Art journaling is a unique and powerful way of self expression and a blank cancvas for creative thoughts. As artists we are always looking for inspiration to help us in our own visual journals, and in this post we have gathered 23 unique and creative art journal spreads to take inspirational from.
Whether you are a total beginner in art journaling or a total pro, we can sometimes have creative blocks which can create slumps in our creativity. That’s why we have curated together 23 gorgeous art journal ideas to motivate you in your journaling and to help think outside of the box in our creativity. This can sometimes be the push we need to break through our creative blocks.
In these art journal spreads, you will find many reasons for why people love art journaling and why they document their lives in such a visual way. Art journaling is a great way to express feelings, to document memories and also a visual way to keep a diary. There are no rules where art journaling is concerned, anything goes and it’s all about what the artist desires to do.
Techniques in art journaling:
1. Collage: Combining various materials like paper, photographs, fabric, and other ephemera to create layered, textured compositions.
2. Mixed Media: Using a combination of different mediums such as acrylics, watercolors, inks, pastels, and more to create a diverse range of textures and effects.
3. Watercolor Painting: Applying translucent layers of watercolor to create soft, flowing imagery and vibrant washes.
4. Acrylic Painting: Using acrylic paints for their versatility and ability to create bold, opaque colors and textures.
5. Drawing and Sketching: Utilizing pencils, pens, markers, or charcoal to create detailed drawings or expressive sketches.
6. Stenciling: Using stencils to create repetitive patterns or shapes, adding structure and design elements to the page.
7. Stamping: Applying inked stamps to the journal pages for patterns, textures, or illustrative elements.
These are just a few techniques used to create art journal spreads with many layers and depth.
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art supplies
Here are some art supplies to help you with your art journaling:
Sketchbook – This Moleskin Art sketchbook, is hardcover 5”x8.25 and has 104 pages. This is what all the ‘artists’ use and is great because the paper isn’t too thin, it can handle ink and sketches.
This black spiral soft cover sketchbook, has 100 pages and 100gsm weight paper, slightly more thicker paper and durable for more.
Paints – These Dr Ph Martins Bombay Ink, 12 bottles has gorgeous to use. They have the most vibrant colors and won’t wear out to sunlight.
Ph Martin’s Hydrus Watercolor Set, pack of 6 are also one of the finest watercolor sets out there. They blend easily together and make the most beautiful art.
If you prefer acrylics then try these Pheobe Fine Studio Acrylics, set of 30 paints. This set has a lot of colors so you won’t have to do much mixing.
Other art supplies – If your looking for brushes, then this set of 15 Brushes with a palette knife and sponges will be great to get all those lovely textures in your art journal.
This set of 96 Sheets of Textured and Patterned scrapbook paper will be great for all the lovely collages and mixed media.
We all need a good paint palette, and this large paint palette with 20 wells is great for your art needs.
Hold up! Get your hands on 100 FREE art journal prompts to help you with your journaling!
Let’s dive in deep to explore these inspirational art journal pages and see how each artist expresses their own unique creativity.
number one
Source: expressyourartsysoul
Starting off with this delicate and stunning art journal spread. This artist has used many different techniques such as collage and painting on this spread. I love the textures created on this page, which is probably created using gesso or glue with tissue paper which has then been painted on top. Lovely abstract pink marks are made throughout the page to make the colors cohesive.
The main study and centre point for this spread is the rose in the middle and the foliage around. Sometimes getting a subject matter can really help in finding out what to do with the spread if you are stuck for ideas.
number two
Source: _.skyfullofstars.__
A bold and magical themed page with contrasting colors and collage used throughout the page. ‘Be the change you want to see in the world’ is an iconic quote and sometimes a quote is all we need to make a memory on a page.
My favourite part is the use of ‘inverted stencil’ technique used to create the flower on the left side of the page. Instead of the petals being the main solid color, the petals on the page are unified with the background to give it a different inverted look and the background colored. The gold adds the touch of sparkle to set the page.
number three
Source: craftyhope
This stunning art journal page has a lot of depth and layers to it. It has a lot of attention to detail and the colors work together so seamlessly. Using old paper and newspaper is a good way to collage and bring different layers into the art journal spread.
It also looked like a leaf has been embedded onto the page, maybe with glue and also some stitching too. It just shows that anything can really go into your art journal. My favourite part in the page is the hidden ‘be authentic’ quote right in the middle of the page.
number four
Source: _nehehehahas.art_
Another page with a quote as the focal point but a different spread all together. This page is made up of large pieces of ripped page to make up the collage and put together with thought to make it look very aesthetic.
I love the earth tones used in this spread. When we think of art journaling, often very bright colors come to mind but this piece has shown off the artist’s personality through the colors used. Added to the side is some washi tape for extra embellishment which can be a nice detail.
number five
Source: salmah.paints
This artist is focusing on her travels in her art journal spread and documenting her trips through painting different scenes. A lovely way to capture travel memories from your own mind’s perspective and go free with your imagination because the colors used in the paintings are very abstract and colorful.
