This article is part of my FREE e-course Art Journaling 101 – which has been designed to gently introduce beginners to the basics of art journaling so you can find your way with more ease and less fear. If you’re curious about art journaling or overwhelmed with how to begin, sign up for the full free course HERE.
If you went around asking every journal artist what their must have supplies were, you would get a wide variety of responses. You just need to discover what works best for you. The trick is to start off with what you have and know, then slowly build from there. Being comfortable with your supplies is key, so you don’t want to overwhelm yourself with too many new supplies at once.
When you’re ready to try something knew, I would recommend only purchasing one (not a whole set), or a cheaper version. That way, you can experiment with it and decide whether its right for you before spending a bunch of money.
With that said, here is my list of basic supplies you may want to consider for your art journal:
Surfaces
In my other post, we discussed what you should consider when choosing an art journal, but you can use just about any surface if you don’t have an actual journal handy! You can use loose watercolor paper, pages of a magazine, an old book, cardboard, a cereal box… whatever you can find.
Gesso
Gesso is basically a primer to get your surface ready to add paint. It’s also great to “beef up” thin pages, for muting backgrounds, and for covering up areas you don’t like. It comes in black, white, or clear and is made by many different manufacturers. Some are thinner than others, some with more texture… you just have to test out different brands to see which you like best. Right now, I’m using Liquitex Basics Gesso.
Paint + Other Color Media
There is a huge range of color media to try out… too many to cover them all here. Some examples are
Neocolor water soluable crayons, watercolor pencils, oil pastels, sprays, distress inks,
gouache, and so much more.
My absolute favorite color media is acrylic paints. They’re great for washes, drips, splattering, layering, and other techniques. I used to be dead-set on suggesting the more expensive Golden brand because the consistency and quality just can’t be beat. They’re still my go-to paints when I work on canvases and other art; but for art journaling, I have found other cheaper brands that work great. The three affordable brands I’m currently in love with are: Liquitex Basics, Studio 71, and Hand Made Modern (found at Target). I wouldn’t recommend the cheap craft paints you find in craft stores such as Apple Barrel or Folk Art, as they tend to clump up and dry out quickly, plus the texture is a bit too plastic-y for my taste.
My second favorite would have to be gelatos. They’re horridly expensive, but they do tend to last a long time and the convenience can’t be beat. For my birthday, I bought myself the large gift set and keep them in the living room. They’re great for quick play with no mess! They’re similar to watercolor crayons, but have a wider applicator.
I often use watercolors when I’m out and about for sketching and playing. They’re fun, easy, and pretty portable if you get a compact set or a
waterbrush. You can try out a kids’ set for super cheap to see if you like them before spending more money on a higher quality set. Using watercolor pencils and crayons can be super fun to play with too.
Marking Instruments
When art journaling, you’ll need to find what types of writing instruments work best with the mediums you choose to use. For instance, some pens and markers don’t write so well over acrylics. Start with experimenting with what you have on hand and are comfortable with such as pens, pencils, crayons, and markers.
Right now, the jetstream pen by uni that I purchased at Target is my favorite black pen (although I’m always trying out different ones). It seems to write over just about anything, even when my Sharpie marker doesn’t! I love charcoal pencils as well, they work well on just about any surface and have a great texture.
One of my favorite higher quality instruments are the
Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens which are pretty much like a felt tip marker, but are made with india ink which is waterproof and extremely lightfast. I’ve also heard great things about the Stabilo All pencil, Tombow Brush Markers, and Letraset Pro Markers but I have yet to try these myself.
Stamps + Stencils
Using stamps and stencils is a great way to add texture and interest to your pages. If you don’t have any on hand, you can make your own with things lying around the house! Make your own stencil by cutting a design out of cardstock or an old greeting card. You can also use just about anything with holes as a stencil such as doilies or a non-skid mat.
