Introduction to Visual Art Journaling Workshop

My crafting hiatus is officially over and I’m back in the craft room. My friend Jeanetta invited me to an Introduction to Visual Art Journaling Workshop last weekend in Conway. I was excited to play with some watercolors and get my hands covered in paint. It’s been awhile since we’ve had an “art” day and it was the perfect day to get together.

After playing with some watercolors, I picked up a pen and just began to scribble…

Introduction to Visual Art Journaling Workshop

There are so many ways to journal. Art journaling speaks to me because I love visual design and art. It’s not something that I am inherently good at; but I it’s something that I need to nurture and develop more. As a maker, I’m interested in making pretty things, and I do okay with paper. But, “making art” with paint, watercolors, and other mediums is something that I don’t make time to do often enough.

The workshop took place in Conway with the Saint Peter’s Artists Collective. From their Facebook page:

We strive to provide opportunities for artists, parishioners and the community to interact with each other through art and musical events. We offer art classes and workshops to help educate and inform.

Katy, from the The Rusted Hen Studio, was our teacher and I loved her enthusiasm and love for art. I could tell she was a good person when she got excited over showing us this fun craft tool. I have it, too, and I get just as excited about it. Ha!

Getting Started with an Art Journal

There was an entire 8-foot-long banquet table full of art supplies just waiting for us. After a very informational introduction to art journaling, Katy invited us to get to work making our art journal.

I knew that I wanted to work with one of these. I have one in my stash of art supplies in the craft room, but I’ve never played with it. I scooped it up along with a tiny tray of watercolors and this book for some inspiration to get started.

After experimenting with mixing colors and practicing using the watercolor brush, I borrowed Jeanetta’s micro-fine pen to try my hand at a technique I saw my favorite Instagram artist do: line drawing faces without lifting the pen.

I didn’t intend for this to be a self portrait when I started but the more my hand scribbled over the watercolors, the more I started to see myself appear on the page. I was actually pretty pleased with how this turned out.

I’m so happy I took the opportunity to spend time with my talented friend and meet other talented artists. There’s no way to “get better” and make better art than by doing it consistently. And, it’s SO GOOD to spend time with like-minded people who understand putting yourself out there and know what if feels like to not be super-great at something right off the bat. Thanks, Jeanetta!

Start an Art Journal

• Gather something to write and draw on. Generally, I make my own blank kraft journal but I have the supplies on hand. These are a good starting point. I have these mixed media Sketch Books that I use, too.
• Choose your medium of choice; watercolors, pastels, colored pencils, crayons, paints.
• Make time to sit down and play. That’s it. JUST START and make time to practice.

Do you journal or art journal? I’d love to hear about it. Join in the conversation over at the Desperately Seeking: Inspiration for Creative Living Facebook page.

Art Journaling is fun with others! Pin this for later or share with a friend!