In this post, we will try to clear up all the doubts around the Art Journal. Like what is it, what materials are needed or how to do it. We'll be talking about everything you need to know. Let's go there!
How many times have you heard about Art Journal? Maybe a lot, but it's possible that you still have some doubts about this technique. Quite normal! But we're here to help you!
The Art Journal is a visual diary where you can experiment with different techniques to express your feelings, emotions, and creativity. Unlike a Project Life, an Art Journal gives you more freedom to create, with any rules or dates set, simply letting your imagination run wild.
In the Art Journal, there are no rules other than your notebook pages and this is why more and more people are joining the Art Journal. It allows you to develop your creative skills with different techniques: calligraphy, drawing, painting, collage...
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Many people have come to the Art Journal through scrapbooking and other crafts since you can use your journal to practice countless Mixed Media techniques.
Materials to make Art Journal
The essential ingredient to creating a good Art Journal is a good notebook, that is to say, a notebook made of high-quality watercolour paper, because your journal is getting a lot of work with so many techniques to practice. You can find different brands, we love the quality of Canson paper or the new Journal notebooks designed by Dina Wakley and Dyan Reaveley for the Ranger brand.
Another option is to buy single watercolour paper and create your own notebook.
Apart from this essential element, you can also use drawing, painting, and scrapbooking materials to create an Art Journal and, in fact, you can reuse many of the ones you have at home, as you know that in Mix Media you can mix techniques and materials with no problem.
If you want some references, we recommend you to have at hand:
- Watercolours: some watercolour tablets can be very convenient, although you can also use liquid watercolour (or whatever you have on hand).
- Acrylic paints: the traditional paints in tubes that are worth investing in because they will last for a long time. Some basic and high-quality ones are from Americana.
- Spray inks: perfect for creating "stains" on your Art Journal pages. You can make them at home (acrylic paint plus alcohol), or use the ones you use for scrapbooking as Distress Stain Spray, Carrot Cake, or Color Shine, for example.
- Watercolour waxes and gelatins: these types of waxes will be useful to create the backgrounds or paint directly on the surface. A lot of fun is guaranteed!
- Pencils, brushes, palette knives, and rollers: basic for working on the backgrounds and being able to draw and paint or apply paints in stencils, gesso, etc.
- Markers: ideal for writing and working on the calligraphy of your texts.
- Stamps and inks: to stamp your pages and give them a special touch, they are also very useful for creating textured backgrounds.
And other extras that you may have at home, such as gesso, embossing powder, embossing dryer, stencils, etc.
Let's say that there are no limits in terms of materials, but the key is to reuse what you have at home and so little by little get to know what you really need.
Art Journal techniques
It is impossible to summarize here all the Art Journal techniques because there are as many as there are people and imagination.
Remember, there are no limits here, you can work whatever you want and, however you want, that's what your notebook is for, and it doesn't need to be perfect either. Forget about perfection and enjoy the process of reflecting your personality on paper.
Just get your notebook ready and enjoy the experience of learning new techniques and creating your art journal.
