Kerrymay._.Makes - Planners, Mixed Media, Creative Journals
  • Blog
  • About
    • About Me/Get in Touch
    • Privacy/Disclosures
    • Kerrymay Makes Links
  • Planners/Bujo
  • Art Journal Series
  • FB Journal Group
  • Videos
  • Freebies
    • Printables
    • Member Goodies
  • Resources Library
    • Resources
    • Art & Journal Resources
    • Shop Discount Codes
    • Pinterest Group Board
  • Blog
  • About
    • About Me/Get in Touch
    • Privacy/Disclosures
    • Kerrymay Makes Links
  • Planners/Bujo
  • Art Journal Series
  • FB Journal Group
  • Videos
  • Freebies
    • Printables
    • Member Goodies
  • Resources Library
    • Resources
    • Art & Journal Resources
    • Shop Discount Codes
    • Pinterest Group Board

10 Art Journal Ideas and Starting Points for Beginners to Advanced

17/10/2017

6 Comments

 
A guest post for Plan With Hannah - go visit her lovely blog.

DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you purchase through my links, but they are all for products that I love and use myself.
Tips and ideas for starting your art journal pages for both beginners and the more advanced. Kerrymay._.Makes
Beginning the journey into art journaling can sometimes be scary; not knowing where to start or what tools and equipment you need, thinking it won't be good enough, not having any inspiration... sound familiar? It needn't be.

​Art journals are a means of self expression and are ultimately for YOU, no one else. So stop judging yourself and get going and go with the flow, you soon won't be able to stop those creative juices from flowing. Read on for 10 ideas to get you started.
Tips and ideas for starting your art journal pages for both beginners and the more advanced. Kerrymay._.Makes

1. What do you need to start art journaling?

The first question to ask is what tools and equipment you will need. Well I have covered most of this in my post here Art Tips for Art Journaling, but you really don't need all of that.

Basically you will need:
  • Some kind of book or paper (any type of insert on matte paper will be fine). Moleskine cahier sets, mixed media books, watercolour pad or any type of sketchbook is fine.
  • Some type of paint (watercolour, acrylic, spray inks, alcohol ink). ​Learn how to make your own alcohol ink here.
  • A paint brush or watercolour brush.
  • Any other type of pens, crayons or pencils - this may be wax, charcoal, felt tips, chalk pens, whatever takes your fancy. There is no right or wrong medium to use, go with what you feel comfortable using.
  • You may wish to invest in some stamps and ink pads, embellishments and die cuts, but again you don't have to.
    ​
That's it, that's all you need to get started.

For any additional resources you might need , take a look at my Amazon Storefront for my top recommendations.
Tips and ideas for starting your art journal pages for both beginners and the more advanced. Kerrymay._.Makes

2. How do I start though?

Don't over think it - EVER! Just get some paint on the page and then add some extra elements to it if you wish. I never plan what I am creating (only very loosely). You may wish to leave it as just the paint or you can add more detail after. See below for some inspiration.

3. Using stamps over paint

Tips and ideas for starting your art journal pages for both beginners and the more advanced. Kerrymay._.Makes
Using stamps over you paint (after it is dry of course) is a great way to get started. There are so many pretty stamps available now. Tim Holtz do great inks for mixed media: 
  • Tim Holtz distress ink pad in Antique Linen
  • Tim Holtz Distress Inks
and if you are looking for stamps on a budget have a browse through Ali Express and search for clear stamps, they are so cheap.

​I got some lovely ones with vintage writing on and they look amazing stamped on to my painted pages. For the image featured here I added a bit of white pen for extra detailing.

4. Using collage to add interest

Tips and ideas for starting your art journal pages for both beginners and the more advanced. Kerrymay._.Makes
Another thing you can add to a painted page is collage. This can be from magazines, a paid subscription such as through Patreon or from die cuts or ephemera / printables (see my Free Vintage Ephemera Printable Links here). It really doesn't need to cost you anything and you can print whatever takes your fancy. Experiment with tearing sheets, layering, adding pen over the top or mixing elements up. All the collage elements in this page were free from magazines and collage sheets I found on Pinterest.
​
Inspiration and Printables on my Ephemera boards on Pinterest:
  • ​Craft Printables
  • Vintage Lady Printables
  • Collage Sheets

5. Decoupage Art

One of the first things I tried with my pages was decoupage. I bought a Matt Gel from Amazon and started by sticking different things down with it, then adding a layer of the gel on top. You can scratch away at it so that it shows through the paint or leave as it is.

​It is great to add tissue paper to a page or a torn sheet from a book and really adds interest to your page. You can also use one layer of a patterned serviette or paper napkin. 
Tips and ideas for starting your art journal pages for both beginners and the more advanced. Kerrymay._.Makes
Tips and ideas for starting your art journal pages for both beginners and the more advanced. Kerrymay._.Makes

6. Adding words to an art journal page

The hardest decision I had to make when starting art journaling was how to add words and quotes to my pages. Well, the options are endless. You could add printed words, cut words from magazines, use chalk pens or gel pens like the uni ball, use paint pens like the Posca Paint Pens ​ ones, use die cuts or ephemera (printed or brought) or paint or stamp them.

