Art Journaling For Beginners
- Rea Weeks
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Art journaling is part creative play, part self-care, and part sketchbook—without the pressure of making “perfect art.” Think of it as a place where you can explore color, words, collage, paint, doodles, and memories all on the same page. If you’ve been curious but not sure where to start, this guide will walk you through the basics in a way that feels simple, doable, and fun.
What is an art journal (and what it’s not)
An art journal is a personal space to experiment. It can include painting, drawing, stamping, collage, hand lettering, mixed media, or even just a few marks and a sentence about your day.
It’s not:
A portfolio
A test you can fail
Something that needs to look like what you see on social media
It is:
Practice without pressure
A record of your thoughts, seasons, and ideas
A creative warm-up that helps you build skills over time
The best supplies to start with (keep it simple)
You don’t need a huge craft haul to begin. Start with what you already have, then add as you learn what you enjoy.
A journal (choose one):
Any notebook you already own
A mixed media sketchbook (great if you’ll use paint + collage)
A ring binder or disc-bound journal (easy to add/remove pages)
Basic tools (pick a few):
Pencil + eraser
Black pen (fine liner or gel pen)
A couple of markers or highlighters
Glue stick (collage-friendly and low mess)
Scissors
Optional “fun” extras:
Washi tape
Magazine pages or scrapbook paper
Acrylic paint or watercolor
Brushes or a sponge
Stencils, stamps, or printable elements
If you’re short on supplies, collage is a wonderful beginner-friendly path. Paper + glue + a pen for journaling is enough to make pages that feel rich and layered.
5 easy art journaling page ideas for beginners
If staring at a blank page makes you freeze, try one of these prompts. They’re designed to get your hands moving quickly.
Color + words page
Pick 2–3 colors. Add paint, markers, or even colored pencil swatches. Then write a few lines about how you want to feel this week.
“Today I’m…” collage
Cut out words/images from a magazine (or print a few). Glue them down, then add a short paragraph about your day.
Pattern play
Fill the page with simple doodle patterns—dots, stripes, scallops, leaves. Add one bold word in the center.
Gratitude list with a background
Paint a messy background (or glue torn paper). Once it’s dry, write 10 small things you’re grateful for.
Memory pocket page
Tape in something small: a receipt, ticket stub, packaging, a tag, or a label. Add a note about the moment.
A simple beginner process (so you always know what to do)
When you don’t know what to make, use this easy 3-step flow:
Background (1–3 minutes):
Add color, torn paper, washi tape, or a quick wash of paint.
Focal point (2–5 minutes):
Add one main thing: a quote, a collage image, a doodle cluster, a photo, or a big word.
Details (1–3 minutes):
Add pen lines, dots, scribbles, stamps, or journaling around the edges.
Set a timer for 10 minutes and let “done” be the goal. You can always add more later.
Tips to keep it flowing (without getting stuck)
Start messy on purpose. One bold swipe of paint or a few random shapes breaks the “perfect blank page” spell.
Use limited colors. Two or three colors helps a page feel cohesive.
Build layers. Background first, then collage, then pen details.
Write like you’re talking to yourself. Your art journal is allowed to be honest and imperfect.
Make it easy to return. Leave a few pages partially started so you can jump back in.
What to do when you think your page looks “bad”
This happens to everyone. Try one of these rescue moves:
Add a layer of torn paper or paint to cover what you dislike.
Change the mood with a dark pen outline or white gel pen highlights.
Add a title, date, or a short caption—words can pull a page together.
Turn it into a background and start again on top.
🌻 Gentle ways to expand your supplies (only when you’re ready)
Rea of Treasures offers a plethora of products, from scrapbook paper to bookmarks, stickers, and more! You can find it all in my shop!
🌟 Final Thoughts
The best art journal is the one you’ll actually open. Start with one page, one color, one sentence. Let it be imperfect—and let it be yours.
Rea 🌻Creator of A Rea of Treasures
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