Think of an art journal as your own private paper world where you get to be 100% YOU. However you want to express yourself, whatever you want to say, in whatever colors or words or songs or scribbles come to you, those empty pages are yours to fill.

[photo #1 from The Back Art Room Blog, photo #2 from daisyyellow.com]

To make an art journal, you will need…

A stack of paper — regular old white paper, lined paper, colored paper, cut up grocery bags, etc. Some artists like to mix papers together.

(Optional) Heavier paper or cardboard to use as your cover

A pair of scissors

Something to hold the paper together, like string, yarn, fishing line, dental floss, a rubberband, a plastic bag (we’ll explain later)

(Optional) a paper punch, nail, or other hole-making tool

Okay, let’s get your art journal made!

Here are two videos that will show you how — the first from our artist friend, Jen Stady, and the second from Portland educator, Kelly Merrill.

Ready to start filling up your art journal?

Just head on over to our Keep an Art Journal project, where you’ll find all kinds of ideas.