Learning how to develop your own art journaling style can be a challenging and rewarding process. It takes time, practice and a lot of experimentation to find your unique voice and aesthetic in the art journaling world. Here are 10 detailed tips that may help you in your journey to finding your unique style:
Experiment with different materials and techniques: One of the best ways to develop your own style is to experiment with a wide variety of art supplies and techniques. Try out different types of paints, pens, markers, collage materials, and mixed media elements. (Check out my Ultimate List of Art Journal Supplies here!) Play with layering, textures, and patterns. The more you experiment, the more you’ll understand what you like and what you don’t like, and the more your style will develop.
Study the work of other artists: Look at the work of other art journalers and artists that you admire, and try to understand what makes their work unique. Analyze their use of color, composition, and techniques. Take note of the elements that you find appealing and that you’d like to incorporate into your own work. This can be a great way to find inspiration and new ideas for your art journal pages.
Practice regularly: Consistency is key when it comes to developing your own style. The more you art journal, the more comfortable you’ll become with your materials and the more your style will develop. Set aside a regular time each day or week to work on your journal, and make it a priority.
Be open to experimentation and take risks: Don’t be afraid to try new things and make mistakes. This is the best way to discover new techniques and styles. Remember that the art journaling process is all about self-expression and exploration, so don’t be afraid to push the boundaries. Take risks and see where they take you!
Reflect on your work: Take time to look back at your art journal pages and consider what you like and don’t like about them. Reflect on what you want to achieve and what you want to improve. Ask yourself what makes a page successful and what doesn’t. See how your style evolves over time.
Keep a consistent theme: Your style will be more recognizable if you keep consistent in your themes, color palettes, and elements you use in your pages. This could be a specific color scheme, subject matter, or technique. Consistency will help your journal pages more cohesive and visually appealing. I have several art journals going at once, some have themes and some don’t. This helps me from getting bored from one subject all the time.
Set yourself challenges: Challenge yourself to try new things and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Set yourself a theme for the month, try a new technique, or even a new medium. This will help you to grow as an art journaler.
Make time for experimentation and exploration: Make sure to set aside time for experimentation and exploration in your art journal. This is the time to try new things, play with different techniques, and see what works and what doesn’t. It’s also a great time to be inspired by the work of other artists, and to try out different styles.
Share your work: Share your art journal pages with others. Join art journaling groups and communities, post your work on social media, and get feedback from other artists. This will help you to connect with others and to get inspiration and ideas for your own work.
Be patient with yourself: Developing your own style takes time and patience. Don’t expect to have a fully developed style overnight. Remember that everyone has their own unique journey when it comes to art journaling, and that it’s a process that will continue to evolve and change over time. Be patient with yourself and allow yourself the time and space to experiment and grow as an artist.
So there you go! But remember, developing your own style in art journaling is a journey that requires patience, experimentation, and practice. By experimenting with different materials and techniques, studying the work of other artists, practicing regularly, being open to experimentation and taking risks, reflecting on your work, keeping a consistent theme, setting yourself challenges, making time for experimentation and exploration, sharing your work and being patient with yourself, you will be able to discover your unique voice and aesthetic in the art journaling world.
Remember that everyone’s journey is different and that it takes time to learn how to develop your own art journaling style, so don’t get discouraged if it takes a while. Keep experimenting, practicing, and exploring, and you’ll get there!
Even once you find your style, you will continue to evolve, and that’s wonderful! So enjoy every step of your art journaling journey!