art and other things
Sometimes, we can find inspiration in old, vintage, and antique books.
That’s especially true about old diaries. They may not be art journaling examples, but you’ll see fascinating ways people have documented their daily lives, sometimes just with words, and sometimes with illustrations.
This 25-minute video shows a variety of old-fashioned diaries. Delicious inspiration!
https://youtu.be/iBwmCMbDyjU
Keri Smith broke the mold when she first published her “Wreck This Journal” journals.
She’s still a great inspiration, whether you’re a beginner or a long-time fan of art journaling and scrapbooking.
If you’re not familiar with Keri’s art & philosophy, this video may be a good place to start. It’s about 3 minutes long.
https://youtu.be/EQpoDWSHby0
If you like her message, you’ll find more,related videos at YouTube.
Also, even if you don’t speak Spanish, this 3-minute video is fascinating. Multiple artists demonstrate how they “wrecked” a Wreck This Journal (Destroza Este Diario). They’re some intriguing art journaling examples.
https://youtu.be/uQko6xa3whE
Would you like to sketch in your art journal or scrapbook, but need art journaling ideas?
This short (under two minutes) video is in German – with subtitles in English. (You’ll understand it, even without the sound on.)
This unique idea may give you a fresh outlook, and ideas of what to draw in an art journal. He also uses visual layering techniques to lend a sense of depth to some of his art journal illustrations.
Mr. Scheinberger talks about sketching with art materials that may be at your elbow, and using them as subject, but changing their size or proportions.
In other words, make the everyday into something different with art journaling.
https://youtu.be/Au9vpEaAjYc
I kind of love these.
Here’s a thorough, 10-minute tutorial.
And here’s his webpage with lots more info about his daily monsters projects: Stefan G. Bucher’s Daily Monsters Project.
Are you looking for drawing and painting ideas? Want to know what to draw in your art journal?
Here’s one very cute approach to art. Thanks to Jane Davenport, it can be easy, too.
Jane Davenport has inspired many people to create elegant and charming illustrations in their art journals. She’s made this easy with how-to books, as well as innovative art supplies.
Here’s her story, in her own words.
I bought one of her books, Beautiful Faces, because I felt like I was getting into a rut with my usual illustration techniques. (Generally, no one is likely to call my journals “cute,” but sometimes I’m aiming for pretty… and needed some insights. Jane’s book definitely helped.)
It’s just one of Jane’s many books you’ll find at Amazon.
Next, in this demo, she shows how to use her die-cut embellishments.
Notice the art she’s starting with. It includes “mark making,” stencils, sketches, and more.
Also, her art journaling examples suggest great layering techniques for art journaling. (I might use them in some Goth- and Steampunk-style art journals, too. Purples, metallics, and so on…)
Next, here’s Tamara Laporte (Willowing Arts) demonstrating some of Jane’s art supplies.
She starts with a blank page, then sketches in pencil, and then… well, you’ll see. (I’ve started the video at the 23-minute point. If you want to see the full unboxing, start from the beginning.)
If you like Tamara’s approach, take a look at the sample projects on her “Create Your Life” book page at Amazon.
Those ideas may be all you need to start experimenting with new drawing, painting, and mixed-media techniques, right away.
But, no matter what your art journaling style, when you’re deciding what to draw – especially in your art journals – I think you’ll find those videos (and products) inspiring.
Personally, I’m experimenting with magazine photos, pasting them (with Yes!Paste) onto a painted page, sealing them with gel medium, and then drawing & painting over them.
This involves layers. (If I’m going to use lots of layers or thick paint, I’ll prime the page with gesso, first.)
My art journaling isn’t necessarily sweet or romantic, but these techniques & materials can work for both “cute” and extreme artists’ journals, too.
Lost your artistic mojo? Not sure if you’re a “real artist”?
It’s time to get back in touch with your creativity.
Pour yourself a cup of tea and curl up with this video.
Rice (said “REE-suhh”) Freeman-Zachery is a long-time friend and a continual inspiration. She’s found myriad ways to build her successful art career.
All you need is one good idea to spark your interest, or even your enthusiasm.
Listen to Rice’s Google talk about creativity. She says some very important things.
If you like her message, read her related book. It inspired me and – more importantly – helped me find more time for art.
Creative Time and Space, by Rice Freeman-Zachery
Have the critics – including that inner critic – worn you down? Do you just want to curl up in bed and sleep, utterly overwhelmed by “impostor syndrome”?
If you’re fighting the snarky critic in your head (or maybe a few around you, in real life or online), Danielle Krysa’s TED Talk is powerful, and – admittedly – kind of painful at times. Watch it anyway.
