What’s in my bag, Chicago 2017 Edition

Many urban sketchers out there are packing their gear for Chicago as we speak.

It seems like a tradition to post a “what’s in my bag” article.

Lately I’ve been carrying around a beach bag style shoulder bag. Which has been nice, as it’s super simple to find things.

But somehow, my lifestyle lately has been going downhill. I’m getting old, fat and tired! Things have been a little crazy, and fitness went off the list for a while. Big plans for a re-boot very soon. Upshot is, I’ve been getting a sore shoulder from a one-armed bag. (Probably more from my digital art tablet at home, not my limited time out sketching). But I figured I’d switch to a backpack for a while.

In the real world, people are carrying around larger laptops and tablets these days – so the bag makers have started coming out with these square backpacks.

I saw this one and I thought: perfect for drawing boards!

This is my ‘fully loaded’ MEC Outpost Daypack.

I don’t know the final weight here, but it’s mostly air inside – (coroplast groves, etc) – so under 2lb’s for sure.

It’s the exact size for 12×16″ drawing boards, which is the minimum for 11×15″ quarter sheets of watercolor, given some room to tape them down.

I’ve got 10 panels in here, and all my various other gear, including the most comfortable folding chair I’ve ever tried.

This is the Helinox Chair One.

I was sketching with Jane Blundell and it got the thumbs up from her. I agree it’s a great option. It’s a little slow to unfold and setup, but it’s ‘hella comfortable. Like a la-z-boy for sketchers.

I’ve started carrying it around like a weird umbrella once I’ve bothered to sling it together. A bit odd looking yes – but it’s essentially weightless. So that’s an option for someone who re-locates many times in a sketching session.

The other reason I went for this bag is the little zipper compartment on top. This is probably for your phone or passport or whatever (as it’s theoretically a back-facing security zipper), but it’s perfect for my paint box – as it keeps it horizontal, in it’s own compartment, resting securely on top of the sandwich of drawing boards. This way, no matter how fresh and juicy the paints, they won’t leak between the pans.

Usually I have the paint box on the very bottom, being held horizontal by all my gear – but that means you can’t get it out without dumping the stack, which is less than ideal.

The remainder of the main compartment holds a minimal painting kit. Small waters, Atomizer, Binder clips, Tissues, Three sizes of travel rounds (2 large Escoda, and 1 medium Rosemary pointed rounds, then a Rosemary quill, for foliage and drybrushing). Pencil and Eraser, which I hope not to need for my workshops in Chi Town. And even a water bottle for me, plus probably a small bag of snacks on the day. (Dried Mango!)

So, I’ll report back after I get a few more days of testing this setup – but one way or another, this is what I’m taking on the road this summer.

Feel free to post if you’ve got your own ‘Everyday Carry’ photos up online.

~m

Oh and, here’s some previous years when I carried a tripod easel, brought an ultra-small pen and ink kit, and a bag that’s good for larger panels.