What is art journaling?

I was on my personal Instagram account the other day and I was talking about my new IG account all about art journaling. A sweet friend of mine was curious, so she DM’ed me and asked, “Jules, What is art journaling?” It really never dawned on me that someone may not know what it is, because I’ve been art journaling for so long – so long in fact that I don’t even think there was a name for it when I started! I would simply journal, and add doodles or collages or glue in, say concert or movie tickets and describe my experience, etc.

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So, what is art journaling? You can kind of think of it as a hybrid of a diary and a sketchbook — a visual journal, if you will. Usually done in either a plain paper journal or a sketchbook, an art journal is where someone makes art (of all kinds) and records or documents parts of their lives with words as well (usually!). The art can include everything from sketches to doodles to painting to watercolor and beyond. Mixed media (using more than one art medium) is very popular with art journalers — like mixing watercolor with paint pens, or pencil with acrylic paint). Some will write out an entire journal entry, while others may highlight a single word, quote, or phrase, and that word or phrase could be beautifully hand-lettered, collaged in from a magazine, stamped or quickly scribbled in, etc. It really doesn’t matter, because it’s all up to the journalers themselves.

For me these days, it’s where I document my days, my feelings, my experiences, make all kinds of lists, keep quotes I love and explore my creativity. As an artist, galleries want to put you in a box — you’re either an abstract artist OR a watercolor realist. You’re a printmaker or a collagist. You have to have a distinct style. And I get it — it makes it easier for them to sell your work if you stick to a certain style and genre. But I love to explore! So my art journals are a safe place for me to try new art techniques and hone the skills I already have — without fear of judgment. Because my art journals are for me (and the occasional share here and on Instagram!) and not for sale.

What is art journaling? This example is of a "visual list", if you will, of the art journaler's (Jules Amador) favorite artists. — This example is of a “visual list”, if you will, of the art journal’s (Jules Amador) favorite artists.

Some people use sketchbooks as what others would consider art journals, but the artist themselves still just consider it a sketchbook, even if they draw AND write in them. That’s okay! You’re the artist and the creator so you can do it how you want to, and call it what you want!

Why do people create art journals?

The answers are as varied as the artists themselves who make them. But here are some common reasons:

For creative fun!
As a form of meditation or relaxation.
As art therapy.
To record their lives, thoughts, and feelings.
To try new art techniques.
To explore different materials.
To examine their feelings and emotions.
To record their travels (also called a travel journal).
For sketching or working out ideas for larger pieces of art.
As a form of self-care.

Of course, there are more reasons than these, but I’ve found those among the most common.

What are some techniques you can use in art journaling?

Again, this can have as many answers as there are artists! And the truth is, you can simply start with a journal or sketchbook (I like journals with mixed media paper so it can handle whatever I put on it), and a pencil or pen (Microns are my personal favorite.). I have a detailed list of recommended art journal supplies here, if you want to learn more. But below are some art mediums and techniques you can use in your their art journals.

watercolor
mixed-media
collage
paint
doodling
drawing
printmaking
stamping
pastels
coloring with crayons
sketching
sewing
collecting
self-portraits
vision boarding
cutting out “windows”
inking
Gelli plate prints
paper cutting

What is art journaling? This example is of my take on a "self-portrait." #joyfulartjournaling #julesamador #artjournalideas #whatisartjournaling — This example is of my take on a “self-portrait.”

If you’re curious about what you might write in your art journals, it could be things like:

diary entries
quotes you like
lists (top 10’s, etc.)
dreams you’ve had
movies reviews
your feelings about certain topics
your hopes for the future
news of the day
recipes
tracking the seasons
holidays / celebrations
travel
special moments in your lives
memories
concert reviews
book reviews

One of the many things I love about art journaling is that anyone can do it. You don’t need certain skills and you don’t even need to consider yourself an artist or even “creative”… although I would have to disagree there… I believe we’re ALL creative in one or more ways. It’s part of being human! And art journaling is a fun way to figure out exactly how you love to be creative.

On this page of my art journal I’m practicing watercolor painting from a class I took on Creative Bug with August Wren:

So know that you know the answer to the question, what is art journaling? You may be wondering, who is art journaling for?

I’d say it’s for everyone and anyone who want to explore their creativity!

kids (this is such a great practice for elementary school kids!)
teens (art journaling is perfect for working out ALL THE FEELINGS that teens go through)
adults (men and women or non-binary — art journals do not discriminate!)
new parents (you’d be surprised how quickly you can fill a page while the baby sleeps, and you can get your creative needs met)
empty nesters (this is a great time to explore your creativity — now that you have more time!)

Basically, anyone who wants to be more creative in their lives!

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