{"id":560180,"date":"2026-05-01T07:59:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T07:59:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/560180\/"},"modified":"2026-05-01T07:59:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T07:59:21","slug":"karl-milletts-lightweight-sketching-kit-and-drawings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/560180\/","title":{"rendered":"Karl Millett’s Lightweight Sketching Kit and Drawings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following our Rider\u2019s Lens feature on his work last year, UK-based artist Karl Millett was inspired to assemble a packable sketching kit to make more artwork on the move. Find a look at his current tools for drawing on the bike and a smattering of watercolor works from recent bikepacking trips here\u2026<\/p>\n

Words and photos by Karl Millett<\/a><\/p>\n

Hey! I\u2019m Karl, a London-based illustrator, and over the past year, I\u2019ve been forming a habit of drawing on the go. While writing my Rider\u2019s Lens<\/a> in 2025, I was super inspired by the travel sketchbooks of other featured artists. I\u2019d done plenty of bike-themed drawings, but never actually drawn whilst on a trip itself. So, I set that as a goal, my partner gifted me a travel watercolour set, and I dusted off an old Moleskine I\u2019d never quite managed to fill!<\/p>\n

It started with a few holidays to Norfolk and Annecy, where I took the time to sit down and draw what was in front of me, capturing a moment in time. Having worked mainly digitally, I liked the immediacy of sketching, as it forced me to loosen up and not be too precious. I began sharing my work online and found the awesome community on the urban sketchers subreddit. <\/p>\n

\"Karl<\/a>
\n\"Karl<\/a><\/p>\n

My first bikepacking trip with the sketchbook was a short weekender along the Cantii Way in Kent. That was when it really started to click. Instead of drawing individual scenes, I began documenting the whole trip, combining landscapes with notes, food stops, rough maps, and funny moments from the day. This gave a natural visual narrative to the pages, and captured the journey better than a camera roll full of photos ever could.<\/p>\n

\"Karl<\/a><\/p>\n

I was really satisfied with the results from the Cantii Way, but I wanted to try something more ambitious\u2014the Petit Tour de Manche, touring the Normandy coast into Brittany, then hopping on the ferry over to Jersey. There was a lot more to capture, which did become a tad overwhelming at times! <\/p>\n

However, a few days in, I found my rhythm; doodling when the stops allowed, taking photos to return to later, and adding bits in the tent at night with a head torch. I made a habit of waking early, and getting the bike faff done before everyone else, so I had some time to watercolour in the morning light.<\/p>\n

\"Karl<\/a>
\n\"Karl<\/a><\/p>\n

Camping in France has always occupied a special place in my heart. They do it well over there and it\u2019ll always be reminiscent of childhood holidays. Throughout these pages, I tried to capture that nostalgia as well as the adventure of being on a bike tour. I hope you enjoy them and maybe it\u2019ll inspire you to pick up your sketchbook too! <\/p>\n

Further Reading<\/p>\n

Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info…<\/p>\n

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Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.<\/p>\n