What is Journaling? Part 1

Let’s start by demystifying journaling!

What is Journaling?

Artists and hobbyists alike create various types of journals to document, express, and explore their creativity. Journaling is a form of creative self-expression, a place where you lose yourself for hours. We have listed below a comprehensive list of popular types of journals:

If you want some guidance here are a few themes for creating your own Journal: Depending on your kind of vibe.

Like all artwork, you can choose your scale, paper type (mixed media or watercolour paper is suitable for wet and dry work), colour, and shape of your journal, there are no set rules or right or wrong way to create! We will curate some of our finest journals for you later on in this article.

Some great themes for you to choose from if you need a little help choosing.

1. Art Journals

Illustration Journals:

Featuring completed or evolving illustrations.

Mixed Media Journals:

Combining various materials like paint, ink, collage, and textures.

Sketch Journals:

Focused on sketches and drawings, often for practice or inspiration. Technique investigation and idea generation. Hard back and spiral are great as they lay flat for double page spreads if required.

Watercolour Journals:

Specifically for watercolor art experiments or compositions.

Watercolour journal testing out Derwent Graphitint water soluble pencils. Test colour swatches, wet and dry.

2. Visual Diaries

• Daily Art Diaries: Record daily thoughts, feelings, or events through visual representation and annotation.
• Travel Journals: Capture experiences, scenes, memorabilia and memories from travels.

3. Creative Writing Journals

Poetry Journals:

Combining written poetry with complementary visuals.

Storyboarding Journals:

Used to sketch and map out story ideas or scripts.

Calligraphy Journals:

Dedicated to hand-lettering and typography practice.

4. Idea Journals

Design development journals, quick thinking sketches, getting ideas down and developing drawings into pottery designs.

Design Journals:

Jotting down creative ideas for projects. Testing ideas out on paper before committing to your project.

Inspiration Journals:

Filled with quotes, images, and concepts for motivation.

5. Craft or Hobby Journals

• DIY Journals: Documenting crafting techniques or ideas for handmade items.
• Pattern Journals: For knitting, sewing, or crochet patterns and designs.
• Textile journals: for keeping pieces of threads, bits of wool, fabric scraps.

6. Nature Journals

• Botanical Journals: Documenting plants with drawings and notes.
• Wildlife Journals: Observations and sketches of animals and natural settings.

Nature journals, shells, stones, seaweed and feathers. Memories of walks, observations and studies for larger pieces. Investigating Textures using mixed media.

Nature journals, quick botanical studies.

Collection of feathers and seaweed for mixed media studies journals.

Seed pods, dried flowers.

10. Bullet Journals for Artists

Combining organization with artistic expression, including trackers and doodles.

11. Gratitude or Affirmation Journals

Infused with personal growth art like mandalas, uplifting imagery, or inspirational text.

Artists and hobbyists often mix and match these types to suit their preferences and needs. Each journal becomes a personal and evolving work of art in itself!

Mixed media journal, Inktense blocks, Calligraphy inks and bamboo dip pen, Caran d’Ache Neocolour Aquarelle Watersoluble wax pastels.

Getting started with your journal.

Here is a collated materials guide to help you begin your journey:

Setting up your creative space, always use what you already have in your toolbox first. The products below will help you to create, develop and advance your creative skills but are only suggestions.

Gather your materials.

Start with a blank journal- choose one with sturdy, thick pages to handle the layer of paint, glue, and other materials. We have listed some below. Do not feel limited to this list below. Mixed media is about embracing what inspired you, even if it is a found object or an unexpected texture. Have a look in your tool kit and you will probably already have a lot of the items listed below. You do not need a lot to get started but you can expand your tool box as you develop your journalling skills. Below is a list of materials and tools that may aid your creative journalling journey!

• Paper scraps (old magazines, postage stamps, postcards, maps, stickers, old books, music sheets, cut out words, sewing pattern paper and tissue paper) are great for collage.
• Stamps, stencils, and washi tape; for creating repeat patterns, areas of interest, details, creating numerical details or for creating text.
• Bubble wrap, bottle tops for mark making
• Old Photos, fabric, small buttons or small keepsakes for collage artwork.
• Baking paper/parchment to put in between pages secured with bulldog clips. This stops paints leaking onto the other pages whilst you're working on your current page.
• Spray bottle for spraying water on your pages to create textures.
• Wax crayons to create some wax resist, especially when using inks and watercolour paint.
• Collage glue: use matte or satin or gloss acrylic gel medium, this will help create your layers of paper collage and you will be able to work over it with any medium once it has dried. Here are some great brands; Liquitex, Golden, Winsor & Newton.

