Art Journaling As A Creative Habit.
A little back story as to how I got into journaling first!
Some time ago I was struggling with life. I was going through some difficulties in my personal life and trying to make changes to improve my mental and physical well being.
I needed to get out of my own head.
I had a cheap notepad and a biro. Doodling elaborate patterns led me into a healthy addiction - repetitive lines, circles and shading as a form of meditation. Unaware of Time going by.
Soon my little notepad became the thing I would reach for when I felt anxious or on edge.
This was before I had considered reviving my art skills as a business, I consider this period of my life an instrumental part of regaining my confidence to move forward to set some goals.
So many notepads and pens later doodling is still a fundamental part of my practice. Yes the quality of materials have advanced/changed over time but the benefits are still the same.
I consider my journals to be a safe place where I can express ideas and make less than perfect drawings or paintings. I tend to flip between creating wild, loose patterns to sketching from life - my dog (again) My living room, plants, cup of coffee, anything!
And as we are told, the more you draw the better your understanding of form becomes and therefore your art improves too!
However, I tend to find that if I'm tired then just playing with coloured pens is the way to go.
Art journaling allows me to discover colour combinations, compositions and marks I can take into future works. They are a handy tool when I have the dreaded creative block.
A flick through current and past journals usually presents me with a sign of something I can explore further.
TIPS FOR CONSIDERATION
The type of paper used will affect the result. I started out with budget friendly drawing pads which were sufficient for biro, pencil and felt tips. Once I started to consider watercolours for my backgrounds a thicker paper (180gsm or above) designed for this medium is a must, otherwise the pages won’t hold up and end ripping or warping. These types of papers/journals can still be found in discount stores, perfectly capable of doing the job\
It’s handy to have more than one book on the go at the same time. This way I can be working on layers while another background is drying, waiting around is painful when you want to get going!
Struggling to start? I take photos when I’m out and about interesting scenes and textures, these can be used as a starting point. I’m not talking about accurate representation here, just a basis of shapes to work into your pages.
Still struggling to start? Then I recommend typing into Pinterest ‘art journal page’ or ‘art journal prompts’ Try not to be overwhelmed with all the content though! And remember, the art journal is for YOU, let go of the expectation to produce an Instagram worthy spread, one might happen along the way, but if it doesn’t the process has been more valuable anyway. Check out my gathering of ideas on Pinterest HERE.
Begin with just a few tools. I have different journals for different materials. For example, I have one where I purely use markers and fine line pens, another for watercolour and ink and one more for collage. There are certainly pages where all medias collide! Generally, having one book for each material helps stop the procrastination on where to start. Plus, as I journal everywhere having one for solely pens is good for creating a page in bed.
Grab yourself a little basket to gather your favourite pens etc. that way if I want to go outside or sit myself in front of Netflix its easy to grab what I need without it being a big deal!
I hope these tips help you to get going with your own journal practice.
Even if taking up art as a hobby isn’t on your horizon, trying drawing or doodling the next time you feel anxious or overwhelmed.
