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Art Journal

Orangutan & Doodles in my 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.

Adding more doodles to the art journal spread

I added another concentric line pattern.

Adding more doodles to the art journal spread

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

Adding more doodles to the art journal spread

I embellished the ray lines with doodled shapes.

The completed art journal spread.

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?

Filed Under: Create Tagged With: Art Journal, Collage, Doodles, Step-by-Step

My Favorite Doodle Patterns

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.

Triangle shaped doodles

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

Ribbon doodles

I love how this doodle looks like curling ribbons.

More linear doodles

Here are some more linear doodles.

Checkerboard doodles

I also like to play with checkerboard patterns.

Diamond-shaped doodles

I love drawing diamonds with curved sides.

Ogee shaped doodles

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.

Filed Under: Create Tagged With: Art Journal, Art Journal Techniques, Surface-Pattern Design

Flowing & Dotted Lines in my Art Journal

Flowing & Dotted Lines in my Art Journal

This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and buy certain items, I will receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) to help keep the lights on in the studio.

Gathering papers

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

Gluing papers in journal

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

Coloring in spaces

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

Adding flowing lines

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

Adding more flowing lines

I also used a white pen on the colored areas.

Adding texture lines

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

Adding dotted lines

Then I added some dotted lines in the colored areas.

Decorating circles

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

Filed Under: Create Tagged With: Art Journal, Collage, Doodles, Step-by-Step

Exploring vs. Nesting in my Art Journal

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.

Cut out road photo

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

Cut out home decor photos

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

Photos cut into puzzle pieces

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

Puzzle pieces glued into journal

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

Lines added to journal spread

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

Texture lines added to doodles.

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

More curving lines added

I added more curving lines with a sanguine pen.

Texture lines added to shapes

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

Dividing lines darkened

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.

Filed Under: Create, Explore Tagged With: Art Journal, Collage, Doodles, Step-by-Step

How I Use Shapes in My Art Journal

Using Shape in your 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.

Geometric shapes are organized and efficient.

Using rectangles in your art journal

Squares rectangles are honest, orderly, rational, and formal.

Vertical rectangles are strong, while horizontal ones are peaceful.

Circles are graceful, warm, comfortable, and perfect.

Using circles in your art journal
Using triangles in your art journal

Triangles are strong, energetic, and action-packed

Triangles sitting on an edge are stable, while triangles sitting on a point are unstable.

Organic shapes are pleasing, comforting, & spontaneous.

They can be be abstract or realistic shapes.

Using abstract organic shapes in your art journal
Using realistic organic shapes in your art journal

Combining shapes

Combining a square and circles in your art journal

Circles and a square

A square and a rectangle

Combining squares and a triangle in your art journal
Combining squares and an organic shape in your art journal.

Squares and an organic shape

An organic shape plus triangles

Combining an organic shape and triangles in your art journal.
Combining circles, rectangles and an organic shape in your art journal.

Circles, rectangles, and an organic shape.

Now it’s your turn. Create an art journal spread using shape as the main element.

Filed Under: Create Tagged With: Art Journal, Elements of Design

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