On the PCT I was given the trail name ‘Quick Draw’ because I would do lots of quick drawings. Not much has changed with that, I am always drawing, and I plan on doing the same for this hike!
I love using watercolors when I backpack because they’re portable, lightweight and fast drying. Through a lot of trial I’ve landed on the following kit for this trip:
- Art Toolkit Folio palette with extra mixing pans
- Daniel smith watercolors:
- Manganes Blue, French Ultramarine, Phthalo Blue (shade Red), Phthalo Blue (shade Green), Permanent Green Light, Hooker’s Green, Sap Green, Perylene Green, Transparent Pyrrol Orange, Alizarin Crimson, Opera Pink, Quinacridone Magenta, Imperial Purple, Cobalt Teal Blue, Cadmium Red Medium Hue, Lemon Yellow, Indian yellow, French Ochre, Quinacridone Gold, Quinacridone Gold Deep, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, and my favorite: Sodalite Genuine (great for doing ink like grey tones for comics!)
- Pentel Water brush
- Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen, Hard Tip
- Bic Mechanical pencil (with extra 0.7mm led)
- Staedtler Eraser (cut into 1/3)
- 0.47 fl oz tube of Winsor & Newton Designer Gouache, permanent white
- 4×6 Fluid Cold Press Finish watercolor postcard block
- Stamps! (To mail my paintings so I don’t have to cary them)
- A piece of old sock to clean my brush and palette
- A5 Cold press Watercolor Sketchbook from ‘Rock Your Notebook’
- 1 small binder clip
- 3 Plastic Ziplock baggies, varying sizes
- Gossamer Gear Mariposa backpack
The Mariposa backpack is marketed as having 7 pockets, well, I think I’ve found the 8th haha. For easy access, I can stash my A5 sketchbook behind the removable back pad that also doubles as a sit pad. Being able to store a larger sketchbook so accessibly has swayed me to choosing the Mariposa for this trip. The folio palette, drawing tools and watercolor block all fit into 1 hip belt pocket.
I learned on the PCT: If the tools aren’t accessible, nothing is getting painted or drawn.
This kit weighs just under a pound at 14.6 oz. It’s quite the luxury item but so worth it in my opinion. My trail name is Quick Draw after all. It’s a very rewarding way to document a trip.
Also! Painting small postcards make great ‘thank you’ gifts for friends, family and trail angels!
Trail angels are super kind people who help the hiking community and will restore your faith in humanity. They give hikers rides to and from town/trail, leave coolers of drinks or snacks on trail, offer help or a place to stay, etc. I love giving trail angels my paintings 💖
Here are some from the PCT!
I’m bringing the same piece of old sock that helped make those in 2016! It’s been to some cool places and has held up incredibly well. I use it for my regular life painting too! It’s much more sustainable than using a bunch of paper towels all the time.
The Art Tool Kit folio palette is probably my favorite piece of gear. It’s slim, light and you can customize what colors or sized pans it carries with its nifty magnetic backing.
My other favorite is the Tombow Fudenosuke pen. I love it because it’s waterproof and can draw thick or thin lines with its calligraphy type nib. It is also the only pen that has yet to explode on me above tree line! fingers crossed!!!
Here are some pictures of my 2023 kit in action!
I’m very excited to share this trip with you.
Happy Adventuring!
hike draw hike 