You can start art journaling anytime, anywhere. Even if you only have one piece of paper. But even if you have a whole fancy journal, where do you start? If you need a bit of inspiration, here are 5 art journal prompts to get you started.
The first 3 are very specific. If you think you can’t draw or make things, or you haven’t for a while, these prompts will help you start art journaling without fear.
The last two prompts are a bit more open. They can be as complicated or as simple as you want. I hope you can use some ideas from the previous prompts if you get stuck. 🙂
Fill a page with triangles.
Draw them.
Paint them.
Cut them out of pretty tape or junk mail and glue them in.
Or do all of that at once. 🙂
Grab a newspaper, junk mail, magazine, or anything with big letters.
Pick some of your favorite words.
Outline these words by hand on the next page.
You can slide the words under your work and trace if you like.
Fill up the entire page. The more fonts the better.
Then, fill them up with color or patterns.
Make 5 circles on the next page.
Now find a favorite poem, long quote, book passage, etc. online or in person.
Fill in the space around the circles by copying your chosen text.
Make lots of sheet ghosts in fancy sheets next.
Make a rainy day on your last page.
And that’s all! I hope you found these prompts easy and inspirational. If you make them, please let me see! Tag me @ceiltastic on Instagram and Twitter.
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So what’s an art journal, anyway? An art journal is simply a place where you can empty your brain in a visual way. It doesn’t have to look “good”. You could make a whole page of solid blue, or three pages of little triangles. It’s your brain, and your space to dump it out. There are no rules, art teachers, or critics in your art journal. Go ahead and throw stuff on the proverbial floor.
And, you’re the only person who needs to see it. Maybe show it to your cat, or fish. Or post every page on Facebook if you want. Do whatever feels right for this point in your creative life.
Why do I need to do this?
Do you ever get up from your work and stretch? Or maybe go for a walk when you’re stressed? Art journaling is another way to stretch, exercise, and free up your brain.
Here’s some science explained by actual scientists and not me (a humble blogger):
Summary: Science seems to agree that making art is pretty good for you. You can use this as a perfectly valid reason to cloister yourself away and make stuff. Because science.
What’s the difference between an art journal and sketchbook?
This answer will be different for everyone. They may be the exact same thing for you. Or you might alternate between sketching and journaling in the same book. There are no rules. 🙂
For me, an art journal is more of a brain dump. I’m not trying to practice or refine anything, and I’m not thinking ahead to a larger piece. I’m just tossing down whatever my brain wants to in that moment.
In my sketchbook, I am usually trying to hone a skill; like anatomy. Or, I’m sketching for a larger project. I might sketch the same thing over and over again. I’m focused on my technique if I’m practicing, and I’m focused on layout and shapes if it’s a thumbnail for something bigger.
Does it have to look a certain way? I’ve noticed a particular style is popular in art journals.
If you search “intuitive painting,” that style is very similar to many classic art journal pages. That makes a lot of sense, since we’re putting down whatever comes to mind – intuitively.
Maybe you don’t like the style of typical intuitive painting. Maybe you’re more of a minimalist. Or you might be somewhere in between. Those are all fine, because your art journal doesn’t have to look any certain way.
Your pages can be monotone or rainbow. You can use a single pen or 10 different products and stickers.
What do I need to start art journaling?
If you have any means of making marks, you can art journal. It can be with scrap paper and a pen. It can be with your finger in a drawing app. You just need:
Your brain
A way to record what’s in your brain, visually.
That’s really it. But here are some of the tools I use for art journaling:
Art markers
Faber-Castell, Copic, Prismacolor
India ink pens
Sakura Micron, Faber-Castell
Pencils
Kneaded eraser
If you have never tried one, I highly recommend
Strathmore Visual Journal in 140lb Watercolor
Canson XL Mix Media pads
These say they can take watercolor but I have not found that to be so
Great for pencil & ink, and dryer paint like acrylic is okay too
Tayasui Sketches app for iPhone/Android
Do you art journal? Has it helped you make more time for art, or helped you think about something differently?
Feel free to share this with someone you think would benefit from an art journal. 🙂
Ready for more?
Want to peek behind the scenes of Celia Agnes? Maybe you’d like some discounts for my offerings, or to be the first to know about new features and products. Members of my newsletter get those things every Sunday. I would love to see you there!
