Art Journal

Orangutan & Doodles in my Art Journal

I found this orangutan photo in a magazine and had to add it to my art journal. Isn’t that facial expression great?

Adding a thought bubble to journal spread.

I added a thought bubble.

Adding more doodles to the art journal spread

Then, I added one of my favorite doodle patterns following the photo and thought bubble outline.

I added another concentric line pattern.

Then I added some lines in a ray-like pattern.

I embellished the ray lines with doodled shapes.

I colored in some of the shapes to create contrast. Oops, I forgot to add words to the thought bubble. What do you think the orangutan is thinking?

My Favorite Doodle Patterns

I love to doodle, and most of my art journal spreads are based on them. I’ve found that there are several patterns that I use again and again.

I often draw a curving line and then doodle shapes along its length.

I love how this doodle looks like curling ribbons.

Here are some more linear doodles.

I also like to play with checkerboard patterns.

I love drawing diamonds with curved sides.

And here is a pattern made with ogees (yes, I had to look that up)

Your turn: grab your journal or a piece of paper and create some doodles.

Flowing & Dotted Lines in my Art Journal

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I love the colors and patterns of these leftover strips of paper.

I glued them into my art journal in a loose grid pattern.

Then I used my sepia and sanguine brush pens to color in three of the created shapes.

Next, I added some flowing lines coming from the corners of the grid.

I also used a white pen on the colored areas.

I added lines in the shapes created by the lines to add some texture and interest.

Then I added some dotted lines in the colored areas.

To finish the spread, I added some doodles to the small circles punched into some of the strips.

Exploring vs. Nesting in my Art Journal

My art journals are usually only about what looks good instead of recording my thoughts and feelings. But sometimes a photo will spark a thought process.

This photo of a road leading into the distance awakened my urge to travel and explore.

But I also have a competing urge to nest, to create a home that is a haven and a source of inspiration.

I cut the road and home decor photos into puzzle-like pieces that I could mix and match.

This is what I glued into my journal, a mixture of the open road and a beautiful home.

I decided to create a stylized landscape for the road to travel through. I started by adding these curving lines with a sepia pen.

Then I added some short lines to create a texture in the shapes formed by the lines.

I added more curving lines with a sanguine pen.

Next, I filled in the shapes created with lines in a variety of angles.

To finish the spread, I darkened the curving lines to create more contrast in the pattern.

This journal spread is now a reminder to find a balance between my urges to explore and nest.

How I Use Shapes in My Art Journal

I like to use my graphic design knowledge when I’m creating art journal spreads. The elements and principles of design are easy to learn. They can help you create pleasing layouts that express your ideas.

Shapes are an essential design element. The types of shapes you use can express different emotions and moods.