Get ready to be inspired by easy and fun 25+ art journal ideas!
Looking for some art journal ideas that will inspire you to get more creative?
I’ve got you covered!
Whether you’re a student or someone who enjoys being more creative- art journaling can be a deeply satisfying practice.
While it’s a great way to practice your artistic skills, true joy comes when you use it to connect with yourself on a deeper level.
Think of art journals as your visual diary or a visual journal.
Each page tells its own story and is reflective of what you are feeling at that moment.
But sometimes, blank page /blank canvas anxiety can get to the better of us, and we don’t know where to start.
To help you get going, I’ve compiled a list of some gorgeous art journal ideas, examples, and techniques that will hopefully fuel you with inspiration to start your pages off.
But remember, try to let your inner (creative) voice be heard too, it wants to express itself in its own way and tell its own story. So don’t be afraid to put your own twists and spins on the ideas below…
Trust yourself and enjoy the process. You won’t regret it!
Art Journal Supplies
You don’t need too many fancy things to start an art journal. Here’s are some basic items you could use to start out with ( you can always add to your collection as you go).
Art Journal Book
I personally use this book for my art journal and love it! The ring binding help to keep pages flat when it’s opened so you don’t have to use your hand (or elbow) to keep it open or flatten it -a problem with other non-ring bounded journals.
The pages are also nice and thick and you don’t have to worry about paint bleed through to the other side.
The pages are made for mixed media (meaning different types of paints, glues, pens, etc..)
I’ve used mediums like acrylics, watercolor and pen and ink and this journal has worked beautifully for each medium. Check it out on Amazon here.
Paints
You can buy a set of watercolor or acrylic paints – it depends on what you like to work with. I find acrylics easier for beginners. But watercolors are very enjoyable to work with too!
Brushes
Having a good set of brushes with different sizes and shapes will really open up to what you can create (different textures and forms) in your art journal. They don’t have to be expensive either. Check out this inexpensive set.
Crayons
Crayons can be a great addition to your art journal collection. Especially if you want to work with mixed media.
Pens
Use ink based pens for outline, and detail work, or to write words, phrases and quotes within your art. OR heck- use a whole page (or 2) to write what’s on you mind! Art is not limited to only drawing 🙂
My favorite pen is the Tombow dual sided pen. You get 2 different tips that you can write/draw with(one hard and one soft), and the ink is super black and luscious.
Matt Medium
This matt medium will be super helpful if you decide to add some collage work to your pages (I.e. scraps of paper, photos, print outs, pictures from magazines pages, etc..).
The medium acts like a glue that will dry completely clear with a matt finish. You can then paint, draw, stamp over top of it to create a layered look.
Stamps and Stencils
Using stamps and stencils are not necessary, but it’s a fun option to add to your art journal stash as you experiment and create.
25+ Art Journal Ideas
1. Create Beautiful Backgrounds with Scraps of paper
This gorgeous art journal spread was created with scraps of pretty paper, paints and some whimsical cut outs.
2. Tissue Paper Bleeding Art Background
Use gift wrap tissue paper and water to create some gorgeous backgrounds for your art journals. You’ll be amazed at how pretty they turn out- and its super fun!
3. Art Journal Self Portrait with Words
Feel intimidated about doing self-portraits? No problem! This beginners take on a self-portrait is even more reflective. Add meaningful words to the face portion- and you’ve got yourself an artistic/abstract self portrait. Totally love this!
4. Paint a Sunset City Skyline of your City
Practice learning how to blend colors to make a beautiful sunset sky and finish off your painting with a custom skyline of the city you live in (or your favorite city to visit!). Also, you’ll have fun with some splatter paint techniques to make those magical stars in the sky! Source
5.Use Q-tips to Paint Colorful Hydrangea Flowers
Switch up your traditional paintbrush and experiment with other quirky painting tools to achieve different textures and details. Follow this step-by-step painting tutorial to learn how your can use Q-tips to paint Hydrangea flowers! It’s a fun technique and a nice change from paintbrushes! Source
6. Use a Quote as Inspiration
Use a favorite quote as inspiration for an art journal page(s). This is a great way to get your creative juices flowing when you don’t know where to start!
7. Vintage Book Page Art
Cut out page in an old book, dictionary or even a telephone book, and age it with a wet tea bag to get the aged look, then let it dry. Use acrylics and/or watercolor to draw on any inspirational picture you’d like, and you’ve got yourself a unique art journal page!