GOLDEN Fluid Matte Medium - 237ml

Liquitex Professional Matte Gel - 237ml

GOLDEN Gloss Medium - 237ml

Winsor & Newton Professional Acrylic Medium - 250ml

Indian inks and acrylic inks:

Most inks are fast drying. Alcohol inks are probably the fastest but are sometimes tricky to use. Water-soluble inks and acrylic inks are dilutable, and intermixable. Inks can be used to cover your pages or used to create written script and illustrations. Indian ink, also known as India ink, is a traditional drawing and writing medium that has been used for centuries. It is a black ink made from finely ground carbon black (lamp black) mixed with a binding agent, such as shellac or gelatin, and water.

Acrylic inks come in all different finishes, transparent, opaque, pearlescent, neon and metallic. Once dried, they become waterproof. There is a great choice of acrylic inks on our website, click here for more products.

Daler-Rowney FW Pearlescent Liquid Acrylic Inks

Liquitex Acrylic Inks 30ml Dropper Bottles

Liquitex Acrylic Ink Set 6 x 30ml - Iridescents

Daler-Rowney FW Acrylic Ink Neon Set

Acrylic paints:

Any type of acrylic paint will do nicely! Heavy body, soft body or fluid; they are great for journaling, similar to the acrylic inks they are intermixable, fast drying and they dry waterproof. Acrylic paint is available to buy in varying amounts from 1tr tubs to small tubes. We would suggest buying a small set as you can always expand your tool set at a later date.

Acrylic multi surface and craft paint such as Decoart multi-surface premium acrylics and Docrafts artiste multi-surface acrylic paint come in small pots and are ideal for journaling. Daler Rowney offers a great set of 6 x 75ml Metallic paint.

Golden High Flow Artist Acrylics Mixing Set of 10 x 30ml; These are a fairly new product by Golden, with a great selection, transparent colours, effect colours and opaque colours, you can choose which one you prefer or use them in conjunction with each other for great effects, for drips, staining, creating layers, colour washes and glazes, dries quickly and dries waterproof.

Pencils, coloured pencils, crayons and pens.

There are so many great pencils and markers on our website to inspire some serious creativity.

• Caran d'Ache Neocolor II Aquarelle - Water Soluble Wax Pastels - Set of 30, lays down bright and vivid colours quickly, they are activated with water or acrylic gel medium. Very easy to work with and you can cover whole pages relatively quickly.
• Winsor & Newton Studio Collection Charcoal Pencils - Set of 6.
• Derwent individual graphite pencils, are excellent for sketching, drawing and annotating in your journals.
• Cretacolor Artino Watersoluble Graphite Set of 10 are great for blending on top of watercolour, gouache, acrylic paint or inks.
• Tinted charcoal pencils such as Derwent Tinted Charcoal Pencils - Set of 24 or Derwent Graphitint Pencils - Set of 24are great for more natural palettes.
• Ball point biro pens, Gel pens, Fine liners, and any kind of Markers are great for small details and writing letters or poems and quotes.
• ARTessentials Dual-Tip Watercolour Brush Pens - Set of 100 Watercolour brush pens are great to take traveling and can be diluted with a waterbrush for a soft and delicate look or use undiluted for a vibrant and colourful effect.

Watercolour paints, and watercolour Brusho crystalline pigment powders provide beautiful translucent colour for washes and layering up colours in your journal. Lay them down for a vivid ground colour or dilute them to create subtle pastel colours. Scatter them dry over a wet ground colour and watch them combine and spread their pigments to create some amazing textured effects.

Posca paint markers over acrylic paint work really well for creating vibrant and colourful script, they can be smudged before they dry or use for sharp geometric repeat pattern making. Posca paint markers can be used over most other mediums such as watercolour paint, acrylic paint, gouache and paper collage.

Water soluble watercolour pencils, Derwent Inktense pencils, and Inktense blocksprovide intense colours and blend extremely well also. You can also use them over watercolours, acrylic paint, and inks.

Preparing the surface of your mixed media journal.

Preparing your journal pages - to add strength to your paper you can spread gesso or acrylic paint onto the page first to control the absorption of your mixed media materials into your paper. This will provide a strong waterproof surface for oil pastels, acrylic paints, gouache paints, fineliners, markers and a good base for paper collage.

