Step #125: The Blank Page
Wed, September 16, 2009 at 12:01PM The crisp white pages of a new journal.
Freshly gessoed pages in an old book.
A thick pad of cold pressed watercolor paper.

What is your favorite way to start an art journaling page? Do you figure out what supplies you'll need or do you get out a bunch of things? Do you have all of your supplies ready to go in your studio, or like me is your studio your breakfast table? Do you start with color or collage or words or an image? Do you plan out your pages in your mind or via sketch?
Find more in the step-by-step art journaling series.






















Reader Comments (6)
My favourite way is to 'just get started'. I put down some colour, be it water colour, watersoluble crayon, acrylics or ink, and go from there. I usually have no idea what will happen next, it's really rare that I have something particular in mind. When I do, it's usually to try out a new technique or materials. I hate surprises in real life, but I love them in my Art Journal!
I usually prep a few pages with color - sometimes acrylics or watercolors and find an image that strikes my fancy or speaks to me. Then the spontaneous fun begins. It's never thought out - just kind of "happens". Hugs, Terri
I prep pages with gesso or just paint. Sometimes I pick an image I think goes with the colors and sometimes not. I try to let the inspiration happen. I usually do not have a plan at all. Sometimes when I am frustrated I wish I had a plan.
I just go at it, start pasting down some things and then get the paint and colors going, more pasting, stamping gel inks etc.. a definite go with the flow see where it takes me. seems I never have enough time so I need to get it done quick. Working where ever I can. Some day I will have studio space but no t now.
I definitely do not have a plan. I start out with gesso usually (because I use old books as my journals) and then I go straight to color, collage, then color again...where ever the page takes me! :)
Sometimes I start a page from a doodle or sketch made elsewhere on a paper bag or napkin. Often I don't turn to my "official" pocket sketchbook but just connect with whatever paper is to hand. Then I tear it out and save it to paste to my journal page...same with tiny bits of magazine illustrations that have colour combos that seem to resonate with me.