Most of the time my lap has supported my sketchpad and paints. I like to travel light so that works well. Yet after seeing so many urban and travel sketchers use a tripod for sketching I had to give it a go. So I built one from an old easel – thiswas the trial run. the fall colors and the beautiful Mukilteo Library get’s the honor.

It worked well for the preliminary sketch. I don’t always use pencil first, but with buildings that have a lot of angles it helps. My normal is to go straight to ink from a fountain pen or a Micron. I liked the ability to step back and get a better view of the sketch and the scene.

When you are in a busy location your view may get blocked, doing the pencil first helps. The ink is in now, and I am set to paint. My Expeditionary Art Art-tool-kit is clamped on, with a paper towel slipped underneath to keep the wind from blowing it away. Water is in a urine sample container (unused) – check with medical folks you know as they work great for water.

The completed sketch. Love the autumn colors. A small fan brush is wonderful for leaves and trees.

I think the new set up will work when I have the car, I have a similar portable set up for when it’s just my shoulder bag.