Expeditionary Art

Vancouver Island, Part I

Field Notes

Exploring rocky and windswept coastlines on Vancouver Island.

Earlier this May, my husband and I took a week long vacation to explore Vancouver Island. We wanted some time in our favorite habitat, the evergreen trees and wild coastlines of the Pacific NW, before our baby girl comes in late June. Our adventure began with a ferry from Anacortes, Washington, through the San Juan Islands, to Sidney on Vancouver Island.

San Juan Islands, 8" x 8" sketchbook, ink and watercolor

From Sidney, we made a long drive about halfway up and across Vancouver Island to Tofino, a small town on the west coast, bordering Pacific Rim National Park.

Tonquin Beach, photo by Darin Reid

It’s a gorgeous region with a friendly town, beaches, and rocky, windswept islands.

Tonquin Beach, Tofino, 3.5" x 5.5" ink and watercolorExploring Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park. Photo by Darin Reid

In between hiking, I found spots to put my feet up and sketch.

Driftwood studio on Long Beach, Pacific Rim National ParkLong Beach, Pacific Rim National Park, 6.5" x 15" watercolor and gouacheLong Beach, Pacific Rim Park, 5.5" x 7.5" watercolor and gouache

I love exploring beaches, both macro and micro!

Beach finds! Velella velella "by the wind sailors", bottle (no message), Dungeness crab shell

Stay tuned for Part II!

8Comments

Anne
Oh my Gosh! My husband and I are making the same trip in August. Staying in Ucluelet. Can’t wait to do some painting there.
Maria
I loved Ucluelet, too! There are some fantastic trails around town and the Aquarium was wonderful (coming soon in Vancouver Island Part II).
Kathryn Hannay
beautiful!
Nadya
Hello Maria! Thank you for your stories and pictures :)) They are sooo beautiful! I’m inspired very much by what you do. Honestly, when I first came across your website, I realized, why and what for I am developing my drawing skills: I’d love to travel and depict the beauty of nature (to show it to the people and to make them aware of environmental issues!), just like you do. Thank you once more!
Juergen
Hi Maria, in your “Quick ferry sketches” did you ink first and color afterwards or color first. For me, it looks like you watercolor first. All the best. Juergen
Maria
Hi Juergen, I sketched with ink first. I like to think about the ink as the “bones” for my sketch, and then using watercolor washes to liven things up.
Lois
I have been to Vancouver Island; your sketches show it just like it is….wild and beautiful!
Maria
Thank you! I love being on the coast.

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