Art Journaling

I love art journaling.

Art journals and sketchbooks are a wonderful place to experiment. The stakes are low because an art journal is only for you. If you make a mistake or if you hate the result, you can let dry and paint over it or you can turn the page and start again. This is where you can hone your skills and where you can practice observation and technique.

I like to use my sketchbooks and art journals in many different ways. My watercolour sketchbook often goes on the road with me as watercolour lends itself well to travel. My travel kit consists of a small watercolour palette, a vessel for water, 2-3 brushes, a cloth and my sketchbook. I have painted with this kit in Morocco, Iceland, Norway and many other places that we’ve traveled to. For the most part I paint what I observe when I travel, but on occasion I will also use this art journal to paint from my imagination.

I have a second travel sketchbook that is more for pen and ink. I like to take this sketchbook with me when we go places that I will need to work quickly such as amusement parks or hiking trails. In between rides or when we stop at a resting point, I will quickly try to capture something interesting I see around me. The goal for this art journal is to observe and sketch what I see and to try to capture the essence of the scene. Because I try to do this fairly quickly, the pressure is off getting everything perfect and I can simply enjoy the process.

I have many art journals and sketchbooks that I use for experimentation at home. I like to have multiple going at the same time so that I can let the pages dry in one journal and keep the creative flow going in the next. These journals often are about playing with colour combinations and shapes. I don’t worry about being representational and often what I paint in these journals is more abstract. I also like to play with materials that I don’t normal use in my artwork in my sketchbooks. This is where I experiment with collage and play with pastels, inks and water soluble crayons. I also like to combine layers of these materials and see how they react with each other so that if I use them in larger artworks I know how they will behave.

The best part of art journaling is that it is a beginner friendly medium and the investment can be relatively low. With just a sketchbook and a pencil or pen it is possible to start creating art. With these three items is it possible to sketch from still life, observing shadows and shapes; create patterns, using lines and contrast; and to doodle and play from your imagination.

Art journaling is also a good way to have a daily art practice. You can do a lot in a journal in 10-20 minutes depending on how detailed you choose to go on the pages. And there is something very soothing in the ritual of creating art on a daily basis which is why I enjoy it so much.

If you are looking for a way to bring art into your life, hopefully I have convinced you that art journaling is a great way to start.

Until next time, may you find a moment of inspiration to add a little joy to your week.

Laura

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In my ears:

I have been re-listening to old episodes of Art Juice. Although Louise Fletcher and Alice Sheridan announced that they would no longer be making new episodes of their podcast earlier this year, all of their old episodes are still available. Their conversations about having an art business and art practice are insightful and inspiring. Even as I listen for a second time, I am newly inspired and find myself thinking about new things I want to try in my own art practice. If you are an artist or creative, this is a wonderful podcast for you.