Introduction: Pocket Sized Sketch Kit

About: It is sometimes so hard to speak about myself.

This sketch kit has everything you need to draw on the go, with all materials conveniently stored in an Altoids box.
If you have a pocket, you can take it with you!
I did everything with things I had lying around the house. Along the way I will suggest alternatives to the tools used and the materials included.

Inside you will find:
-A mechanical pencil
-leads
-pastels or crayons in a separate compartment
-variety of wooden pencils (be it drawing or coloring pencils)
-pencil sharpener (fixed to one side with a hole so you don't have to open the box each time you sharpen a pencil)
-chalk (I like to paint in the Blackboard if I arrive early to a lecture, can also be used in a rough dark surface)
-vine and compressed charcoal
-kneaded and rubber eraser
-Blending Stump
-small brush
-small pen with masking tape (I show you how I did it, but usually don't carry it around)
-Sanding paper on one side
-Ruler marked in another side

Entertaining BONUS
-magnetic chess set
-magnetic Domino set

Required Materials:
-1/4" Thin wood sheet (a 3/4" x 6" piece will do)
-Strong glue (wood and metal)
-metal clip and a stripped jumper wire (for holding the clip, you could also solder it)
-Fridge magnetic sheet

Tools used:
-Thin Permanent marker
-Rotary tool [or anything for sanding (wood) and cutting (wood and metal)]
-Pliers

Step 1: Separate the Main Compartment

I made three compartments: the main one, one for crayons or pastels, and another for a sharpener.
First we have to divide the box in two:

Cut a 3/4" x 6" rectangle of thin wood.
Divide it into one 3 5/8" x 3/4" and two 3/4" x 1" pieces

If you want a secret compartment, make a hole in the longer piece as the image shows. (so you can put the sharpener looking towards the other compartment and use the remaining space to store stuff)

Step 2: The Sharpener Compartment

Mark a rectangle (or circle if you wish) for the sharpener, just after the wooden separator.

Make sure that you cut a hole smaller than the rectangle and larger than the circle!

In one of the small wooden rectangles, make a  slot for the other side of the sharpener.
Make a small hole (or make the slot deeper in that segment) for the tip of the pencil being sharpened.

Then place the sharpener in its place and fit the wooden piece with the slit, after checking that it fits*, glue it in place.
                 *Some sanding might be required.

(optional) Conceal the sharpener's compartment:
Shape the remaining piece of wood and shape it to fit the compartment. Make sure of having a way to open it!

Step 3: Making a Paper (or Card) Holder

This can function as a money clip, paper holder, or whatever you want.

Remove a clip from somewhere else, in my case, I took mine form a pen.
Then make two spaces on the lid, separated by the width of the clip (see the image).

Fix the clip to the lid, preferably by soldering it. If you, like me, don't have the means at the moment to solder it, just strip a jumper wire and use a set of pliers to hold the clip in place.

Step 4: A Little Fun for the Folks

On the Underside of the box you can draw a chessboard. Make the pieces by cutting one of those magnets sold for holding photos on the fridge. the symbols are based on the movements of each piece.

You can do the same for your favorite game.

I also made a domino set using the same principle.

Step 5: Preparing the Materials

Remember to cut everything to make it fit in the box.

A few tips:
-You can cut the mechanical pencil a little longer because the cap can retract.
-If you stack your pastels or crayons (whichever you prefer), you can accommodate more.
-don't waste space with wooden pencils. If you can't help it, try to make them thinner.
                       Anyways, they will get too short too soon.
-If you love watercolors, put them in a small pill box and use the outside of the box for mixing and a water bottle lid for the water.
-Save money, buy a blank notebook and cut it to the desired size!
-I added sanding paper (for the pencils tip, and could also be used to keep nails trimmed) on the side and a ruler
-If you are going to include paper, use thin paper, like 7lbs sketching paper, since it's cheap and occupies less space.

Step 6: Have Fun!

Take this kit everywhere.
If you have a pocket, you can take it with you!

Remember to refill your supplies

Pocket-Sized Contest

Participated in the
Pocket-Sized Contest