For a handmade stamp, you can use an X-Acto knife to carve into an eraser, or simply grab some stuff such as lids, bubble wrap, the end of a paintbrush, the bottom of a flipflop, bottle caps, and more to dip into paint and stamp away!
If you’re interested in making hand-carved stamps, check out my e-book and video class, Stamp Carving 101.
Ephemera + Embellishments
The dictionary defines ephemera as “items of collectible memorabilia, typically written or printed ones, that were originally expected to have only short-term usefulness.” These types of things are fun to add into your art journal as embellishments, especially if they come from your own life and experiences. If you keep your eyes open, you can find a large array of ephemera to use in your art journal for free such as old photos, maps, ticket stubs, business cards, notes, receipts, playing cards, clippings from magazines or textbooks, handwritten lists, recycled pieces from other art projects, and more.
You can also add in what my daughter and I like to call “doo-dads”, which is pretty much anything that is small, cute, and has lost its home such as buttons, bits of ribbon or string, tags, rhinestones, fabric flowers, etc. If you have kids at home, and they’re anything like mine, all you have to do is go on a hunt on their bedroom floor! lol Of course, you can also find overwhelming amounts of ephemera packs and embellishments to purchase too!
Mediums + Adhesives
If you’ll be using ephemera in your art journaling, you’ll of course need something to stick it down or attach it. Everyone has their own favorite attaching technique or glue, ranging from staples and tape to glue sticks and Mod Podge. But, I personally like to use an acrylic medium such as
Golden Gel Medium. It’s basically like a high quality Mod Podge that is less likely to buckle or turn yellow. I’ve also heard great things about Americana’s Decou-Page medium.
Tape
I had to throw this one in here… I just love tape! Washi tape is just awesome to add pops of color and texture, no more explanation needed. I also love masking tape, its great for reinforcing journal pages along the binding, adding texture, and its great to write on too!
Miscellaneous Tools
You always have your fingers to use, but sometimes having a specific tool just makes things a little bit easier. Here’s a list of some tools I keep in my “tool box”:
- paint brushes – Buy basic cheap brushes for your glue + gesso because they get trashed quickly, but purchase better brushes for your paints. If they are too cheaply made, they will shed hair onto your work.
- binder clips – Sometimes the pages in your art journal just won’t stay flat, so use a binder clip to hold them down while you work.
- stapler + staples – I just LOVE Tim Holtz’ tiny attacher!
- old key card or credit/gift card – These are fun to use for pushing paint around, scratching off layers, etc.
- spray bottles – Spray water directly onto your wet paint to make it drip, or fill the spray bottle with watered down paint.
- pallet knife – You can use these to mix your paints, stir your mediums, apply paint to your surface area, etc.
- scissors
- exacto knife
- hair dryer or heat gun – Use a dryer to dry your layers of paint faster!
- waxed paper – You can use waxed paper as a paint palette, to protect your work surface, or to separate pages if they’re sticky.
- brayer – A brayer is a printmaking tool with a handle and a roller. It is fun to use to apply paint, or it can also be used to ensure a good seal when gluing down ephemera.
- sealant – Its always a good idea to seal mediums that are water soluble, or mediums that may rub off onto the facing page when your book is closed. You can use gel medium, but I prefer to use a workable fixative spray. It seals the page, but you can still work on top of it after it dries if you need to.
Of course, this by all means is no complete list. There is no limit to what you can use in your art journal!
If you had to choose only five supplies to use, what would they be? I think mine would have to be acrylics, gelatos, my large black PITT pen, a black charcoal pencil, and a spray bottle. Leave me a comment and let me know yours!
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My favorites would be 1) a composition notebook 2) magazine clippings 3) paint-all kinds 4) Copic markers 5) Elmer’s glue. I have loads of supplies-I am kind of a hoarder. It’s so hard to get rid of anything-I’m pretty sure that I will “need” it sometime.
Me too!!
My five basic supplies would be…..
