Art Journaling + Two Approaches to Creative Painting
- Denise Cerro
- Feb 22
- 3 min read
To all my artist friends and followers...and to those who just think about picking up a pencil and paint brush but think they can't even draw a stick figure (stick figures are kinda cool in art...just sayin')...this post is for you! I am a BIG believer in playing in my art journals. Sometimes I get busy on a larger surface and forget about them, though when I come back it's...there you are my old friend!!! And I am always reminded of the playtime and exploration I've enjoyed with my art journals.
Exploring Your Uniqueness Through Art Journaling...
This is by far one of the easiest things to do...because you are the only one who sees your art journal. If you are thinking you might want to draw or paint...this is the place you can test it out and...PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!! Maybe you already call yourself and artist and might be thinking of changing up your style, try out a new tecnique or color palette...art journaling is the place to be! You could even be chatting on the phone, watching TV (I love to watch golf...so being busy with an art journal is perfect for this)...the doodles, marks, drawings that show up can be pretty intuitive and take you to the next idea.
A Place To Play
Personally, in my journal I'm working on faces to add into a larger piece I'm getting ready to start on. Not sure what I'm looking for yet...so headed over to my art table and journal to play around and see what I can come up with.
I started out by using the same image on each of 6 pages, each turning out a little different, all giving me not only practice on creating a face, but six starting points to create something different...6 times!
Two Techniques To Get You started
Think you can't draw? Think you have no ideas? Think again! Here are a few thoughts to get you started. As I said, I'm doing faces, though these techniques work with any subject matter that attracts, interests, inspires you...just get a photo copy of that thing. Once you've located that, make a black and white copy of it, pushing the contrast if you can. Taking the color out of your photo copy to start, simplifies the design and takes away the distraction of pretty colors!
A few other simple supplies you might need besides your journal...t
racing paper, art paper of any kind, pencil, one color of paint or ink, paint brush...
then push the red button below to see the rest.
A Few Tips for Getting Started With Your Journals
Start Looking Around - inspiration is all around us! You could even study artists you like, and write down a list things and techniques they use...then work from that list in your journal and make it your own.
Experiment Regularly - Dedicate time (every day is best, even if only 15 minutes) to try new tools and materials, without pressure to create a finished piece...play!
Mix Techniques - Combine whatever techniques you're interested in, mix it up...papers, paint, inks, crayons, fine line, scribble...the list goes on and on! This is why I love mixed media SO MUCH!!!
Be Patient - Embrace mistakes as part of the creative process, as an opportunity to take it further. Mastery takes time...and just when you think you've got it...a new idea pops in and you're off in another direction.
Take Notes - Your journal is there as well to write down your thoughts and feelings while thinking about art you want to make, what holds you back, what gets you excited...or even writing out a story and creating art from there! Having a story is a great starting point for making art!
Building on a base...I'm ending up here...so far...till next time in my journal!
Trust the process
enjoy the Journey...Journal!
So good D!!! Love the face exercise, am def going to try that. Creative Journaling has been a 'go-to' life line since high school. A way to get put all those wild ideas out and make way for new ones. So fun to look back at them!