As I’ve mentioned before, art journaling is one of my artistic passions! It is a fun and expressive way to combine creativity, reflection, and personal exploration. It is also great for your mental health! For me, it provides a creative escape and a safe place to explore my feelings and try new things! If you missed my post about the benefits of art journaling, you can catch up here!
Have you wanted to get started with art journaling but haven’t been sure where to begin? Here’s a simple guide to help you get started!
1. Choose a Journal:
Size: Pick a size that you are comfortable with. A smaller journal can feel less intimidating and is easy to carry, while larger ones provide more space for creative exploration.
Type of Paper: A journal with thicker, mixed-media paper works best, especially if you plan to use wet media (like watercolor, acrylics, or ink). A heavier weight paper (around 160gsm to 300gsm) will hold up well.
2. Gather Supplies
Art journaling doesn’t require fancy or expensive materials. Start with basic supplies, what you have in your stash, and build up as you go.
Pens/Pencils: A variety of markers, gel pens, and sketching pencils for writing, doodling, and outlining.
Paints: Watercolor, acrylic, or gouache paints. You could also use inks or sprays.
Collage Materials: Old magazines, newspapers, fabric, stamps, or washi tape for texture and layers.
Brushes & Stamps: If you like painting or adding textures, these can be helpful.
Glue/Adhesives: A good glue stick or gel medium for sticking down collaged materials.
3. Start Simple
If you’re feeling intimidated, start by creating simple pages with basic materials:
Color backgrounds: Use watercolor or acrylic to create a simple background wash.
Doodle or Draw: Add doodles, scribbles, or sketches. This is a great way to express yourself without worrying about the final outcome.
Add Words: Use your journal for both art and writing. You could write a quote, song lyric, or even jot down your thoughts and feelings for the day.
4. Create a Layout
Don’t feel pressured to fill an entire page at once. Break it down into sections:
Top half: Use it for a bold painting or collage.
Bottom half: Add journaling, stamping, or smaller details. You can also try working in layers, creating a background first, then adding other elements. This is my favorite way to work!
5. Incorporate Mixed Media
Art journaling allows you to combine various techniques and media. Experiment with:
Texturing materials: like fabric or modeling paste.
Stencils: for fun patterns.
Coloring: with crayons, pastels, or watercolor pencils.
6. Let Go of Perfection
The key to art journaling is to let go of any fear of making mistakes. It’s not about creating a perfect piece of artwork; it’s about exploration and expression. Embrace happy accidents, unfinished pages, and random thoughts.
7. Make It a Habit
Practice, practice, practice! Dedicate a bit of time each day or week to your journal. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become, and the more your personal style will evolve.
8. Use Prompts or Inspiration
If you're stuck, use prompts or themes to get started. Some ideas include:
A color challenge (pick a color and use it throughout the page).
Gratitude journaling.
Nature-inspired art.
A word of the day.
Emotional exploration: How are you feeling today?
I hope this helps and gets you excited about beginning in your art journal! Most importantly have fun and use your art journal to decompress!! Express yourself and get those big emotions into your art! You won’t regret it!
I’d love to see your art journal pages! Tag me on Instagram or join my email newsletter to keep in touch! For more of my art journal pages, check out my instagram: @tatteredartstudio!