Aisling | Aisling's Diary

Art Journaling – Making the Everyday Different

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

Art Journaling Inspiration – Blobs and Monsters

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.

Cute Ways to Draw in Your Art Journal

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.

Examples: What to draw in your art journal, and how to embellish it

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…)

Even more ideas for what to draw in your art journal

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.

How I’m adding drawing and painting to my art journals

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.

Finding Creative Time & Space

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

Art and Inner Critics: Danielle Krysa

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.

Mixed Media Ideas for Art Maps and Landscapes

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

A Curious Lifestyle and Super-Creative Art Journaling: Dan Price

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.

Short, Fast Art Journaling Inspiration – Art of Danny Gregory

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

Adding Collage Layers in Your Artists Journals

Collage… it’s about layers, right…? Sometimes just a few. Sometimes a lot.

They can be layers of paint, crayon, colored pencil, stickers, paper, fabric, glitter, and…

Well, you get the idea.

Some artists – including me – use lots & lots of layers in our art journals and other mixed media art.

Here’s some inspiration that may spark fresh ideas.

This first video is by Samie Harding.

In the next video, artist Robert Burridge – in a “BobBlast” – shares how he layers his collages. His video is three minutes long and filled with ideas for using paper elements, gel medium*, paint, and stencils.

Video URL: https://youtu.be/FA3revJTO6A

Anne Bagby created some amazing mixed media work, including art journals. Her layered collages and journals have an extraordinary depth. In many of them, her use of cut paper unifies her designs. This five-minute video shows how she used quilting supplies to cut paper strips for a crisp, even effect.

Video URL: https://youtu.be/SICVXhn0V-A

To learn more about Anne’s techniques – with lots of photos from her gallery work – this 17-minute video is inspiring. It’s sort-of an illustrated podcast. (Don’t be put off by the opening. The video is filled with photos of her mixed media art. Absolutely astonishing. I kind of drooled over my keyboard, watching it.)

Video URL: https://youtu.be/SRk2cn5rTJA

And, finally, here is an intriguing video by collage artist Michael Madzo. He’s working with his own paintings, paper elements, and gel medium, he’s also using sewing to bring added depth and meaning to his work. Though many artists don’t work with their own fine art paintings, Madzo’s techniques and concepts might spark some of your own collage ideas. The video is about five minutes long.

Video URL https://youtu.be/bR0abMN3T0I

Finding and curating these videos, I found myself being tremendously inspired to revisit some of my own past paintings (ones that I wasn’t happy with) and see if some of these materials & techniques might bring new life and fresh energy to them.

Also, I’ll admit that I’m looking at some framed canvas images – posters, sort of – that we’d bought at IKEA, just to decorate the walls, short term. They might make wonderful starting points for mixed media embellishments.

* I used to use gel medium throughout my art journals, too. Now, I use it to seal my art journaling pages, before painting them.

Otherwise, I’m using Yes!Paste since it’s less likely to bubble and warp the layers I add. It’s also repositionable, far better than gel medium.

Gel medium still has a use in art journaling, for sealing pages and canvases. This can be useful before painting or stamping over them. Otherwise, I rely on Yes!Paste. (If you’ve found a better product, let me know in comments, below.)

Art Journaling? Travel Journal Inspiration!

Ready to travel… or just dreaming of it? A travel journal can be an adventure, even when you’re at home. Get inspired, here…

I fell in love with these videos, talking about travel journaling ideas. I think you will, too. The first one is 10 minutes – longer than I usually feature, here – but it’s loaded with fresh ideas.

Video URL: https://youtu.be/oAxVp25pMHs

Here’s another short (five minute) video about assembling a travel diary or journal. It’s clean, simple, and something you can create on-the-road, or after you get home.

Video URL: https://youtu.be/GrALoOPk0lw

This next video – also about five minutes long – shows how to create a travel journal before your trip. As she works, she talks about her plans to tour London. As you’ll see, she’s very organized, and leaves space to expand her journaling as she travels. I’m impressed.

Video URL: https://youtu.be/goxu7m--w0Y

This is another travel journal flip-through. It’s a basic design, but may give you ideas of things to save (and add) as you travel. I’m not sure you need to watch all five minutes of it, because you’ll get the idea fairly quickly. But, I like this because it’s a realistic travel journal… the kind that anyone can create and enjoy.

Video URL: https://youtu.be/tsX4aDMkJrw