First Steps to Starting an Art Journal
Step 1: Get a Journal. Buy a mixed media or watercolor journal. You can find one at a local art store or order online from places like Dick Blick.
Canson Mixed Media Journal or Strathmore 500 Series Visual Mixed Media Journal are choices I like.
Pay attention to the weight of the paper. Ensure it’s meant for watercolor or mixed media to handle glue, water, and paint without buckling. If you’re new to art, a slight buckling might still happen, so don’t worry—embrace the process!
Step 2: Gather Your Materials Do you have markers, pens, pencils, watercolors, paints, glue, tape, old magazines, or random items you’ve meant to toss out? Gather them all in one spot—your art journal space. A glue gun is also a fun tool to have!
Here are some other ideas for art supplies:
Faber-Castell Goldfaber Color Pencils
Sargent Art Watercolor Crayons
Step 3: Create Your Space. If you like, light a candle or incense to set the mood. Open your journal to the first page. Place your hands on it and ask yourself, “What is already here that I’d like to express or explore?” By "here," I mean within you—your body, mind, thoughts, and feelings. There’s no right or wrong.
Start writing. Fill the page, rotate it 90 degrees, and write over what you wrote. Keep going until the words overlap and are unreadable. Let everything flow without editing (check out my example above. In the image, you will see this kind of text). Remember, no one else will ever read this—unless they’re a forensic scientist, and even then, why would they care about your inner thoughts?
Step 4: Get Messy and Have Fun Now, grab some paint, markers, and glue. Layer it over what you’ve written. There’s no right or wrong—pick colors that feel right for you in the moment. Let your creativity take over!
Step 5: Share and Ask Questions. I’m here to support you. Feel free to reach out, and I’ll get back to you within two days. I’m excited to help you stay committed to this process. You’ll soon crave this time for yourself. You can even get your family involved if you want! Sharing with friends and family is a great way to stay accountable.