How to create an Beautiful “Art journal” for wellbeing ? 8 Ideas & basic tips

How to create an “Art journal”?Even if you are not an artist! 🙂

If you can’t draw, your handwriting is horrible, and you think creativity is a skill you completely lack, then the Creative Journal is for you!

picasso devoted his entire adult life to learning to paint again as a child.
Paint freely with your feelings and not just your eyes. “Non-artists” have a unique ability to draw with feelings, because they haven’t learned how to do it any other way.

Keeping an art journal brings you many benefits. Like, for example, expressing yourself other than with words, enjoying the present moment, developing your creativity, taking time for yourself, listening to your intuition…

In this article you will learn what is an art journal and why you should practice it.
It is a very powerful tool that can bring you a lot of well-being on a daily basis.

It’s easy to say “express yourself”, but how do you express yourself?

You will also find many creative ideas to allow you to get started and never run out of inspiration!

What is an “Art Journal”?

The Art journal is a visual collection of thoughts, feelings and ideas. It’s a way creative and unique to record your life and experiences, explore your feelings and thoughts, or plan for the future and set goals.

The “Art journal” is an English term that designates a notebook in which one expresses oneself creatively with the tools of one’s choice (words, colors, drawings, collages, etc.).

However, art journaling should not be mixed with the “creative journal®” which is a method developed by Anne-Marie Jobin. If you are interested, you will find all the details on his site.

Why keep an Art Journal?

Keeping an Art Journal has benefits far beyond simply honing one’s artistic skills. It’s an amazing activity. motivating and inspiring.

Indeed, novelty is a powerful motivator!

Use a diary art for you unload the day and relax to generate new ideas or find creative solutions to the problems you are currently facing.

The picture really is worth a thousand words. And using art to externalize your life experiences opens up new possibilities and new ways to express your thoughts, feelings, and ideas.

But one of the most important aspects of art journaling is the creativity .
Saying you’re not creative is like saying you’re not human. Creativity is an innate ability that we all have.

The only problem is that we lose it if we don’t use it. And art journal is a perfect exercise to strengthen creativity . Once you start practicing creativity regularly, you will see improvements in all areas of your life.

The Art Journal is a place where you can take awareness of yourself so what to explore and develop your creativity.

Basic Art Journal Supplies

To get started with an art journal, you don’t need a lot of materials, just a few basic tools.

Pick the medium you feel most comfortable with and start from there, expanding as you progress.

• Notebook with resistant paper
• Pens, markers, gel pens
• Markers, colored markers
• Colouring pencils
• Pastels
• Watercolor
• Acrylic paint
• Brushes, brushes
• Glue, scissors
• Pictures
• Materials (fabrics, string, dried flowers, scraps of wallpaper, flyers, old magazines, etc.)

How to START A JOURNAL ART – 6 TIPS TO GET STARTED

By following our 6 tips, you can in turn start an art journal.

1. BE REGULAR TO KEEP A CREATIVE NOTEBOOK

To benefit from all the advantages of art journaling, it is essential to practice frequently. This does not mean that you have to have a rigid schedule and train daily. However, the ideal is to establish a creative routine. To keep your motivation over time, favor short sessions and sequence your work. For example, plan a day to make a background, another for collages and a last for adding text.

In your schedule, prefer the mention of “art journaling” to that of “relaxation”. This resists the temptation of passive entertainment. No more procrastination and long hours in front of Netflix! Also, determine the best times to advance your project. Obviously, a good organization does not prevent moments of improvisation. If you have a motivating or inspiring phrase in mind, do not wait and jot it down in your notebook.

2. HAVE AN ADAPTED FRAMEWORK FOR DRAWING AND WRITING

If you have a busy schedule and aren’t home alone, it can seem overwhelming to start an art journal. It must be said, this discipline requires concentration. Do you tend to get distracted and dizzy? Here are some tips to help you stay focused on your book:

• move to a quiet room;
• avoid particularly crowded places;
• sit comfortably in order to be at ease;
• remove notifications from electronic devices;
• listen to relaxing music.

For more fun, treat yourself to a creative space at home. To do this, place your desk in a quiet corner. Place it preferably near a window in order to have access to a maximum of natural light. It’s the best way to appreciate each page of your artistic expression book! Also think about the artificial lighting of your room to be able to draw even in the evening. Plus, make your life easier by having storage close at hand for your journal art equipment. Colored pencils, markers and brushes can be put in jars. As for the other accessories, they can be arranged in a drawer unit.

3. HAVE THE BASIC MATERIALS TO START A JOURNAL ART

THE SUPPORT

To know which newspaper art medium to choose, it’s very simple. Three main criteria are to be considered: aesthetics, practicality and weight. Select a format that will be adapted to your needs (notebook, binder, notebook, notebook). Make sure the sheets are white and thick enough to accommodate your drawings and sketches (minimum 180 grams).

