“Je suis le cahier.” (I am the sketchbook)-Picasso

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Visual Journals

Do you keep a diary? Do you find it useful or beneficial to record your thoughts? Have you ever heard of an art journal or a visual journal? An art journal is essentially an illustrated diary.It could contain such things as:

• a record of your daily thoughts• travel experiences and notes• photos, illustrations, sketches• dreams and your interpretations

It could also be a place where you jot down your goals or to-do lists. Basically, it’s anything you would like to record as it’s your journal! You can draw, paint, write or paste things you find in the street. You can also invent, design, record and explore.

Journals are portable, inexpensive, personal and useful. They are an accumulation of small steps that you’ve made and could be a gateway to other artistic possibilities. Journals can also be an art form, a meditative state and forgiving - if you do not like something, simply turn the page. You decide if your journal is public or private.

Why should you start a visual journal? The act of making art in a journal, no matter what your skill, could be a liberating and beneficial experience. It allows you the time to escape and express yourself through color, collage, doodles, writing… anything goes. Journalling can help and allow you to:

• work out your feelings• express pain and joy• visually document your life experiences• think about who and what you are (your strengths, weaknesses, joys, pains, goals, dreams and hopes)• be self aware and allow some self-care• keep your hands busy to work out your creative block• have a creative birthing process

It’s a place where you can be yourself and see more clearly what’s within us and around us. Overall, it’s you. You can look through it and see how far you have come. It allows you to simply celebrate your life!

Many people wish to express themselves through visual journaling, but are nervous to try or unable to get started or generate ideas. Many don’t know what to do besides writing a few things and gluing down an image. How do you learn how to incorporate the different elements that can work as a whole? Well, for one, practice and do! Don’t just sit there waiting. Try things out and be observant. Yeah, I know. Easier said than done. Instead, focus on the process and the journey, not the outcome. The purpose of the journal is to help you grow emotionally and as an artist. The “artsy” stuff may come later on.

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Are you creative? Most people don’t think they are. Most tend to relate “creativity” to creative people. Meaning, to those in the arts. But creativity doesn’t simply mean to make stuff. Creative thinking is just as important as critical thinking. Creative thinking and creativity need exercise, and build and grow with experience, practice and

more practice. We all develop at different speeds, but it’s important to remember that we all have it within ourselves. As humans, why else do we wish to express ourselves in so many different ways?

When you encounter an obstacle, don’t give up and blame it on a lack of talent. Practice makes perfect and you develop. Maybe you haven’t discovered a style, an approach or a technique you may enjoy? Maybe you’ve

been bogged down by self-indulgent art classes with too many rules to follow? Think back to when you were a young child. Everyone drew and enjoyed it. You weren’t bogged down by theories, rules or what other people thought. You simply enjoyed. It’s time to bring that frame of mind back. Picasso said, “Every

child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” So don’t let stress, judgement or misery block your way. Allow the simple practice of drawing and art connect you with your creative

selves again.

“But I can’t draw.” So, what is drawing anyway? Drawing is basically just making a mark on a surface. People use different tools to draw with. The most

important part of drawing is seeing, but more specifically, observing. You need to see what’s in front of you. What am I talking about? I’m talking about slowing down. Really looking at what is in front of you. Pay

attention to lines, their directions and spaces. Try not to think, just observe and see. Don’t let your left brain logic take over. Instead, see with you right. Your left brain will say it is “this” way. But, then your eyes will

look at your drawing and say something looks odd. Use your right brain by s-l-o-w-i-n-g down. Drawings are experiences and the more you draw, the more you’ll have. You’ll probably learn more by making bad

drawings, so let it go for now. Take some risks, grow and create as much as you can, whenever you can. Turn creativity into a habit.

Many people think their lives are too dull to capture, that there isn’t anything interesting to draw. Don’t fall for this excuse. Drawing the mundane can raise things to a new level. You can find beauty everywhere. There

are many forms of inspiration you can take later on: storybooks, fairytales, histories, field guides, television, typography and more. By exploring techniques, movements and inspirations, you can find yourself

progressing and venturing into new territories and mediums.

Journaling:Are You Creative?

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Journaling:MaterialsWhat materials can we use for journalling? Basically, we can use anything. First of all, you’ll need a book. You may wish to think about the binding, the size, the thickness, or the weight of the paper, but overall, almost anything will do. In your journal, you could use:•pages from other books•glue/gel medium•cutting tools•tape•sewing materials•stickers•paints (watercolour/acrylics etc)•gesso•ink•crayons•pastels•pens•pencils•markers•stencils•stamp pads•stickers•receipts•photos•ads•maps•magazines•text•and more!You can combine painting, photographs, collage, stamping and writing from the heart. Combine visual imagery with words. It’s work you do for yourself. Try not to think about making art, but make a journey. Don’t let materials, or lack of materials, get in the way of creating.

