Aspen Sketch, 29" x 15"

I’ve had great fun this past week getting outside to field sketch and to test out my new tripod. I’m able to paint my largest plein-air sketches yet with it- 15″ x 30″! I’m heading to Seattle this week and plan to pick up a larger drawing board that will support a full 22″ x 30″ watercolor sheet.

My new tripod is a Slik Sprint Mini II model with a few key versatile features. First, it has three leg lock positions, so the legs can be independently opened to different angles. Next, the center column is detachable and has a screw cap that I was able to modify to add a wire hoop (for hanging a water-bottle as a weight during windy days. Finally, the tripod is under two pounds! I love it.

To attach my art boards to the tripod, I’ve modified two camera flash extenders I found at Glazers Camera Supply to form a “T” that secures to the tripod and which I’ve covered with velcro tape. My folding drawing boards have corresponding velco strips that hook onto the “T” support- the velco is surprisingly strong. I hope to soon rig up a support for my palette that clamps to my tripod leg or center column with this VersaMount.

The rest of the kit components include a folding brush holder, collapsable water container, palette, and a folding stool. So far my whole kit fits in my large Ortlieb Messenger backpack. Yesterday I took it to Washington Pass for some practice in the snow and am continuing to explore the Methow Valley as I hone my field kit in preparation for my trip to Greenland this summer.

Do you have any favorite field sketching tools?

Sketching at WA Pass

Early Winters Sketch

From Sun Mountain

I love how it zips into a compact package and I’m carrying it everywhere. This Spring I’m excited to get out and sketch to warm up for my summer High Latitudes expedition to Greenland.

Zipped up

Inside pockets

Field sketch

Inside, I’m tucking a gum eraser, my favorite 6″ aluminum Fairgate ruler, a tiny automatic pencil, one larger brush (that I’ve cut down), a water-brush pen, and the final slot usually holds a fine point waterproof pen such as a Pigma Micron. The back cover has one large pocket which holds some paper towels and a large clip for holding papers down in the wind. My pocket pencil-box watercolor kit is a perfect compliment, although it doesn’t quite fit in the Cordura cover. An Altoid tin kit might- I’ll have to try it sometime.

My travel watercolor box

What are your favorite sketching supplies?

South Arete Summit, 7,807 ft (photo credit Joel Reid)

Last month I enjoyed a beautiful climb up the South Arete of the Early Winter Spires in the North Cascades. Though I love strolling in the high country, I don’t often do technical climbing. Thanks to my brother-in-law and climber extraordinaire Joel Reid for leading the adventure! Our climb was in mid-October and there was already a dusting of snow on the ground. While considering the 1.5 mile+ approach and climb, I opted to wear my KSO Vibram Five Fingers with a pair of Injinji socks. The shoes gave great traction and I was impressed how great my feet and knees felt at the end of the long day. As for the cold, as long I kept moving, I had no problems. I’m excited to try the new KSO Trek model coming in Spring 2010. Learn more about my other minimalist footwear adventures here.

From Hwy 20

Early Winter Spires

Vibram KSO

photo credit: Darin Reid

I invite you to read my other posts on my toe shoes and you can learn how others are enjoying their Vibram FiveFingers at www.birthdayshoes.com

My curiousity with barefoot shoes began last year when I started wearing Vibram Five Finger shoes for just about all activities. (Read my May 30th post about them) Walking, running, hiking… they look different (ok, downright, odd- my running buddy calls them my “gorilla feet”) but they’ve strengthened my feet considerably and changed their structure. Less constricted by shoes now, my feet have broadened. After trying on my former running shoes for the first time in months and experiencing considerable pain and discomfort, I’ve given them away. Same for my Chaco sandals that I loved for years… they now strike me as clunky and heavy. As much as I love my Five Fingers, though, they are chilly in winter (even with toe socks) and are informal. I prefer them for my physical activities. My new Vivo Barefoot shoes are my winter/city solution. They look good, feel great, and don’t interfere with me standing on the ground.

Update: use the code TPLOVESART for 20% off Vivo Barefoot styles through April 31!

My Vivo Barefoot "Dundan" boots

14" x 8.5" tackle box art kit that carries all of my goodies

This kit was the one I used around the world. It’s a durable tacklebox that my mother bought me at Fred Meyer, and carries my paint brushes, watercolor palette, water jar, extra ink, and all sorts of goodies. Since traveling around the world, I’ve added velcro tape (a wonderful invention) to anchor my palette and water jar to the box lid. This means when I’m in the field, I can get out what supplies I need, close the box (so nothing blows away), and can keep track of what is out. The velco has been particularly useful for when I’m working on boats and on steep slopes (such as glaciers…) when my supplies could be easily lost.

Altoids art kit made with half-pans for Girls on Ice

Thinking about weight and portability, I got excited this past winter about art kits made from Altoids tins. They’re small, inexpensive, and well… cute. I made one for my trip to Antarctica using Sculpey clay for the palette, which worked well except that is was dense (check out my Feb 1 post). It was too heavy for backpacking so I explored other ideas. I found half pans for sale at Daniel Smith and began supergluing them into the tins (after I painted the interior for a nice white palette) which is lighter and yeilds a lot of possibilities. Above is a kit I made for the Girls on Ice program and below is a pencil box I’ve modified into an art kit.

Pencil box with shelf

I cut a yogurt container lid into a shelf and can carry some extra materials.

7" x 2" pencil box watercolor kit

On the note of half pans, here is another Altoid kit I’ve made using velcro instead of glue so I can change out the colors.

Altoids watercolor kit with half-pans attached with velcro tape

These have all been fun, but are best for around town sketching. I’m still trying out what is best for the mountains. This Sunday I’m heading for a week to the Cariboo Mountains in British Columbia to work with a scientist on a glacier monitoring trip. We’ll have a lot of gear to carry, so I’m considering what the lightest and most efficient art kit will be for me. So far, I have a 9″ x 4.5″ tackle box that fits my paint brushes (the ends of which I’ve cut off), some pens, pencils, erasers, and clips. I can carry a small palette and water container separately. This afternoon I’m driving up to Mazama in the Methow Valley to drop my boyfriend Darin Reid off for an Outward Bound course (in addition to being a wonderful web designer, he’s a kayaker extraordinaire) and will test out my new kit before I head up north.

9" x 4.5" art box

The box is only half of the puzzle- I’m still working out what paper to bring. This weekend before I go, I’ll try and share the variety of portfolios and paper packets I’ve used in the field.

I generally use the trailer with a large plastic bin which I can fill with all sorts of gear. The bin is waterproof, easy to secure, and I like that it’s opaque and keeps contents hidden.

Another bike set up for hauling that I’ve seen around Seattle that I may invest in sometime is the Xtracycle hitchless trailer that gives you a “sport utility bicycle.” They’re quite versatile with carrying loads well and even passengers!

There’s a fantastic site cargocycling.org if you’d like to learn more about car alternatives.

Basically the shoes make me feel like I’m barefoot with kevlar on the soles’ of my feet. The idea behind them is that using our feet and actually feeling the ground strengthens our muscles and creates better movement. I agree with this and enjoy the fun of sensing all of the textures beneath my feet. The soles of the shoes also have a subtle “tire tread” pattern which creates excellent traction. They make me feel like I can walk up walls.