Art Journaling for Artists: Creative Benefits, Inspiring Styles & Budget-Friendly Supplies

by stacy spangler April 29, 2025

As I prepared my journal entry for Faith Fest 2025 (if you missed this you will want to check it out HERE), I was reminded how much I love and miss my regular art journaling practice. As a full time working artist, it is one part of my art practice that is too often put on the back burner.

But as I worked on my Faith Fest page, I was convicted to re-commit to a regular art journaling practice. There’s something deeply grounding about having a space where no one’s watching—no pressure to “finish” or impress, just me, the page, and the raw energy of whatever I’m feeling in the moment-a place to express myself freely, make mistakes and take risks. That space, for me and many others, is the art journal.

Why Art Journaling?

Art journaling is more than just sketching in a notebook. It’s a safe space for experimentation, emotional release, creative play, learning and personal storytelling. When I feel blocked in my studio practice or just want to create without a plan, my journal becomes the perfect playground. There are no rules here—only layers of exploration.

Some days, it’s messy scribbles and spilled watercolor. Other days, it's carefully collaged quotes and painted florals. But every entry holds a little piece of where I am mentally, emotionally, and creatively.

Here are just a few reasons why I keep returning to my art journal:

Freedom to experiment: I try new mediums and techniques without fear of “ruining” a canvas.
Mental clarity: Journaling helps me process emotions and clear mental clutter.
Creative routine: It’s a daily or weekly habit that keeps my creativity flowing.
Personal growth: Over time, I can see how my voice and skills evolve.

Types of Art Journaling

Every artist brings their own flavor to journaling. Some styles I’ve seen (and tried) include:

1. Visual Journaling

This is where drawing or painting is the main focus. Think sketches, watercolor scenes, abstract marks—whatever feels right that day. Often paired with minimal or no text.

2. Mixed Media Journaling

This is my personal favorite. Layers of collage, paint, ink, stamping, and found materials make the pages feel alive. It’s chaotic in the best way.

3. Collage or scrap Journaling

Perfect for artists who love cutting, pasting, and arranging found imagery. Old magazines, vintage papers, and printed ephemera often fill these pages.

4. Junk Journaling

Made with recycled materials—think cereal boxes, paper bags, and old receipts—junk journaling emphasizes reuse and raw texture. The imperfections become part of the beauty.

5. Prompt-Based Journaling

For days when inspiration doesn’t come easy, prompts can spark new ideas. These might be emotional (e.g., “Draw how today felt”) or creative (e.g., “Use only three colors and one word”).

6. Bible Journaling

I have a Bible with blank columns were I can doodle favorite verses, write out prayers and add sermon notes with fun washi tape. Not only does Bible journal help me retain what I've learned, but it helps me keep a record of God's faithfulness.

Inexpensive Supplies to Get Started

You don’t need fancy tools to begin. Here are some low-cost favorites that I personally use or recommend:

Basic sketchbook or composition notebook – You can even bind your own with scrap paper, use a composition notebook or old book.
Watercolor set – Student-grade sets like Prang or Sakura Koi are affordable and vibrant.
Glue stick or matte gel medium – For adding in collage elements.
Acrylic paints – Craft paints (like Apple Barrel) are budget-friendly and work great.
Old magazines, newspapers, junk mail – A goldmine for collage.
Pens and markers – Micron pens, gel pens, or any you already have.
Stamps, stencils, washi tape – Optional but great for layering textures.
Found materials – Ticket stubs, dried flowers, envelopes—use what you already have.

Art journaling is a great creative refuge. It doesn’t have to be pretty or perfect—it just has to be yours. Whether you’re a full-time artist or just starting to explore your creative side, keeping an art journal can change the way you see your own voice and vision. If you'd like to learn more about art journaling, I'll be sharing more in the months to come and taking you on a tour through some of my art journals from the years past.