So You Want to Start an Art Journal… But You’re Pretty Sure Your Stick Figures Need Therapy
Let me guess. You’ve seen those dreamy, Instagram-perfect art journals and thought:
“That’s so beautiful… I could never do that.”
Spoiler: You absolutely can. And you don’t even need to know the difference between gouache and goulash to get started.
This guide is for every creatively curious human who’s ever whispered, “I can’t draw,” and then binge-watched three hours of art journaling reels anyway.
Welcome, friend. This is art journaling for beginners — with zero pressure and a whole lot of joy.
What Even Is an Art Journal?
Let’s break it down.
An art journal is like a sketchbook and a diary had a weird, artsy baby. It’s a place to combine words and images, thoughts and color, mess and magic.
Unlike a regular journal, which is often just writing, an art journal gives you freedom to express your ideas using visuals, textures, paint, glue, washi tape, receipts, stickers, and whatever else is within reach.
There are no rules. Really.
If you’re thinking “but that sounds chaotic,” yes — and that’s the beauty.
Why Start an Art Journal?
Here are just a few reasons why art journaling is one of the best things you can do for your brain, your creativity, and your general happiness:
- It’s a stress reliever – nothing melts tension like scribbling furiously with colored pencils.
- It boosts creativity – even if you don’t consider yourself creative. Especially if you don’t.
- It’s a form of self-discovery – you’ll be surprised what spills out when you mix watercolor with your thoughts.
- It’s fun – remember that? FUN? You’re allowed to have it.
But… What If I Can’t Draw?
Ah yes, the number one thing holding people back. Let’s clear this up right now:
Art journaling isn’t about making “good” art. It’s about making your art.
Nobody cares if your clouds look like lumpy potatoes or your flowers resemble intergalactic squids. The goal is expression, not exhibition.
Also, fun fact: You don’t even have to draw if you don’t want to. You can collage. You can stamp. You can write in bubble letters. You can use stickers. You can literally smear paint with a gift card and call it a background.
So if your inner critic is yelling “BUT YOU CAN’T EVEN DRAW A STRAIGHT LINE,” gently tell it to sit down and maybe journal that moment.
Art Journaling Myths That Need to Go Sit Down
Let’s tackle a few popular myths that might be lurking in your brain, whispering nonsense:
Myth 1: “It has to be pretty.”
Nope. It just has to be yours. Ugly pages are often the most meaningful.
Myth 2: “I need expensive supplies.”
Not unless you count a glue stick and a cereal box as “expensive.”
Myth 3: “Only real artists art journal.”
Art journaling makes you an artist. If you can glue paper and hold a crayon, you’re in.
Myth 4: “I don’t have time.”
You don’t need an hour. You need ten minutes, a surface, and the willingness to make a mess.
Myth 5: “I’ll ruin the journal.”
That’s the point. Break it in. Wear it out. The more imperfect it looks, the more lived-in and magical it becomes.
Supplies You Actually Need (Not 72 Types of Markers)
Here’s your beginner-friendly, non-overwhelming supply list:
- A journal or sketchbook – Anything with paper. Mixed media paper is great, but a regular notebook works just fine.
- Pens – Black ink pens, gel pens, ballpoints… whatever you have.
- Colored pencils or markers – Don’t overthink this. A $5 Crayola pack will do.
- Glue stick or tape – For adding things like ticket stubs, dried flowers, or that weird napkin with a doodle on it.
- Old magazines or paper scraps – Perfect for collage.
- Scissors – For snipping and clipping.
- Paint (optional) – Watercolor or acrylics. Or finger paints, if you’re feeling wild.
Start with what you have. Seriously. Don’t wait until you’ve curated the ultimate art supply hoard. That’s how people end up with $300 worth of art stuff and no pages filled.
7 Beginner-Friendly Prompts to Get You Started
Not sure what to put on the page? Try one of these:
- “Today I feel like…” – Paint your mood using colors, shapes, or words.
- Your favorite quote – Decorate the page around it.
- Collage a dream scene – Magazines + glue = instant creative therapy.
- A letter to your future self – Use colors and images that represent hope or goals.
- Draw (badly) your day – Stick figures encouraged. Bonus points for absurdity.
- Color blocking – Paint or shade in squares or sections of color that reflect your energy today.
- A page of texture – Try layering paper scraps, fabric, stamps, or messy brushstrokes.
The point isn’t perfection. It’s connection — to your thoughts, your mood, your creative spirit.
10 Inspiring Quotes to Add to Your Pages
Want something beautiful to include when you’re not sure what to say? Here are a few gems:
- “There is no must in art because art is free.” – Wassily Kandinsky
- “Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisse
- “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe
- “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” – Thomas Merton
- “To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow.” – Kurt Vonnegut
- “Perfection is the enemy of progress.” – Winston Churchill
- “Art is not a thing, it is a way.” – Elbert Hubbard
- “Your art doesn’t have to be beautiful. It just has to be yours.” – Unknown
- “Mistakes are proof that you’re trying.” – Jennifer Lim
- “Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart.” – Elizabeth Gilbert
Print this list, tape it to your desk, or copy your favorite ones into your next page with reckless joy.
