Journaling Ideas, Tips and Resources To Kick Up Your Journaling

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Today I’m sharing journal ideas, journaling tips, resources for how to start a journal. One of my goals for this year is to get back to journaling. I haven’t put pen to paper in a while. Or paint, or ink pen to paper into my journals for so long. Although, I do write for the website I am talking about taking care of me, through using a journal.

It’s a fun way to explore writing and your art. You can write out your feelings having a gratitude or healing journal, or even plan in my bullet journaling. What I love about journaling is it is an art that you can pick up, work in easily, it doesn’t require a set amount of time. If you have kids, or small kids it’s an awesome way to sneak in creative time. 

If you are a journaler I have listed awesome resources such as online journaling classes, and one of my lists of free journal prompts. I am also linking to my journal Pinterest board, where you can grab even more ideas, and inspiration. You’ll find it later in the post.

Journaling Ideas

What type of journaling are you interested in? There are so many types of journals you can start. From bullet journals, travel journals, gratitude journals, mind mapping- creating your vision, collage journals, to art journals, and mixed media journals.

How to get started journaling

What type of journal should you buy?

There are many types of journals. I have one for writing, several sizes for mixed media art, and a smash journal.

If you are just starting to journal it’s a good idea to know what type of journal you want to create or work in. Pick up at least one journal that can handle the pens without bleeding through, or the art medium you’ll be using. 

• Journal for writing

• Journal for painting, felt pens, and mixed media

• Journal for collage, and writing

• Another favorite journal is the Moleskine, they have a variety of choices for writing, drawing, and even with graph paper…

My favorite things for writing in journals are various types of pencils and fine tip pens for detail work. For writing in color I love my set of colored ink pens, with erasers. I use these in my day planner too. 

Coloring in your journal? Check out these blending pens.

I just got 1 set of the Chameleon Pens, and 1 color top set. Chameleon Pens are an amazing pen that can create Multiple Color tones! I wasn’t sure if I would like them but, after only trying them out on a few pages I can’t wait to use them more, and share full pages with you. 

It’s going to take a little practice but, I can tell I’m going to love these. They’ll be awesome for coloring, and illustration, and fill in spaces or backgrounds. 

Why? Chameleon Pens are great for gradient coloring.

I love how you can increase or decrease the intensity of the colors, with these alcohol ink pens. Perfect for shading, and coloring. They work by connecting them together. Once, the two tips meet hold them vertically to start the mixing process. See the video below. 

You also might like these dual tip art markers. 

Coloring in Your Art Journal

I am sharing a couple of videos below so you can see how they work. One for how to get started, and one that was a review before they came out. But, I wanted you to see how she goes from light to dark by using one Chameleon pen. In the image above I used the pens making dots from dark to light, and also writing with several colors, going dark to light or all light, and all dark. Then I used a black fine tip pen for outlining. This was just a 3-minute test to see how they worked.

Here are two other photos showing some blending. Remember I’ve never used these pens before this. I only have 2 sets of colors. I can see if you had full sets of how you can get really intricate with your coloring, and design fill-ins. The details of the pen I use is this black permanent fine tip marker. They are really good for writing and outlining 

Here is a closeup. See how you can blend the inks. Light to darker. Anyway, if you check out the video where shes coloring you can really get an idea of what these pens can do.

How to get started with Chameleon Pens

Coloring demonstration using Chameleon pens 

A little more about other types of journaling you might enjoy trying. 

Collage Journals

I love to collage in journal pages. Maybe you will too. What I love about this is you can get creative with pretty papers, embellishments, and other supplies. You can also collect magazine pages, tags, cards, and other misc. things to create collages with. Cut, paste, or glue. Tape down. Use supplies leftover from scrapbooking. 

Helpful supplies to have on hand for collage 

• cutting scissors (small, precise)
• glue sticks
• washi tape
• scrapbook supplies, embellishments, and card stock papers

Mixed Media Art and Art Journals

This is the type of mixed media journal that you need for mixed media. Make sure you have a paper that can absorb water 80lb -90lb is best. This lessens the chance of your paper curling. (When painting with acrylic paint or guache or light watercolors). Also great for gluing, felt tip pens, permanent pens or ink pens. Often time mixed media journals are made for creating art. You might have to make your own pretty cover for some of the better journals. But, that is always fun to do. They are awesome for creating all kinds of pages. No rules kind of journal. Play, experiment, and even write. 

