I have spent the past several Urban Sketch outings trying out my iPad Pro with Apple Pencil and the Etchr Slate Satchel. This past weekend was the first time using the Slate for group sketching and I'm happy to say that it performed well.
My large size Etchr Slate Satchel enables me to carry my 12.9" iPad Pro as well as a minimal traditional sketching kit. The satchel is weather-resistant, well constructed, and looks good too. There's a grab handle for carrying, or use the adjustable, padded shoulder strap to carry it like a vertical or horizontal messenger bag. It has loops on all four corners of the bag to attach the strap to your liking. The four loops are also handy for when the bag is converted into sketch mode - the strap is attached to opposite corners to support the slate around your shoulder while standing or sitting. I found this mode to be especially useful as my left arm which normally supports the iPad while I'm drawing gets to rest a bit. There is a tripod mount on the bottom of the bag, which I have attached to my tripod but not actually used out in the field. I believe that it will perform as expected, it looks well thought out and constructed.
The apps that I use primarily on my iPad Pro are Procreate and Tayasui Sketches Pro. Procreate is extremely versatile in the amount of customization with brushes and layer effects. I've become accustomed to the interface while using it for other types of drawings and can work pretty quickly with it's features. I'm getting more familiar with Tayasui Sketches Pro and like the pen tool and watercolor brush, which I think looks more like traditional ink and wash than what's available in Procreate. I could probably emulate the look of the tools of Sketches Pro in Procreate if I played around with the brush settings or sought out other brushes available for download.
Here's what I bring to my Urban Sketch meetups:
Etchr Slate Satchel - large
iPad Pro 12.9" with anti-glare screen protector (also gives the screen a bit more tooth, like paper)
Apple Pencil
Moleskine Watercolor Album 8" x 5"
Stillman & Birn Pocket Beta Series Sketchbook
Prima Marketing Watercolor Tin filled with Prima Marketing Watercolors
Tube of Winsor and Newton White Gouache
Niji Large Water Brush
Pentel Aquash Water Brush
TWSBI Eco Fine Fountain Pen with Noodler's Lexington Gray Ink
Platinum Carbon Extra Fine Fountain Pen with Platinum Carbon Ink
Pentel Pocket Brush Pen
Caran d'Ache Technalo Water Soluble Graphite Pencil
Blackwing Pencil
Col-Erase Orange Pencil
Uniball Signo White Gel Pen
Mini Water Spritzer
Kneaded Eraser
Paper Towels
35mm Slide Holder for Viewfinder
Small bag with charging cables, earphones, and ink cartridges
External Large Capacity Battery charger (sometimes, depending on need)
Sketch Wallet
Flat Water Bottle
Snack
Folding Three Leg Camp Stool with Shoulder Strap