Medium brush – for painting
Acrylic paint – for painting and writing
Craft Knife – for cutting stencils, stamps etc
Glue – for texture and gluing and making stamps out of cardboard
Cardboard – making stencils and stamps etc
Sounds like fun! I have lots of supplies. I just have to do it!
I love the idea of the binder clip…I never thought of that. I am presently pushing around the idea of making a stamp out of an eraser ;) I had originally purchased a kids watercolor set to see if I like that medium and I loved it…I then went to Hobby Lobby with the 40% off coupon in hand and got a great set which I love…I also love the spray inks. I could go on..but I love your suggestion to start small to see what works…I’m thankful I did that as it has saved me some mistakes and money. Great article and very helpful to a newbie like me.
At the moment, I am enjoying my large Moleskine sketchbook, Sharpie pen (fine tip and it doesn’t bleed through!) and Peerless watercolors with a Pentel water brush. It’s very portable (though the sketchbook is large), and I can doodle to my heart’s content on-the-go. The Peerless watercolors are vibrant and dry quickly, so I don’t have to worry about having to let the page dry if I’m in a rush… and I”m always in a rush! lol!
Lotus
I think mine would have to be: watercolor paper, hemp twine, needles (for making journals), watercolors (tube, pan, pencil or crayon) and Pitt pens.
My 5 current favorite musts would be #1 my big black Pitt pen. It is the ONLY pen I have ever had that writes on EVERYTHING. Gesso. Dry Dex Spackle (great texture and much cheaper than molding paste) Crafters Workshop templates. And my current color love is Derwent Inktense blocks.
Must have nothing but a pen really, but I find the 5 most fun things for me are stencils, stamps, paint, inks and ephemera of all types! I’m particularly fond of old books. I also just started using a hectograph and am exploring different ways of marking in the paint. This may be the funnest thing EVER!
1. Gesso/gift card A good gesso substitute is white flat acrylic house paint. Some people swear it is the same.
2. Pitt medium point marker
3. Alphabet stamps and waterproof ink
4. Acrylic paint (I love golden but actually use everything I can get my hands on including interior house paint.)
5. Ephemera/glue
1. Gesso
2. Acrylic paints
3. Inktense pencils, Pan Pastels, Gelatos
4. Stencils and stamps
5. molding paste
1. 2H pencil
2. eraser
3. pitt pen
4. colored pencils(watercolor)
5. scissor…or water brush…or UGH!
Am loving reading other peoples lists. I thought I had everything but apparently NOT!
1. Golden acrylic paints and mediums
2. Sharpies
3. Ephemera
4. Peerless portable watercolors the paper version
5. Paint brushes and knives
For those looking for portable, vibrant watercolors – you really need to check out the Peerless watercolor book. They are papers with the pigment dried on to it that activate with water. They have actually need around a really long time. A starter book is a good deal and starting place for those interested. You can find videos on making a pallet. I found a blank plastic stencil shit I attached mine to that keep it thin and supper portable cause it just fits in the front of my sketchbooks. The colors are vibrant and blend amazingly easily even if you are just starting out. An aqua brush is a must. They are wonderful to play with! I enclosed the link for those interested.
Also I full agree about Golden acrylics, while they may seem pricy they have an outstanding pigment load and being artist quality you can be disappointed with the selection. For those wanting to try out and save some money on them. You can get starter and try me sets at Michael’s and just use a 40% off coupon for an awesome deal! They also have carry the Liqutex brand which is excellent as well.
My biggest issue is trying the get started and mark that perfect paper :-(
Oh neat! I never heard of watercolor pigment on paper! It reminds me of the coloring books we had as kids where the colors where there already, and you just had to spread it around with a wet paint brush. Same concept probably. I’ll have to look for it, thanks for the tip!
I am so enjoying the lesson so thank you Kristal my 5 would be
1- journal
2- paint
3 -pens
4 -colouring pencils
5 – paint brushes
Actually I don’t know if I can limit it to 5
I just wondered what you use for a sealant?
