Why keep an Art Journal?
First things first – there are no strict rules!
I’d call mine an Art Diary. It’s also a mini-sketchbook. A visual book of ideas, creativity, expressions, moods, techniques, notes…whatever I like. I’m quite organised, so that tends to come across in its pages. Let it reflect YOU. If you want to be messy, that’s fine. Let it show!
Choose an unlined journal
If it’s got inner pockets for mementos, even better
A beautiful cover that inspires you to fill its pages
Some of my favourite dazzling ‘paperblanks’ journals.
Vibrant & imaginative journal covers by the inspirational Laurel Burch
I like to keep my art diary varied. It’s a real mish-mash of ideas and experiments in art. My imagination was flowing earlier this year with putting together sketches of my Christmas cards and dreaming up paintings of mermaids on scallop shells that I brought back from my summer holidays…
You can get carried away with mermaid ideas! Good way to try out blue, green and silver watercolours, though.
How about some experiments in block printing? Why not use a potato? And why not stick it all into an art journal? Blues & greys appeal to me and more tries will follow, for sure!
It’s a form of therapy too …
Not only does my art diary provide a special space to collect my ideas and sketches, it can be very therapeutic. I’m all for that! Each time I create art, I’m also giving a hint of a moment of inspiration or just my general mood at that time. It’s interesting to leaf through the pages and pick up those feelings again. Creating the art itself is relaxing, and so is looking back at those creations. It can reveal so much about you. It’s also quite warming to see how I have developed ideas and skills too. Try it!
