Holiday Sketchbook Ideas: Making Art on the Go
Keeping a holiday sketchbook sounds dreamy, but in reality it often comes with challenges – from finding the time, to working in small spaces, to managing with just a handful of art supplies. In this post (and the video below), I share my honest experience of taking a sketchbook on a family trip to Cornwall. You’ll see what I managed to capture, the problems I ran into, and my top tips for making art on the go.
Starting the Holiday Sketchbook
On the very first day of the trip, I made sure to open my sketchbook and just make something. That first page sets the tone for the whole holiday – it takes away the pressure of a blank page and establishes the intention to keep creating. Even a two-minute sketch or a quick crayon mark can be enough to get you started.
Tip #1: Always do something on your first day. Even a scribble counts.
Capturing the Landscape
Up on the windy Cornish cliffs, I kept it simple: just a Derwent Inktense pencil and a spray of water. Instead of battling the elements with collage papers, I made quick box sketches of the view – thrift flowers, curves of the bay, rocks, and butterflies. Each sketch took just a couple of minutes, but they captured the essence of being there.
Later, I experimented with Neocolor II water-soluble crayons, trying to capture the feeling of wind and space. Even if the page wasn’t perfect, the process itself was joyful and worth it.
Tip #2: Embrace quick sketches. They don’t have to be polished – just capture the moment.
Finding Time for Art on Holiday
Making art with family around isn’t always easy. For me, early mornings worked best. Just 15 minutes with my sketchbook before the day began gave me time to reflect and create without interruption.
Tip #3: Identify the time of day that works for you, and protect that creative window.
Using Collage Papers as a Starting Point
Collage papers I had made before the trip became my secret weapon. Sticking down a single piece immediately gave me a base to build on and helped me overcome the blank-page fear. From there, I added crayon, pencil, and paint pen layers to reflect the beach, grasses, and seascapes.
Even unfinished collage-based pages turned into valuable starting points once I got home. Backgrounds and textures made during the holiday sparked new ideas for later artworks.
Tip #4: Don’t fear unfinished pages – they can be seeds for future projects.
My Travel Art Kit Essentials
When travelling, less is more. Lugging a full studio isn’t practical, so I packed only my essentials:
Derwent Inktense pencils
Neocolor II crayons
A few Posca paint pens (blue, pink, yellow, and white)
A small glue stick
Travel water brushes
Bulldog clips (essential for windy days!)
A small extra sketchbook for my kids
Everything fit neatly into a compact bag, making it easy to grab and go.
Tip #5: Keep your art kit minimal. A few versatile tools are better than carrying everything.
Final Thoughts
My holiday sketchbook may not be full, but it’s overflowing with ideas, textures, and inspiration. Even the unfinished pages have sparked new directions in my work. If you’re thinking of starting your own holiday sketchbook, remember: keep it simple, find your creative window, and embrace imperfection.
👉 Watch the full video below to see the pages, challenges, and tips in action: