Here is a series of sketches from a trip I made to Kauai last year. All of the sketches were done in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook with a Sanford Uniball Micro pen and Holbein watercolors. As is my usual method for sketchbook work, I spend the time on location developing the value and composition studies, and preparing the sketch. I complete the work later in the studio, or in this case, the next morning working outside on the balcony with my Winsor & Newton Field Sketch Box and my travel brushes.
With regard to the subjects: I like to start a trip with sketches of action at the airport, a view on the inside of the plane, and scenes outside the window as we approach our destination.
After that are misc. scenes grabbed as I could when time would allow. The sketchbook travels with me everywhere, from zip-lining to horseback riding. It is a good way to remember our adventures.
I flew to Denver a few weeks before Christmas so I could ride back to Southern California with my son, Tyler. These are the sketches from that trip.
At the top is the view from the plane as we flew over an overcast and cloud covered landscape. It was very cold when we landed. We had to wait for the handlers to get organized, so I used that time to capture the action on the tarmac.
We drove to Craig that afternoon. Tyler was driving so I was able to do some quick sketches from the passenger seat. It snowed off and on and the roads were icy in parts. We took I-70 instead of Berthoud Pass (which is my favored, but slightly longer route), and went through the Eisenhower Tunnel.
Craig is beautiful in the wintertime. All of the trees are bare and the sky is a mixture of whites, light blues and steel treys that I never tire of. I made a few sketches of the view from my mom's backyard.
We were there for only a few days, leaving on Saturday for the long drive back. The scenery is epic, and show in the bottom two sketches. It was the perfect trip.
I have mentioned my equipment before, but felt it was time again to share my minimal gear: the supplies that travel with me everywhere. Here it is:
6" x 9" Aquabee Super Deluxe Sketchbook
Winsor & Newton Artist's Field Sketchbox filled with Holbien Watercolor paint:
Gamboge Nova
Permanent Yellow Orange
Cadmium Red Light
Alizarin Crimson
Olive Green/Greenish Yellow
Raw Sienna
Burnt Sienna
Burnt Umber
Cerulean Blue
Colbalt Blue
Marine Blue
Ultramarine Deep
Sable Travel Brushes from Daniel Smith
0.5 mechanical pencil with HB lead
Sanford Unibal Micro pen
Pentel Sign Pen
Mars Staedtler Eraser
Tube of Titanium white
Everything but the sketchbook travels in a small black nylon pouch that I carry in my attache/satchel (or if on the weekend, my back pack). With this simple set I can paint anywhere, anytime. I can practice drawing, sketching, and painting everyday with minimal effort.
I hope this is helpful.
Last year my brother and I took a train trip through the Royal Gorge. While we were waiting to depart, I took a photo of him taking a photo of the locomotive. I love this image. I painted it yesterday, substituting some thick trees for the concrete overpass that was originally there.
