CHOOSE MATERIALS FOR YOUR OWN PORTABLE SKETCH SET: ESSENTIALS FOR DRAWING OUTDOORS

Sketchbook in hand, pencils sharpened — you’re ready to capture the moment. Urban sketching, the art of drawing life as it happens, has won over a growing community, from beginner hobbyists to professional artists. Widely shared on social media, this movement is spontaneous, mobile and accessible — whether you’re creating sketches in the city, on the road, or in the heart of nature.

To draw outdoors unencumbered, a compact, well-curated sketching set is key: watercolour pencils plus a water brush, graphite pencil, sketchbook, eraser, and sharpener, and you’re set. Caran d’Ache offers a selection of essential drawing supplies — minimalist, yet complete — for sketching and painting wherever inspiration strikes.

Drawing outdoors means embracing the moment: the shifting light, fleeting silhouettes, a hidden architectural detail or a burst of greenery. A minimalist, well-designed kit lets you focus on observing, feeling, sketching — with ease and with little preparation.

There’s no need to bring your entire studio. Slip a handful of carefully selected tools into a pencil case, and you can go anywhere.

That said, mobility should never come at the cost of quality. When you’re away from your studio, there’s no hiding: a confident drawing demands a reliable pencil; a successful watercolour begins with good pigment; and precision relies on trustworthy tools. That’s why choosing the right pencils, brushes and paper is essential to the joy of sketching on the go.

Lightening your load also frees your hand — fewer hesitations, more immediacy. This is the heart of urban sketching: capturing the moment with clarity.

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Water-soluble pencils are versatile, expressive and lightweight, an urban sketcher’s best friend. Their greatest strength? They combine the precision of dry pencil work with the fluidity of watercolour, to whatever degree you want. Simply activate the pigment with a touch of water to transform a simple sketch into a vibrant composition — no palette or pans needed.

Choose just three complementary shades so you can travel light without sacrificing nuance:

• a warm earth tone (sienna, ochre or brown) for natural textures;
• a soft blue-grey for shadows and skies; and
• one vibrant colour (red, green or yellow) for energy and contrast.
 

No more bulky water bottles or leaky jars. The water brush revolutionises outdoor painting. With an integrated reservoir, it lets you paint on location with total freedom. A gentle squeeze releases just enough water to activate pigments or create quick washes.

Compact, practical and always at the ready, the water brush is ideal for transforming sketches with watercolour effects wherever you are — a must-have for any portable sketching set.

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A graphite pencil and kneadable eraser, for foundations and finishing touches

Before colour comes the line. A graphite pencil remains essential — for building structure, creating volume or adding detail. Choose an HB for crisp lines or a softer 2B for fluidity, depending on your style.

Along with the pencil, a kneadable eraser is indispensable for subtle corrections and blending. Soft and mouldable, it lifts graphite gently, and on some paper, it can create highlights.
 

An aluminium sharpener — for precision, anywhere

Every good pencil deserves a sharp point. An aluminium pencil sharpener ensures clean, precise sharpening in seconds. Travel-size and durable, it slips easily into your kit and keeps your tools ready for each new line.

A sharp pencil gives you the control and finesse needed to draw with pleasure — especially when creating a wash or blending colours.
 

A sketchbook made for mobility

The sketchbook is the base of your outdoor practice. It should be compact, sturdy and inviting to the touch, with paper suited for mixed media. Choose a portable size (A5 or smaller) that will be easy to carry and comfortable to use when standing or seated.

Fine- or medium-grain paper with a weight of at least 200 g/m2 will be thick enough to handle watercolour without warping, and resilient enough to support layered pencil and brush work. The surface should hold up to both dry strokes and wet washes, ensuring clean results every time.

• Supracolor™ Aquarelle pencils: Intense, water-soluble pigments, perfect for laying down colour in a range of textures, from crisp lines to fluid washes.

• Technalo graphite pencil: Available in multiple grades, Technalo pencils offer smooth responsive lines for structure, shade, and contrast.

• Water brush: Lightweight and self-contained, this brush delivers controlled water flow for effortless washes and water activation, anywhere.

• Kneadable eraser: This soft, pliable and precise eraser is ideal for subtle corrections, gentle highlights and refining your graphite work.

• Double magnesium sharpener: Ensures a clean, precise point wherever sketching takes you.

• Sketch pad: In notebook or A5 format, with fine-grain paper designed for water-soluble pencils.

• Empty metal tin: Stylish, sleek, durable and travel-ready, perfect for storing and protecting your tools on the go.

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Now, all that’s left is to take out your pencils, moisten your brush, and record the passing moment. A sunlit café, rustling leaves, a reflection on the water: with a streamlined and travel-ready sketch set, every scene becomes an invitation to observe life as it unfolds.