Art Journals: What Are They, Why You Should Have One, and How You Can Get Started
If you’ve never heard of an art journal before, don’t feel ashamed. I didn’t know what one was until I saw it on Tumblr. Art journaling is as simple as it sounds. It’s a journal you keep where you are able to do absolutely anything you want artistically. As someone who is extremely analytical and obsessed with needing a reason for everything, I did not find the idea of art journaling appealing at all. I thought it was too free. Creativity needs boundaries. Not too many, but a substantial amount. The idea confounded me. Why keep a book that was meant to be written in just to put a bunch of “art” in it? If you want to paint, why not do it on a canvas? If you wanted to draw, do it in a sketchbook, and so on. It wasn’t until recently I discovered how art journals are not only works of literal art, but they can become mini museums of your own making.
The benefits to art in general are exponential. Art can relieve stress, promote creativity, provides a visual voice to any emotional turmoil, can help with mental health, and promotes high self-esteem. But what makes art journaling so special is the mix of two worlds. Journals are typically meant to provide solace for life’s problems, a private and personal space where one is allowed to be as horrid or as happy as they please. Art brings beauty out of our ugly humanity and is also extremely mentally stimulating. In an art journal, two essential halves become whole. Completing the work brings about a sense of accomplishment and appreciation.
For me, personally, I feel extremely proud of myself when I’m finished with my self expression because I was able to create something under my direction only. The privacy my journal brings allows me to make whatever I want without the critical eye of anyone. My mind works so fast, my inner critic doesn’t even have any time to badger me. And when I’m done, a sense of peace overcomes me, and I can sleep knowing I did something really good.
Now that you know why you should have an art journal, I can teach you how to get started. If you want to know how I made The Book of Lush II, read on.
Step 1: Find a journal
Doesn’t matter what kind it is. I really liked the water color look of the paper. It inspires creativity for me, specifically. Though, depending on the material you’re working with, it would be best to get a large journal to hold in all those magnum opuses.
Step 2: Find a background
Lined paper, white paper, loose leaf, whatever it is can get really boring if you rely on that same background over and over again. A background can really add to your work by either giving it meaning or enhancing the aesthetic.
Step 3: Cut out the pieces you want to use
This is the time where you become a treasure hunter. Anything can be added. Literally anything: fabric, glass, thin enough metals, paper, posters, photographs, flyers, anything you want that can fit in this space. Here especially is where you can decide what you want your piece to say, if anything. The inspiration for me was bold color and happiness.
Step 4: Put the pieces down and decide where you want each one to be positioned
As with the previous step, the placement of your art can really emphasize your personal message. Similarly to when an American flag is hung upside down, that can be interpreted as a distress signal or one of political protest. Or you can just place it in a way that’s visually pleasing to you.
Step 5: Tape or glue the pieces
I personally have used tape because I really hate how watery some glues are (and I don’t have a glue stick on me at the moment.) So I’ve been rolling my tape to make it double sided, as seen above. Place in most corners as to discourage any floating corners that could bend once you close the book. Then once I’ve placed it where I wanted, I just press it down, making sure not to press too hard so that it doesn’t move off place.
Step 6: Repeat steps 4–5 until satisfied
Be patient during this step. Sometimes the initial set ups you made might not work out in the end. This is where you can make adjustments or add more parts. Take as much time as you need because the end goal is to be happy with what you’re making.
Step 7: You’re done!
Now you can admire what you’ve done and be happy. You’ve just made your first work of art. You can Instagram it, show your friends or keep it to yourself. Whatever you choose, know you have now truly made the art you wanted.
