This is my "survival" kit. I wanted to put something together that I could slip in my pocket, or in my bag for easy access when I'm on the go. I like to sketch away from home, but I don't like to carry my full sketch kit. So I can grab a couple of pencils, my sketch book, and my tin and be set.

Step 1: Materials

Depending on your artistic preferences, this will vary. My basic kit that I carry in my bag has the following....

Altoids tin
1 chamois cloth
1 pieces of felt
Sandpaper
0.9mm lead refills
0.5mm lead refills
1 metal pencil sharpener
1 lead pointer
Blending tortillons
1 kneaded eraser
1 magic rub eraser
1 art clip
1 razor blade for edging
Masking tape spooled on half a q-tip
Shortened pencil
Modified eraser shield
Shortened brush

Step 2: The Possibilities....

The modified eraser shield is just a regular shield cut in half. I do recommend putting some masking tape on the edges that are cut. They will be a bit sharp. I tried filing them, but it didn't go so well

The brush is just a cheap watercolor brush with the handle trimmed. It's good for sketch washing or using thinners to blend with.

The chamois and felt are just pieces I cut from larger ones. The felt is your average run of the mill felt. You can get a full tile for $0.35.

You could certainly substitute or add to this kit. A lot of space could be saved by cutting down the eraser size. The kneaded eraser that I have in mine came with some charcoal pencils. I have a bigger one that I use, but the small one is a good emergency standby. Another space saver could be putting both lead sizes in the same tube.

Some alternatives, or additions, might be a straight edge, or paper measuring tape, worn down sketching pencils, the nubs of prismacolor pencils, or even quill tips. The possibilities are endless.

I would love to hear any additions you guys might think of.