Art journaling is a popular form of artistic expression that can be best described as an artful diary. It’s not just about the words, but also about the images and sketches! As more people are looking for ways to express their creativity, there are tons of best journals for art journaling options available on the market.
But which one should you choose? In this blog post, we will explore the 5 best journals for art journaling that have been found to be worth considering by many experts in the field.
What are the best journals for art journaling?
Jane Davenport Art Journal A5
These are the most popular art journals. Their paper is what makes them a popular choice. They have thick watercolor paper within, which is fantastic if you want to utilize various wet processes.
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The greatest paper ever is watercolor paper! I’ve attempted painting with watercolor on a variety of media, but it’s never been as beautiful as it is on watercolor paper. The thicker the better.
I’m using the A5-size of these art notebooks, which are both sturdy and lightweight to transport.
You may even purchase the diary with plain blank cover plates so you can decorate them in any style you like.
- GOOD FOR Watercolor Mixed media
- BAD FOR Drawing without paint
This paper is prone to smudging if you try to erase the pencil. I’ve tried a number of different pencils and erasers, yet I still see the smudging when attempting to remove them. If you apply paint over the sketch, though, those erased marks will not be readily visible.
Marabu Mixed Media Art Journal
These are often beginner’s options and work well.
Unfortunately, as with Jane Davenport’s art journals, their pages are not as thick. They’re still excellent for drawing and painting, but you must be cautious not to submerge them too much because the pages will bleed.
You can use watercolor in small quantities, but not with as much water as you’d think. Spray paint might also cause the paper to bleed, so I adore this art journal for other mixed media, especially acrylic paint.
I have these in two sizes: A4 and A5. They’re both great; it depends on your comfort level with bigger art journals. There’s a lot of room in the A4 size of this journal, which is amazing for drawing and sketching.
The pages are thick, with 72 of them, and they’ll last a long time while you’re journaling.
- GOOD FOR Acrylic paint Drawing Sketching Stamping
- BAD FOR Too much water
Canson XL Mix Media Pad
We adore this mixed-media art diary. First, it’s flat and has spiral binding, allowing you to make a picture on the move and then scan it when you get home. We also appreciate that it is very affordable, and in fact, it’s the least expensive option on this list, making it perfect for novices.
The Canson Mixed Media Pad can take a beating. It’s 98lb/160gsm, so you may use it for anything from watercolors to oils.
It’s a great paper for watercolor painting. However, it has a strong texture that comes through when you paint with watercolor. We didn’t mind too much because of the price; however, if you want to create watercolor artwork to exhibit to others, this is not the paper for you.
Overall, the Canson Pad is a fantastic price for the money, especially if you’re just getting started.
- GOOD FOR: Heavy media, collage, crafters on a budget
- BAD FOR: Watercolor, oil pastels, colored pencils
Marabu Ring Binder A4
This binder book has heavy-weighted paper (300g/m) that makes the pages extremely durable. Marabu designed these Mixed Media Art Journals for mixed media artists, and it’s clear from the cover. Nonetheless, I put all of my materials on this paper and was pleasantly surprised at how much it can carry.
So, if you’re a fan of mixed media, this is an ideal choice since it’s A4 size, which measures 8.3×11.7 inches and can be used to build as much as you want in this enormous real estate.
It’s a wonderful thing about it that you may easily detach pages if you want to frame your work. The pages pull out readily.
- GOOD FOR: Mixed media Acrylic paint Spray paint Liquid Ink
- BAD FOR: The paper is not watercolor-friendly, so it’s not ideal for Watercolor. You can use it in this diary, but the paper isn’t watercolor paper, so it won’t appear as lovely. If you use it, however, the paper does not bleed.
The pages are in the way because of the spiral binding, which is obstructing the connection.
Moleskine ART Collection Journals
These are one of the most beautiful art journals I’ve ever seen. The paper inside is 200g/m, which is ideal for a wide range of wet media, especially watercolor. In fact, the paper was created specifically for watercolor painting.
However, if you add a lot of water, it can crumple somewhat; however, I believe this is true of other journals and watercolor paper. However, that isn’t a problem at all; in fact, my artwork will appear beautiful on this paper because I may paint with watercolors in it.
The art journal has a variety of sizes, some of which are A3, A4, large size, and pocket. It also comes in a variety of forms.
- GOOD FOR Watercolor Mixed media Spray paint Liquid ink
- BAD FOR: This is a major disadvantage of both watercolor paper and eraser pencils. As with any watercolor paper, erasing pencil marks is difficult and can leave smeared marks. However, this may be dependent on the type of eraser and the pencil used.
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What is an art journal?
An art diary is a visual diary that combines writing, drawing, painting, collage, and even printmaking to tell your story. Your everyday life, as well as your larger aspirations, wishes, and fears, are all represented by this card. A single page will frequently combine words and pictures to give a glimpse of what’s going on inside your mind.
Why keep an art journal?
If you journal, you already know the advantages of putting your thoughts on paper. Getting your ideas down helps to reduce stress and process tumultuous feelings. As a result, you become more self-aware and empowered.
Art journaling is also a great way to exercise self-care. It urges you to take some time for yourself, even if it’s only for 15 minutes every day. You may learn a lot about your problems by looking back at what you’ve written, drawn, or stamped.
The goal of art journaling is not to produce a masterpiece on each page. You’re simply supposed to enjoy the act of creating something without assessing whether it’s good or not. Keep in mind that it’s for your eyes only!
How to Start an Art Journal
Art journaling is highly flexible, depending on your creativity and interests. Many individuals like to decorate their pages with drawing and painting materials, as well as other craft supplies. The most essential thing to think about when beginning an art journal, though, is the book you’ll be using.
Try these art journal ideas!
- Creating an art journal is all about you, but you may need assistance getting started.
- Introduce yourself! Make a self-portrait with chalk or paint.
- Draw the items you just acquired.
- Make a map of your favorite location, real or imagined.
- Make a drawing of a cherished childhood memory.
- Collect flowers or leaves on a nature walk. Describe your trip and why you collected these things.
- Marker is useful for adding signatures, doodling, and pasting old photographs on top.
- Make a page full of geometric forms.
- Illustrate what you have in your bag.
- Create a portrait of your favorite animal.
- Make an on-the-spot inspirational quotation or personal motto with your own hand.
Finding the best journal for art journaling
The best journals for art journaling are those that have acid-free paper and are suitable for a wide range of wet media. The best art journals are also those that come in a variety of sizes and forms. They often have beautiful covers and pages.
When you find the right one it makes art journaling even more fun. Let us know which one is your favorite!
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