When I start a new sketchbook I like to document the paint colors in my current palette. It’s a useful reference and it gets some paint on that first page! Sometimes I get afraid of "messing up” a beautiful new sketchbook and this habit moves me past the fear.

Image description:

Horizontal sketchbook page with watercolor and ink illustration. On the left is a grid of the rainbow of colors in my palette. On the right two fountain pens are illustrated, a clear TWSBI Eco pen with Noodler’s Apache Sunset ink (bright orange), and a Green Sailor pen with DeAtramentis Document Yellow ink.

Hand lettered text reads:

12.7.20

handbook paper co., field watercolor journal, 7”x10” cold press 140lb

DS Buff Titanium

*Quin. Gold

*Hansa Yellow Med.

*Perylene Green

SCH Transluscent Orange

*Quin. Rose

*Serpentine Genuine

WN Burnt Sienna

WN Cobalt Turqu.

*Cerulean Blue

*Quin. Red

WN French Ultra.

*Indanthrone Blue

*Perm. Brown

*Van Dyke Brown

🖤 Lydia’s Grey

Here is the complete list of my urban sketching palette:

Note:

WN = Winsor and Newton

DS = Daniel Smith

SCH = Schmincke 

I’ve included the pigment codes with each color name. Learn about pigment codes HERE

1. DS Buff Titanium PW6:1

2. DS Quinacridone Gold PY150

3. DS Hansa Yellow Medium PY97

4. DS Perylene Green PBk31

5. SCH Translucent Orange PO71

6. DS Quinacridone Rose PV19

7. DS Serpentine Genuine

8. WN Burnt Sienna PR101

9. WN Cobalt Turquoise Light PG50

10. DS Cerulean Blue Chromium PB36

11. DS Quinacridone Red PV19

12. DS French Ultramarine PB29

13. DS Indanthrone Blue PB60

14. DS Permanent Brown PBr25

15. DS Van Dyck Brown PBr7

16. Lydia’s Grey (custom mix of French Ultramarine, Burnt Sienna, touch of Quinacridone Rose)