How to Start Your First Art Journal: A Safe Space for Ideas and Emotion
Posted: March 28, 2013
There’s a certain magic in keeping something just for yourself—a place to
explore, make mistakes, and speak visually when words fail. That’s what an art
journal offers.
Unlike a traditional sketchbook or a daily diary, an art journal combines both.
It’s a space where your drawings, scraps, words, textures, and colors collide
in honest, personal ways. No expectations. No rules. Just expression.
You don’t need to be a professional artist to keep one. In fact, some of the
most beautiful journals are made by people who’ve never studied art. All you
need is curiosity—and a willingness to show up.
What Is an Art Journal, Really?
At its core, an art journal is a visual notebook where anything goes. It might
include:
- Sketches
- Doodles
- Watercolor swatches
- Magazine cutouts
- Photos
- Quotes or poems
- Personal thoughts or affirmations
It’s not about making something pretty. It’s about making something true. A place where you process your thoughts, ideas, and emotions visually—and without judgment.
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Why Keep an Art Journal?
1. Creative Freedom
There are no grades, clients, or critics. You create for yourself. That freedom often results in your most honest and interesting work.
2. Emotional Clarity
Sometimes it’s easier to draw how we feel than to say it. A rough scribble, a sudden splash of color—these become emotional fingerprints.
3. Idea Storage
Think of it like a sandbox for your creativity. Not every idea becomes a finished piece—but every idea deserves a place to land.
4. Self-Discovery
Over time, your journal becomes a mirror. You start noticing patterns: the colors you return to, the images you sketch repeatedly, the mood of your pages.
Choosing Your First Journal
There’s no “perfect” journal, but here’s what to consider:
Size: A5 or 5x8" is great for beginners—not too intimidating
Binding: Spiral-bound lays flat, hardcover feels long-lasting
Paper: Mixed media paper is ideal if you’re using ink, glue, or paint
Cover: Choose one you like to hold—you’ll want to return to it
Tip: Many artists use watercolor sketchbooks or recycled-paper journals because they’re flexible and textured.
Supplies That Make It Fun (But Not Complicated)
Start with what you already have. But if you're curious to add variety:
Pens & fine liners for outlines and lettering
Watercolors or colored pencils for mood
Glue stick & washi tape for collage
Magazine clippings, old receipts, maps
Stickers, stamps, textured paper
Optional extras:
- White gel pens for contrast
- Black gesso or acrylic for backgrounds
- Stencils or ephemera
Most journalers prefer a basic pouch with a few versatile tools—portable and ready when inspiration hits.
Getting Over the Fear of the Blank Page
The first page always feels like the hardest. Here’s how to break the ice:
Write a date and a simple sentence. No pressure. Just begin.
Splash some watercolor and see what happens.
Paste in a photo or quote that speaks to you.
Make a mark with your non-dominant hand. Just to loosen up.
Once you start, you’ll begin to feel a sense of relief. It doesn’t need to make sense—it just needs to be real.
Prompts to Get You Started
Not sure what to create? Try one of these:
- “Today I feel like…” and draw abstractly
- “If my thoughts had a color…”
- Sketch the contents of your bag or pocket
- Draw your childhood bedroom from memory
- Use magazine cutouts to build a dream world
- Paste a ticket stub or receipt and respond to it
Over time, you’ll develop your own themes—and your journal will become a place of both exploration and comfort.
Keep It Private (or Not)
You don’t owe your art journal to anyone. If you want to share pages on social media, go for it. But never feel like you have to.
This is your space.
It can be chaotic, colorful, minimalist, poetic, political, raw, joyful—whatever you need it to be.
Many journalers keep theirs close, even years later, as reminders of what they were feeling, learning, processing at different times in life.
How It Changes You Over Time
A few weeks into journaling, something shifts. You:
- Start seeing the world in layers, colors, shapes
- Find comfort in the act of making without pressure
- Begin noticing your own emotional rhythms
- Have a safe outlet for days that feel heavy—or bright
- Create more regularly, even outside the journal
It’s not just a sketchbook. It’s a creative relationship with yourself.
Final Thoughts Beside a Window
Right now, my journal is sitting next to me on the table. The last page I filled had no drawing—just color swirls and a line from a song I’ve been humming all week. It’s not beautiful. But it’s mine. And that’s enough.
At ArtBeatWire, we believe that art is about process, not perfection. And an art journal is one of the safest, most meaningful ways to begin—or deepen—that process.
So grab a notebook. A marker. A leaf. Anything. Start small.
Because sometimes the best way to express yourself… is just to start drawing.
