When I go on a trip or do a workshop where you are visiting and exploring new places, I like to take photos and sketch more than sit down a paint for hours in one location. If there is a lot to see on an excursion I don't like to bring a huge paint set-up, I instead bring a sketchbook journal or small watercolor pad with a small palette. I do this so I can
quickly sketch or paint a scene and also take a good photograph for when I get back in a studio where I would then do a more finished final piece.
Most of the time when you are on an excursion or if you are traveling and checking out new locations there really isn't a lot of time to sit and paint or sketch. Taking photos is a great way to capture all those scenes that you may have missed if you only had a sketchbook with you. Scenes like what I have pictured below are
rare finds and are what I love to capture and paint. These kinds of scenes are hard to get when sketching plein-air. I also love sketching plein-air and I definitely don't want to discourage anyone from sketching when traveling. I just find it easier when one doesn't get much time on an excursion, to capture the image on a photo and then sketch the photo when you get the time.
Pictured above is what I bring for sketching/painting when traveling. The set includes a small
palette with Holbein colors, pencil box with all my drawing tools, 2 regular brushes along with one water filled aqua brush, a sketchbook and watercolor pad. With this set-up I can paint and sketch without having to lug too much around when traveling. Of course there is also my good camera along with my smartphone camera. I know many people now only bring their camera/phone on a trip, I do bring my good camera so I have 2 cameras, just in case something happens to one, I have the other so I will
never miss a shot.
Happy Sketching and Photographing Travels!
David
Below are some of the action shots I took this last weekend that I hope to sketch shortly
