I travel quite a bit and with the restrictions being imposed at airports have had some of my supplies taken away from me.  Sketching on location is a fun activity and I like to make notes beside my sketches in my book about the place I’m at, the mood it invoked and other intricacies that are often not relayed in a photo.  My pastels are great for travel but there are times when I’m concerned about the mess they can make in my suitcase despite them being well wrapped etc.  One time while teaching at a Dick Blick store my entire pastel travel box got knocked off the table and for years there was a lovely medley of colour all over the carpet!

For quick trips or when traveling via plane I have enjoyed taking my coloured pencils and sketchbook along.  They are a dry medium and are relatively lightweight and easy to pack.  This video gives some good information on the Prismacolor range of pencils and art sticks.  I love Prismacolor and have used them for many years.  Don’t think of artist grade coloured pencils like the one’s we all used in school.  Professional grade pencils are rich in pigment and undergo rigorous testing for lightfastness and other properties.