Sketching on the Move

Sketching whilst out and about is a wonderful way to slow down and really take in your surroundings. However, this doesn’t have to be finding a spot in your local park, or stopping at a bench whilst out for a hike. It can also be on a train, plane or car journey too, literally, on the move!

Here are my 5 tips for getting the best out of your sketching travels and how to make sketching on the move a little easier.

Sketching on the Gornergrat train, Zermatt.

Tip 1: Take a train ride you’re familiar with.

Have you ever tried sketching on a moving object? Tricky right? Bumping around all over the place and unexpected twists and turns… it doesn’t always make for the best results!

By taking a train journey you’ve done many times before, you’ll know where it stops and will be familiar with the speed and twists and turns on the track.

This is the Gornergrat train in Zermatt, which I’ve ridden hundreds of times, so am very familiar with the route.

I chose to sketch the trees along the way. Doing this whilst moving encourages you to be quick, to not focus on perfection, and to mix up branches from different trees, creating your own.

Sketching trees on the Gornergrat train, Zermatt.

Tip 2: Don’t lean on the moving object!

The biggest lesson I learnt whilst sketching on trains and planes is if you rest on the little table provided, then you’ll bump and jolt around all over the place, causing squiffy lines where you don’t want them.

Instead, resting on your knee, or holding your sketchbook one hand can be enough support, especially if it’s a hardback.

Mountain views whilst sketching on a plane.

Tip 3: Work quickly.

Can you guess the hardest part of sketching on the plane?

No, not the turbulence (there wasn’t really any on this one thankfully), not the speed with which the mountains and clouds were moving past the window, not people watching what we were doing… it was taking photos and videos with such a bright background, trying not to have my sketchbook in the shadows too much!

That being said, my third tip for sketching on the move is to: Work quickly.

Take the opportunity to be free and less precise. Don’t get caught up in the fine details. Instead, draw quick outlines that you can fill in later.

Sketching on a plane is not something you can do every day, so be easy on yourself and try not to be too critical against your usual sketches.

I tell you what, have you tried drawing clouds before? I don’t draw them often and this journey made me remember how hard they can be!

Sketching on a plane.

Plane sketches.

Tip 4: Prepare a small kit in advance.

My fourth tip for sketching on the move is to prepare a small sketching pack in advance that you can easily pop in your bag.

I have everything in one clear pencil case, including my sketchbook. And the whole thing actually fits in my raincoat pocket too!

Here’s what I take:

A6 sketchbook - With some watercolour sheets tucked in the back pocket.

Winsor & Newton Sketchers set - I have swapped out a few of my favourite colours. Plus this includes a travel paintbrush.

Paper clips & washi tape to secure the pages when outside.

B & 9B graphite pencils

Mechanical pencil & spare leads

Eraser, pencil sharpener & ruler

Black fineliner & black biro

Charcoal pencil

Watercolour brush pen with a water reservoir - This means I don’t have to extra an extra little jar or bottle of water.

Sketching on the move kit.

Sketching on the move materials.

Tip 5: Plan some time when you get home.

For my fifth tip for sketching on the move, I’m actually at my desk. This final tip is to block out a little time in your diary for when you get home. It doesn’t have to be the same day, but it’s quite good if it’s within a week so your memories are fresh!

If this is your first time sketching on a moving train or plane or car (I haven’t mentioned cars in my tips so far as I live in a car-free town!), then you may have chosen just a short journey to start with, or may not feel comfortable getting your paints out just yet. If this is the case, then I suggest planning some time when you get home to finish off your sketches.

Finishing your sketches at home.

So what do you think? Will you give sketching on the move a try? I’ll be trying it out in a cable car next!

If you’ve enjoyed these tips, why not join me at my next watercolour workshop: Tuesday 3rd June, Manud, Zermatt. Contact victoria@alpinetonesillustration for all the details or book directly with Manud.