The self portrait on the other side is very imaginative and it could reflect what the artist was feeling when she was travelling. Sometimes journaling isn’t about words but can be done through images and doodles.
number six
Source: _.skyfullofstars.__
A very romantic vibe art journal spread and nostalgic feels. The colors and papers used to create the collage are intentionally used to create an antique look and the red flowers give it that pop of color. The collage layers feel like they are popping off the page, giving the art journal a very three dimensional look.
number seven
Source: joycharde
A journal page full of flowers! Doodling and painting something you love, can also be one way of art journaling. It could be something special you have seen in your day that you might want to recreate in your journal. Doodling can be a form of art journaling too!.
number eight
Source: lisagoddardart
A lovely mixed media page, full of different techniques all on one page. This is a very ‘junk journal’ style of art journaling and it’s packed with so much depth. These collages have been glued together as well as stitched on top to give it more of an impact. The artist has ripped paper from the side to not make it look uniform and give it more of an edge.
number nine
Source: jes_son
The colors work really well in this piece, it looks like they have been well thought out and planned beforehand. I love the secret letters that have almost been embossed into the page. Maybe they are just collages but if you look closely, the letters are slightly popping off the page.
number ten
Source: art_journallove
This stunning art journal spread is a piece of art within itself. The artist has used methods of stenciling to create this affect. A ‘mirror’ style has been created in this piece but not quite identical. I love the words splattered across the page subtly, not overpowering the page but blending in. Create a piece of art in your art journal to look back on.
number eleven
Source: junqueart
A colorful and happy spread which has lots of mark making and different techniques used. The technique that I love in this spread if the stitching on top. If you have a sewing machine, ‘drawing with stitch’ is a good way to add a different element to your art journal. Just simply put the piece of paper under the needly and move it around as you sew!
number twelve
Source: ragtagmagpie1658
‘Make your mark’ is a beautiful example of creating an art journal spread with just little supplies. The artist has used acrylic ink and sticks to create beautiful marks on this page. Using stickers and any other unconventional ways is a good way to go outside of your comfort zone and totally loosen up with your art style.
Sometimes we need to completely let go in order for us to create something unique and out there. Finding different ways of drawing and painting can really expand our own artistic style.
number thirteen
Source: rubyandpearl.xo
A very vintage junk journal style page with many different collage layers put together to make a beautiful layout. Gather some of your old books and papers to create this style and add some stenciling on top.
number fourteen
Source: emmadurrans
A lovely example of a visual journal spread, documenting memories but at the same time keeping the spread very art journal style. This is a great example of how we can use an art journal as a visual diary to record our memories. Add lots of elements together to look back on memories that have a visual impact.
number fifteen
Source: janemaday
This is a great example of simply just doodling in your art journal to keep a memory of your day. This artist has drawn some flowers from her garden in a very illustrative way. You can doodle something from your day in whatever style you like, a good way of documenting when you don’t know what else to do on your spread.
number sixteen
Source: thetypewriterdaily
The vintage style is really a thing when it comes to art journaling it seems! This spread definitely gives old vintage vibes, from the colors used to the script used in the writing behind the rose. Adding dried flowers to your art journal is a good way to keep your favourite flower forever. It adds another element to your art journaling as well as a good keepsake.
I love how the red really clashes with the dull colors on this page, and the mandala paper used behind the quote on the right. It really enhances the page and goes well with the dried rose.
number seventeen
Source: thetypewriterdaily
A theme based on seasons! A great idea to incorporate seasons and use it as a base for your art journaling. Choosing a month can be a good way to have goals in mind for that month and record them in your journal. Or even make a spread for the end of the month to reflect on.
number eighteen
Source: _writoquotes_
A simple and yet visually pleasing spread. This style if created using collage and placing them together beautifully. The colors the artist has used bring out a lovely moody vibe that sets the tone for the spread. Add different stickers and washi tape for the final touches.
Number nineteen
Source: starmothpress
I love this spread because it has a very playful and childlike vibe, but soo very artistic! All the different collage elements are placed together to work so nicely. The paper and washi tape, and doodles all come together to make a very artistic spread.
On the other side of the spread, the artist has written down her journal entry. Using one side of the spread for writing and the other for artitic expression can be a good way to balance your journaling
number twenty
Source: papier_chiffon
This has been one of the simpler art journal entries I have seen, but yet soo visually appealing. To create this, create some shapes with some translucent paint, such as watercolors, let it dry and then write your thoughts on top. Sometimes simple can work too!
number twenty-one
Source: lalymille
From simple to completely absorbed in color throughout the whole spread! This stunning art journal spread consists of many different layers of paint and collage, as well as words stamped on top. The colors used are very ethereal and almost spiritual. Adding a self portrait into the spread, the artist has immersed herself onto the page!
number twenty-two
Source: nausicaas_diary
This spread almost feels like a travel journal page! Travel journals are a great way to keep memories by adding your tickets and receipts to make a beautiful collage. I love the subtle colors used in this spread. Such a class and chic look.
number twenty-three
Source: marudles
Ending with this beautiful colorful and vibrant art journal spread. This has mark making, and collage and fabric for extra detail. Adding bits of left over fabric or yarn is a good way to add extra texture to your art journal spread. So many different elements and techniques used on one page but it all works so well together.
Sometimes we just have to let go and be free with our creativity and see what the outcome is!
This comes to the end of our 23 art journal ideas and we hope you took lots of inspiration from these journal pages for your own journaling! Art journaling is such a personal and unique way to document your life, it can be done in many different ways as you can see from this post.
If you liked this post, be sure to check out our other posts about art journaling:
20 Art Journal Ideas That Will Leave You Feeling Inspired.
From Dreams to Reality: Exploring 25 Unique and Inspiring Art Journal Pages.
Artistic Pages: 19 Creative Art Journal Ideas to Spark Your Imagination.
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