How to make an art journal
Lots of people are in the habit of keeping a written diary as a means to capture and process their inner thoughts. For those of us in the helping profession, it’s not uncommon to suggest that it might be a good idea to start a journal as a way to externalize anxious thinking and to process major life events. Using art as part of journaling can add a richness to self expression and be a form of stress release and relaxation. Art Journaling is a fun therapeutic activity that helps free your brain from repetitive thoughts and everyday stresses. It can also be a tool for manifesting your goals like a kind of vision board. You can collect images of places you want to go, inspirational quotes, and wish lists.
So what exactly is an art journal?
Think of it as diary with a visual artistic element. An art journal can be anything really. You can experiment with different art supplies, develop your own unique aesthetic while expressing yourself at the same time. Art journaling can be a playful judgement free zone to get your creative juices flowing.
There is no right or wrong way to make an art journal. You can make it as simple or complex as you want. The key is to not overthink it, just get started and let the ideas flow from there.
Things you’ll need to get started:
Canson Mixed Media Sketch book
Other Fun Art Things:
You can do anything you want with your journal, however, it can be fun to mix and play with a bunch of different media and materials. Examples:
paper scraps, magazine photos, stamps, sponges, buttons, cloth, string, fabric, cut up holiday cards, old photos, feathers, leaves, tissue paper, found text- the list is endless.
Journal Prompts
Now that you have some supplies, it’s time to journal! It can be a little daunting to dive right in so sometimes a prompt is helpful to get those creative juices flowing.
Write a haiku or other poetry.
Write a letter to your younger self.
Or future self.
Write a letter to a loved one or to someone no longer with you.
List your favorite _____. (foods, flowers, places, movies, etc.)
List your goals.
Positive affirmations for yourself.
Create a page that represents your ideal future life.
Books to read.
List some self-care activities.
List your favorite words.
Journal what you’re grateful for.
Journal some life lessons learned.
An important thing to remember is that your art journal is for you. Let this be a place free of self judgment and free of comparison to other people. It’s ok to mess up and make mistakes. That’s how we grow.
Examples of art journals for inspiration:
