The following is a list of materials that are recommended for the Sketchbook Retreat. I’ve included links to products Nancy and I either have or wish for! Of course, you are welcome to bring your own versions of these products.

The bare minimum everyone will need:

• A sketchbook or two (different sizes)

• A small watercolor set (8-12 colors)

• One or two watercolor brushes (2 different sizes if possible)

• Black waterproof fine-liner pens. Grey and brown are also nice to haves.

• A few pencils, a sharpener, an eraser

• A small water cup or water brush (even the cut-off bottom of a water bottle will do)

Sketchbook

Ideally, it would be great to have a larger one and a smaller one, but the actual size is a personal preference. Nancy and I like using books with heavy watercolor paper as it’s more forgiving when smooshing water all over it, but a regular sketchbook works as well.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Strathmore 5.5” x 8.5” Hardbound

• Moleskine Art Sketch Album 7.5” x 7.5” Soft Cover

• Arteza Watercolor Sketchbooks 8.25” x 8.25” (2 pack)

• Leuchtturm Medium Landscape Hardcover Sketchbook

Pens and Pencils

• Uni Pin Drawing Pen Black (6 sizes)

• Uni Pin Drawing Pen Set (Black, Brown, Grey) Set of 8

• Sakura Micron Fineliner Pen (08)

• Sakura Gelly Roll Pen (white) (Fun for adding highlight details to your sketches)

• Sakura Gelly Roll Pen Set (10 colors)

• Faber Castell Graphite Sketch Pencil Set

• Faber Castell Colored Pencil Set

• Staedtler Metal Pencil Sharpener

• Pentel Eraser

Watercolor Paint Sets

• Windsor and Newton Watercolor Paint Set (super small and basic, but great for travel)

• Schmincke Compact Color Box with 12 Colors (this is top-of-the-line and the price reflects that, but it’s super compact and comes in a nice tin box)

• Grabie Watercolor Paint Set (this set comes pretty complete, so if you buy this set, you don’t really need to get additional brushes)

• Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor Set

• Schpirerr Farben Watercolor Set

• Moderna Watercolor Set with (cute) Tin Palette

• Ohkra Handmade Watercolor Set (beautiful paints handmade in Provence, if you want to go super French)

Watercolor Brushes

You will want a few different sizes of brushes. The water brush is very handy for travel sketching as you fill it with water and don’t need to carry water and a cup, but it’s a personal preference.

• Water Brush Pen Set

• Pentel Water Brush Set

• Kolinsky Travel Watercolor Brushes (love this set!)

Accessories

Carrying Case - For putting all your gear into. I usually have a pencil case, but you might want something larger that will also fit your sketchbooks

• High Capacity Pencil Case

• Journal-Sized Organizer Case

Clips - For holding your pages down on windy days

• Binder Clips (I couldn’t find a smaller package)

• Snap Barrettes

Water Cup - If you prefer this to a water brush

I often carry a small Asian tea cup for this purpose. But the cut-off bottom of a plastic water bottle works in a pinch.

Spray Bottle - Great for pre-wetting paper or creating splash and texture

• Travel Spray Bottle - 2 oz

Hat

Bring your own or I have some Chateau de Borie hats available for purchase.

Comfortable Shoes

Sunscreen

Mosquito Repellant

Yoga Clothes (if you’ll be joining us for yoga). Mats will be supplied.

Supplies already available at the Chateau

• Yoga mats

• Portable stools

• Travel cloths