My Favorite Products

Are you getting excited for the class? Me too! Here are a few of my favorite art journaling supplies that I recommend.

1. I must admit, I LOVE my Sharpies. They come in so many different colors, I'm always inspired by Sharpies.
2. Another of my favorite writing tools is my Sakura Micron Pens. They work wonderfully for both art journaling and zentangling.
3. Liquitex Gel Medium. There are so many things you can do with this medium, It adds great texture to your pages.
4. Acrylic paints. 
5. Water Color Pencils. I own some by Loew Cornell, and I love using them. 
6. X-acto Gripster Knife. Whenever I want to cut something out on a page, the first thing I grab is my X-acto. It's super easy to grip, the blade is nice and sharp, and also, it's pink!
7. Washi Tape. I'm sure you've heard of it, as it is super popular in the crafting world right now. I own some that I got from Target and I also have some from Love My Tapes.
8. Scrapbooking Embellishments. Since I also scrapbook, I have a whole stash of stickers and other embellishments. I especially love the artsy look of Amy Tan's Skechbook Collection.

What are your favorite supplies? Or, if you new to art journaling, I hope you enjoyed learning what products I like to use.

My Art Journal

I'm using a recycled cycling journal for my art journal. I painted over the cover, glued on a couple of my zentangles, and cut out the word "INSPIRED" from woodgrain contact paper.

 Here's the first page of my journal- I used book pages as my background, and painted on my words.

What are you using for your art journal?

How to Art Journal

If you've never done any art journaling before, it is super easy. There isn't a wrong or a right way to do it, it just depends on what your own personal style is. I like to do a lot of doodling on my pages, but that doesn't mean you have to!

To start an art journal all you will need a small journal or notebook. You can use pre-made art journals, SMASH books, Moleskines, or recycle a notebook like I am doing.

 What sets art journaling apart from just keeping a regular journal is your creativity! Be super creative when you're journaling. If you're writing about a favorite meal, doodle it. Or perhaps use patterned paper with little hot dogs on it.

Art Journaling is easy--- Be creative!

Prompt #1: 10 things

Are you ready for the 1st prompt? Today's prompt is simple: Write a list of 10 things you love, or 10 things you hate. Or both.

 I wanted to keep these pages simple, so I used graph paper for my background, and then I found a few feathers in my supply stash and used masking tape to attach them for a fun look.

Be sure to upload pictures of your art journal pages in The Big 10 flickr group. I feature some of the student artwork on my own blog, Punk Projects.

Prompt #2: Shopping

Today's prompt: Journal about a recent purchase, or perhaps about a recent shopping trip you've taken. Using this prompt I was inspired to journal about my new DSLR camera that I've recently purchased.

Here's how I made this page:

1. Lightly sketch a circle in the middle of your page using a pencil.

 2. Paint your background using water colors. Let it dry.
3. Starting at the top of your circle, write out your journaling, turning the page as you write.

Prompt #3: Friend

I hope you're enjoying The Big 10 so far? Today's page is really fun and interactive.

• Prompt: Write a letter to a friend.
• Technique: Hidden journaling.

 1. Cut out a rectangle or other shape. I wanted a door, so I just cut out a simple door.

2.Decorate it.

 3. Using Washi Tape (or masking tape!) and attach it on 1 side to your page.

 4. Fold the door over, and write your journaling underneath.

 Add any other decorations/doodling you want!

Prompt #4: Brain

I had so much fun with this page. I love working with watercolor pencils.

Today's prompt: Your Brain Right Now.

 1. Lightly sketch out a profile using a pencil. also sketch out your "brain". Just divide it up into different sections.

 2. Using a Black sharpie, go over your pencil sketch.

 3. Fill in the sections of your brain, journaling about whatever you're thinking about right now.

 4. Get out your watercolor pencils, and color your brain.

 5. Brush water over your watercolors, and they will bleed together.

Don't forget to upload pictures of your work to the Flickr group. Flickr is free, and I love seeing your art journal pages!

Prompt #5: Use a Quote

Today's prompt: Use a Quote. 

I used one of my favorite quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Live in the sunshine, Swim in the sea, Drink in the wold air."

 Here's how I created the page:

1. Cover the background in old book pages. 

2. Doodle on your page. 

 3. Color in your doodle using watercolor pencils or watercolors. 

 4. If you used watercolors, brush water over them.

 5. Let it dry.

 6. Paint on your quote. I used acrylics.

Prompt #6: Happiness

Today's prompt: Happiness. Journal about how happy you are, you goals to become happier, etc.

I didn't do much journaling on this page, but I had a lot of fun creating it. Here's how I did it:

 1. On your page, lightly sketch out your words.

 2. Using a craft knife, cut out your letters.

 3. On the backside of your page, glue on patterned papers.

 4. Add doodles, stickers, journaling, etc.

Prompt #7: Adventure

Other than crafting, a few of my hobbies are hiking, cycling, mountain biking, camping, etc. Adventures are so magical.

For today's journal prompt, write/doodle about a recent adventure you've had. Or perhaps journal about a camping trip you're planning. Be inspired!

 I made a fun layered background on this page.

1. Spread some Gel Medium onto your page, but just in a small spot, not the entire page. it doesn't have to be very thick either.

 2. Press a thin paper onto your gel medium while it's still wet.

 3. Once it is dry, peel off everything that isn't glue down by the gel medium.

 4. I added a few strips of patterned paper to my page as well.

 5. Add on your journaling.

Have you been uploading your art journal pages to the Flickr group? I'm going to feature some of the student artwork on my blog, Punk Projects!

Prompt #8: Music

Journal about your favorite song, band, singer, or maybe use lyrics as your journaling.

 1. Cut out a girl/shape from a magazine and using temporary adhesive, stick it down on your page.

 2.  Paint a pinwheel around your cut out.

 3. Using a black marker, outline around your cutout.

 4. Peel your cut out off of your page, and add your journaling in the negative space.

 5. In the white spaces, I added zentangle doodles. Have you ever tried zentangling? Visit the Tangle Patterns website to find hundreds of patterns to use!