THE ULTIMATE LIST OF ART JOURNALING IDEAS FOR WHEN YOU'RE FACED WITH CREATIVE BLOCK
A BUMPER LIST OF 20 ART JOURNALING IDEAS THAT ARE EASY TO DO, CATHARTIC AND can BE USED AGAIN AND AGAIN
BOOKMARK THIS PAGE OR BETTER YET, DOWNLOAD THE LIST, PRINT IT AND STICK IT IN YOUR CREATIVE SPACE, AND YOU’LL NEVER BE STUCK FOR ART JOURNALING IDEAS AGAIN
Often we feel the urge to create but can’t always come up with ideas on what to or how to express that creative drive, so I’ve pulled together a bumper list of all my favourite ways to create in my art journal, I hope they inspire you and maybe even prompt you to expand on them to create your own ideas. Don’t forget to download the pdf version of this list so that you can print it out, stick it up in your creative space, so with one quick glance you’ve got ideas and inspiration at your fingertips!
decorate the cover
Paint, collage, cover in wrapping paper or an image from a magazine, there are endless ways you can decorate and personalise the cover of your journal.
2. Add a quote
I always add a quote to the inside cover of my journals as an inspiration piece for the rest of the journal. You could hand write, or print out a quote, song lyric or poem.
3. write lists
Lists are one of my favourite things to add to my journal; lists of books I want to read, places I want to go, things I am grateful for, songs I love.
4. create pockets
Create a simple pocket to house ‘findings’ in your journal. The easiest way to do this is to simply cut off the top section of a page on a diagonal and then glue the edges to the page behind it.
5. Experiment with cut outs
Cut outs are fun way to get playful and find unexpected windows of art. Experiment with a hole punch or free-cut shapes with scissors. Try cutting directly into the page itself so you can see a glimpse of the page that comes before or after.
6. create a blackout poem
Play with words by creating a poem from a piece of writing - you can use a page from a book or magazine article. Blackout certain words to reveal a ‘poem’ with new meaning from the words left showing.
7. COLLAGE
Gather some old magazine and leaflets and get cutting. Have fun playing around with the placement and layering of the different elements you have cut out.
8. USE PHOTOS
Use a photo to add more personality and meaning to a journal page, what story does this photo tell? Capture that on your journal page. Experiment with scale, colour and black and white and the cropping of your photo.
9. CREATE MINDFUL MARKS
Use your journal as an opportunity to practice mindfulness with some mindful mark making. Use a cotton bud dipped in paint to create a ‘dot painting’.
10. SHARE YOUR GRATITUDE
Dedicate a journal page to declaring your gratitude.
11. PAINT AND WRITE OVER MAGAZINE IMAGERY
Writing over a magazine image is a great way to create and journal if you don’t have a lot of time and the effect always look amazing.
12. EXPERIMENT WITH DIFFERENT STYLES OF WRITING
How many different styles of writing can you use? How can you add words to the page with out a pen?
13. give your journal a theme
Give your journal a theme, for example, self care, flowers, travel, or even get inspired by a person and create a themed journal you know they will love and give it as a gift.
14. USE STITCHING
Add some texture and interest to your journal page by adding some stitching, either by hand or using a machine.
15. DRAW BLIND
Drawing without looking at the page is always a fun way to create without pressure of perfection. The results are always so interesting - even if you think you can’t draw. Try a self portrait or an object on your desk or shelf. Draw using one line and don’t lift your pen from the page.
16. FILL A BLANK JOURNAL WITH BACKGROUNDS
Fill a whole journal with backgrounds. Use gesso, scrape paint across the page, splatter with tea or coffee. Creating backgrounds without knowing what you will create on top is a great way to ease creative block.
17. MAKE COLOUR SWATCHES
If you’re really stuck with creating a journal page, simply create colour swatches instead. I keep a little book just for collecting colour swatches. This blog post has ideas on how to do this.
18. MAKE A ZINE
A zine is a mini book made from just 1 sheet of paper. You can create an entire zine in one sitting. Zines are great for inspiring creativity and more ideas to take to your journal. This is how to make a zine.
19. PRACTICE BEING PRESENT
Creative journaling is a great tool for practicing mindfulness and being present. Write a list of the things you can see, hear, touch, smell, taste in that moment. Take note of how you feel during and afterwards.
20. CREATE A MINDFUL JOURNAL PAGE
Learn exactly how to do this with our free class.
That’s it!
A bumper list of 20 art journaling ideas you can return to and try out over and over - you’ll never be stuck for ideas again. Don’t forget to download the list in a printable format to stick up in your creative space for quick reference - scroll up to the top and do it now!
pin for later
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