Help! I want to art journal but don't know where to start!

[Jengerbread88]

So, I'm in love with the art journal pages I'm seeing around the web, and I love the products and all of that, but I have NO CLUE where to start.

I am going through a huge mess with my extended family right now and words aren't enough to get the raw emotion (and at times, RAGE, but also hurt, sadness, and frustration) that I'm feeling out.

How do I start art journaling? Is there any specific method y'all find tried and true? Because I'm trying and I don't like ANYTHING I'm making, and I'm just wondering:

1) Is there a way to art journal "wrong."?
2) If so, how do I do it? Because I'm SO lost. This is not my forte. But I feel like I need it.

:sigh:

(also, eye candy, tutorials, prompts, anything like that you like, please link me up).

[MommaTrish]

We have a whole section in the tutorials about getting started and how-to on art journaling:
https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/t...rt-journaling/

But...
There is no wrong way to do it.

[lovely1m]

No wrong way to do it. Follow the tutorials, find some inspiration in the gallery and let your emotions guide you. I love how art journaling gets my feelings across compared to anything else I've done. Good luck!

[Jengerbread88]

You're a lifesaver. I don't know how I missed that whole section. :facepalm:

I knew there'd be some tutorial somewhere. I've been away too long. :P

[MommaTrish]

Oh, and to me, and art journal page is any page that expresses your thoughts or emotions. Sort of like pretty diary pages.

here are some of my older ones that aren't so artsy




and some of mine in the newer artsier style that's big now





As you can see, mine tend to be about more negative emotions primarily, but I do have some happy ones. It's a lot of the emotions that I wouldn't just include in our regular scrapbooks for the whole family to see.

[Jengerbread88]

Okay, perfect. Yeah, a lot of mine right now will tend to be negative, so it's good to see those sorts of pages, I think. A lot of what I see online is happy and sunshine and rainbows, which is AWESOME... but I'm channeling my inner rage and hurt and like seeing some pages that can inspire me in terms of those emotions.

[webseitler]

I have been trying to design my Heart Art kits with the beginner in mind. So, I try to add pieces of paint and paper that I hope will help people feel like pros right off the bat--there are layers of color, so all you have to do is drop one on a page.

I wrote the first article in the tutorial section there (this one) and if I can personally help you out with anything, just drop me a PM! I'd be happy to help!

And the quickest way I can think of to share inspiration is to share the pages that my amazing CT have put together. I have them all uploaded here on FB in different galleries for each kit: My FB Gallery. I hope you find a page or two that inspire you there!

Hope that helps! Have fun on your new journey!

[Jengerbread88]

Thanks, Nicole! I just finished my first art journal layout, using a couple of Heart Art items. They were actually a lot easier to use than expected, and after letting my emotions guide me, and letting the items help me (and using a Mixed Media Mashup from Krystal), I think I managed to get my emotions out on the page.

...it was actually really therapeutic, so I may just make a habit of this.

Thanks for the quick responses, everyone.

[heathergw]

YAY!!! So happy it was so therapeutic!!! That's the way it should be... in addition to Nicole and Krystal's goodies... Traci and Jenn have a Get Artsy series and some of them deal with negative emotions and might help you get started too... just remember to let go and let your emotions drive you... easier said than done, but remember there are no rules

[Jengerbread88]

Heather, I think the "no rules" is the scariest part of art journaling! I'm so used to when I do a project, there being rules or guidelines... or at least a starting point.
With Art Journaling, there is a blank canvas! I'm hoping that, as I keep going, I get the hang of it.
Poking around the shoppe last night, I found out there was a whole art journaling section! I had no idea!