How to make an art journal

Hello lovely artist!

For many years, I thought I needed to find the perfect journal before I could really begin art journaling. It had to take wet media beautifully, open completely flat and feel just right in my hands. Looking back, I realize that searching for the perfect journal had become the perfect excuse to procrastinate!

One day, I finally stopped searching and made my own from a simple pad of watercolor paper I already had at home. It turned out to be one of the best creative decisions I've ever made.

Today, my art journal is one of the places I return to most often. It's where I play with new art supplies, catch leftover paint on the page, collect ideas, express my thoughts and simply enjoy making art just for myself. It's become a creative practice that brings me joy again and again.

The question I get asked most often is:

"What kind of journal do you use, and where can I get one?"

Well, to me the best art journal must:

• take wet media well

• open completely flat from the first page to the last

• not be spiral-bound, as I want to be able to paint over the whole spread easily

• have a size that feels good (I like an A5, A4 or letter-sized one)

• and have a number of pages that feels doable.

I’m a slow journaler and a journal with too many pages feels like I’ll never finish it!

That's exactly why I started making my own.

Now, I have to confess that I'm certainly not a bookbinding expert! My journals are never perfectly straight or beautifully finished, and honestly, I think that's part of their charm.

Because they aren't precious, I feel free to play, experiment and make a mess from the very first page.

In the video below, I'll show you my simple method. I hope you'll give it a try!

Watch the video below:

What you’ll need

This technique requires very few supplies, most of which you probably already have. Here's everything you'll need to make an A4 journal like mine. Once opened, you'll have generous A3 spreads to paint on. If you'd prefer a smaller journal, simply start with an A5 paper pad to create A4 spreads.

For the pages:

• A pad of watercolor or mixed media paper (200gsm to 300gsm)

• A sheet of squared paper the same height as your journal (I’m using an A4 sheet)

• Pencil

• Awl or needle tool for punching holes

• Strong thread (I like upholstery or denim thread, but perle cotton embroidery thread also works well)

• Needle

• Scissors

• Optional: large paper clips

For the covers:

• The cardboard backing from your watercolor pad

• Ruler

• Utility knife

• Cutting mat

• Paper glue (I use acrylic gel medium, which I also use for collage)

• Flat paint brush

• Heavy books or magazines to press the journal while it dries

Don't wait for the perfect journal

I made my very first journal years ago, when I was brand new at art journaling. Since then, hundreds of my students have made their own journals too. Some have created one every year, others have already filled whole shelves with handmade journals, each one holding layers of paint, collage, stories, dreams and memories.

It brings me so much joy to imagine all these journals coming to life around the world.

If you've been waiting for the perfect journal before getting started, this is your sign to stop waiting:

Make one. Open it. Add that very first layer.

You never know where it might take you.

If you're wondering how to create in your journal, you might also enjoy my video about my favorite art journaling supplies and tips to set up a welcoming creative space:

Tell me!

Do you have any questions? Feel free to ask them in the comments below.

I'd also love to know: Do you already keep an art journal, or are you thinking about starting your very first one? Have you ever considered making your own?

And if you follow the tutorial, don't forget to share a photo on Instagram and tag @lalymille. I always love seeing what you create.

Light, Love & Fairy Dust,

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