75: See More by Sitting Still—The Art of Travel Sketching
Remember when you confidently grabbed those crayons, finger paints, or pipe cleaners Ever returned from vacation with hundreds of photos but feel like you somehow missed the experience? This week's episode might just change how you travel forever!
In our latest HobbyScool podcast episode, we're exploring the transformative practice of travel sketching with watercolors.
Our guest shares how a simple sketchbook and a few supplies that fit in a ziplock bag can help you create deeper connections with the places you visit.
You'll discover how sitting still for just 20 minutes with a sketchbook can actually help you see and remember more than hours of sightseeing with your camera.
Whether you've never picked up a paintbrush or you're a seasoned artist, this conversation offers practical tips for starting your own travel sketching practice.
Learn how to create a compact sketching kit, find time to draw even on busy family vacations, and transform ordinary tourist experiences into personal artistic treasures.
The best part? You don't need any artistic "talent" to begin. As our guest explains, it's like learning cursive—you start simple and build from there.
These sketches become more than just art; they become time capsules of moments that touched your heart.
Listen now and discover how slowing down might be the key to seeing more on your next adventure!
Mentioned in this episode:
Where to find Cindy: Website (sign up for her free gift), Instagram, YouTube, Facebook
Key Takeaways:
[00:01:54] Caroline and Emma introduce their historic 9-acre garden that inspires their art and teaching
[00:03:54] Top three tips for expressing creativity: believe in yourself, trust your inner child, and practice regularly
[00:06:54] Their approach to teaching watercolor through guided play and creative exploration
[00:09:45] How to find inspiration in nature even without access to a large garden
[00:13:19] The importance of community in your creative journey and their weekly inspirational resources
The Art of Travel Sketching: How Watercolor Journaling Can Transform Your Vacation Experience
Have you ever returned from vacation with hundreds of photos, only to find that the memories seem to fade almost as quickly as you scroll through them?
There's a more meaningful way to capture and preserve your travel experiences - one that allows you to truly immerse yourself in the moment while creating lasting mementos of your journey. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing fine artist and international workshop instructor Cindy Briggs on the HobbyScool podcast, and she shared how the simple practice of travel sketching with watercolors can completely transform how we experience the world around us.
With over 25 years of experience helping artists capture their journeys through expressive, flowing watercolors, Cindy offers a refreshing perspective on travel that counters our modern "see it all, do it all" mentality. Her approach invites us to slow down, sit still, and truly absorb our surroundings - creating not just art, but meaningful memories that last a lifetime.
Breaking Through the "I'm Not Creative" Barrier
One of the most common responses I hear when talking about artistic hobbies is, "I'd love to try that, but I'm just not creative." Cindy addressed this hesitation head-on during our conversation, offering encouragement for absolute beginners.
"A sketchbook is very welcoming because you're not thinking about, 'Oh, I'm going to paint something beautiful to hang in my house or put in a gallery,'" she explained. "A sketchbook is just for you, and whatever happens, happens."
The beauty of starting with a sketchbook approach is that it removes the pressure of perfection. There's no audience to please, no standards to meet - it's simply you connecting with what you see in front of you. Cindy compared learning to sketch to learning cursive: you start simple, then gradually add complexity as your confidence and skill grow.
This perspective shifts the focus from creating "good art" to simply enjoying the process. When we free ourselves from self-judgment, we open the door to genuine creative expression.
Even those who have never picked up a paintbrush can begin this journey with simple subjects - perhaps a coffee cup on your table or a flower in a vase - before progressing to landscapes or architecture during your travels.
How Painting Changes the Way You Experience Travel
In our fast-paced world, vacation often becomes another checklist of activities to complete and sights to photograph. We rush from one tourist attraction to another, barely processing what we're seeing before moving on to the next destination. Cindy offers a compelling alternative through the practice of travel sketching.
"Often when we're traveling, we want to see it all and do it all and just kind of go, go, go," she acknowledged. "But the memories that stick, that really mean something to me, are when I sit down and really take in my environment, the beauty, focus on something that I'm excited about and just sit down, be quiet and draw it."
This practice transforms travel from passive consumption to active engagement. When you sketch a location, you notice details that would otherwise escape your attention - the pattern of shadows across a cobblestone street, the unique textures of an ancient wall, or the way light plays through tree branches. These observations become part of your experience in a way that simply taking photos cannot replicate.
