I get really used to being at home with all of my art supplies at my reach and ready. But sometimes I have to leave the house because I there are things I have to do. Or I need to leave the house because I need real life inspiration. In both cases being able to take an art supply bag with me is a must.

Having an art supply bag ready at all times makes it easy to be creative when I have a busy schedule. Since I work from home, I can fritter away my hours with laundry and dishes and YouTube. While the first two are really noble activities, the last one can really eat into the day and be a total distraction. Getting out of the house and heading somewhere like our local lake or nature reserve with some art supplies is like lighting a fire of inspiration. Nature always inspires my creativity. And it’s easy to exercise that creativity when you have your supplies ready to grab and go.

The Quickie – Art supply bag to pack for a day trip

Lots of times I find myself waiting throughout the day. Maybe I am at a doctor’s appointment or waiting for my son to get out of piano practice. Having a small bag of art supplies to grab makes it easy to make time for art. It also doesn’t leave with a smart phone hangover. All that thumb scrolling can be detrimental to my drawing hand. LOL.

• Small Sketch Book – I prefer a spiral bound sketchbook in a 9×6 inch size or smaller. This fits into my purse or backpack easily and isn’t too heavy.
• Drawing Pencils – A simple No. 2 pencil fits the bill if you don’t want to pull from your nicer ones.
• Pencil Sharpener – You can’t draw very well with broken lead!
• Eraser – I am a big fan of a kneaded eraser in general. I can make it whatever shape I need it to be and it’s easy to clean. It also doesn’t leave a lot of eraser debris or smudges behind.
• Drawing Pens – I love my Michon artist pens! I actually have a few sets because I like to have the various tip thicknesses with me at all times.
• Erasable Colored Pencils – Finally a color pencil that you can erase! While the colors aren’t as vibrant as colored pencils you would use for a finished drawing they are great for beginning a drawing. They are also great for adding easy color to a sketch. I use Prisma Colorase and have been very happy with them.
• Zippered Pouch – I’ve been known to hoard small zippered containers. Discarded pencil bags from my kid’s elementary school days or free make-up bags you get with trial sizes. I might even hang on to those clear plastic bags they sell bed sheets in. Anything that will hold your supplies and keep them from rolling around in your purse or backpack.

The Overnighter – Art supply bag to pack for a few days away

Whether it’s a weekend away or a full on family vacation, I am definitely bringing some art supplies. Traveling is a great opportunity to do some sketching in a new environment. Long car rides and down time wherever I am staying can make me really antsy. Being able to do something with my hands helps me.

My art supply bag for a longer time period starts out with a lot of the same items as my day bag. But with just a few more supplies added in.

• Small Mixed Media or Watercolor Sketch Book – I like to use sketch book with thicker paper in the event that I want to use paint. I still like to keep it on the small size.
• Drawing Pencils, Pencil Sharpener, Eraser & Drawing Pens – Same as above.
• Watercolor Pencils – These are an excellent option adding easy color to your art. With watercolor pencils you simply color them on then use a wet brush to blend them out. These would make a great swap for the Erasable Color Pencils in The Quickie Bag as well.
• Water Brush Pen – You never have to worry about carrying water to use with paints. These brush pens hold water in a plastic barrel that you gently squeeze to thin our watercolor paints or pencils. They are perfect for the car because you don’t have to worry about a cup of water tipping over.
• Travel Watercolor Set – Another option for adding a bit of color to your work. You can find them in various sizes and palette options. Some are so small you could probably add them to your day bag.
• Acrylic Paint Pens – If watercolors aren’t your kind of painting medium then you might want to consider acrylic paint pens. You could also use the water brush pen for mixing the paint and thinning but be careful that the paint doesn’t dry on the brush since you can’t rewet them as you would watercolors. I always keep a white acrylic pen handy to add highlights to my pencil and watercolor illustrations. I really like Posca paint pens.
• Bag or container – Since you have a few more supplies than might fit into a zippered pouch, you might need a small tote or box. Or just add a couple of more zippered pouches to your art supply bags.  I love the look of this bag and may think about upgrading to it..  All the comparments!

Sometimes I get more excited about making art from these limited supplies than having everything here at home. But having supplies ready and with me at any time allows me to grasp the moments during a busy day to make art and be creative. What would you keep in your art supply bag? What are ways that you make time for creativity during your day?