Kick-Start Your Art Journal (Part 4)

An art journal is just a means of creative expression. The only rule is that there are no rules. You do not need lessons. You do not need to emulate any one else's style. If it's stressful or you try to be perfect, that defeats the purpose.

<Odd Location> Go to a place where it would be out of place {but not dangerous} to write, such as a grocery store, the vehicle registration office, flea market, the gym, a public pool. Write down whatever comes to mind as you feel slightly out of place.

<Experiment> I've tried printing with bubble wrap, glaze pen masking, lettering techniques, black gesso & stamps, neocolors with water, photo transfers... what about stitching on the page, dying it with coffee or tea...

<Designs> Design the back of a playing card using paint, marker, anything you wish. Write within the pattern or around the edge of the page. Look for ideas in vintage playing cards, post cards, game boards, carpets, fabric and wrought iron fences.

<Space Constraint> Tape a square or rectangle of cardboard on your page anywhere. Paint with acrylics using a big wide brush. Pull off the square (it's cool if the tape pulls off roughly). Write in the square. Write from outside to inside round and round or just fill it up. Line it if desired. Another option for this prompt is to paint your page as desired, then tape a square or rectangle of yellow legal paper to the page. Write on it. Or paint your page and on top, paint a square of white or black gesso. Write on it.

<Idea Prompts> Try Idea Prompts, also a great game with your kids.

Check out the entire series of prompts to Kick-Start Your Art Journal