
Note: My supplies list is ever-changing, so what you see here only reflects what I am currently loving and experimenting with.
Most FAQ:
What is that pen? (Also, “What ink do you use in it? How do you draw with it?”)
I draw with more than one pen, but the one I get asked the most about is the Sailor Fude Pen with the 55 degree nib. So I made a little video that talks about the pen, how I use it, the inks and convertors I use too. Links to the supplies are below.

You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/odso_AXtvvAAnd
And here are links to supplies used in the video:
Sailor Dude Pen , 55 degree nib: https://amzn.to/3BrMo7X
Sailor convertor: https://amzn.to/3LFmmTl
DeAtramentis Document Ink in Black: https://amzn.to/3BvtrBA
Carbon Platinum Ink: https://amzn.to/3rUSY3V
Stillman & Birn Beta Series Softcover Sketchbook, 8″ x 10″: https://amzn.to/36mbmdB
Sketchbooks and Paper
My favorite urban sketching sketchbook is the 9×12 inch Stillman & Birn wirebound Beta. I love the size, it lets me work freely. And I love that it’s hardbound so I don’t need to rest it on a surface to use it (I often draw and paint standing). The wirebinding lets me fold it in half if I need to; it also lets me ‘hang’ a wet page open to dry while working on the next page.
For smaller daily sketches and sketchjournaling pages, I use an Alpha book, also from Stillman & Birn.

Watercolors
This is the part of my kit that changes most often. Here’s what I currently have in my kit:

Here is what else is in my sketchbag just now.
General’s Sketch and Wash Pencil: watersoluble graphite, can be used dry too.
Exacto Knife, Blackwing Pencil,a pencil that’s dark but not too dark, and feels like butter on paper, Pentel Pocket Brush Pen, Waterbrush (mostly used to create washes along with the brush pen), Sailor Bent Nib Pen, 55 degree angle nib (I just LOVE this pen, it gives great variable line with a little practice).
Titanium White Gouache, Art Graf graphite in a tin, Nalgene container for water, a spray bottle in case my paints dry out (you can see from the picture below, they rarely do), an assortment of brushes including a Rosemary & Co. 1/2 inch Sable blend dagger brush.
The ink is my fountain pens is usually waterproof (when dry). My two favorite black inks are De Atramentis Document Ink and Platinum Carbon Ink.

Thank you for taking the time to list and photograph all this. I follow your blog, appreciate all you do. Best Wishes, Sandy Smith
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Thanks for following and commenting, Sandy: it makes blogging and sharing worth it.
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I like this handy page where we can peek at all the stuff in your bag! 😉
– Tina
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Thanks Tina, I tried listing only my ‘standard’ supplies, the rest are ever changing 🙂
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Hi Suhita! I found you via the 30×30 challenge on Marc’s blog and love your work! I was wondering how you carry your brushes? I’ve been doing tons of research on this since I got some new “good” brushes — I’ve only been using them at home for now because I don’t want to ruin them ha! 🙂
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I’ve carried a lot of travel brushes so far, so they just go with my pencils and pens. For the rosemary dagger brush , I carry it in a toothbrush case with blu-tac on the bottom (see this link on Liz steel’s blog): https://www.lizsteel.com/how-i-carry-my-paintbrushes/
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Why did you chose to use the dagger brush in your kit?
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the dagger is super versatile: it makes big bod strokes with it’s flat side, and super-thin lines with the narrow end. And given that I make a lot of art in urban areas, often standing up with my kit, I can’t juggle multiple tools. Just like my fude pen does my thick and thin lines, my dagger does them in paint.
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I find it always interesting to see what other sketchers carry. Do you carry your art supplies at all time along with your personal items like a wallet and cell in one bag? Or are they in a separate bag?
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all the time. everywhere. a smaller kit than this if I’m going someplace I don’t want to take my backpack to.
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Thanks, I have all of the supplies you listed. I also love my sailor fude pen, it is like 4 in one!! I use a slightly different pick, but that is what makes urban sketching so fun! We all have our different choices. I love fountain pens and have lots with different color inks..
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Hi Suhita! What ink do you use in your fude pen? It seems waterproof in your sketches but I know the default cartridge that comes with it isn’t waterproof… Thanks!
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DeAtramentis Document ink
https://www.gouletpens.com/products/de-atramentis-document-black-35ml-bottled-ink?variant=11884635324459
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Hi, Do you think the 1/2″ dagger a good size for A5 or 8.5×5.5″ sketches?
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Michael, I always use the biggest brush I can use, so I’d say yes, but I think it depends on your painting style…
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Thank you for sharing your supplies, Suhita. You use them so magically, as demonstrated in last week’s workshop. I bought the dagger brush and found a new friend! You have a lot of new friends in Chico. We love you!
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BTW, this is Deb. I no longer have the outdoor gardening website.
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Hi Suhita. I saw your supply list for our Sept OLLI series and you mentioned Copic Multiliner Pen. I have some Pigma Micron Pens, but they are getting old and thought I might try something new. Would you recommend a general size or pkg? Looking forward to seeing you again.
Deb sioux
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Deb, I’d say if you want to try different things, there are so many to choose from! I am partial to fountain pens so my recommendation for a first pen is always The Lamy Safari fountain pen used with a convertor, and used with a waterproof ink.
But just use what you have for week 1 of the workshop and take it from there!
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Hi Suhita,
Are you doing any online workshops?
Thanks,
Kate
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Kate, I don’t have any in September or October, because I’m teaching on location while the weather is good, but loo out for October and November workshops!
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Another thanks for posting these. Isn’t everyone obsessed with supplies? I know I AM!
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Hi Suhita
My friend gotten herself a travel palette which has room for only 6 little containers for paint .
She has a hard time deciding what colors she wants to put into it for traveling.
If these were your six colors what would you choose this moment ?
We traveled in a small boat this summer over many month and allowed ourselves only a minimum set of 5 spices ,to gussy up our food ,
It was so much fun !
This seems to me a very similar situation .
Love your work and your generous sharing of information
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6 colors is a challenge for me UNLESS there is plenty of mixing room. If there is, then I’d do this: #1 Hansa Yellow Medium, #2 Ultramarine Blue, #3 Quinacridone Rose ( this makes my basic primaries palette). #4 is burnt sienna to use with blue for mixing neutrals #5 is a convenience green: probably sap green or hookers green #6 in a travel palette would be the one color I totally associate with a place that i don’t think I can easily mix: so for example, if I think of Hawaii, I think I would take a blue like Cobalt Teal etc.
Hope that helps!
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Anke, my next newsletter, coming out later this week, takes a deeper look at the why and how of your question. Thank you for it. !
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