Have you seen my travel watercolor kit? I’m all about convenience and portability, especially when going ashore from a cruise ship. Everything, except a water bottle, fits in one pocket. No kidding.

I carry a small watercolor pad and set of watercolor cubes, 2 pencils, brush, pen, eraser, a water cup, and water bottle. Sometimes I don’t carry water and rely on whatever liquid I can find: Water, tea, soda, and beer. My pencil sharpener and gnome come with me now, but they usually stayed on-board during my time working on ships.

My traveling watercolor kit.

Why two pencils?  Because of St. Petersburg, Russia.

I was enjoying a great day walking the city with a friend when we came across a great view of The Church on Spilled Blood. The view was from a small bridge over a canal. The canal was a perfect visual element, leading my eye to the church. I took out my watercolor pad and pencil. I made a few preliminary marks and then, oops. My next view was of my pencil disappearing into the dark canal water. @#**(&$@!!!  My friend did not laugh, too much.

I did not carry a camera in those days. The view is but a fond memory. Sigh. I guess that means I will have to return!  The day was not a complete loss, we continued and stumbled on a small fast food place that served some killer vodka from an unmarked bottle.