Maybe you've always had a creative side, but never really knew what to do with it. You find yourself browsing art supplies even when you don't have a project in mind. If that sounds familiar, art journaling might be the hobby you've been looking for.
But what is art journaling? Think of it as a journal that you can fill with doodles, paintings, and drawings, with no rules or pressure.
In this guide, you'll learn what art journaling is, which supplies to start with, and some easy art journaling ideas you can try on your first few pages.
What Is Art Journaling?
Art journaling can look a little different from other types of journaling you may already know. It is a creative way to put your thoughts, ideas, and experiences on paper using both words and visuals. Instead of writing everything out like a traditional diary, you can combine a few sentences with drawings, colors, stickers, paint, or pieces of paper.
With art journaling, the visual side gets more room to shine. You can write, but you can also draw, paint, make collages, add lettering, or stick in things you've collected.
How to Choose the Right Art Journal Notebook
Once you're ready to start, the journal itself is a good place to begin. You can use a bound journal, lined notebook, or a sketchbook. Here’s a guide on what to consider when choosing an art journal for you.
Match the Paper to Your Materials
Standard sketch pad paper works well for pens, pencils, stickers, and paper collages. If you want to use markers or add some light paint, look for thicker sketch paper.
For watercolor and other wetter materials, a watercolor paper pad is a better choice because it can handle more moisture without buckling as easily.
 Stationery Sketch Pad 9X12" 2 Pads per Pack
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 Canson Watercolour Pad 200gsm 9X12" 24 Leaves
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 Artherapy Canvas Pad 21X30cm 10 Sheets
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Pick a Size You Will Actually Use
The size of your journal notebook can change how you work on each page. An A6 or small-sized notebook is a good option for quick doodles, short notes, simple prompts, or creating on the go.
If you need a versatile art journal notebook for drawings and writing, a medium-sized A5 sketch notebook is a practical choice. An A4 notebook gives you much more room for larger drawings, detailed layouts, painting, and collages. Choose this if you like having plenty of space to experiment.
 SM Stationery Travel Sketchbook A6 50 Sheets 100gsm Perforated
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 SM Stationery Sketchbook Hardcover A5 100 Sheets 100gsm
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Check the Binding
Spiral-bound journals can lie flat while you work, which makes them useful for pages with lots of collage pieces. Stitched or glued journals can have a more traditional notebook feel, although they may not stay as flat when you're working.
Read more: Lined, Dotted, or Plain: Which Journal Layout Fits You Best?
Art Journaling Materials: What Do You Need?
You don't need a huge collection of art supplies to start. In fact, look around your desk first. You may already have most of what you need.
Start with a few basic materials, then add new supplies when you find a technique you want to try.
1. Drawing and Sketching Tools
Drawing and sketching tools are a great place to start, especially if you enjoy doodling, outlining, or adding illustrations to your pages. You can use sketch pens, graphite pencils, colored pencils, and other drawing tools to create everything from simple lines and shapes to more detailed sketches.
2. Pens and Fine Liners
Colored pens and fine liners work well for smaller, cleaner details, while gel pens can add pops of color to your pages. SM Stationery's pen collection includes writing tools from popular brands such as Pilot Kire-Na, Paper Mate, and Writech.
3. Colored Pencils and Oil Pastels
Colored pencils are a beginner-friendly way to add color and detail. Oil pastels give your pages a completely different look. Their bold color and soft, textured feel work well for loose backgrounds, big shapes, and expressive marks.
4. Highlighters
Don't limit your highlighters to school notes. They can also become art journaling tools. Use them to make colorful blocks, borders, shadows, patterns, or simple backgrounds.
5. Paint and Brushes
Paint can completely change a page's feel. Watercolor creates soft washes and backgrounds, while poster paint gives you stronger blocks of color and bold shapes. SM Stationery's painting collection includes paints, brushes, palettes, and art kits to explore.
Art Journaling Tips for Beginners
Your first few pages don't need to look like the art journals you see online. Those pages often reflect someone else's style, materials, and years of practice.
Instead, give yourself room to figure out what you enjoy. These simple habits can help:
- Start with one technique: Try doodling, collage, or colored lettering on its own before combining several techniques.
- Use what you own: A school notebook, pen, highlighter, and some scrap paper can become your starter kit.
- Skip the drawing test: You don't have to prove that you can draw. Shapes, symbols, tracing, stickers, and collage all belong in an art journal.
- Spend less time comparing: Someone else's perfectly decorated page doesn't have to be your goal. Your journal can look completely different.
- Let mistakes stay: Cross out a word, cover a tear, or turn a paint spill into a pattern. Sometimes the unexpected parts make a page more interesting.
- Date your pages: It's fun to look back later and see how your ideas, interests, and style have changed.
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Try different styles: Once you’re ready to explore art techniques, try them one page at a time, and keep practicing until you develop your signature art journal style.
Why Try Art Journaling?
With school, work, social media, and everything else competing for your attention, it can be nice to have a creative activity that doesn't involve a screen.
Here are a few ways you can use an art journal:
- Record a school event, weekend trip, favorite meal, or ordinary afternoon.
- Experiment with colors before starting a drawing or craft project.
- Practice lettering, patterns, shading, or simple layouts.
- Keep photos, receipts, tickets, labels, and other little paper keepsakes.
- Collect ideas for outfits, room decor, stories, or future projects.
- Build a creative habit that gives you a break from your screen.
Read more: What is Bullet Journaling? Stationery Essentials & Tips to Stay Organized
FAQ
- Do I need drawing skills to start art journaling?
No. You can start with simple shapes, words, colors, stickers, or collage. Your pages don’t have to look perfect.
- What supplies do I need for art journaling?
Start with a journal, pen, pencils or markers, scissors, and glue. You can add paint, pastels, stickers, and other supplies later.
- What size art journal should I use?
A6 is portable, A5 is versatile for everyday use, and A4 gives you more space for larger drawings and collages.
- How often should I art journal?
There’s no set schedule. Create whenever you feel inspired, even if you only have 10 minutes.
Start Art Journaling Today
Art journaling needs no formal training, expensive kit, or fixed aesthetic. A journal and two or three familiar tools are enough. Add new supplies only after you discover a technique you want to explore further.
Visit SM Stationery online or in stores for accessible notebooks, pens, coloring tools, paint, stickers, and other creative essentials. Follow SM Stationery on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest collections, promos, and events.
You can also drop by SM Stationery’s first standalone store, Station by SM at SM Fairview, for more options. Follow Station by SM on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Order from our Stationery Specialist through our online order form or call 0917-8STATIO (0917-8782846).