EQUIPMENT FOR WRITING AND COLORING

Use calligraphy pens or lettering markers to write down your thoughts or cute quotes. Take care of the appearance of your letters and energize your text by adding color. Consider getting pencils, a watercolor palette, gouache and paintbrushes.

MATERIAL FOR COLLAGES

Keep your old newspapers and magazines. Take a pair of scissors to cut them to the desired size and attach them to your pages. For this, equip yourself with a glue for newspaper art that will be adapted to your needs (glue in the form of a spray, pen or stick). You can also turn to the different types of adhesives: pellets, double-sided roller, etc.

DECORATIVE ELEMENTS

To personalize your notebook, consider adding photos and scrapbooking elements (stickers, stamps, masking tape, wooden embellishments, etc.). Of course, when you’re just starting out, there’s no need to rob your favorite stationery store! What you need ? Quality equipment that makes you want to exercise regularly.

4. BE INTERESTED IN ART TO HAVE PRETTY PAGES

Lacking inspiration to begin creating your creative notebook? Don’t freak out! Review your favorite works when you have the time. Obviously, the intention is not to duplicate them. Instead, it is about motivating oneself and incorporating new techniques (painting, scrapbooking, calligraphy, etc.).

Try out several strategies while you read the pages. Keep moving beyond your comfort zone! It’s crucial to educate your hands if you want to advance. Learn to control your brush pressure in particular to bring out the softness of watercolor. Dare to use sponges and brushes made for Distress Oxide inks.

To achieve harmonious pages, also exercise your eyes. Using a color wheel will help you dial in and match hues. This tool is useful for knowing the different types of colors (primary, secondary, tertiary). It will allow you to create a coherent and luminous notebook.

5. DEVELOP QUALITIES TO CREATE AN ARTISTIC EXPRESSION NOTEBOOK

It is true that starting an art diary does not call for a specific level of artistic ability. You must still exhibit a few traits to succeed in this pastime. As you may expect, compiling a notebook takes more than a single day. Of course, it depends on how many pages and how much time you plan to spend enjoying this pleasure. Therefore, having patience is crucial.

Perseverance is a complementary quality to the first talent. Consistency and perseverance are necessary to keep a diary. Be not disheartened. Don’t give up even if you don’t like your artwork! The outcome is clearly worth the work. You’ll see that you’ll feel more confident and content in no time.

Starting an art journal also involves being creative. Design the notebook that suits you! Put your favorite colors and your favorite quotes on it. Dare to be unique and DIY. Why not make your own notebook yourself? All you need is paper and yarn to put the sheets together. Do not hesitate to recover. It is economical and original.

6. BE FULLY YOURSELF, THE KEY TO LOVE YOUR ART BOOK

If art journaling is a good way to relax after a day of work, it is also a method of personal development. The goal is not to force yourself to be good. It’s more about expressing your emotions at the time. Whether you’re sad, angry or frustrated, bring your pencils. Your filing cabinet is like your secret garden. You are in front of yourself, in front of your feelings. No one is there to judge you. It’s just you!

“Art washes away the dust of everyday life from our souls. ” (Pablo Picasso)

Making journal art is embracing the unique combination of your abilities and limitations that makes you who you are. So let your efforts to reflect your emotions. You’ll develop your own artistic style over time. Do not be afraid to return often to gauge your development. laud the effort put forward. This enables you to stand back from your earlier emotions and proceed more calmly going forward.

You can start a journal art business if you practice traits like patience and persistence. It is an inexpensive activity that serves as effective rehabilitation. There is only one thing to do: get started if you want to enjoy all the advantages of art journaling.

8 Ideas for activities to start your Art Journal

When it comes to art journaling there is no rules . And since there are no rules, it is sometimes difficult to start.

To begin, define your goal, your “why?” »
Looking at a blank page and not knowing where to start or how to express yourself is terribly demotivating. Unless you have a list of inspirational ideas to guide you when you feel stuck.

To dare to start, on your brand new notebook and not be afraid of the blank page, a little advice:
Don’t start with the first page. Start your creations in the middle of your notebook for example.

Your art can be abstract (shapes, shapes, lines, smudges) or concrete (objects or scene). It doesn’t matter how the finished work looks or how good or bad you draw. What matters is the activity itself and the feelings it arouses in you.

Below are some creative ideas you can make and suggestions on how to make them.

1. Thoughts and feelings

Here are some of the questions you can ask yourself:

How do I feel now?
What made me happy today?
What were my thoughts throughout the day?
What thoughts repeat themselves every day?
What accomplishments am I proud of?
What scares me?
What makes me happy / sad / excited / anxious / angry / hopeful?

For this type of entrance, you can start by painting colored blocks with acrylic paint. Then fill in the blocks with the thoughts and feelings you have, or with answers to the questions mentioned above. The blocks create spaces where you can let out all your thoughts and feelings.

To finish, doodle around the blocks with gel pens or markers.

On good days, you can dare to explore uncomfortable feelings. But on bad days, focus only on positive feelings and thoughts.

2. Memories

We all have those beautiful days that we wish we could last forever. Use your art journal to document one of those days.

