The BEST Art Journal Supplies That Spark Creativity
I recently signed up for Wanderlust, a mixed media art journal course. It will be my first year doing it and I’m so excited! Since signing up, I’ve been doing a little inventory of my art journal supplies, sort of taking stock of what I have and what I might need for the course. You know how it is – there’s always that blend of necessity and a little bit of ‘just because’ when it comes to art supplies, right? I was pleasantly surprised to find that I already had most of what I needed. But, who can resist the allure of adding a few extra goodies to their collection?
This whole process got me thinking – why not put together a list of must-have art journal supplies? Whether you’re also embarking on the Wanderlust journey or just looking to spruce up your art journaling routine, I’ve got you covered. Read on as I share some of my favorite picks – a mix of essentials and a few fun extras – to help make your art journaling as enjoyable and creative as possible. Let’s make this experience one to remember!
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Table of Contents
What is an art journal?
An art journal is a creative space where you can express yourself through your artwork. It’s a place to freely play with color, texture, shape, and form, allowing you to explore different styles and mediums without worrying about the end result. It is also a space where you can document your creative journey, capturing your thoughts, emotions, and experiences as they come along.
Regardless of why you choose to keep an art journal, it is a wonderful way to unleash your creativity and explore your artistic potential. Whether you’re an experienced artist or just starting out, an art journal is a perfect tool for exploring new ideas, trying new techniques, and honing your skills. So if you’re looking for a fun and creative way to express yourself through art, an art journal is a perfect choice!
What art journal supplies do you already have?
The first thing I want you to do is to take inventory of what you already have. Believe it or not, you probably have several art supplies laying around your home. These are the best art supplies because you don’t have to spend any money! Here are some common household items that make great art journal supplies. Take a moment to go through your home, look in your junk drawer (if you have one), go through your kid’s old-school box…shop your home before you open your pocketbook.
Here are a few common art journaling supplies you probably already have!
- Glue Stick
- Black pen
- Scissors
- Old magazines (for collage)
- Old credit card (for smearing and scraping)
- Colored pencils
- Markers
- Gel pens
- Colored pencils
- Washi tape
- Tissue paper
- Pencils
What is the best art journal?
This is the most important supply on the list. If you’re going to be spending time and effort on your art journal, you want to make sure it’s one you love and brings you joy. This is also where I’d tell you to look for a journal that is acid-free and made with archival quality materials and has high-quality paper but I’m not going to.
I have various art journals and love them all but for the Wanderlust challenge, I’ve decided to use Dyan Reaveley’s Dylusions journals. I received it yesterday and can honestly say it’s a beast. The outside cover is durable and the inside has a thick paper that I feel will hold up to whatever my creative self throws at it! It also has a cute little folder pocket on the inside front cover to tuck ephemera in.
Check out this blog post where I share my favorite art journals. You may discover your new favorite!
Money Saving TIP
This is going to be a shocker!!!
You might find this hard to believe, but you don’t need to splurge on the most expensive art journal out there. I had an eye-opening moment in a recent class and from a book I read: a simple composition notebook can be an excellent art journal. Surprising, right? The idea is that using a more affordable notebook, like a composition book, can actually lessen the pressure to create ‘perfect’ art compared to using a fancier journal. And guess what? It’s true!
So, whether you’re already equipped with an art journal or considering getting one, remember that the best art journal is the one you’ll actually use. It could be an old book, a brand-new journal, or just a humble composition notebook. What matters most is that it’s a space where you feel free to express and create.
Art Journal Supplies
Did you have any luck gathering supplies around your home? Take stock of what you gathered and make a wish/need list of supplies you don’t have. Please keep in mind you can art journal with the basics. I don’t want you to feel like you need everything to get started. I know there are lots of options and it can be overwhelming. It’s easy to get caught up in the mindset of ‘I can’t journal because I don’t have everything.’ Our goal is to create!
Pens
Once you have your journal, it’s time to start filling it with beautiful thoughts and images! There are many different pens available on the market, so it’s important to choose the ones that you like. I have several favorite pens for my journal, but you may prefer something else entirely. Just experiment until you find a pen that you love.
- Brush Pens: You can get various types of brush pens. Here is one of my favorites!
- Flair Felt tip
- Gel pen- Sakura gelly roll pens are a great brand
- White ink pen- My favorite is this white gel pen! A white pen is great for highlighting or sketching on dark backgrounds!
- Paint pens
- Fountain Pens and Ink
- Faber-castell Pitt pens
TIP: Experiment with different sizes and tips. I like a fine tip pen for fine lines and details
Pencils
Pencils are one of the most essential tools for any artist. They can be used for sketching, outlining, and adding details to artwork. Pencils come in a variety of types, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. For instance, graphite pencils are very popular among artists because they provide a smooth, consistent line. However, charcoal pencils are also widely used because they create a more dramatic effect. Ultimately, the type of pencil an artist chooses is a matter of personal preference. However, all artists need a good pencil in their toolkits.