And here she is, in her studio. I love the honesty in this.
She has an intriguing blog: The Jealous Curator/blog. Go see it.
Danielle also records podcasts with fellow artists & creatives. So far, she’s recorded over 150 of them, which you can access at “Art for Your Ears.”
Of course, if you’d like to see her books… well, she has lots of them for and about artists. Some are advice. Some are insights. Some are how-to. Here’s the Amazon link: Books by Danielle Krysa.
Maps, cityscapes, landscapes… they’re not just for travel journals.
There are many ways you can include them in your personal art journals, too.
If you’d like to create fine art abstract landscapes in your artists journal, I think Cathy Mevik’s demo will inspire you. If you’re not a painter, don’t let this scare you; I think anyone can create landscapes like these.
The video a little over 11 minutes long, but – for those who’d love to paint like this – it’s time well spent.
Video URL: https://youtu.be/HCYfAHVePMo
At the other extreme, here’s what James Gulliver Hancock draws. It’s a two-minute video, and he explains why he draws buildings, and what he learns as he draws them.
Video URL: https://youtu.be/360r-iyK_Eg
Also, I kind of love that one of his books – with buildings and maps – became an interactive exhibit. This half-minute video is worth seeing:
Video URL: https://youtu.be/DwETY_OK86w
If you’d like to explore making maps, this book looks fascinating. As soon as I saw this review video, I ordered the book. (The video is eight minutes long, but you’ll get the general idea in the first two or three minutes.)
Video URL: https://youtu.be/eKVdfRl05S0
I thought it was okay, but I’ll admit it didn’t inspire me as much as I’d hoped. Here’s the Amazon link, anyway. Use the “look inside” to decide if it’s your kind of book: The Art of Map Illustration
If drawing and painting aren’t your strong suit, don’t despair. You can still bring maps and architectural designs to your journaling.
Here’s a landscape-y, map-y kind of art journaling demo. It’s by Carolyn Dube, and she uses a stencil, some acrylic paint, and a pen. The video is about four minutes long, and – once you get the idea – you can fast-forward through it to see how she completes it.
Video URL: https://youtu.be/ZUXK1HkFhiI
The stencil is by Maria McGuire for StencilGirl, and you can find a similar stencil by her – and other StencilGirl artists – at Amazon.
And finally, for oh-my-goodness inspiration…
At first, Blythe Scott’s work may look like modern landscapes but, close-up, you’ll see mixed media elements. She’s using some materials that never crossed my mind, and they could go into a mixed media artists journals, too.
This five-minute video includes breathtaking outdoor scenes, how her art is inspired, and some great insights about studio work, using drawing, painting, and mixed media elements.
https://youtu.be/p5_oOuzpAUQ
This 12-minute video is from Danny Gregory’s Sketchbook Club, showing the progress of “Moonlight Chronicles” art with Dan Price. I think it’s a wonderfully inspiring example of how you can share your art journaling with others.
https://youtu.be/B_J3Re04cHg
Here’s a 35-minute video showing where Dan Price lives and works, in an underground, kind of Hobbit-ish home.
Need a quick jolt of inspiration for your art journaling? These brief videos can help… a lot!
Danny Gregory is an icon of art journaling. His artists journals were among the first to go viral, starting with his art journaling website and his books, including The Creative License – Giving Yourself Permission to Be the Artist You Truly Are.
Danny’s art is diverse. Watching these videos, I was inspired to break out my pens & paints, and start randomly journaling my day.
Here’s a brief (less than one-minute) video noting how drawing makes you see better. I like that he’s not super-finicky about things being perfect. Everything is suggested, and gives you a sense of what he’s drawing. It’s not intended to mimic a photograph.
https://youtu.be/csHRD6eHYcw
A five-minute video about journaling your breakfast…
https://youtu.be/KPYmVBTrpK0
And – also from Danny Gregory’s YouTube channel, here’s a brilliant, short video about learning to watercolor in three minutes. This demo is by Felix Scheinberger and I picked up some really useful tips. (I’m not so sure about using a lighter to dry the art faster, but – other than that – I’m ready to try some of his ideas.)
https://youtu.be/KJGwANFqaYc
If you’d like to see how Danny Gregory uses pencil + watercolor in a journal – following Felix’s tips – the last couple of minutes of this next video add more insights about this technique. That’s why it starts around the 3:56 mark.
(The full video is worth your time, but I’m mindful of friends who want to get to the art instruction, ASAP. So, if you want more insights, just pause that video & start it from the very beginning.)
https://youtu.be/mBW2Gxgdgm0?t=236