Paste on the pages every trace of paper from that day like tickets, napkin, receipt, brochure, food wrapper, photo or whatever you have from the day.

The spaces between two are filled with small descriptions of moments. With the feelings you felt and the thoughts you had.

Use markers in colors that you think best represent that day.

Document the little moments that make you smile by drawing a picture and writing a few words. Don’t worry about the quality of the drawing, draw like a child, free and free of charge.

3. Lists

Lists are always fun to make.

There are countless list ideas such as wish list, favorite things, to do, to try, to cook, to travel, to travel, to read books, to movies, to songs, to quotes , advice, in my bag, hobbies, interests, a rainy day and many more.

Use watercolors for the base and markers and gel pens for writing.

4. Affirmations and quotes

Quotes and affirmations are excellent art journal notes.

On the page, type your affirmation or phrase in various font styles and sizes.
After that, scribble, paint, or draw a border around it. As you make art based on the affirmation, keep repeating it in your brain.

There are two ways to make a personal affirmation:

• Define your problem and write a positive statement in the present tense as if your problem was already solved.
• Become aware of your negative thoughts. Now change the negative thought to a positive thought and write it in present tense.

5. secret emotions

This way of journaling is when you have something heavy on your heart or when you hold anger inside.

Write everything on the journal pages, then paint your words. Take some acrylic paint and start making strokes in all directions. Use colors based on how you feel about what is written. Determine the colors of your feelings using the wheel of emotions of Plutchik .

6. dreams

Keep track of your dreams. Our dreams are glimpses of our unconscious.

Draw or paint the most significant moment in the dream and write a short description.

7. Motivation

For the days when you feel low, like nothing can move you. Create a motivational page. Find motivational quotes. Write them all over the page in no particular order. Then paint, draw, doodle around them.

8. Self-awareness

Being aware of your true self, your abilities and your flaws is the secret to a healthy, happy and successful life.

Choose one of the following themes:

• Qualities. What are your qualities ?
• Defaults. What are your faults ?
• Acknowledgement. What are you grateful for?
• Capacities and skills. What are you good at?
• To attract. What more do you want in your life?
• Let go. What grudges, angers, and bad feelings do you hold on to?

Open your journal with the two blank pages. Place your left hand with spread fingers on a left-hand page and trace it with a pen. And do the same with your right hand on the right page.

Now it’s time to fill in the fingers. In each finger, write a word or a short sentence that answers the question of the theme you have chosen.

Color your hands and the space around it while contemplating what is written.

More art journal entry ideas:

• create mandalas
• practice calligraphy
• Countryside
• make a collage
• Upstream reflection of the desired colors / textures and techniques
• Search for equipment / materials (therefore vigilance / creative spirit on the alert)
• Organization of space on the sheet
• Associations of shapes, colors, overlays: search for aesthetics / tests
• Dissemination of a creative message, an atmosphere, a shared state of mind
• Impossibility of failing or missing because the creation is not technical = satisfaction
• Feeling of belonging to a group since we are all launching together = group dynamics and curiosity
• Discovery of the creations of others and perhaps new inspirations for the future
• Possible activity with the children (you can therefore take advantage of a moment with them to carry out your own exercise = no “loss” of time)
• Active meditation: by focusing the mind we create a calm and soothing rhythm

2 very simple little exercises

Carry out tests (also called “swatches”) of your material, for example draw lines of color to see the “pigmentation” / rendering of your markers or make circles with your paint… The idea is just to test. I insist: TEST not succeed in a work of art .

If you prefer you can also play with shapes. All you have to do is alternate simple shapes such as circles, squares, rectangles, triangles, crosses, lines, dotted lines, etc. and distribute these different shapes over your entire page. Here too we are testing different “doodles” / patterns that will surely be useful to us later.

These 2 ideas seem very basic but they will allow you to familiarize yourself with your paper, your notebook and your equipment without any pressure and any obligation of concrete results. In addition, the repetition of a gesture has a meditative and relaxing effect, so do not underestimate this type of little training!

If you are already comfortable with the tool and you feel inspired, you can absolutely start because you want it to be collage, drawing, painting etc… Let yourself be carried away!

MIXED MEDIA & ART JOURNAL

As I mentioned before, one of the “strengths” of the Art Journal is to encourage experimentation among practitioners, which helps to foster their curiosity. It is referred to as “Mixed Media.”

On the same page, you can totally think about painting the background with an acrylic roller, layering paper on top, and then using greasy waxes. You can add stickers, dried flowers, and golden “accents”… In other words, the better the mixing, the more! But once more, be clear. You are not being forced to utilize “mixed media.”

By using different things you will find that some will please you more than others. So it will be interesting to see where you go more naturally and play with it over time. Some techniques will tend to suit better and others less… In general, this is not trivial.

These are just a few of the ideas for starting an Art Journal.
The possibilities and variations are endless!

To conclude, draw and paint as when you were a child, without reservations and just for fun.
Explore and have fun!