So, what do I need to start?

If you are fresh to art journaling, what do you REALLY need to get started? This has almost as many answers as “Why have an art journal”.

PICK A JOURNAL….ANY JOURNAL

Let’s start with the first, most important part….a journal. What type of journal you use is dependent on what you want to use it for. If you plan on writing or journaling, a lined notebook may be perfect. Like to sketch, you may want a journal with heavier paper that will lay flat when open. Want to throw some paint around, then you will want a mixed media journal. What if you think you want to do it all? Get a good mixed media journal. You can write on the pages, sketch, add watercolor or acrylic, even collage on the pages. My favorite journal to recommend to new art journalers is the Dylusions Creative Journal by Ranger. It has heavyweight, smooth mixed media paper that takes many different mediums. It gives you a reliable surface to create on. A bonus is that it comes in multiple sizes, so you can decide which one works best for you.

So, what can you use if you don’t want to commit to buying a journal yet. Let’s take a look around your house…..

• Composition notebook or spiral notebook

• Old cookbook or “coffee table” book

• Atlas

• Used day planner

• Magazines

Any of these may require a little prep. If you plan on painting in your journal, you may want to glue 2-3 pages together to give yourself a more substantial surface. You also may want to gesso your pages before painting. (Gesso is an acrylic primer that prepares your pages for paint.)

Time to pick out your journal!