Art Journaling FAQs

If you are reading this blog, you have already found art journaling and its benefits. When I started two years ago, I was somewhat confused as to how I can begin or what I can do in the brand new A5 journal lying in front of me. I didn't have a lot of supplies except leftovers from old DIY projects, so that's what I started with. Over the years I have encountered a lot of doubts and questions and slowly figured them out by 'trusting the process.' Below, I will tackle some of the most common questions that might come to you as you begin your art journaling journey. I hope this helps!

FAQs

Do I have to know a lot about Art to start with Art Journaling?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. Remember, Art Journaling does not specifically mean a serious artistic exploration of techniques and skills. It is more about Art that comes from inside you. So don’t worry if you cannot draw a straight line even with a ruler (I literally cannot, they always go sideways), you don’t need to. You, in a literal as well as metaphorical sense, just need to sit down and get your hands dirty.

When can I start?

Whenever! A lot of people (including me) turn to art journaling as a sort of therapeutic release from whatever is ailing us mentally. But there is no rule that you have to wait for a mental health or life crisis to happen to start journaling. It’s like physical exercise; it’s good for you even in general.

What format is the best for me?

The best format for you is whichever your natural flair brings out. If you love writing letters, you can write one to yourself and maybe decorate it with colors and stickers. If you loved crafting as a child, take a scissor, some paper, some magazines, or some colorful pens and snip and scribble away. If you are a master with paints and paintbrushes, you can paint. If you spend most of your time on your electronics, then you can even journal digitally with any collage-making app. You can also collect scraps like bills, receipts, or newspaper cuttings to include in your journal or even pictures from your recent travel. And of course, you can combine different formats as well.

Do I have to follow themes?

If you wish to then yes, go ahead! Just be mindful that you are not setting yourself up for any kind of dissatisfaction later. The point of this type of journaling is to genuinely relax. This is the one activity where you can afford to even be a little absent-minded.

Can I do it every day?

If you can find the time, then by all means yes! When I was starting out, I was obsessively doing it daily. Don’t get me wrong, I was enjoying myself. Now I do it 3-4 times a week depending on when I feel like it. Just remember to not force yourself.

What if what I made does not look very nice?

I will be realistic here. Today with smartphones and tablets in our hands, how something looks depends a lot on the pictures we click of it. I have an Instagram page where I post actively so I would be lying if I said I haven’t worried about my journal spreads looking nice. However, the one thing I have noticed is that no matter how it looks, it will always feel organic in your hands. The different textures, layers, and whatever parts of your mind you poured into it while making it will give you a sense of satisfaction. That feeling never goes away. So while you may not always like how you journal page looks, trust me you will always like how it feels.

And that's about it with what I had to share. If you have any more questions about this, please feel free to comment down below and I will try my best to help you out!