HAVE YOU SEEN ME?
I‘m back.
I have been asked to write a post on my sketching tools, and it took a while to organize my ‘shooting session’.
Also, less than ten days ago, the unthinkable happened: my artist pouch went missing. This was followed by a period of ‘mourning’ and this drawing to put on a sign (yes, I am crazy like this- especially about my art instruments).
Thanks be to God I found my art pouch, but only after compiling a detailed list of its contents and extensive research to replace everything (yes, I know, very OCD of me). I also found out I am carrying quite a treasure.
So here is my post on my art pouch and its contents, and a celebration for things found! Yay!
The inner zipper is great to keep eraser, mini-scales, lead refills and small objects safe from graphite. The writing instruments here are the ones used most often.
The side zipper is great to keep extra Pilot pens and my Parker fountain pen. The case has a velcro strap plus snap button for safety, it can be worn on a belt, attached to a bike etc. On the far side a beautiful detail: a small red bead, reminiscent of Andean artifacts.
I found this perfect pouch/pencilcase at Whole Foods (of all places). It is made by Livity Outernational. You can find it in their store (it is the Rip-Tide, Hemp Organic Cotton Canvas Pencil Case).
So here all my instruments, ink, graphite, brushes for spontaneous coffee watercolors and scissors/glue for impromptu collages. And yes, they all fit in the pouch pictured above.
As for sketchbook(s), here is what I carry with me everywhere I go (one tucked inside the other):
Reflexions Medium Sketchbook and Moleskine Notebook (made by modo&modo in Italy)
I try to use the notebook for lists and to-do’s, and keep the sketchbook for sketches (all that you have seen lately here in the blog) writings and quotes. It has not quite worked that way, and I am almost done with the sketchbook. We’ll see with the next one.
As it usually happens, while composing this post, i stumbled upon fascinating websites for fellow lovers of writing instruments and cases.
Here they are:
Leadholder– if you love drafting pencils, you have to see this.
Eco-friendly hipster laptop bags
Well enjoy, hope this inspired you to go out and do Art ! Oh, more on this and on my favorite book soon!
sketchbloom.com 
Holy crap, that is a lot of stuff for such a small case. It looks wonderful!
I’m almost done with my current sketchbook, too. My next moleskine is going to be the one for storyboards, but I thought it would be great for planning prints.
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I know, right? I learned to pack from the Japanese Muji store:) It *does* all fit, I think there would be room for one more 0.7 mechanical pencil…but that’s it…Don’t want to break the zipper like I always do with my messenger bags!! Thank you SO much for reading and commenting! By the way I do want to see your sketchbook…maybe in the future we could do a sketchbook exchange! I LOVE moleskines, I am digging up all of mine for a post on moleskines I have had in the works for a while. I will go over to visit your site now….ciao bella!
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thats a pretty awesome case… especially since it can hold all of those items… i would’ve been sad too if i lost it and all its contents.. it reminds me of mary poppins bag.. how it hold so much more then you would think and its filled with all these goodies inside
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Thank you so much for finding me here Shelley! You are right, this case is one of my most prized possessions, especially because it took me so long to zero in on what I could use for sketching, what worked for me…it needed to take the time that it took (especially the watercolor brushes to paint with espresso, something that I learned about in Firenze). See you in class:)
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😦 i can’t find that pencil case anywhere online even on the link you posted
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Oh I know! Even Whole Foods stopped carrying it… but I am sure you can make your own ‘awesome case’. How about stopping by the San Diego Artist and Crafstman Supply in its new location (Hillcrest)? I am sure they will be able to point you in the right direction! Happy Search!
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[…] I confess: I am weak for love pens and other writing instruments. […]
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