Over the years, I've tested all kinds of tools while sketching on location. From overstuffed backpacks to minimal setups that fit in a jacket pocket, my urban sketching kit has gone through a lot of changes.
The goal has always been the same: carry just enough to feel free, not burdened. I want to be able to draw anywhere, whether I'm perched on a park bench or squeezed into a tiny cafe corner.
This post is a look inside the kit I actually use. Not the one I wish I used, or the one that looks pretty in photos. Just the tools that help me stay focused, relaxed, and responsive to my surroundings.
If you're new to this and want a broader introduction, check out my guide on what is urban sketching or browse through examples in simple urban sketching. But if you’re ready to refine your everyday carry, let’s dig into the gear.
Key Points
- A light, modular kit helps you sketch more often and in more places.
- Reliable pens and a sturdy sketchbook make all the difference.
- Always pack for where you're going, not for every possible scenario.
What's in My Urban Sketching Kit?
I used to bring way too much. Now I stick to seven core items. These give me flexibility, speed, and enough variety to keep things interesting without weighing me down.
1. A5 Sketchbook with Heavy Paper
I always choose an A5 size sketchbook with at least 200gsm paper. It’s small enough to hold in one hand but large enough to make a satisfying spread. I prefer sewn bindings so I can draw across the gutter.
Right now I’m using Stillman & Birn Alpha or Zeta series books. They take ink and light watercolor well, and they don’t warp easily. Avoid cheap sketchbooks—they’ll frustrate you when they buckle or bleed through.
If you’re unsure which sketchbook to try, The Urban Sketching Handbook: 101 Sketching Tips offers great advice on matching your style to the right paper.
2. Waterproof Fineliner or Fountain Pen
I mostly use waterproof fineliners (like the Sakura Pigma Micron 03 or 05) or my trusty Lamy Safari fountain pen with waterproof ink (De Atramentis Document Ink or Platinum Carbon Ink). I want lines that dry fast and don’t smudge when I add watercolors.
Fountain pens give a more expressive line and last longer than disposable pens, but they require a bit more maintenance. Fineliners are easier for beginners and great for travel.
You can get more pen-specific ideas in this urban sketching pen guide.
3. Compact Watercolor Palette
I use a small, refillable palette with 12 half pans. It's customized with colors I actually use. I build a split primary palette: warm and cool versions of red, blue, and yellow, along with a few extras like burnt sienna, cerulean, and a convenience green.
I prefer artist-grade tube paints poured into pans. Brands like Daniel Smith, Schmincke, and Winsor & Newton all work great. I leave out black and white since I can mix what I need.
For a deeper look, here’s a breakdown of my urban sketching watercolor palette.
4. Water Brush and Travel Brush
A water brush is fast and mess-free, great for quick washes. I also carry a travel brush (usually a size 6 or 8 round with a good tip) for more deliberate work.
Pentel and Kuretake make solid water brushes. For travel brushes, I use a Da Vinci Maestro or Escoda Versatil—both collapse into themselves and fit neatly in my case.
Having both gives me flexibility without needing a full studio setup.
5. Clip-On Water Container
I use a collapsible silicone cup (like the Faber-Castell Clic & Go) clipped to my sketchbook or bag. It's surprisingly stable. I only fill it halfway to avoid spills.
When I’m settled in one place for a while (like sketching in a square or at a coffee shop), I prefer using a real brush and this little cup over just using a water brush.
6. Mechanical Pencil and Eraser
Even though I sketch in ink 90% of the time, I like having a pencil to block in tricky compositions or perspective-heavy scenes. A 0.5mm mechanical pencil with HB or B lead works well. I use the Pentel GraphGear or Rotring 600.
For erasers, I pack a small white plastic eraser and sometimes a kneaded eraser in a tiny container. Good erasers make it easy to lift pencil without smudging or damaging the paper.
I explore this balance of planning and spontaneity more in quick and lively urban sketching.
7. Bag or Pouch That Fits It All
Everything goes into a small crossbody bag or sling bag that sits close to my body. I want quick access to sketchbooks and tools, so I avoid backpacks unless I’m hiking.
Look for a bag with interior dividers, zipper pockets, and a weather-resistant build. I keep my palette, brushes, and pens in a simple pencil wrap inside. That way, I can just pull out what I need quickly.
I break down what to look for in an urban sketching bag if you’re trying to build your setup.
Why I Keep It Simple
Sketching on location is all about flow. The more I bring, the more decisions I make before I even start. That extra palette or brush often just becomes dead weight.
I’ve had days where I packed every medium “just in case,” and ended up using the same pen the entire time. Less is more. A limited kit forces creativity and helps you focus on the drawing itself.
If you’re still figuring out your system, start with just a sketchbook and pen. Add one item at a time as you notice actual needs. The gear should support your habit, not get in the way of it.
I’ve written more about learning through real-world practice in my post on urban sketching in New York and why traveling light helped me sketch every day in Seattle.
If you want to dive deeper, my urban sketching course walks through these tools in action, with demos and simple location tips. You can also browse hands-on urban sketching classes or take a look at real urban sketching exercises you can try with your kit.
Other Helpful Links
- Urban Sketching Reference Photos – A helpful resource if you want to practice from life-like scenes but can’t always get out to sketch on location. These photos are curated with sketching in mind, featuring real-world lighting, compositions, and urban textures.
- Tips for Urban Sketching – A collection of practical advice based on years of field sketching. These tips cover things like managing fear of drawing in public, staying loose, and working efficiently on location.
- The Beginner's Guide to Urban Sketching – A full breakdown of how to start urban sketching from scratch. It covers mindset, supplies, where to begin, and how to build confidence.
- Draw Your World – A book designed to help you see your everyday surroundings through an artistic lens and turn even ordinary scenes into engaging drawings.
- Urban Sketching for Beginners – A beginner-friendly guide that focuses on the fundamentals of sketching cityscapes, people, and daily life, with approachable examples and exercises.
Your kit will change over time. The important part is getting out there. The more you sketch on location, the clearer your needs become—and the more natural it feels to improvise, adapt, and enjoy the moment with pen and brush in hand.