SAN JUAN ISLAND ADVENTURE ART: NATURE COMICS

Under the guidance of graphic journalist Nhatt Nichols, this four-day cycling and drawing trip will have us exploring the San Juan Islands with sketchbooks on hand, riding Swift Adventure Co.’s favorite backroads and tapping into your own creativity, being inspired by nature, and making your own adventure art in comic journal style.

We’ll be drawing, painting, writing, and fueling our creative selves along the way. By the end of the trip you’ll have an incredible record of your adventure, and you will have sharpened the tools to document your next one.

Slow down and re-learn how to see as we explore the San Juan Islands by bicycle.

The San Juan Islands are settled in the Salish Sea between the Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island and is the ancestral and current land of the Coast Salish People.

What’s included?

Learn how to capture your travels with a comic journal, regardless of your level of artistic skill. Learn to see your world differently, and get more out of your surroundings, by practicing observational drawing skills, diving into storytelling techniques, and adding color to your adventures.

Basic drawing skills that you can apply to all of your creative practice, but that are particularly good for capturing art on the move, including: perspective shading crosshatching gesture drawing Comic documentary skills that change the way you experience and remember your adventures A chance to slow down and observe the incredible world we live in Expertly crafted field art kit, created by Art Toolkit™ with a few extras from us here at SACo. Includes: Rugged, compact carrying case Moleskin sketch/painting pad Water brush w/ refill syringe & Mister Waterproof fine pen & pencil Compact watercolor kit Ruler 2 x mini binder clip Eraser & pencil sharpener What to learn more about one of the many things that inspires us? Check out this Q&A with Art ToolKit Founder Maria Coryell-Martin.

Schedule:

Thursday, Meet at Swift HQ* we’ll load up your gear and hit the road aimed for the Anacortes ferry landing. Our adventure begins on the ferry, be on the lookout for marine life and the illusive resident Orca whale pods. Once on Lopez, we will settle in at camp and head out for a little afternoon stroll and our first creative lesson. approx. 8mi, 400′ ele. Friday, After a great breakfast, we will pack up lunch and art kit and head back to the ferry, this time by bike. Today we head to San Juan Island. Once on island we will head to Lime Kiln State Park(Most likely place in the lower 48 to see whale from shore) to spend the afternoon. Before getting back on the boat we will take some time in Friday Harbor to explore or have a drink at the brewery. approx. 22mi, 1500′ ele. Saturday, Breakfast and coffee! Today, we stay on Lopez, the chillest island. We will start a little later in the morning to hit the farmers market in town, after that we will spend the day park hopping and letting the water and harbor seals inspire us, we may even ride a semi-secret gravel road and take a dip back at Spencer Spit. We will round out the day with a lovely Kaiseki style dinner at Setsunai in Lopez Village. approx. 26mi, 1500′ ele. Sunday, Today we have to pack up and head home. But don’t worry, we still have another beach to visit on our way to the ferry, another wonderful ferry ride, and to top it off we will have lunch and final creative lesson at Washington Park, before heading back to Swift HQ. approx. 5mi, 400′ ele. We look forward to hearing from you. Let us know if you have any questions: howdy@swiftadventure.co

Coming from out-of-town? Don’t hesitate to contact us about lodging recommendations and travel logistics, we’re happy to help! Travel without the hassle of bike cases and heavy gear. We have premium gear and bicycles for rent, and all Field Experience guests receive special rental rates.

*Transportation from Seattle to Lopez is only included with this trip if you book a shuttle. We can shuttle you from the Lopez ferry land to base camp as needed. We have a list of resources to help guide you the Anacortes Ferry landing and can help facilitate carpooling

**We can accommodate omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans. Generally gluten-free and low carb diets can also be accommodated. Folx with special diets may be asked to partially supplement their meals & snacks. If you have any questions or concerns about food please contact us ahead of time.