Ask yourself:•What do you want from your journal?•What will go into your journal?•When or how do you see yourself journalling?Set goals for yourself.

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Journaling:Prompts

First page jitters? Most of us get it, so don’t worry. Yes, it can be intimidating. I know, you’ll ask: “How do I start?” Well, just start. Find something to draw, observe and draw slowly. Skip the first page if you wish, you

can decide later what goes there. Or, feel free to state your journaling plans or, write a special quote or dedication, or paste in a sketch or inspiring photo or image. You could also design a photo montage. Or,

leave the page blank so you can create an index or table of contents later.

Stumbling blocks? You may be wondering how to tie elements together or how to add text?Usually when people work, they try to be too focused, which ties up the right side of your brain. You need

to loosen up. Try flipping through a magazine and cut out pictures or words. Ask yourself why you are stuck. What’s the problem? What are you avoiding or afraid to do?

Don’t let procrastination take over. Look at some examples to get you going.

DRAW by s-l-o-w-i-n-g down: Get some personal or private space. Do not use a pencil so you can’t erase any lines. If you change your mind, simply draw a new line next to it. Draw a mug, then a chair, then a

table, then a person. Date your work. Now draw by s-l-o-w-i-n-g down. Really slow down and observe.What do you think? Was it fun? Was it hard? Are you embarrassed? Was there anything that surprised you?

Do you feel satisfaction? Write down your thoughts. Did you feel relaxed or tranquil? Did you lose sense of time passing? Or, did you obsess the whole time? If so, try again taking twice as long.

Other Ideas:•Draw with a continuous line•Draw a contour•Draw negative space•Do a gesture drawing•Draw using only dots•Create a collage/montage•Create a watercolour wash background and draw over it•Create a found poem using words from magazines or a newspaper blackout poem (http://newspaperblackout.com)•Focus on your typeface and lettering (use a quote, a poem or song lyrics)

•Write a haiku poem and illustrate it•Focus on patterns•Focus on decorative frames•Try an image transfer•Create and use a stencil, stamp or papercut•Create a doodle background•Rip out a page from a book or other found papers to use as your background•Use found materials as your background•Work using your non-dominant hand

Mix up and mix your media!

You may also try approaching your work thematically:•Who am I? What am I grateful for?•What’s my dream?•How do I feel?•A memory•Create a trash and treasure list for yourself•Create a nurture list for yourself•Document your joy/sadness etc•Respond to a current news event

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Journaling:Resources

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Journaling:Resources

Journal Examples:•The 1000 Journals Project: http://www.1000journals.com/index.php?view=Journals%2FIndex•Journal examples by Dawn DeVries Sokol: http://dawndsokol.squarespace.com/journal-pages/journal-pages/  •Journal examples by Pam Carriker: http://pamcarriker.com/•Journal examples by Sabrina Ward Harrison: http://www.sabrinawardharrison.com/ee/index.php•“Dan Eldon was an artist, adventurer and activist. The spunky and incredibly talented Dan left a legacy and a powerful humanitarian spirit that continues to inspire people of all ages all over the world.” http://www.daneldon.org/site/ (with educational links and example pages)•Journal examples by Keri Smith:  http://www.kerismith.com/illustration  How to Journal with Ideas & Tutorials:•Journal? Diary? What's the difference? http://quinncreative.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/journal-diary-whats-the-difference/•How to create and keep an art journal: http://www.artistsjournals.com/instruction.htm•Art Journaling 101: http://daisyyellow.squarespace.com/abstract/art-journaling-101.html•Journal Fodder Junkies Blog & Challenges: http://journalfodderjunkies.blogspot.com/p/jfj-challenge.html•Traci Bunkers: http://www.tracibunkers.com/ •Create Mixed Media: A collection of journal examples and tutorials: http://www.createmixedmedia.com/category/make/journaling•Various short video tutorials on art by The One Minute Muse: http://www.youtube.com/theoneminutemuse Drawing & Other Ideas to include:•A blog featuring one drawing a day: http://onedrawingaday.com/•Urban sketches by Veronica Lawlor: http://www.studio1482.com/veronica/work.html•Draw something you bought today: http://katebingamanburt.com/daily-purchase-drawings•Patterns: http://www.book-by-its-cover.com/sketchbooks/sketchbook-series-lou-medel•Doodles: http://curkovicartunits.pbworks.com/w/page/29160521/Doodle%20Lab%20Club%20Activity•Sketchbook in schools: http://www.accessart.org.uk/sketchbook/•Newspaper Blackout Poems: http://newspaperblackout.com/ 

This document was created by Frank Curkovic (http://flavors.me/frankcurkovic), an art teacher currently working at an international school in Japan. It was

intended for educational purposes only. Feel free to share and remix this work under Creative Commons conditions.