8. Galaxy Journal Page with Quote
Painting a galaxy looks hard, but it’s actually pretty easy and fun! Check out how they add the perfectly speckled stars! Add in a favorite quote to finish things off.
9. Learn How to Paint Magical/Fantasy Clouds
Paint these magical clouds with only 3 paint colors and a quirky painting tool: Q-tips! This is a fun tutorial and a perfect addition to your art journal. Source
10. Mixed Media Watercolor Flowers Journal Pages
Use some bright colors to liven up your art journal. Love how this artist created shapes and forms as she goes without thinking too much. This is proof that magic happens when you go with the flow!
11. At Journal Color Wheel
Want to learn more about color theory while adding to your art journal? This nifty journal page idea lets you do both! Learn how to mix colors and create tints and shades. You can even refer back to colors you create here for future pages /art pieces.
12. Heart Inspired Painting with Textures
Practice different and nifty textures without using a single paintbrush. Make these easy heart art and be amazed at what you can paint with normal household items like saran wrap, cotton swabs, and a credit card. These techniques can also make for some amazing art journal backgrounds!
13. Art Journal Doodles
Doodle in your art journal with your favorite foods! Use paints, markers or inks to create the foods.
14. Hand of Abundance
Trace your hand then fill it in with things you are thankful for with paint, pens, inks, etc… A great art therapy type of project.
15. Watercolor Resist method – secret messages and patterns
Use white crayons to create secret designs and messages on your paper before you paint on it. Watch your secret designs come to life as you add watercolor paint on top.
16. Lyric Portrait Art
Print off a page full of lyrics from your favorite artists, then paint their portrait overtop with black watercolor paints. Another great black and white art journal idea.
17.Tea-Coffee Inspired Pages
Use tea.coffee as the background color in this art journal spread! Love the details of the tea bag labels.
18. Art Journal Cover Ideas for Moleskin Journals
Don’t forget about the cover of your journal! This art journal cover idea is pretty!
19. Art Journal Butterfly Page
Who doesn’t like butterflies? They represent transformation and positive change. Paint this light and refreshing blue inspired page in your art journal that has a beautiful butterfly as the focal point.
20. Textured Acrylic Storm Background
Paint this eye of the storm ocean scene with acrylic paints, then add a quote in the eye of the storm, for some added drama!
21. Bright Geometric Shapes Art
Create a vibrant and modern geometric inspired art journal page. Add in a quote to finish off.
22. Dried /Pressed Flower Art
Use some dried flowers from your garden to create this simple but gorgeous pressed flower journal art. Use a favorite quote, or just write whatever comes to your mind for the background.
23. Travel Art Journal Doodles
Don’t let your travels stop you from art journaling! Instead, use your travels to inspire new art in your journal. Take notice of all you see around you and pick out your most favorite and paint, draw, doodle or write about it.
24. Summer Landscape Scene
Summer has an abundance of beautiful scene’s that you can paint or color. The rolling hills and beautiful magenta flowers in this scene are easy enough for a beginner to tackle. It’s a Simple and Easy SPread
25. Mandala flowers with Watercolor
I love how this artist combined mandalas and flowers on your art journal page. I definitely want to try this out myself. You can use either watercolor (like the picture, or acrylics would look great too!)
26. Dried Flower Art page
Use your collection of dried flowers as inspiration in your art journal. Love how this artist glued the real flowers on one page, then she painted/colored/drew their interpretation on the other page. Nifty!
27.Watercolor Bubbles with Words
Use your watercolor paints to create a colorful background with bubbles and other patterns (using stencils). Add in a collage of words and you’ve got an interesting art journal spread!
28. Lavender in acrylic paints and Qtips
Paint some lovely (and easy) lavender flowers by using cotton swabs ( Qtips) in your art journal. Use 1 type of purple and learn how to create different shades and tints of purple from it.
29. Practice Watercolor Techniques
Practice your watercolor skills by using a page in your art journal dedicated to art journal techniques using watercolor. You can use these as inspiration for later artwork or pages.
30. Abstract Painting Ideas
Use a combination of watercolor paint colors, crayons and/or pastels to create this gorgeous abstract art in your journal. Beautiful!
31. Black and White Art Journal Spread
Challenge yourself to create black and white art -by using muted tones of black and white. A lack of color can be very powerful/moving in art pieces and pages.
And now its your turn…
I hope you enjoyed the list of art journal ideas- and are inspired by some or all of these brilliant ideas and creations.
Now go grab some paint or a pen and get creating – your blank page awaits!
Until next time, stay Nifty!
xoxo
Jasmine
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