Hi Carolyn! Right now I don’t use a sealant, but I am on a hunt for one that would help in my sticky pages issue. I’ve spoken with the folks over at Golden about how to avoid my pages sticking together, and they suggested I use a wax to put over the finished page. I’ll be giving that a try soon.
I saw a video once, not sure whose, they rubbed the wax paper all over the finished page. I really enjoy your lessons, thanks!
Try rubbing a small candle over your pages when they are dry. That’s what I’ve been doing and it works pretty well (not perfectly of course:)).
1. White and Bronze Acrylic paint
2. Signo Uniball white gel pen
3. Miscellaneous lids, bottle tops, credit cards to splat with
4. Spray inks
5. Stamps
Not necessarily in that order!
My essential list would be
Colourwash
Stencils
Stamps
Gesso
Wetwipes to clean the mess!!
Loving these lessons. Have only done 2 pages so far but loving it and have third page plannedish.As for the sticky page, I saw a video on youtube (dont recall name) and she used Turtlewax on the finished page – yes, the type you use on your car!! Not sure I like the idea but may do a scruff piece to try if I can locate Hubby’s Turtlewax!
What an interesting idea! I’m sure any kind of wax would do it… I just heard of another gal who simply rubs a cheap white candle over her pages.
So far my top 5 favorite art journal supplies are UHU glue stick, Inktense pencils, Uni-ball Signo white pen, water brush and vintage postcards. I also love tape of all kinds, any waltzer solvable media and stencils and stamps. It is really hard to pic only 5.
Sometimes I will use nail polish to put down color, it is easy,and lasts a long time. I’ll use an old one, or one I don’t like anymore. It gives a very unique look to my page.
If you use Turtle Wax, make sure you buff it off as soon as it dries. I did the rim of a box so the lid would lift on and off easy. I was going through chemo at the time so it sat a few days. It took me hours to get it buffed down.
It’s really hard to pick just 5. I guess I’d group them as 1) bright acrylics paints and ink sprays 2) markers and gel pens 3) gesso and acrylic mediums 4) magazine clippings, letters, words 5) stencils. Is tat more like 10?
Is that more like 10 (hate when I mis-spell words, unless it’s when I’m journaling. Then I should embrace the mistake, right?)
hard to pick any 5 for beginners like me … my choice would be gesso ,acrylics n watercolors ,stencil, marker and tissues..
I have just recently journeyed into art journaling and am learning as I go. It is very reflective and therapeutic. I didnt know much about some of the supplies until recently and have been in Michaels quite a bit lately picking up paints, gesso and I picked up a bottle of decoupage. I am not very great at drawing or painting but I have completed 3 pages so far with the use of spray inks (i made my own) and stencils, rubber stamps and embossing powder, stickers, and a few of my various scrapbook supplies.
I am very new to art journaling, and was introduced to the idea through a course in luminescent watercolor. I looked for a couple of workshops to give me some ideas and techniques, and it was instant overwhelm. I loved seeing all the different possibilities, it was wonderful… but it left me feeling like I never have exactly what I need. This causes either ingenuity or frustration, depending where I’m at. I am a supply junkie, so I really have to be careful. So far, I think my most important materials are:
1. a journal that will take a lot of moisture without falling apart. I use Stillman and Birn, presently, although I picked up a package of chipboard covers in various sizes, and will be doing some single pages, so I can either frame them or put them in the journal, according to how I feel about them. So I guess my number 1 is good paper, because I’m hard on it.
2. Paint… I bought very cheap kids pan watercolors, and some luminescent watercolors from LuminArte. I use craft and tube acrylics, and luminescent acrylics, also from luminarte. I couldn’t be without those.
3. Pencil: I would be cooked if I couldn’t sketch.
4. Black and white pens… various, depending on surface.
5. Gesso… black and white
By the way, in case you’re tempted in that direction, Faber Castell kids line gel sticks perform identically to, and sometimes better than gelatos… gelatos win on color selection, but check the price difference!
