If you've ever found yourself sketching in a park, perched on a stoop, or tucked away at a cafe trying to capture the life of a street corner, then you already know how important it is to have a solid urban sketching bag. Not just any bag – one that makes you feel prepared, light, and ready to draw wherever inspiration hits.
For me, having the right bag has made the difference between sketching consistently and feeling overwhelmed before I even start. I’ve tried all kinds of setups over the years, from throwing a pencil in my pocket to stuffing every supply I own into a backpack. Eventually, I figured out a middle ground that keeps me nimble without sacrificing tools I rely on.
Here’s how I pack my urban sketching bag and what I’ve learned along the way through lots of trial, error, and long walks around the city.
Key Points
- Go minimal and light – you’ll sketch more if your setup doesn’t weigh you down or stress you out.
- Test your tools at home first so you only bring what you actually use in the field.
- Organize your bag so your sketchbook and pen are instantly accessible without rummaging.
What to Look for in an Urban Sketching Bag
Before listing out the supplies, it’s worth talking about the bag itself. The best urban sketching bag isn’t necessarily fancy or expensive. Mine is a crossbody canvas bag with a weather flap and just enough compartments to avoid chaos.
Look for something lightweight, weather-resistant, and easy to swing around without removing it. You want quick access without feeling like you’re unpacking for a camping trip. Backpacks work too, but I prefer something I can open with one hand while standing.
Internal organization is key. I use a few small zip pouches to separate wet and dry tools, and I always keep the sketchbook in a dedicated slot so it doesn’t get bent. If your bag doesn't have built-in dividers, you can use makeup bags or pencil rolls to keep things neat. You can find more thoughts on setting up a full urban sketching kit here.
My Must-Have Tools
After dozens of trial-and-error sketch walks in different cities and conditions, I settled on a few essentials that always earn their spot.
Sketchbook (of course)
I usually carry one mid-sized sketchbook that opens flat. Right now I’m using a 5.5×8.5″ mixed media book that works for ink and light watercolor. It’s small enough to sketch discreetly, but large enough to allow expressive mark-making. For beginners, the one in The Beginner's Guide to Urban Sketching is a great choice.
Pens and Pencils
I keep it simple and consistent:
- Waterproof fineliner (usually a Micron 03 or 05)
- Mechanical pencil with HB or B lead (for structure when I need it)
- White gel pen (for highlights on toned paper)
- Small fountain pen with waterproof ink (optional but great for expressive lines)
I've gone through phases of using brush pens or markers, but I always come back to one good pen I trust. I talk more about choosing the right urban sketching pen in that guide.
Watercolor Palette
A compact palette with 6–12 colors is perfect. I refill mine with artist-grade tube paints into empty pans. I don’t use every color each time, but I like having a full range available. I avoid student-grade palettes for urban sketching – the pigment just doesn’t hold up. If you’re picking out paints, check out my urban sketching watercolor palette guide.
Water Brush
Instead of a water cup and separate brush, I carry one or two water brushes. They’re not perfect, but they’re clean, portable, and good enough for on-the-go color. They also make it easier to sketch in public without feeling like you’re setting up an entire painting station.
Paper Towel or Rag
Crucial for cleaning brushes, dabbing extra paint, or protecting your lap when sketching. I fold a small cotton rag and stash it in an outer pocket. Sometimes I tear off a section of paper towel and pre-fold it so it doesn’t unravel in my bag.
Clips or Bands
If I’m sketching outside, wind is always a factor. Bulldog clips or elastic bands help hold sketchbook pages down while I draw. I’ve also used them to hold down receipts or leaves I want to sketch later.
Reference Photos (Optional)
If I’m heading to a busy city or I know I’ll want to sketch people, I sometimes preload my phone with a few urban sketching reference photos or use a saved album. It gives me a safety net for when the scene I planned to sketch isn’t available.
Optional but Nice-to-Have Items
These tools come and go depending on the day, location, or my mood.
Extra Pen Colors
Sometimes I toss in a sepia or blue fineliner for more variety. I find warm colors are great for sketching brick buildings or cafe scenes, while cooler tones work for steel and glass architecture.
Gouache or Ink
If I’m aiming for more saturated color or planning to sketch into the evening, I’ll bring a tiny tin of gouache or an ink brush pen. Gouache is more forgiving than watercolor in low light, and ink adds contrast quickly. I go into more detail in this post on gouache urban sketching.
Small Stool
Only for longer sessions or when I know I’ll be stationary. I found a foldable tripod stool that fits diagonally in my backpack, but most of the time, I just sit on a step, bench, or lean against a wall.
Business Cards
This might sound weird, but I keep a couple handmade cards with my name, sketch handle, and website. When someone asks about my art or watches me draw, it’s nice to hand something over. It’s also a gentle way to end a conversation if you need to get back to sketching.
Organizing the Bag
One tip that changed everything: pack your bag so the act of sketching takes less than 10 seconds to begin. That means:
- Sketchbook in the main front compartment
- Pen clipped inside the flap or pocket
- Water brush in its own slot or zip-up pouch
- Rag or paper towel on top, easy to grab
The goal is to reduce resistance. The less friction between you and the page, the more likely you’ll sketch spontaneously. I’ve had days where I only had 5 minutes to sketch – and if my stuff was buried under gear, I would’ve skipped it.
Adjust Based on the City
Each city has its own rhythm and challenges. In urban sketching New York, I needed quicker tools to avoid blocking foot traffic or being in the way. In urban sketching Seattle, I leaned into waterproof tools because of the mist and unexpected rain.
If you’re sketching somewhere unfamiliar, check the weather, how crowded the area is, and how much walking you’ll do. I also like to check out some urban sketching ideas ahead of time so I have a mental list of things to look for – it keeps me from freezing up when I arrive.
Final Thoughts
Your bag doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should make you feel ready. Start simple. One pen. One sketchbook. One brush. You can always add more later, but you’ll never regret traveling light. Most of the best drawings I’ve made were with minimal gear – just something to draw with and something to draw on.
If you're curious about how I approach location sketching overall, take a look at this simple urban sketching guide or browse the full urban sketching course I put together.
Every drawing starts by unzipping the bag. So make sure what’s inside helps you start.