​Don't limit yourself or over think it and don't be put off if your writing is not great... the printer and glue stick are your friends.
Tips and ideas for starting your art journal pages for both beginners and the more advanced. Kerrymay._.Makes
Picture

7. Adding embellishments

Anything and I mean 'anything' can be added to your art journal pages. Got some scrapbook elements or enamel dots? Buttons lying around? - use them in your pages. Simple and effective. Use a strong glue, glue dots, sticky pads or a hot glue gun to adhere them to your page.

8. Just add pen

Yep, just adding a bit of pen work to your paint can really make the page pop. The Posca Paint Pens or uniball gel pens in white or any colour really are a great way to add detail to paint. Again, don't over think it, just start doodling over the paint for amazing results.

​Alternatively just a black biro to add patterns or zentangles to a page can really be effective, these could also be used in art journal pages as borders or to frame certain things.
Tips and ideas for starting your art journal pages for both beginners and the more advanced. Kerrymay._.Makes

9. Doodle on your Art Journal pages

A page with a bit of doodling looks great in your art journals. I love to doodle and it looks great when directly on an old book page. You could paint the page first with a thin layer of white paint (or gesso if you really want to).

​A mix of doodles and words can really make a page stand out and it is so easy to do. This was actually my first ever go at art journaling.

10. Stop Comparing and Never Give Up!

Speaks for itself. You will never develop your pages if you compare to others. Keep at it, an artist is always growing. Remember the art is for YOU and no one else.
Tips and ideas for starting your art journal pages for both beginners and the more advanced. Kerrymay._.Makes
If you still want more ideas, then check out my Art Ideas Boards on Pinterest:
Art Journal Inspiration
Art Techniques and Tutorials

I have loved writing this post for Hannah, hopefully you will have found some of it useful in planning and starting your art journaling journey.

​Take Care, Kerry xx
Tips and ideas for starting your art journal pages for both beginners and the more advanced. Kerrymay._.Makes
If you liked this post please share on Pinterest (hover/save)
Kerrymay._.Makes
Follow me on  social media:
​
​Instagram  |  You Tube  |  Pinterest |  
Twitter |  ​ ​​FB Art Journaling Group

Guest Post Information: About Hannah:


Picture
​My name is Hannah and I am 32 years old. I am a working mum with an addiction to planning in the attempt to be more organised.  The reality is I’ve developed a sticker obsession and love making my planner look pretty!  Therefore I do spend a small fortune on stickers each month, and have recently started getting monthly subscriptions too; all of which I will happily blog or post on Instagram about.

I discovered many years ago that as much as I, like many others, have become more and more reliant on technology, I can’t tear myself away from paper planners.  I had always loved filofaxes and writing things down.  Then I became of the UK Planner Addict facebook group (UKPA) my obsession just got worse!  I discovered stickers and page decorating and slowly began to see my pennies go on stickers… I now can’t imagine a plain page in my diary.

Vist Hannah's blog: planwithhannah.wordpress.com
6 Comments
Durgesh link
22/10/2017 12:23:22 pm

Thanks I think it will help me

Reply
Connie
18/6/2018 12:18:58 am

Enjoyed reviewing your art journal ideas. I am working on a journal for a little girl that likes elephants and I'm having so much fun.

Reply
Kerry
24/6/2018 06:48:15 pm

Awww that sounds lovely Connie, would love to see the results of it. Do join my group on Facebook Kerrymay Makes A Mess and share with us xx

Reply
Tina
16/1/2019 11:08:59 pm

I just discovered this blog! I love it. I'm just getting started in art journaling. I have learned so much in 10 minutes of reading here, than anywhere else! Thank you sooo much!

Reply
Kerry
18/1/2019 07:45:02 am

Awww thank you so much Tina, that really means a lot xx

Reply
Citrus Heights Land Surveyors link
22/9/2022 12:50:53 pm

Thankks great post

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Kerrymay._.Makes Blog Author

    BLOG AUTHOR

    Hi I'm Kerry a Notts UK blogger, planner, art & creative journal fanatic. Make a cuppa and browse my tutorials and makes.

    Picture

    ​​​​​Categories

    All
    Art Journal
    Art Journaling Series
    Blog Tips
    Bullet Journaling
    Christmas
    Creative Journaling
    Junk Journals
    Mixed Media
    Planner Meets
    Planners
    Printables/Ephemera
    Smash / Scrapbook
    Stationery/Hauls
    Travelers Notebook
    Wellbeing

    Follow me on Bloglovin'
    Follow me on Bloglovin'
    Picture
    Save my button to link back to my site

    CraftNest - Your source for crafty cliparts and SVGs

    RSS Feed

Picture

Thank you for reading. 


Contacts:

For business and private enquiries: ​[email protected]
Privacy/Disclosures
​About / Contact
​Resources Library
Planner Shop Discounts
​Facebook Blog Page - Follow the latest posts

©Kerrymay._.Makes 2022