Sorry didn’t mean to write a book :) I’m enjoying receiving these wonderful messages every day. Thank you.
My five items:
1. Watercolor paper – hot pressed
2. 4H graphite pencil
3. Watercolor pencils & flat brush
4. Utility knife
5. Micron 08 pen
I’m enjoying the daily emails. Lot of ideas & things to consider. Thank you.
Music pages, acrylic paints, gesso, stencils, black marker
I’m currently using photograph’s or should I say parts of photos, acrylic paints, art markers, sharpie pens (different sizes) and gesso….plus a whole lot more! You are so inspiring!!
Oh, my! So much to learn! I had one art class over 20 years ago, which I loved, but could not continue at the time. Life got in the way. But now, as I age, I find that I really want to begin to let that part of my creativity out of its box. I am really more of a writer than an artist, so these lessons are a god-send for me, although I think that is also why I am drawn to journaling in the first place.
I have been stuck inside for almost a week due to bad weather and car problems, but things are looking up, and tomorrow I plan to get to Michael’s to see what draws my interest. I make home-made calendars for family and friends, for which I use a lot of stickers, ephemera, and clip art. Now, I want to begin drawing or painting some of my own pictures, so I can replace some or all of the clip art with my own creations. I had never heard of gesso before I started this course, and I will probably start off with a composition notebook or find an old book to start with while I am learning what I am comfortable with and what works best for me and my pocket book. Thanks, by the way, for the lesson on choosing an art journal. I have my lists and a small budget, so Michael’s here I come!
My top 5 are (1 oil pastel) (2 pens/pencil ) (3 paint ) (4 water color paint and pencil) (5 mod pog supplies ) .
After years of thinking about bookmaking and journaling, watching video after video, and reading numerous blog posts, I finally felt free from expectation of perfection and artistic…superiority??maybe it was, and
Just.
Put.
Something.
Down.
FREEDOM!
So so hooked! I am not an artist – can’t draw more than gimpy stick fella — but I am ok with that!!
I found you via YouTube a few weeks ago, and am loving these posts in my inbox!
Thank you!!
I am using only what is around my house, which is a lot because someone gave me all their art things! Woot!!
So here is what I am loving:
1. Gesso!! It’s not a great brand,or it’s old at least, but I like what it does.
2. My heat gun! I got it on Mother’s Day and it is the greatest thing!! Lol, I am so patient!
3. Old books-ripping, glueing, using the covers-all of it!
4. Going through my kids’ glue sticks like crazy!
5. The paint!
I have started my art journal with my old diary, acrylic paint, caryons,glue & flat brush.
Now am digging in my childhood bag for more interesting stuffs to use in my journal.
This was so helpful since I’m in the process of setting up my workspace. Did I say I was getting excited yet?
I’m really new to all of this…so I found this lesson very helpful. 5 things I like to use most:
Gesso
spray inks/paint daubers
markers
stamps
stencils
These are great, thanks a lot!
Water colors are my favorite medium right now. I will have to try all these out
Thanks for your kind and awesome advice and it makes me happy to know that I have most of the supplies you mention on hand. I am working very hard at trying to organize all my supplies and it is certainly a bit daunting but doable. I have a wonderful and brand new space to work in now altho it is in a basement it is dry and bright. Just figuring out how to do it is the questions. Already I have changed it a few times. Thanks for all the help
I think I’m at the same place. I have a craft room where I did stamping and sewing. I had a business sewing and I’m pretty burned out so I’ve moved my machine to the back of one of my tables so I could utilize the space in front of it. I’m just having trouble setting up my workspace. I have tons of supplies – some never used yet – and I don’t know what I should have handy on my work table and what can be stored in my closet until needed.
My favorite supplies that I use for every page are water soluble markers (when brushed with wet paintbrushes looks like watercolor), rich watercolor paints, crayons, and I’m really loving texture paste (I bought Martha Stewart stucco effects at Michael’s on clearance).
