New to Art Journaling

Here are some basics if you are just getting started!

Basic Art Journal Kit
  • A journal (see this post on choosing a journal)
  • Watercolor
  • Crayons/oil pastels
  • Scissors (or ruler)
  • Glue stick
  • White acrylic paint
  • Markers/gel pens
  • Pencils (colored and regular)
  • Papers (lots of textures)
  • Ephemera bag (or mine’s bag)
    {An ephemera bag is a bag of “the good stuff.” Papers, images, and miscellanea to use in your art journal. In our house we call it a “mine’s bag.”}



How to incorporate writing for those who are writing-shy
  • Make lists.
  • Use a thought-provoking title for your page.
  • Use poems, quotes, lyrics.
  • Look at your artwork and write down words that come to mind. Write a poem using those words.
  • Don’t worry about grammar or spelling.
How to incorporate art for those who are art-shy
  • Use color washes.
  • Use ephemera scraps from your day/week.
  • Collaging.
  • Don’t worry about making it pretty.
Art Journaling Techniques
Check out the downloads and also the posts labeled tutorials!


14 comments:

  1. What is the white acrylic for? Does a certain type of paper work better for art journals? I'm new to this but intrigued...

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  2. Kathy, I use the white paint to create a wash type effect... I use other colors too, but if I had to choose just one it would be white. Overtop of watercolors it makes a great pastel color effect, and when scraped with a credit card creates the slightest white wash. I hope that helps!

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  3. I just found your website and am so excited! Thank you for sharing your beautiful creations and inspirations!

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  4. Thank you and I am glad you find them inspiring!

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  5. 13 years ago, I did my High School Senior project on Art Therapy. I was convinced this is what I wanted to do for a career but for one reason or another I didn't. I've ALWAYS been connected to art and now work as a manager at a Craft/Art store and it's nothing but perfect for me. About 2 months ago, i picked up a book on art journaling. It was like a mind ninja that just karate chopped into gear this NEED to express myself in this form. After finding you website this morning it was like 1,000 connections were made about how my past 13 years was all in preparation for this art journaling. Thank you for your website!!!

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  6. Bethis,
    I am so happy that you found the blog, and were able to make the connections! Thank you for your comment!!

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  7. so excited to have found your site! i have been lacking in the art dept for many years... now since i have a "new normal" i'm living with, art is taken a new place and meaning for me....

    thanks for the prompts, downloads, pictures... wow!

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  8. Thank you Sherri! I am so glad that you have found inspiration!

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  9. you mentioned somewhere on your blog about your "style". well i dont think i have a style yet but my compostions are pretty much along your lines! very similar if not exact! but i have a lot to learn! i am still only 18! :D thanks a lot for sharing! and i really liked your brain-storming idea for writing poems!

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  10. Your site opened a door for me that has been closed for years. I spent yesterday art journaling about things I had not been able to talk or write about. Thank you for your site.

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  11. What are the essentials for an art journal kit? I need to make a small kit for when I go to a cafe or something. Your site gave me a lot of inspiration! Thanks! :)

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  12. I am new to art journaling...I love your blog! I am also new to blogging and most recently began blogging about my art journaling...could I refer to your blog in a future post? I really like the way you have the pages listed out...Why art journal, New art journal, etc...
    Thank you, I can be found : http://paulaboudreaux.blogspot.com

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  13. Love your blog! So bright and colorful and you have an infectious passion for art journalling.I am a twelve year old from Pakistan and I recently made an art blog.Hoping you could drop by!

    Your new follower,

    Duaa
    http://ibreatheit.blogspot.com/

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  14. I love this but how do you manage to make the pages that look like they typed over paint?

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