Cindy shared a beautiful example from her many visits to Provence, where she's taught workshops for 25 years. She described sketching at an abbey surrounded by lavender fields, where she could not only capture the visual beauty but also absorb the sounds of monks singing and the intoxicating scent of lavender. These multisensory memories become permanently linked to her sketches, creating a time capsule of the entire experience that photographs alone could never provide.
Creating Your Simple Travel Sketching Kit
If you're inspired to try travel sketching but worried about lugging around complicated supplies, Cindy has good news. The entire kit you need can fit inside a gallon-sized ziplock bag, making it easy to tuck into your day pack or purse.
Here's what Cindy recommends for a basic travel sketching kit:
A small watercolor sketchbook
A travel watercolor palette
One or two favorite brushes
A waterproof fine line pen
A collapsible water container
"I found that the smaller your setup, the easier it is, the more likely you're going to sit down and sketch and paint," Cindy advised. This minimalist approach removes barriers to actually using your supplies. When your kit is compact and always with you, you can take advantage of those unexpected opportunities - while waiting for lunch to arrive at a café, during a rest break on a hike, or when you stumble upon a view that simply takes your breath away.
The simplicity extends to the sketching practice itself. You don't need to create elaborate, detailed paintings. A quick sketch with minimal color can be just as meaningful as a more complex piece. The goal isn't artistic perfection but personal connection with your surroundings.
Finding Time to Sketch During Family Vacations
One common concern for aspiring travel sketchers is how to carve out time when traveling with family or friends who may not share the same interest. Cindy acknowledges this reality and offers practical suggestions for integrating sketching into even the busiest itineraries.
"When I'm traveling with my husband or my family, I'm keeping an eye out for something I want to paint, and then, you know, I'm like, 'All right, I need some time. Just give me an hour,' or sometimes it's 20 minutes, and I can get something in," she shared.
Cindy suggests looking for natural pauses in your day - perhaps while others are shopping or relaxing at a café. These moments provide opportunities to pull out your sketchbook without disrupting the group's plans. Cafés are particularly ideal, as everyone is already seated and relaxed, giving you time to sketch your surroundings or even your companions.
Another approach is to wake up a bit earlier than your travel partners and use that quiet morning time for a quick sketch from your hotel window or balcony. These small creative moments can become treasured rituals that enhance rather than detract from your shared travel experience.
The key is communicating with your travel companions about your interest and finding a balance that works for everyone. Many travelers find that their family and friends become supportive and even interested in seeing the sketches that capture their shared experiences.
The Lasting Legacy of Travel Journals
Beyond enhancing your immediate travel experience, watercolor journaling creates a legacy that continues to bring joy long after you've returned home. Unlike digital photos that often remain buried in cloud storage, a travel sketchbook becomes a tangible treasure that you'll revisit again and again.
"My journals are treasures," Cindy reflected, "and I love sharing them, not only with my students and any audience, but also with my family. They can see what was important to me and what caught my eye and touched my heart."
These visual diaries become deeply personal time capsules, revealing not just what you saw, but what you found meaningful enough to pause and record. They show your unique perspective on the world in a way that mass-produced postcards or conventional tourist photos never could.
For many who adopt this practice, their collection of travel journals becomes one of their most prized possessions. Each sketch, however simple, contains the essence of a moment in time - the feelings, the atmosphere, the small details that made that experience special.
Additionally, your sketches can inspire others to see the world through a more contemplative lens. Sharing your travel journals with loved ones might encourage them to slow down and truly observe their surroundings, whether at home or abroad. In this way, your creative practice ripples outward, potentially transforming how others experience their own journeys.
Embracing the Journey, Not Just the Destination
Perhaps the most profound insight from my conversation with Cindy was her reminder that travel sketching is ultimately about more than creating art - it's about being fully present in our lives and finding meaning in our experiences.
"I think it's important in life to enjoy the journey, to slow down, and take in those meaningful experiences," she said. This philosophy extends far beyond travel or art - it's a reminder to be present in all aspects of our lives.
In our hyper-connected, constantly busy world, the simple act of sitting still, observing closely, and creating something with our hands has become a radical act of presence. Travel sketching invites us to trade quantity for quality - fewer destinations explored more deeply, fewer photos taken but more memories truly formed.
Whether you consider yourself artistic or not, this practice offers a pathway to more mindful travel and, by extension, a more mindful life. It reminds us that the most valuable souvenirs aren't things we buy, but experiences we fully inhabit.
As you plan your next adventure, consider tucking a small sketchbook and a few simple supplies into your bag. You might be surprised by how this small addition transforms your experience - turning ordinary moments into extraordinary memories that will stay with you long after you've returned home.