For patterns I’ve been using bubble wrap, ripple cardboard (starbucks coffee sleeves!), and wine corks (plain for dots and wrapped in rubber bands for a streamer effect).
So fun.
Being a brand new beginner, I’ve started collecting every thing. I’ve been watching oodles of YouTube and keeping a on going needs list. Saving up for the expensive ones. My top 5 is #1 paper of any kind scrap booking to wall papers. #2 glue of any kind from white home made gesso to glue sticks. #3 stencles store bought to home made. #4 paint acrylic to kids water color and home made water color. #5 any thing recycled. I love being green. I can’t wait to buy those water color markers, crayons and pencils.
Hi fellow art journalists. I am new to this particular craft. I am really enjoying it. So far I have just used pencils and colored pens. But I plan to add colored pencils. I actually started with wanting to learn calligraphy. And every search brought me to this course. So I clicked on it and here we are.
Thank you so much for this course. I am looking forward to more courses. Yay!
My top five would be my Prismacolor pencils, Neo watercolour crayons, gesso, Prismacolor permanent markers, glue stick. It is really hard to stick to five.I am like a magpie and have quite a stash. I acquire cheap stuff and sometimes people give me bits and pieces when they are moving and so on. I have to try to keep this lot tidy and use everything. I like making a lot of mess in my journal. It’s where I play and where I get out my frustrations, and where I be a child again – I lose myself in it and I love it.
Great article on supplys for beginners, Here is what I use and what ive learnt so far
i purchased a moleskine diary for my bullet journal but I think for the next one I would be keener on using a plain maths book because I personally dont like the moleskine. for art journaling I use a mix media book which i love.
i love pitt brush markers they are so versatile for my journaling needs and something that has become a staple in my journaling. I havnt yet found whether I prefer acrylic or watercolor paints I think its going to take more playing around. I have also heard alot of hype about the prismacolor pencils in journaling and they are great but due to cost I have had to look for a cheaper equivalent and I quite like the Jasart Watercolor Pencils. I would also put gesso and gel medium in the always use list as well.
I am really enjoying the lessons. For my first five things I reach for when I begin,
1. Staz on ink pads with dauber( 2 things) sorry.
2. Gelattos
3. Tombo pens
4. Gesso (I use Golden for its smooth texture)
5. Baby wipes.
I also usually use Stencil Girl stencils and YES paste glue. So many things to love about supplies!
My top 5 list:
1. Jim Holtz Distress Crayons
2. Fine Touch Gouache paints
3. Chanson mixed media notebook
4. Felteez fine top markers
5. Studio Series fine line marker set
1) acrylic paint
2) sharpie markers
3) Tim Holtz Dot Fade Stencil
4) Spray Bottle
5) Lid to make circles
Oh, it’s hard to pick 5 favorites… But I’d say:
1. A solid journal with pages that don’t bleed through (I love thick watercolor paper!)
2. Micron pens
3. Watercolors
4. Paint pens
5. Glue or gel medium for collaging
Great post!
Great list! If I had to choose only five supplies to use? I’d be upset! However, I would choose: acrylic paint, brushes, various papers (for collage), glue, and stencils. Take care!
can you give examples of sealants?
Hi Gina! I usually don’t seal my pages. But if you want to, the Golden gel medium would be perfect for mediums that don’t smudge too much or activate with water. If you use something more chalky or you’re afraid it will smudge, then you can give it a light coat with a fixative spray. Hope that helps!
I am so glad I found you. I seem to be late to the party. My favorite five are
1. Altered book
2. gift/hotel card
3. Homemade shimmer mists
4. Magazine and book images
5. Computer generated text
(and ANYTHING recycled.
I’m new to art journaling, but so far, I dont think I could live without my watercolours, Faber castell ink pens, and coloured markers. I’m excited to try acrylics in a journal too.
My favorite five would be paints, stencils, black and white pens, watercolor brush pens and old books
Thanks for all the info you are sharing