If you have a watercolour journal with heavy weight paper over 300gsm, you may want your inks and watercolour paints or water soluble pencils and crayons to sink into the paper for a watercolour effect so you wouldn’t necessarily have to gesso the pages first.

You can add gesso or white acrylic paint whilst you are creating your images over and under your mixed media materials to obscure areas of your composition. Acrylic medium, gesso and acrylic paint will dry waterproof and this will affect how some of the mediums react on top of the paper afterwards. For instance, inks over a gesso or acrylic ground will not act the same as it does over watercolour paper. Aim to experiment with all your layering techniques.

Explore the potential and limitations of the materials you are using; try techniques such as scratching into the surface, blurring, pulling and pushing paint across a variety of other materials, scraping, erasing, and glazing.

Experimentation is the key to creating your Mixed Media Journal pages. You may find some materials will be trickier to use with other art materials. Oil pastels will resist water based paints such as watercolours and inks, but you may find with acrylic paint you are able to paint straight over it. It is all trial and error and after some time whilst experimenting, you may find some really exciting pairings of your art materials. Acrylic markers will almost always work on top of most bases, as will oil pastels.

Create your base layers

Start with a blank page and add layers to build a foundation. Decide if you are going to use water soluble materials first, if you are then you don’t need to gesso the paper. When they have dried you can then work over with acrylic, oil pastels, fine liners or inks.

You might add collage papers as a background or on top.

Your background base layers can be different on each page, blending colours or creating textures by stamping, stenciling, sponging or splattering paint. Be bold and work across two pages if you're feeling brave, aim to keep your palette similar and this will give a cohesive final look. For the image above we used Derwent Inktense Watercolour Ink Blocks to create a base layer for our organic themed double page spread.

Add words and images

Overlay your base layer with handwritten reflections, inspirational quotes, or personal goals. Pair your words with images that speak to your emotions or plans—photos, magazine clippings, or sketches can bring your vision to life. Or just document themes you love to study such as; trees, nature, botanical, marine life, beach debris, stones and feathers, birds, family or people, or buildings etc…

Experiment with techniques

Mixed media is all about experimentation. Try layering wet and dry materials, incorporating 3D elements, or using unconventional tools like a credit card to spread paint or ink. Let go of perfection and let intuition guide your process. Or finally use those pens and markers you have been hoarding in the cupboard! You can log your ideas down, annotate the process or just write a response in prose about your feelings as you travel through your creative journey. We used oil pastels, Liquitex Acrylic Inks 30ml Dropper Bottles, and Derwent Inktense Watercolour Ink Pencils.

Make it a habit

Dedicate time each day, week or month to reflect and add to your journal. Use it as a ritual to reconnect with yourself and with your creative side. Loose and find yourself in your own personal space. The beauty of journaling is you can go back and look at your journals time and time again, adding to historic pages, taking ideas forward to develop. Revisiting your journals is like looking at an old friend whilst remembering everything you were feeling at the time you made it.

Protect your pages

Once you are happy with each of your pages, and especially if you have used chalk pastels, charcoal or pastels pencils you can protect them with a pencil, pastel or watercolour fixative such as Daler Rowney Fixative Spray to increase their light stability and stop them from smudging. For even more protection you can varnish them with a spray varnish such as Pebeo varnish in Matte, Satin or Gloss or once fixed you can brush some Golden Gac medium over them to make your work waterproof for protection.

The journals

For more Journals and sketchbook information press these links 'Journals and Diaries' and 'Sketchbooks'.

Seawhite Kraft Card Display Books - 175gsm - 40 Sheets

The Seawhite Kraft Card Display Book is a versatile and elegant solution for showcasing artwork, photographs, or other creative Journal projects. Its 40 sheets of 175gsm brown kraft card provide a sturdy and visually appealing base for mounting materials. The natural kraft card offers a unique and earthy aesthetic, making it a perfect choice for those who appreciate organic and sustainable design.

Product Features & Benefits:

• Ample Display Space: With 80 pages (40 sheets), the display book offers generous space to showcase a variety of creative work.
• Durable Construction: The natural kraft hard covers and 1" black wire-o binding ensure that the display book can withstand regular use and handling.
• Sturdy Card Stock: The 175gsm kraft card is thick and robust, providing excellent support for mounted artwork and photographs. It is also a smooth and receptive surface for drawing and other artistic techniques.
• Secure Closure: The satin ribbon closure adds a touch of elegance and ensures that the contents of the display book remain secure.
• Versatile Use: The display book is ideal for a wide range of creative projects, including scrapbooking, journaling, and mixed media art. It is also a beautiful way to present portfolios or collections of work.
• Natural Aesthetic: The brown kraft card provides a warm and earthy backdrop that complements a variety of artistic styles.
• Eco-Friendly: The kraft card is made from sustainable materials, making it a responsible choice for environmentally conscious artists and creators.