Tips for mixed media art journals

1. Work on a protected surface, or surface you don’t get if you get paint spills

2. Make sure your pages dry completely prior to gluing on images

3. If you glue something first; mark where you want it. Paint surface, let dry then glue image into the spot you marked for it

4. Using waxed paper or parchment paper to separate pages even after drying

5. Keep in a cool place. Heat can make pages stick

6. Write on your layouts with permanent pens only after pages are completely dry

7. Or leave some layouts without words. It’s totally up to you

Journaling Resources

1. Below I’ve listed some free journal prompts. You can also check out Brooklyn’s Sketchbook Library they have an annual sketchbook project, and free Sketchbook Project Open Challenges  This is all online. 
2. Master artists, artists, and writers have used journals to chronicle their ideas. You might enjoy taking a peek into famous artists’ sketchbooks. I just discovered the history of the Feminist Art Journals.
3. Article about healing journaling.

I can say, that journaling really helped me through the loss of my mom. If you are suffering any type of loss, this art, and writing can be very healing.

Online Journaling Classes 

• Art Journaling 20+ to choose You can view any of these classes at first with a Free Trial, then grab one at the cost of a latte. 
• Sketchbook Explorations is a class I’m taking with Lisa Congdon (if you don’t know her work, you should head over to see it, and learn from her.) The offer is the same as above, and they all have free previews. I can’t wait to share more. 
• Painted Patterns with Lisa Congdon

No matter what level journaler you are you’ll sure to find more inspiration by taking any of these journal classes. 

• New here? Don’t forget to subscribe 
• Pinterest – Journaling Ideas

Related posts 

• Art journaling Class  &  My Journal Page 
• Ways to Improve Your Hand Lettering (with video, and journal page)
• Free Morning Journal Page  (free printable coloring and writing journal page)
• 10 Easy Ways To De-Stress Now

Free journal prompts 

• Your dreams
• Your thoughts
• Your favorite spring scents
• Your favorite sounds
• Your favorite spring flower in your spring garden or that you love
• Add this Proverb to your journal; While waiting for spring no matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow
• What you enjoy about blogging
• What you love about your blog
• What are your favorite colors that Easter evokes
• Favorite Easter memories
• What you did this Easter
• What Easter means to you 
•  Journal about an experience you had at the beach 
• Journal things about nature you love
• Draw a sketch of something from the beach in your journal
• Draw some nature or glue some nature photos in your journal 
• What fears do you want to conquer when creating art or in life?
• Write about pushing your creativity and experimenting
• Journal where you find your creative courage and who inspired you to be creative  
• Journal about being in the moment when you are creating
• How does being in the moment while creating help you/ how do you feel when in that moment? 
• Remember when you were a child and journal something about it
• What did being outdoors in nature mean to you when you were a child?
• What did it feel like to you when you played outdoors as a child?
• What causes regarding nature did you stand up for as a teen? and now? 
• Journal about your fondest memories
• Write this quote by me in your journal “Listen to your heart, trust it and follow your dreams”~
• What exotic places would you like to travel to? 
• What stories do you have of your travels? 
• Journal about patience and understanding
• Journal about your roadblocks
• Journal about having patience with growth in your art
• What does freedom mean to you?
• Make a creative list
• What things do you want to change?
• Jot down a to-do list
• Write your creative / art goals 
• Draw flowers in your journal
• Write about what you love about flowers
• Write what you love to garden or what plans for your garden (draw a plan/map)
• Does someone you know have a special flower? Every time you see it it reminds you of them? Write down your thoughts/ you can also draw, paste a photograph or add a dried flower to your journal about it.
• Write this Persian proverb: The world is a rose; smell it and pass it to your friends.
• Vintage loves – Collage vintage images to your journal page
• Add a vintage image of someone and write about them
• Tell us about all things vintage you love in a list
• Collage images of red, white and blue
• What does being American mean to you?
• What images come to mind about the 4th of July and our country- make a collage
• Add photographs from your 4th of July and write about it
• Do you have special memories from childhood about the 4th of July? Write them down. Add a picture or drawing.
• “Wonder” print a picture or of something you wonder about and glue it in your journal and write about it (example)*a beekeeper with bees covering his whole body, how is this possible? 
• Take a photograph of a child pondering something or of something that amazes you
• Make a list of things you have wondered about
• Draw a picture related to your summer travels, write about your travels
• Write about your summer in your journal
•  Write about your favorite part of summer, how you feel about summer.
• Journal some things about when you were a child in summer
• Glue a picture of you as a child in summer in your journal
• “Peace Offering”
• Goals
• Gratitude
• Draw designs
• Draw patterns 

What type of journaling do you do? Or are you new to journaling? Do you want to start journaling? 

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