a lot of work in the dessert Southwest. Can you share info about your gloves? I do use sunscreen but, the sun is so strong in the summer that I frequently get badly unburned on the tops of my hands. Many thanks!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Marlene, New hero...Your sweet! I found my gloves at Bass Pro in the fly fishing department. They are light weight and prefect for sun protection. I'd do an internet search. You'll find lots of brands out there. Happy Sketching!

[@dianedreyfus]

Smashing ..and the perfecto bag

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Diane, Glad you like my sketch-bag😁

[@sharonmcmann-morelli4896]

what brand is the larger sketch book?

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Sharon, I make my sketchbook with assorted watercolor and drawing papers.

[@sharonmcmann-morelli4896]

thanks so much for replying. i got a similar bag, brown and tan, from Victoria Secrets years ago , lot of pockets and good side interior with handles and shoulder straps. need to take out some of the stuff make it lighter like you did , thanks again🎨🎨🎨

[@brendaclague5462]

Thank you for the tour 💕

[@DD-d6d3]

You're really talented!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Thanks!

[@Ceme612]

May I ask where you got the bag with the shoulder strap, or did you add on the shoulder strap, and if added, what brand? I'd love this bag with the shoulder strap. Thanks.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Ceme612 The strap came from an old camera bag.

[@beverley-memawmawclarkwhit5102]

can you tell me, again, what type of paint palette you have, I couldn't really understand what you said it was called...

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Beverley Clark White, The Palette Box, custom made in UK.

[@wolfgangproductions7402]

Hi just found your channel and subscribed can you please tell me where I can find those gloves or the name of them... thx

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

wolfgangproductions7 They’re fly fishing gloves... lightweight with sunscreen.

[@wolfgangproductions7402]

Brenda Swenson Watercolors thx so much for your fast reply I hope they come in different colors that would be cool... I also sketch but haven’t for about a month seems too much is going on these days... I miss the relaxation making artwork gives me... happy I found your channel

[@sylvia4425]

0:31... 2 Q's: 1) Is that fountain pen one of the Van Gough pens in the Visconti line? 2) Was it purchased in 2016?

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Sylvia Catalano, Yes and yes.

[@sylvia4425]

Wow, did not know you had a video! I'll be ordering it soon. One last question ...can you remember if the Van Gough pen is the "Irises" one?....or the "Self-Portrait" one? I just went on Goulet Pens website and those seem to be the two names of the green/aqua type pen you have. Can you recall? Sorry for the weird request! lol But an obsession is an obsession. :)

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Sylvia Catalano, The pen is the portrait. I have two DVD's, books... Please visit my website: www.swensonsart.net

[@jasonmullins4826]

just curious what kind of palette knife that was. Never seen one long and narrow. Thanks!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Jason Mullins , it’s actually a book bindings tool.

[@jasonmullins4826]

Nice! Thanks for sharing your work and these helpful videos. Recently, I have been looking for a bag for my plein air "stuff" and settled on a bag. but this Riggers bag is set up for EASY ACCESS and within the last year, the town near me built a Harbor Freight. So, guess where I am going??!!

[@terrisimmers9004]

Thank you so much for the tutorial of what you take with you when you go to sketch out of doors. Love Terri Simmers

[@i.c223]

Hello Brenda, First of all I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your videos which I find very interesting. Could I ask you which ink pen you would recommend please? Thanks a lot Greetings from southern France :)

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Isabella, Please visit my blog to see my pen recommendations. Here's a link: brendaswenson.blogspot.com/2018/08/fountain-pens-beginning.html?m=0

[@rowdeo8968]

is that harbor freight canvas bag done up????

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Done up...no. You have to customize it to your needs.

[@giuseppefarabone5621]

Dove posso acquistarla?

[@IrynaBoehland]

I got this bad today, Brenda! So happy. Thank you for such a great idea. Brenda, what do you use for stability of the bag walls - cardboard on the inside? I also like your brush pouch - where could one find it? And adore the way you decorated the bag too!

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Iryna, The bag is a very stiff canvas and doesn't need any support. I made the brush carrier. Happy Sketching!

[@IrynaBoehland]

Oh, I see! Thank you so much for replying. You are so talented! Happy holidays to you, Brenda!

[@Jennifer-wr9si]

Do you ever find the S&B soft cover too floppy for working on location?

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Not floppy at all...I really like it!

[@Jennifer-wr9si]

Hmmmm. Might have to add it to my list of sketchbooks to stock up on when I come stateside :)

[@barbaratibbets8643]

Genius!! Thanks for sharing.

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Barbara Tibbets, Thanks!

[@francesschatz3131]

What kind of sketch bag is that?

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Harbor Freight canvas tool bag

[@stephaniereed8869]

I love your patches. How did you attach them?

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

Needle, thread...and patience 😁

[@Triposoma]

my dream

[@PositivelyNice]

Hahaha! Yes, can't sketch when one is hungry.

[@65sunnyday]

I guess I'm the only one that can't hear you?!?

[@brendaswensonwatercolors]

I can hear it.