If you enjoy keeping journals or like to draw and paint, an art journal might be the thing for you! An art journal can be a daily log of your thoughts, a place to keep travel notes and collected papers, leaf and flower pressings, chart the progress of your child, or simply doodle and dabble in a little of everything.

Getting started:

All you need is a journal and some pens.  What pens you prefer is up to you but it depends on what you like to do.  Pen preference is usually a personal matter.  I've found the Pigma Micron pens to be great for writing and sketching - if you want to sketch with pen.  They are waterproof and come in several colors.  The colorful Gelly Roll pens are fun to use to add a bit of glitter to the writing.  They come in several colors and styles.  I also like brush markers which will make thick strokes on the paper when you want a bolder look.  I just stole my son's crayola brush markers but there are several better versions out on the market.

Choosing a journal also depends on how you plan to use it.  For an art journal it is best to have one that is unlined.  If you want to use water media like watercolors in the journal, you might want to invent in one with a heavy weight paper.  Spiral bound journals will allow you to have the book open flat while you work and allow for some expansion if you are collaging and the pages get thick.  The least expensive I've found are at craft stores like Michaels which sells unlined scrapbooks in many sizes which have archival, thick paper.  You can also splurge and buy a handbound journal from a studion such as Rag and Bone (see the links section for more information).  They sell a case bound journal that is expandable and you can choose your cover papers.