Pro Tips for Getting Over Perfectionism
1. Make an “Ugly Page” On Purpose
Dedicate one page to making the messiest, weirdest, most chaotic thing you can. No pressure. It’s free therapy.
2. Remind Yourself: Nobody Has to See This
Your art journal can be private. This isn’t for social media (unless you want it to be).
3. Create a Ritual, Not a Deadline
Light a candle, play music, drink tea. Make it feel like a cozy treat, not another task.
4. Use “I’m Just Playing” Energy
You’re not creating the next MoMA exhibit. You’re playing. Scribbling. Experimenting. And that’s beautiful.
But What If I Mess Up?
Sweet soul, you will mess up. That’s the whole point.
Art journaling is one of the few creative outlets where the “mistake” is often what makes the page special. A drip becomes a design. A smudge becomes a shadow. An accidental tear becomes texture.
Also, there’s always gesso. Or glue. Or washi tape. Or just the wonderful, radical act of turning the page and trying again.
Bonus Ideas to Try Once You’re Feeling Bold
When you’re ready to branch out a bit, here are a few fun things to explore:
- Layered backgrounds – Mix paint, paper, and pen for depth and mood.
- Hidden journaling – Write a raw entry, then cover it partially with collage or paint.
- Color-themed pages – Pick one color and build a whole mood around it.
- Found poetry – Cut out words from magazines and rearrange them into poems.
- Nature-inspired pages – Use pressed flowers, leaves, or even dirt if you’re into that.
Remember: this is your space. There’s no “should,” only “could.”
What to Do When You Feel Stuck
Everyone hits a block sometimes. Here’s how to gently kick it:
- Flip through your old pages for inspiration (yes, even the ugly ones).
- Try journaling with your non-dominant hand for a laugh and a creativity jolt.
- Borrow ideas from Pinterest or Instagram — then put your own twist on it.
- Revisit a previous page and add something new.
- Set a 5-minute timer and just start. Anything. Even one paint stroke.
Action beats overthinking every time.
Turning It Into a Habit (Without Feeling Like a Chore)
So how do you keep this up when life gets chaotic? Here are a few ways to turn art journaling into a regular soul-nourishing ritual:
1. Set up a tiny art corner
Even if it’s just a shoebox of supplies you pull out at the table. Making access easy makes showing up easier.
2. Pair it with something you already do
While you sip your morning coffee. After you plan your day. While your favorite podcast plays. Build it into routines you already enjoy.
3. Keep it short and sweet
Set a timer for 10 minutes. That’s it. One layer of collage. One watercolor splash. One doodled phrase. Little pages add up.
4. Make it your weekly check-in
Try a Sunday evening session to reflect, vent, play, or just throw down color to wrap up the week.
5. Join a challenge or prompt list
Follow your favorite creators or use monthly prompt calendars (like the ones we post right here at Deborah W!) to get your juices flowing.
The Real Magic of Art Journaling (Spoiler: It’s Not About Art)
Here’s what no one tells you about art journaling when you start:
You’re not just making pretty pages.
You’re learning how to be present.
You’re training your brain to see beauty in scraps.
You’re practicing self-compassion, patience, curiosity.
You’re reconnecting with the part of you that loved to create before anyone told you what was “good.”
That’s magic.
And you don’t need to draw a straight line to access it.
Famous Journalers Who Prove You Don’t Need to Be Fancy
If you’re still on the fence, maybe these art journaling icons will help shake that imposter syndrome:
Frida Kahlo — Her journals were messy, raw, powerful blends of sketches, thoughts, and political musings. There were no filters or “perfect” compositions.
Leonardo da Vinci — Arguably the OG art journaler. His notebooks were full of lists, inventions, bad handwriting, and half-finished ideas.
Sabrina Ward Harrison — A modern art journaling queen who taught the world that scribbles, splashes, and truth-telling make powerful pages.
Danny Gregory — His illustrated journals and urban sketchbooks are all about drawing your life as it is, not how it “should” look.
Their takeaway message? Journals are for experimenting, documenting, and being human. Not for impressing strangers on the internet.
Final Thoughts: Start Messy, Stay Curious
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to start your art journal, this is it.
Go grab that notebook. Tear up an old magazine. Scribble. Smudge. Glue something weird.
There is no wrong way to begin.
The only rule? Start.
Your creative voice is already in there — and it’s dying to get messy with you.
If you’ve read this far, you’re ready.
Your art journal doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to exist. With a few pages of honest expression, a glue stick, and maybe a tea-stained doodle or two, you’ll be doing the thing.
And I promise: once you get past the first blank page, the rest becomes play.
So yes — you, the one who can’t draw a straight line?
You’re an artist now.
Go prove it to yourself — one scribbled, colorful, imperfect, gloriously human page at a time.
📥 Ready to Get Started? Grab Your Free Art Journal Starter Kit!
Want a little help turning that creative spark into something real (and fun and maybe a little messy)?
Download the Art Journal Starter Kit — a free printable guide with a quick-start supply list and beginner-friendly prompts to help you get going even if your “art skills” peaked in kindergarten.
🎨 No talent required. Just curiosity, glue sticks, and the courage to make something imperfect.