hiking sketch kit

Sketching above Lac Premier, near Fouillouse, France

I've taken sketching gear pretty much everywhere with me. I even took a super super lightweight kit with me when we went on a climbing trip to Patagonia.

But over the years my hiking kit has become more and more elaborate. And when I bought a big, new, fancy camera I couldn't fit both it and my sketch gear in my bag. So, shame on me!, I've been hiking with my camera instead of my sketchbook for the last 6 months or so.

A couple of purchases was all that was necessary to create a new super lightweight sketch kit and I've been sketching (and photographing) in the hills again.

Here's is what is in my hiking sketching kit...


Hiking and painting outside - what is in my sketch kit


  • Small sketchbook - currently a Hahnemuhle pocket watercolour sketchbook
  • Update : Lamy Safari fountain pen with EF nib and DeAtramentis black document ink
  • Waterproof black marker - a Staedtler pigment liner 01(as backup in case I run out of ink in my fountain pen)
  • A white pen - Uniball Signo
  • Small travel watercolour set - Winsor & Newton palette, mostly filled with Daniel Smith paints
  • Aqua water paintbrush - Pentel... Update June 2019 - now using Escoda Perla 08 travel brush
  • Pencil, sharpener and eraser
  • And a little baggie from our flight on Emirates for putting it all in.

It weighs almost nothing :-) 

I'm having so much fun stopping on my big walks and taking in all the sights, smells and sounds. Catching little critters unaware. Taking time to breathe.

Sommet Rouge, near Saint Paul sur Ubaye, France


Les Eaux Tortes, Laverq Valley, France



I should have a follow up post with my more elaborate kit that I take when I do my urban sketches. In essence it mainly varies by having a much bigger palette, nice fountain pens, and a variety of good watercolour brushes.

As always you can see more on my Instagram account - @reneewaldenart




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