- Plain old pencil
- Blackwing Pencil– This one is my all-time favorite. Yes, they are $$ but oh, they make me happy! Smooth like butter…
- Charcoal
- Colored Pencils
- Mechanical Pencil
- Watercolor Pencils
- Pencil Sharpner
Markers
Markers are perfect for adding color to your pages. They come in all sorts of colors, so you can find the perfect shade for your project. Markers can also be used to write quotes, poems, or thoughts in your journal.
- Tombow Dual Brush Markers
- Copic
- Crayola Markers
- Watercolor Markers
- Micron Pens
- Sharpie
Collage Materials
Collage materials are all around you. You can use anything from old newspapers to construction paper for a fun, creative look that will make your art stand out in the journal! The more texture and interest you add with collage materials, the better! You can find incredible bits of inspiration just about anywhere.
- Magazines- Magazines are perfect for collage projects. Cut out images and words that resonate with you and glue them onto your pages. You can also use magazine pages as backgrounds for your drawings or paintings.
- Tissue Paper
- Kraft Paper
- Scrapbook Paper
- Paper scraps- I saved the white paper wrapped around a loaf of french bread to use in my art journal. Put your creative hat on and think outside the box you’ll be amazed at what you find.
TIP: The bits of paper you save, you can paint and draw on to create your own unique designs to use for collages.
Scissors
Scissors are useful for cutting out images from magazines or newspapers. They can also be used to cut shape stencils from cardstock or construction paper. You don’t need expensive scissors for this. If you don’t have any laying around your house you may like this pair or this one.
Glue
Glue is an important tool for your journal, as you will be using it to glue down photos, collages, and other mementos to your journal pages.
Paint
As an artist, wet mediums are some of the most versatile and fun to use. There are endless possibilities for creating beautiful art journal pages. Wet mediums can be used on their own or in combination with other mediums, such as dry media or collage. Watercolors are a great option for adding delicate color and shading, while acrylics can provide more bold and vibrant colors. Inks and dyes are perfect for adding bold details and finishing touches. Experiment with wet mediums – and watch your blank pages come to life!
- Watercolor Paints: My favorite watercolor paints are Daniel Smith! The colors are rich and vibrant.
- Acrylic paints: I don’t spend a fortune on acrylic paints and I always make certain I have black and white acrylic paints in my stash.
- Gel Mediums
- Gouache paint
Tools
If you are wanting to add more dimension and texture to your journal pages, then you may want to stock up on a few tools. In addition to traditional tools like pencils, pens, and markers, there are a few other supplies that can really help to take your journal pages to the next level. Brayers, for example, are excellent for creating smooth and even layers of color. Paint brushes can be used for adding detail, while sponge daubers are great for creating soft backgrounds. With a few simple tools, you can unleash your creativity and create art journal pages that are truly one-of-a-kind.
- Brayer
- Gelli plate: The brayer and gelli plate are new tools for me and I’m so excited to try them! If you are unfamiliar with them check out this video.
- Paint brushes
- Stencils
- Rubber Stamps
Where to purchase art supplies?
When it comes to purchasing art supplies, there are many different options for where to buy them. One of the most popular methods is to purchase art supplies online. That is normally what I do but oh, how I love to shop in a nice art supply store.
If you’re looking for a wide range of high-quality art supplies at affordable prices, then buying online may be the best option for you. I know I’ve purchased watercolor paper in bulk at Blick’s Art Supply and caught it on sale and got a really good deal. It pays to shop around and you can usually catch sales. Below are a few of my favorite art stores.
Things I’ve learned about art journaling…
Art journaling is a journey and our art journal tells a story. We all begin with a blank page but yet we all create in different ways. Art journals tell stories of our lives and emotions. Art is an emotion we don’t know how to put into words. It’s a creative outlet. I love looking through my old art journals, they tell me how far I’ve come and that I still have a long way to go. I’ve learned several things over the years and want to share them with you.
- Art journaling is a great way to express yourself and document your life.
- There are no rules – just go with what feels right for you.
- Experiment with different materials and techniques.
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes!!!
- Use your art journal as a place to try out new ideas and techniques.
- Make a mess and enjoy the process.
- Draw inspiration from your surroundings.
- Make time to create.
- Don’t compare your art to others.
- Have FUN!
To wrap things up…
I know I listed a lot of various art supplies. The good news is you don’t need all the supplies to create beautiful art. The wonderful thing about mixed media art journals is you get to practice and explore what type of art makes you happy.
I hope that you’ve found this blog post helpful and that you’re excited to start your own art journal! They’re a great way to get creative, and experiment with new techniques… the possibilities are endless. Please let us know what your favorite art journaling products are. Happy Journaling!!!
P.S. Before you go, take a moment to check out my personal favorite Mixed Media Art Journal classes. They’ve been a game-changer for me, and I think you’ll love them too.