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Transcript:
[00:00:00] Welcome to the HobbyScool podcast. Whether you're a seasoned hobbyist, or just getting started, HobbyScool is the perfect place to learn something new. My name is Dr. Destini Copp, and I'm your host of the podcast. But before we jump into our episode for today. The only thing I ask is if you enjoyed the episode, please share with a friend and give us an honest review on your favorite podcast platform.
This helps us get out the content to more people. I also wanna invite you to get on our wait list for our next HobbyScool Online Learning Summit. These are free to attend, and you can find the link to join@hobbyscool.com, which is also in our podcast Show notes now. Sit back. Relax and enjoy the episode.
[00:01:00] And my special guest today is Cindy Briggs. Cindy is a fine artist, an international workshop instructor who has spent over 25 years helping artists capture their journeys with expressive, flowing watercolors. Cindy, I am super excited to chat with you today, but before we get into all the questions I have for you, can you tell the good audience just a little bit more about you and how you help people?
Oh, sure. Thank you, destiny, for having me. I have, I wanna share that I come from a family of artists. So I grew up creating art and something that we all love to do is pass that love forward to people and welcome them into the family and our circle of friends.
[00:02:00]
So my goal. My intention is to help people, whatever level of experience you have, wherever you are in this creative journey, that I can help you become more comfortable with the experience and enjoy it. It's a real passion of mine. Sydnee, you and I spoke a little bit before we started recording here, and I told you, you know, I'm just not that creative person.
I looked at everything on your website. I'm like, oh, that stuff is so beautiful. But I just don't know if I could do it. So here's the question I have. For someone who's never painted or opened a watercolor sketchbook, where is the best place to start? I think that's a great question. A sketchbook is very welcoming because you're
[00:03:00] not thinking about, oh, I am, I'm going to paint something beautiful to hang in my house or put in a gallery.
A sketchbook is just for you, and whatever happens, happens, you pick something simple. And give it a try. And I teach this a lot in my programs in how to draw something that may be in your own home or very simple and you'd be surprised. It's like learning cursive. You just start simple and then you add on and you get that.
Muscle memory and connection with your subject. I love the example you gave us, and I know I'm gonna date myself a little bit here. It's just like learning cursive. Well, I know how to do cursive, so if I know how to do cursive, I could hopefully learn how
[00:04:00] to do sketches. Mm-hmm. You can. I love that example that you gave when I went to your website, I looked at all of these like.
Beautiful places that you had traveled to over the years and all of the paintings and the watercolor paintings that you had put together for them. I'd love for you to kind of walk us through how does painting on location change the way you experience something or a place or you know, a vacation that you're on compared to just like sightseeing.
I love that you asked that. Often when we're traveling, we wanna see it all and do it all and just kind of go, go, go. And I love that part about traveling, but the memories that stick that really means something to me are when I sit
[00:05:00] down and really take in. My environment, the beauty, focus on something that I'm excited about and just sit down, be quiet and draw it, and then maybe add color.
If I have time, I can remember every one of those spots. And when I see my sketchbook painting, it all comes back to me. I love that. So like, for instance, let's talk about one of the places that you went. I think if I remember correctly, like France was one of them. Tell us about that particular you know, vacation that you went on or the sightseeing that you did there and the location that you painted.
Tell us a little bit more about that experience. So I'd love to take you to Provence. I have taught, my first workshop was in
[00:06:00] Provence 25 years ago, and I'm teaching more there next year. I've been there many times and I actually lived there for a while, so. When I started, I would paint big paintings, like, oh, I'm going to frame this, and everyone's going to love it.
But I noticed on that first trip that my favorite experience was just sitting down and doing a quick sketch and sharing that with one of my students. So. One place, for example, that I absolutely love is at the Abbey Nik, probably saying it wrong, but it's in Provence and it's a beautiful abbey with lavender fields and.
We would spend the entire day there
[00:07:00] listening to the monks singing going into the shop, and then just breathing in the scent of the lavender. Those paintings that I've done there many times are some of my favorite because I felt not only the beauty of the location, but. The sense the sounds, the experience that I would not have if I just stopped, took a picture, bought a book, and moved on.
I love that example. It hearing you kind of describe that makes me wanna quit my job, go travel around the world, bring a sketchbook with me, and, and start experiencing things a little bit differently. So that being said, what tools or supplies would you recommend if somebody's thinking. Cindy. Oh, that just sounds amazing.