Overall, the Seawhite Kraft Card Display Book is a high-quality and versatile product that offers a unique and stylish way to display and protect creative work. Its combination of durable construction, natural aesthetic, and ample display space make it an excellent choice for artists, crafters, and anyone who appreciates beautiful and functional design.

Canson Mixed Media Artist Art Book - 300gsm - 28 Sheets

The Canson Mixed Media Artist Art Book is the perfect companion for your creative journaling adventures. Crafted with 300gsm heavyweight paper, this A5 landscape notebook is designed to handle a wide range of mediums, from watercolours and acrylics to inks and markers, without warping or bleeding through. With 28 sheets of premium, acid-free paper, it ensures your artwork stays vibrant and preserved over time. Its compact size makes it ideal for on-the-go inspiration, while the sturdy spiral binding lets you work comfortably on any surface. Whether you’re sketching, painting, or layering techniques, this art book offers versatility, durability, and professional-quality results for mixed media journaling.

Canson Saunders Waterford Art Book - 300gsm - Cold Pressed

The Canson Saunders Waterford Art Book is a premium choice for mixed media journaling, offering 300gsm cold-pressed paper renowned for its texture and durability.

It is made exclusively from 100% cotton and complies with conservation standards. Each sheet is buffered with calcium carbonate to protect the artwork from discolouration caused by the acids present in atmospheric pollution.

Its exceptional surface is created using natural wool felts to create a unique random texture. The surface is coated with gelatine to strengthen the paper and make it resistant to rubbing.

With 20 sheets of cotton paper, this A5 art book ensures your creations remain vibrant and timeless. The cold-pressed surface provides the perfect balance of texture, making it ideal for watercolours, inks, gouache, and even light layering with dry media such as watercolour pencils and Inktense products . Its compact size is perfect for portability, while the high-quality paper resists warping and allows for expressive techniques. Elevate your mixed media journaling with this luxurious and versatile art book!

The Canson Saunders Waterford Art Book contains exceptional watercolour paper, manufactured traditionally made at St Cuthbert's Mill and approved by the Royal Watercolour Society.

It is made exclusively from cotton and complies with conservation standards. Each sheet is buffered with calcium carbonate to protect the artwork from discolouration caused by the acids present in atmospheric pollution.

Seawhite Hardbacked Watercolour Book - 350gsm - A4 Landscape

This A4 Hardbacked Watercolour Book from Seawhite features 25 sheets of 350gsm, cold pressed (NOT finish) watercolour paper. Its landscape orientation makes it perfect for capturing the world when painting en plein air.

Product details:

• 25 sheets of Seawhite 350gsm.
• NOT finish watercolour paper.
• Acid and Chlorine-Free.
• Attractive hard grey cover.
• Wide wire-o binding.
• A4 size (210 x 297mm) Landscape.
• 100% Vegan product, FSC® Certified paper, Made in the UK.

Daler-Rowney Aquafine Watercolour Art Book - 300gsm - Cold Pressed - 20 Sheets - A5

This Daler-Rowney Aquafine Watercolour Art Book includes 20 sheets of acid-free, cold pressed 300gsm (140lb) paper. The paper offers good water absorbency, whilst also being suitable for use with masking fluid without stretching.

It features a fairly hard surface, providing good erasability in the event of a mistake. Its acid-free composition is great for preventing colour deterioration, allowing the paper and your work's integrity to be preserved over time. The paper is manufactured on a Fourdrinier machine using 100% virgin wood pulp.

This book is ideal for beginners & students, as well as professional artists preferring to work in mainly 'dry' watercolour techniques.

Product details

• Acid-Free
• 20 Sheets
• Cold Pressed
• 300g/m (140lb)

Mixed media journaling offers a dynamic and deeply personal way to embrace your creative new year. By blending words and visuals, you create a keepsake that reflects your growth, creativity, and aspirations. So, gather your materials, carve out some time, and let your imagination run wild. 2025 is waiting to be documented—one beautiful page at a time.

Happy journaling! 🌟