Simplfying my kit--again

I always try to reassess what I NEED to carry...at this point, that's what goes into this little pen case.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• how-to
• tutorial
• howto
• diy
• art
• travel
• Cathy Johnson
• mini
• instructions

[Neverever325]

Liked this. I'm always playing around with ideas for sketch kits. I liked your idea for sharpening the ends of the brushes. At Dick Blick I saw the metal tins like yours for around 3 or 4 bucks, just empty for a person to put what they want in them. I wish it there were more travel brushes available.

Usually you have to order them; art stores don't carry 'em.

[KateJosTube]

@Neverever325 It IS hard to find good travel brushes!

[henrycems]

That's a nice travel kit you have great job.

[KateJosTube]

@henrycems Thank you! And yes, I find that frustrating, too, it's hard to find good travel brushes. Cheap Joe's makes a set of short-handled travel brushes that are rather nice, but I often just cut off the brushes I have and then fit a plastic straw or tube over them to protect the hairs in transit.

[24cts]

the never ending.. re-packing of supplies. thanks for sharing it's always helpful to hear new ideas and what is working for others. I keep moving around and changing how much I can carry (from India .. to North America .. to a park.. to a train station) I don't have a studio space right now .. oh.. my lap.. that counts doesn't it! ha.. Thanks again for sharing

[KateJosTube]

@deezynar Oh, thank you for clarifying! Yes, I see what you mean...

[deezynar]

@KateJosTube

I'm not sure if I explained it well enough. 1" long bits of flexible plastic tubing are secured to the inside of the tin at one end. You poke the tip of a handle into the right sized tube. The tubing grips the handle and keeps the brush from moving, the bristles will never get jambed against the end of the tin. Also, you can't loose the tubes and there's no danger of jambing the brush bristles into a tube like you have when you put a tube over the bristles.

[KateJosTube]

@deezynar Thank you! I do actually have a pencil sharpener like that which I carry elsewhere I didn't want to add extra weight. Plus figured it wouldn't fit in my Rotring box!

Good idea with the tubing--I do sometimes cut drinking straws, etc, to protect my brushes.

[deezynar]

I love your selection of tools.

Can you get 1 of those sharpeners that catches the trimmings? It would keep things cleaner.

Try this: fix some short bits of plastic tubing of various diameters in the tin at 1 end - you can poke the handles of your brushes into the right sized tube so they wont slide around & ruin the bristles. You could also try the tubing idea to hold other items too, including holding things in the lid.

Just my 2 cents.