Notes from the Road Travelogue

French Polynesia Sketch Journal

Moleskine Journal Sketches and notes from the Tuamoto Archipelago and the Society Islands.

I used a medium-sized Moleskine journal while traveling to French Polynesia. I used waterpens and my waterproof watercolor case to make sketches, and also used this journal as my rough draft for my story, Tikehau in the Tuamotus.

These pages are a messy representation of my writing process and my visual process while traveling. I use these journals to 1) help organize my travel 2) write an outline of my story 3) sketch out ideas for illustrations or photo compositions 4) write down interviews or other details from my travels I may forget and 5) make sketches to help capture something for my final notes.

In Tahiti and Tikehau, I tried to keep a consistent theme, using bold colors while not worrying too much about how watercolors landed on the page.

French Polynesia Travel Notes A rough sketch of a White Tern and Polynesian fish hook from my Polynesia sketchbook. Sketch and notes of a Polynesian tool in my sketch journal. Simple bird sketch from my Polynesia sketch notes. Sketch of a coconut crab from my Polynesia journal. Sketch of a Polynesian pounder tool, which was used to mash grains. A quick sketch of a Polynesian pounder Gray-backed Tern and Bay Cedar sketches. Sketch of noni fruit from my Polynesia sketch journal. Jellyfish sketched in my French Polynesia Moleskine Journal Sketches Polynesian tool from my French Polynesia Moleskine Journal Sketches Red-footed Booby sketched from my French Polynesia Moleskine Journal Sketches Tikehau Map Sketch Polynesian pounder sketch on a beige page from my Polynesia sketches. Berries sketched in my Polynesia sketchbook. These were common on Tikehau. Setting anchor in a blue lagoon in Tikehau Atoll sketch. A Pacific Reef Heron in a river channel between motus in Tikehau, sketched on site.

Explore more in Oceania

Paddling Kealakekua Bay

In Hawai'i's legendary bluewater bay, I envision how an ancient Hawaiian battle unfolded.

Tikehau in the Tuamotus

On the small French Polynesian atoll of Tikehau, I discover a ringworld of life adapted to the extremes of the South Pacific.

Roundup, Reefs, Runoff and the Hanalei Valley

In Kauai, I discover a dark cloud hanging over the local coral reefs, one that is all too familiar.

Kauai Sketchbook

Illustrations, sketches and notes from my travels to the island of Kauai.

Kauai Moleskine Journal

My Moleskine journal sketches from the north shore of Kauai Island in Hawaii.

French Polynesia Sketch Journal

Moleskine Journal Sketches and notes from the Tuamoto Archipelago and the Society Islands.