Elizabeth Alley
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Arctic Circle Residency Planning - sketching supplies

2/8/2025

4 Comments

 
I’m starting to think about what materials to take with me to the Arctic Circle Residency in May. I’m just kidding, I’ve been thinking about it since March 23, 2024, when I found out I’d been selected. But now it’s time to actually DO the work of putting a sketching kit together.
​
For years I’ve been using the same sketching supplies. I do switch out materials now and then – exchanging my fat pen (Pigma Graphic 1) for a chisel tip or adding and then removing a *fountain pen.

Here’s my current set up:

Picture
Picture
  • Small sketchbook (Moleskine 3.5x5.5) with fat pen, Pigma Micron 01, diluted sumi, oil base pencil, Mitsubishi Vermilion/Prussia blue, Prismacolor Premier neon pink
Picture
Picture
  • 8x5 Stillman & Birn Alpha sketchbook with colored pencils (mostly Faber-Castell Polychromos), a small watercolor set (Art Toolkit), a pencil sharpener, Kuretake water brushes, and a few repeats from the small sketchbook kit
For sketching in the Arctic, what changes do I make? I rely heavily on water-based media, especially diluted sumi, which I often use to quickly lay out a sketch in a way that adds some weight to the final sketch. I’ve been trying to get the same effect using dry materials, but honestly, I haven’t been trying that hard because my diluted sumi works just fine in winter in Memphis.
Picture
diluted sumi, chisel-tip pen, Pigma Micron 01
​So – these are the things I need to do right now:
  1. Try to get the same effect of quickly laying out a sketch with dry materials – pencil, what else?
  2. Put my diluted sumi pen in the freezer and see what happens. Maybe I will be able to use it in May Arctic temperatures?
  3. ASK FOR HELP. Do you have experience with sketching in very cold temperatures? Do you have any advice?
I am definitely taking all of these same dry materials. About the colored pencils I use – they are not watercolor pencils. I like the texture of regular colored pencils, and I like being able to paint over them. Other than watercolors, I use non-water-soluble materials (colored pencils, pencils, waterproof ink) because I don’t want my sketches to melt. Unless they are watercolor? I don’t know – I didn’t say this was logical.
 
If you have any input on this topic, please let me know! I’m open to suggestions!
 
*I don’t love fountain pens! I did for a while, but I can’t manage their inconsistency. I need my materials to be working at all times.
4 Comments
melinda mcnutt
2/8/2025 04:04:09 pm

maybe try mixing the sumi with alcohol (rubbing or vodka!) It would be diluted and change the freezing temp. What do I know!

Reply
Elizabeth Alley
2/8/2025 05:27:40 pm

That's a good idea, Melinda. I'll definitely try alcohol with sumi and in a water brush.

Reply
Nina Khashchina
2/11/2025 07:54:31 pm

vodka in the waterbrush is way to go! :) some inks (I would look or even email goulet pens) are freeze-proof. And using watercolor pencils and alcohol pads for a super quick smudge!

Reply
Elizabeth Alley
2/11/2025 10:31:00 pm

Love these ideas, Nina - I can't wait to try the alcohol pads!

Reply



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