How to Be a Great Inkling

Hello! Congratulations, you’re now an Inkling.

You’re here to travel to some rather special destinations while filling a sketchbook with places, faces, and things you’ll want to remember. And it doesn’t get much better than that! Small-group travel is great, you’re going to meet others just as intent on slowing down and looking closely as you are, and there’s a comforting element of safety for solo travellers.

In our experience, we see the habits and behaviours outlined here occurring naturally within our groups, however, we also feel that a reminder doesn’t hurt!

Going on a group trip isn’t like going to a restaurant, where you sit back and enjoy the service. Each person’s trip also depends on their fellow group members. Being a shared trip, it means you’ve all pitched in for the services of your guide and guest artist. Each person has paid the same amount, and if we work as a team, everyone can have an amazing time.

Here’s how you can do your bit to help ensure a great time for all on your trip:

A Few Notes on Sketching Etiquette

Wayward Paper trips involve sitting still, in public, drawing what’s around you, which comes with its own small set of unwritten rules. A few worth knowing before your first session:

• Ask before photographing someone else’s page. A sketchbook is a personal, in-progress thing, and not everyone wants their unfinished work photographed or shared, by a stranger or a fellow guest. If you love what someone’s working on, ask first.
• If you sketch a person up close, acknowledge them. A vendor, an artisan, a stranger at a tea house, if they notice you drawing them, a smile or a wave goes a long way, and showing them the page afterward is often the nicest thing you can do. People are far more generous with their time and patience than you’d expect, and it’s worth returning the favour.
• Mind your footprint. A stool, a board, an open bag, and an easel take up more space than you’d think in a working bazaar or a narrow street. Set up where your guide suggests, and keep an eye on the flow of foot traffic around you.
• Sketching is often quiet work, so keep your own volume in mind. Chatting is part of the fun of a group trip, but during a session, a lower voice lets everyone, including you, actually sink into the work.
• Pack out what you bring in. Rinse water, torn paper, anything else that comes with the process, leave the spot as you found it, especially at heritage sites and smaller, quieter corners of town.

How to Be a Great Inkling, in 13 Steps

1. Respect cultural and religious customs.

Your guide knows all the requirements, if they ask you to cover your shoulders and knees, remove your shoes, or hold off sketching for a moment at a mosque, a working seminary, or a site like Mizdakhan or Chilpiq Qala, please do so. Some of the places we visit mean a little more care than a sketch in the park, a quick word from your guide about where to sit, what to sketch, and how to behave at a given moment is there to help you be a welcome, unnoticed presence at places that still matter deeply to the people who use them. Please pay attention to the cultural tips in your Trip Notes.

2. Be the ‘positive person’!

Over the next couple of weeks, with so many things happening, something is bound to go off track somewhere. Transport may be late, air conditioning may not work, someone may comment about your religious beliefs or make unsavoury remarks about a politician you happen to respect, whatever it may be. As much as we work to keep these issues at bay, they can and do occur. Sometimes these things happen when we’re feeling tired or grumpy. It stands to reason that when you’re feeling tired, it’s likely others are too. This is the perfect moment to let your gracious nature shine through. In group travel, humour is always your secret weapon. Let’s keep it light and respectful. If you’re having an issue, please be discreet and bring it directly to your guide or hotel staff.

3. Bring a readiness to explore.

You’re travelling to a remarkable destination. Rather than put up an emotional barrier, lean into the trip! Put aside comparisons to home and embrace it all. Learn a few words in the local language, try some new foods, wear different clothes, volunteer for new experiences, and help your guide where you can. Immerse yourself in the local culture, nothing will amp up your enjoyment, or your sketchbook, more than this!

4. Do your research.

When travelling in a group, you’re free from major decisions and concerns. Simply let us take the wheel and enjoy the ride. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll avoid all physical effort on the trip. If you know what you’re signing up for, you won’t be caught by surprise later on. So it’s a great idea to study your itinerary and even do your own research on it. Be aware of drive times, how much walking is required each day, and roughly how long each sketching session will run.

5. Look out for your fellow traveller.

Over the couple of weeks, someone is bound to experience culture shock, a dodgy belly, or perhaps some bad news from home. It happens! If you see someone feeling unwell or uncomfortable in some way, why not check on them gently, in private, and ask if they’re okay?

If someone is in a bad mood and this is affecting the group, keep in mind there’s probably an underlying reason. If no one else has noticed, it may pay to check in with them when you have a private moment. Keeping everyone safe and happy is a group effort.

6. Look out for yourself.

Pay attention to your health. Listen to your body. Don’t push yourself if there’s no need. Stay hydrated, especially during outdoor sketching sessions in the heat of the day! Don’t be afraid to let your guide or guest artist know if you’re tired, need more shade, or if the pace of a session is too quick for you.

7. Don’t be the cause of delay.

Even though things may go unexpectedly when travelling, we ask you to respect everyone’s time and be as punctual as possible, including at the start of sketching sessions. Don’t let your guide, guest artist, and the whole group wait for you. Being on time helps any group trip run smoothly.

8. Be polite, respectful, and grateful for your guide and guest artist!

Your guide is your local insider who will look after you and introduce you to the country’s culture. Your guest artist is there to help you grow as a sketcher and get the most out of every session. Both are friendly faces who will welcome you and see you safely on your way home after the trip ends. Don’t hesitate to ask them for help with anything. We also ask that you follow any advice and instructions they offer. Please be respectful and thankful, as they’ll be working hard to make it all happen! They’re there to take care of you so you can enjoy a magical trip.

9. Be flexible.

You should be prepared for slight changes to the itinerary regarding daily activities and sketching sessions. Your guide and guest artist are encouraged to make adjustments to the trip depending on local conditions (weather, unexpected closures, and so on), group requests or interests, and new opportunities presenting themselves (a market in full swing, unexpected good light, and so on). They’ll always communicate this clearly, and the group’s input will always be sought, and from there, they’ll make the final call.

10. Remember, group travel is sharing.

We want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to sketch from the best spot. So we ask that you rotate positions during sketching sessions rather than claiming the same vantage point every time. Your guest artist will help guide these rotations, and we ask you to respect them. Remember, a group trip is teamwork, and we ask you to be a team player. Thank you for that!

11. Skipping a meal.

Sharing a meal is one of the best ways to bond with people. However, if you’re not up for dinner on some nights, perhaps you’re feeling tired and want a bit of time to yourself, that’s also fine. Be sure to let your guide know up front that you’ll skip dinner.

12. Take care of the places you’re visiting.

Leave nothing but footsteps, as they say, and we agree! We encourage you to use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic ones, and to bring refillable water bottles for destinations where tap water is drinkable (this information will be disclosed in your Trip Notes). The same care applies to sketching: pack out what you bring in, and be mindful of where you set up, especially at quieter, older corners of a town.

13. Make yourself familiar with our guidelines and policies, especially the Communicable Diseases Policy.

It would be helpful if you download it to your phone so you have it with you during your trip!