What tools or supplies would you recommend
[00:08:00] for creating some type of travel sketching kit that they could take with them and kind of do what you're describing? So. Actually, you can fit everything into a small bag. Think of a gallon Ziploc bag, so not very big. You can get a small watercolor sketchbook, a travel watercolor palette one or two favorite brushes and a waterproof fine line pen.
If you have a little water for container, you could buy 'em, they squish down and then carry it with you when you can. I have a supply list that I get into more detail, but I found that the, the smaller you're set up, the easier it is, the more likely you're going to sit down and sketch and paint.
[00:09:00] And on those days that you don't even think you'll.
You wanna carry your palette, just take your sketchbook or even a postcard and you'd be surprised why you're waiting for your lunch. You can sit down and do a little sketch. It's very doable. I love that it sounds so very simple. Like anybody out there could do that. For sure. Listening to you kind of describe all of this, you sound like you have the perfect job.
No, I'm so, so very jealous here. Can you describe to us what a perfect watercolor journaling day looks like for you? Just walk us through, what if you had just a day just to focus on that, what would you do? Well, I love my art tours because they're set up for
[00:10:00] perfect days. So it's not just about the sketching, it's about the entire experience.
So. Imagine waking up. You have no responsibilities. You have someone who has prepared your breakfast. Then we meet up, oh, around 9, 9 30, and we take a, a ride to a nearby destination. Let's say we're in France. We already have the locations. Picked out where you are comfortable in the shade you know where the restrooms are so you can really focus on the scene.
And we spend about an hour, hour and a half. Sketching enjoying that place. And then you take time for a nice lunch and do a little bit of shopping [00:11:00] or touring, and then we meet again later in the afternoon and, and try another sketch. It may be in the village that we were painting in earlier or may be back at our.
Lovely accommodations surrounded by flowers and beauty and, and then what's next? Oh, dinner. We have a chef that provides dinner for us, so those are my perfect days. I love that. Oh. But the reality is we don't always get to travel on workshops and have everyone take care of us. So when I'm traveling with my husband or my family, I'm keeping an eye out for something I want to paint, and then, you know, I'm like, all right, I need some time.
Just gimme an hour
[00:12:00] or sometimes it's 20 minutes and I can get something in. So the key is, so maybe we're going on a vacation or something with our family. The key is to take time for ourselves and kind of go and find the perfect spot that we would really like to sketch and just, you know, kind of take in.
Yeah, taking that time or you know, when I've been sitting in a cafe, those can be absolutely great moments because everyone's seated. It's quieter. You can find something nearby. So pick those spots when you're waiting for something where you can actually sit down and sketch. Yeah, I was just thinking about maybe sitting at the beach on the launch chair, having my sketch pad there and just kind of, you know, just taking in the environment.
So Cindy, before we wrap it
[00:13:00] up here, any last minute tips or suggestions for the audience?
I think it's important in life. To enjoy the journey, the slow down, and, and take in those meaningful experience. Maybe you're not an artist, you could be, maybe you just wanna write about the moment and make it part of your journey. So wherever you go becomes a part of you. Somehow, and I'm just sharing one way to enrich your life letting your point of view become not only a treasure for yourself, but also for those that follow you? My journals are treasures [00:14:00] and I love sharing 'em, not only with my students and any audience, but also with my family. They can see what was important to me and what caught my eye.
And touched my heart and Cindy, I think that's such great advice. I think all of us, we're just like go, go, go. We're not slowing down just to really enjoy life and all of the pleasures, quite frankly, that it gives all of us.
So thank you so much for sharing that with us. Before we leave, can you let people know where they can find you? And I believe you have a free gift too for them on your website. Absolutely. Please come to my website@cindybriggs.com if you subscribe to my newsletter where you find out about my workshops, my
[00:15:00] tours in Europe, and you get free tips.
My supply list, the gift that you get when you sign up. Is a free lesson video that you can watch and follow along and just see what it's like when you paint with me and Sydnee. I will make sure that all of those links are in the show notes for your Instagram account, your YouTube channel and everything so people can find you.
And thank you so much for joining us today and sharing all of your wonderful knowledge with us. Oh, thank you, Destini, I am excited to be here. And thank you for creating a platform to reach out to people and encourage creativity.
Thank you so much for listening today. Don't forget to sign up for the wait list, so you'll be the first to know when our
[00:16:00] next free HobbyScool Online Learning summit launches. The link is in the show notes for this episode, or you can go to hobby school.com and that's Hobby School, with School Without an H in it.
Talk soon.