How do you start your own art journal? 5 ideas (from nature to sticker journaling)

An art journal is a journal and creative outlet in one, and you can use it in many ways.

Do you like to write down your thoughts and do you also like to be creative? Then an art journal could be just the thing for you. You can write in it, paste images, sketch on the pages, or paint a picture on them. Use it to keep track of things in your daily life or create your own fantasy world: You’re free to do what you want, and that’s what makes a visual journal so fun. Like the sound of it, but are slightly daunted by all those empty pages in front of you? Here are some videos to help you get started.

How to start with art journaling

Combining creative activity with writing down your thoughts—that’s the idea behind an art journal. You can use it to keep a record of events from your daily life. Here’s some inspiration.

Art journaling, but different: here’s some ideas

A nature journal

Nature journaling involves observing nature and recording your observations through drawing or writing. This not only connects you with nature but also clears your mind.

A junk journal

The junk journal is the sustainable version of an art journal: you primarily use found and recycled materials for it. Of course, such a journal varies from person to person, as everyone considers ‘junk’ to be something different. You can take it literally by using mostly recycled materials. If you take it a bit less literally, it can also become a notebook where you store all the ‘junk’ from your own life.

A travel journal

Hold off on throwing away your flight or train tickets from your trip—they might come in handy for your travel journal. This is travel journaling (and here’s how to get started).

A sticker journal

Do you also always save your best stickers for the right moment—that moment that never actually comes? Try sticker journaling. It’s a delightful and accessible way to journal, and a great home for your sticker collection. Here’s some inspiration.

Text Quirine Brouwer, Bente van de Wouw, Ruby Wijdenbosch Photography Estée Janssens/Unsplash.com