What Travel Sketching Is
Travel sketching means recording places, people and moments in a sketchbook as you move through them. The aim is to capture how a place felt and what you noticed, not to produce perfect, realistic drawings. A beginner can start with a pencil and a small notebook.
Keep the Kit Small
The best travel kit is the one you will actually carry. A common beginner approach is:
- A portable sketchbook: Around A5 is popular, with paper thick enough for your chosen media. If you plan on adding wet media, choose paper made for it.
- A pencil or two and an eraser: A mechanical pencil or a sturdy graphite pencil is simple and reliable.
- A fineliner or waterproof pen: Useful if you plan to add watercolor later, since waterproof ink will not run. See the best pens for ink drawing for options.
- Optional color: A small pocket watercolor set with a water brush, or a few colored pencils. For more on painting on the road, see travel watercolor painting.
- Extras: A small pouch, binder clip to hold pages in wind, and a folding stool if you are comfortable carrying one.
For more detailed advice on choosing tools, see the essential sketching supplies list. Charcoal is lovely but messy for travel; the charcoal guide covers the pitfalls if you want to try it anyway.
Easy Subjects for Beginners
The easiest things to sketch are those that are simple, still and close:
- Your breakfast, cup or a pair of shoes
- Doors, windows, signs and street lamps
- Rooftops and simple buildings
- Trees, plants and flowers
- Boats, benches and market stalls
- A single detail rather than an entire scene
Starting small makes success more likely. You can build up to wider scenes and people later. For people, see sketching portraits for beginners.
How to Sketch When Traveling
- Pick a spot. A bench, cafe table or ledge where you can sit comfortably.
- Pick one thing. Do not wait for the perfect view.
- Give yourself a time limit. Five to fifteen minutes works well.
- Start with simple shapes. Block in the main forms lightly.
- Note what matters. Add a few words about the weather, a smell or a sound.
- Date and label the page. Future you will appreciate it.
- Move on. Do not rework it endlessly.
Make It Fit the Trip
- Sketch during natural breaks, such as waiting for food or transport.
- Try a quick sketch in the morning and another in the evening.
- Combine photos and sketches if you like; just do not let the camera replace the sketchbook entirely.
- Respect local rules in museums and other sites, which may limit materials or sketching.
Dealing With Nerves and Crowds
Many beginners worry about people watching. Most onlookers are friendly, and many are simply curious. If you feel shy, choose a quiet corner or sketch from a cafe table. Remember that a travel sketchbook is a personal record; it is not for display.
The “70/30 Rule” in Travel Sketching
You may see a “70/30 rule” in discussions of travel sketching. It is not a standard rule, and sources define it differently, so treat it as one teacher’s guideline. A broadly useful principle is to give more of your time to observing than to fussing over details.
Protect Your Work and Yourself
- Keep your sketchbook in a bag away from rain and liquids.
- Use a clip or elastic band to keep pages from flipping.
- Be mindful of belongings in busy places.
- If you use sharp tools or fixative, check airline and local rules, especially for aerosol cans, before packing.
Keep It Fun
Travel sketches are memory aids, not exhibition pieces. Imperfect lines often carry more of the day than polished drawings would. For a longer-term improvement plan, check out our beginner’s roadmap to sketching.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sketch when traveling? Choose a comfortable spot, pick one subject, set a short time limit and draw simply.
What is the easiest thing to sketch for beginners? Single, still objects with simple shapes, such as a cup, a door or a tree.
What is the minimum I need? A pencil, a small sketchbook and an eraser.