There’s something about the shift into warmer days that loosens things. Studios empty out, sketchbooks find their way into bags, and the idea of making something begins to feel a little less fixed, a little more open. Art slips into the in between moments, a park bench, a café table, a quiet stretch of coastline or a patch of shade after a long walk. It doesn’t have to ask for much: a few materials, a bit of time.

We love turning to our staff for inspiration, and here are some of their favourite ways to bring creativity into the outdoor experience:

Erika, Brand Manager

“I love taking off on my own and finding a quiet place with an extraordinary view, and there are plenty of them around BC. Having a few hours of solitude out in nature lets me really connect with my surroundings, not just the view but the sounds of birds and the scents around me. My favourites are the smell of cottonwood trees and the deep, woodsy scent of an evergreen forest. There’s something magical about being outdoors and capturing even a small part of those sensations.”

Erika’s summer kit
A small palette of my most used watercolours, a water container, and a couple of reliable brushes. I also like bringing one to three small watercolour blocks. Having multiples means I can keep painting while one dries, and it helps the paper stay flat. A few squares of paper towel or a cotton cloth are essential too.

Her tip for getting started
Make it comfortable. Bring a snack, something to drink, a warm layer, and anything else that helps you settle in. Go with an open mind. It’s about the experience of painting outdoors more than the outcome.

Katie, Kelowna

“My personal favourite has to be cyanotype or SolarFast. It’s such a beautiful way to capture what’s around you, and the outcome can be a bit of a gamble depending on the sun that day, which I think adds to that ‘in the moment’ feeling.

Aside from that, I love keeping it simple. A fineliner or fountain pen and a sketchbook are perfect for throwing in your bag and getting going. If it’s less about materials, I’ll head to a nearby park with friends or my partner and just doodle while we chat. Sunsets after work are kind of ideal for that.”

Katie’s summer kit
A small sketchbook, a good pen, and a few coloured pencils or water soluble markers like Tombow Dual Brush Pens if I want to bring in some colour.

Her tip for getting started
Don’t overthink it. You don’t need your whole studio setup, or even your full pencil case. I often end up sketching with whatever ballpoint pen I have in my bag.

Chris, Coquitlam

“My favourite way to make art outside is directly in my sketchbook, big or small. I like having a few different bags depending on what I bring. Parks are great, but I also love public balconies like the VPL, or laneways in residential areas that people often ignore.”

Chris’s summer kit
Prismacolor pencils, a Factis black eraser, a Canson Graduate mixed media sketchbook, and a Pentel black brush pen.

Their tip for getting started
Explore first, draw afterwards. Learning about the place you’re in, whether it’s a story, a bit of history, or just noticing small details like a car, a cat, or a garden, makes whatever you create more meaningful.

North Vancouver Team

“My favourite way to make art outside is with a friend. Book something in advance so when the time comes, even if you’re not feeling it, you still go. You’ll feel great once you’re there.

Make a date out of it. Get a little sweet treat, listen to your favourite music, and make the whole experience as positive as possible.”

Their summer kit
Neocolor II water soluble crayons, a watercolour travel set, Vivia Coloursheets, a waterbrush, plus a few comforts: a jacket, a picnic blanket, even a portable hand warmer. A mechanical pencil is great too.

Their tip for getting started
Approach your surroundings with curiosity. What lives here? How does the light move across a surface? What changes when you slow down and really look?

Be gentle with yourself. You’re not there to replicate, you’re there to interpret. If it’s made by your hands, it’s already unique.

Granville Island Team

“I love painting on a park bench without an easel, sketching in a tree, or stopping after a hike in the mountains to make something. It doesn’t need to be a big setup. Sometimes the more unexpected the place, the better.”

Their summer kit
A visual journal or sketchbook, and a few drawing pens to keep things light and portable.

Their tip for getting started
Take a sketchbook with you wherever you go. You never know when an opportunity will appear, whether it’s an hour in a park or five minutes on the bus.

Take photos too. If you can’t finish something on the spot, you can always return to it later. The important part is starting.

Across all of these approaches, a pattern begins to emerge. It’s less about elaborate setups and more about small rituals, light kits, and a willingness to notice. A sketch on the bus, a page filled on a park bench, a painting made somewhere between one place and another. The common thread is simple: get outside, start where you are, and let the experience lead.

Not at all. Outdoor art isn’t about getting everything right, it’s about paying attention. A quick line drawing, a loose wash of colour, or even a few notes on a page can be enough. The act of looking closely is the practice.

Less than you think. Most of our staff keep it simple: a small sketchbook, a pen or pencil, and perhaps a compact set of watercolours or a few coloured pencils. A water brush can replace the need for extra containers, and a cloth or paper towel is always useful. The goal is something light enough to carry without thinking twice.

Anywhere you can pause for a moment. Parks, beaches, café tables, and quiet neighbourhood streets all offer their own rhythm. Some prefer the expansiveness of the mountains or coastline, others the small details of a laneway or a public balcony. Often, the best place is simply the one you happen to be in.

Anything that benefits from light, space, or a bit of unpredictability. Sketching and painting are natural starting points, but you can also experiment with cyanotype, tie dye, or working on surfaces like fabric or even blank skateboards. If it can travel, it can usually be taken outside.