Sketching Outdoors: The Best Brushes
Fresh air, the birds chirping, and the gentle rustling of leaves – there's hardly anything more beautiful than sketching in nature.
In the past, when I went to sketch outdoors, I faced the challenge of packing my brushes and other materials as compactly as possible.
Because when you're out and about, while the focus lies on the experience itself, you still want to achieve beautiful results.
This inevitably raises the question of which brush you can work well with on tour and how you can transport it safely without much fuss.
In the article, I share my experiences and show you my three favorite brushes for outdoor sketching.
1. The Classic Travel Brush
The brush that makes the start is the travel brush. It can be assembled or screwed together, ensuring the bristles are safely stored and don´t get damaged.
This also makes it compact and well-protected.
A good example is the Casaneo travel brush by daVinci.
It's small enough to fit in any bag, and the cap reliably protects the bristles. It’s made of very soft synthetic hairs and comes in various sizes.
Travelbrush open
Travelbrush closed
At a glance
Pros
Compact and well-protected
High-quality bristles for fine details and clean lines
Cons
Extra water is needed for painting
Not as practical as other solutions if you prefer to travel minimally
2. Favorite Brush + DIY Case
There is simply no replacement for your beloved watercolor brush? Understandable, you know it and you know how to handle it best.
For such cases, I’ve found a practical solution: My favorite brush goes into a toothbrush case!
This case is perfect for protecting the brush from damage and is also easy to transport.
This is my combo of a KUM Faded brush + travel toothbrush case. (Click on an image to enlarge it.)
At a glance
Pros
You can use your favorite brush
It’s a simple and cost-effective DIY solution
Cons
Extra water is needed for painting
Your brush must fit into the toothbrush case
How to Make Your Own Case
Take a simple travel case for toothbrushes from the drugstore and stick something inside to hold the brush in place. I use a piece of Uhu Patafix, which I press the brush handle into.
That's it, your DIY brush case is ready!
Note: I decorated my transparent box with masking tape, and I also use it for my pen when I prefer to work with ink.
3. The Water Tank Brush – My Favorite
The water tank brush is my absolute favorite. As the name suggests, this brush has an integrated water tank, so you don't need to bring extra water.
They are easy to fill and clean.
My trusty companion is the "4 Aqua Brushes" set from Stationery Island. However, there are now many other good manufacturers, such as Faber-Castell and Staedtler.
Very practical is that these brushes come with caps.
At a glance
Pros
No extra water needed
Easy to refill and clean
Cap protects the bristles
Cons
May take some getting used to if you're accustomed to traditional brushes
Bonus Hack: The Sock
A little hack I don't want to withhold from you. Admittedly, the idea isn't mine; I picked it up from John Muir Laws.
It's an old, cut-off sock on the arm to wipe the brush.
Sounds strange, but it works wonderfully!
What's the advantage?
You don't need to hold an extra cloth to dab off excess water or clean your brush.
Sock hack in action.
How to make your own
Simply take an old sock (or a partnerless one from your “The Twin Will Show Up Again” drawer), cut off the toe, and fold it a few times to create several layers of fabric.
Voilá, now just pull it over your arm, and you're ready to go.
Note:
Take the sock off when you're not sketching anymore.
The last time I forgot to take it off, I ended up smearing watercolor from the sock onto my jacket.
Conclusion
After many experiments and outdoor sketching sessions, I've found my favorite: the water tank brush.
For me, it's simply more practical not to have to carry extra water. The convenience and ease of use convince me every time.
From time to time, however, I still use my travel brush or take my favorite brushes in their case with me. It´s great to have some options.
I hope these tips and tricks help you on your next sketching session in nature.
Have fun painting and enjoying the beauty around you!
Do you have a sketching tip for the community?
Share it in the comments below!
