Keeping an art journal is a great way to express your creativity, thoughts, and emotions in a visual format. Unlike traditional journals, art journals incorporate a mix of writing, drawing, and collage to create personal pages. It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced artist or a beginner, an art journal is a fantastic outlet for self-expression. It can also serve as a visual record for your goals and aspirations.

Your Art Supplies and Tools

The first step to starting an art journal is to gather your supplies. You can start with a simple notebook or sketchbook. If you plan to paint in your journal as well, a multimedia sketchbook would be the best. Black pens, colored pencils, stickers, and colorful paper work wonderfully with art journaling. But don’t overwhelm yourself with too many materials. Start with a few that you like and go from there.

Here are some recommendations:

Start with Simple Prompts

If you don’t know where to begin, use simple prompts to spark your creativity. Write about your favorite childhood memory, draw something that represents your current mood, or collage images from magazines. Another idea is to draw out highlights of your day or a specific moment that made an impression on you.

Here are a few prompts you can use:

1. A childhood memory
2. What you ate
3. How you feel today
4. 3 things you did; morning, afternoon and evening
5. What you would like your day to look like
6. Future you
7. The people you spent the day with
8. Your pet (if you have one)
9. Your favorite drink
10. Your happy place

Incorporate Writing and Art

Remember that an art journal is not just about drawing; it’s also a place to write your thoughts, reflections, and ideas. Adding a few words along with your artwork makes it more personal to you. Add your favorite poems or quotes. Some people even draw out their day in comic book style, including texts and conversations with others.

Be Consistent

Try to maintain a consistent habit. Set aside a specific time each day or week to work in your journal. Even dedicating just 15-20 minutes regularly can make a significant difference.

Explore Different Styles

Your art journal can be a place of exploration. Let it evolve over time as you try out different styles and techniques. Use different mediums and play with ideas that come to you. Let it become a place for record keeping as well as exploration of creativity.

Keeping an art journal is a beautiful, visual way to keep your memories and creativity alive. Make it a unique journal that reflects your thoughts and emotions. Remember to be consistent and explore various styles to make the most of your art journaling journey. Happy creating!