Friday 5 June 2009

Art journal ideas - give away

Art journal ideas1 - give away


If you didn't know, I do art journalling. I make a mark in my journal everyday. What comes down on the paper may vary. Some times I write words and thoughts , but for the most part it is some kind of illustration.

I have a box in my studio where I keep props and an old encyclopaedia. The props can be a piece of scrap paper with interesting colours and patterns, a piece of yarn or ribbon, a newspaper article, a found element with a great texture. All things that I use in my art journal in some way. I attach it to my pages or use it as a inspiration. The old encyclopaedia, I can cut out word that I like or just phase through it to find some interesting things I want to make an entry about. I have found a new and more study box, it use to be an ammunition box so it should hold up. I am going to decorate it, not sure how yet. It is a large box so there are room for a lot of ideas and props.

I know there are many ideas out there on the web, but I would like some input from the people that comes through here on my blog. I want input and ideas to my journalling. It can be a word you like or a suggestion to a prop/property, only your imagination sets the limit.
I am wondering can you give me an idea for a prop?

As a reward for you stopping up and writing a comment I'll give you a chance to win a prise! I am putting together an art journal parcel starting today with what you see below, each Friday through the summer I'll add something to the pot. I'll draw the winner on the 21 of August.

You are more than welcome to blog about this on your own blog, but it is not obligated!

Art journal ideas2 - give away


To start of there is the journal and a pen.

The journal is a Canson sketchbook, see this blog post http://ewian.blogspot.com/2008/12/dream-journal.html for details and on how I compared it to other journals.

The pen is a Medallion drawing pen, permanent marker, colour black, size 0.1, one of my favourite pens as it is water proof, it don't only say that it is, it works! Here is a blog post http://ewian.blogspot.com/2009/02/edm-8-organized-chaos.html where the pen was illustrated.

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12.06.09
Caran D'Ache Neocolor II

Adding a box of neocolorII, watersoluble, 15 pieces.

You can see here some of the blog posts where I have used watersoluble wax pastels. http://ewian.blogspot.com/search/label/Watersoluble%20wax%20pastel
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19.06.09
Art journal ideas3 - give away

Adding Derwent charcoal pencils and watersoluble sketching pencils. I use these pencils alot when adding shadows. Read more at the blog post http://ewian.blogspot.com/2009/06/adding-charcoal-and-watersoluble.html

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26.06.09
compartment box
Adding compartment box. Read more at the blog post: http://ewian.blogspot.com/2009/06/give-away-adding-compartment-box.html
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04.07.09
Art journal ideas6 - give away
Adding two Formline brushes. See blog post for more info http://ewian.blogspot.com/2009/07/give-away-adding-two-formline-brushes.html

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10.07.09
Art journal ideas7 - give away
Adding 12 colour pencils to the give away pot. They are called Jumbo colour and comes from Faber-Castell. See blog post for more http://ewian.blogspot.com/2009/07/give-away-adding-colouring-pencils.html

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17.07.09
Art journal ideas9 - give away
Adding Winsor & Newton Cotman watercolours to the give away pot.
See blog post for more http://ewian.blogspot.com/2009/07/give-away-adding-watercolours.html


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24.07.09
Art journal ideas10 - give away
Adding pencils, eraser and sharpener to the give away pot.
See blog post for more http://ewian.blogspot.com/2009/07/give-away-adding-pencils-eraser-and.html

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31.07.09
Art journal ideas11 - give away
Adding glitter and sparkling stars to the give away pot.
See blog post for more http://ewian.blogspot.com/2009/07/give-away-adding-some-sparkle.html

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07.08.09
Art journal ideas13 - give away
I am adding vintage paper, pictures from 1946-54, printed in 1956. http://ewian.blogspot.com/2009/08/give-away-adding-vintage-paper.html

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14.08.09
Art journal ideas14 - give away

I am adding stickers. Read more on the blog post http://ewian.blogspot.com/2009/08/give-away-adding-stickers.html

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If the mail goes there I will send it to you, no matter where you are in the world! The postage is pretty much the same where ever you are.

73 comments:

Poetic Dreams said...

Thanks for the tip.My son Dilled three holes in my car just before I started work. My faith is an oldy but a good one.
As for a prompt...
What did your childhood home look like?
For your Box I woulld use the word Inspiration! Because it holds all your ideas and prompts.
I hope ya having a wonderful day, I am now following ya. Hope ya don't mind.
Hugs~

Renmeleon said...

I love journaling and my analog time is precious to me. I think your ammunition box is fabulous, what a wonderful treasure chest!

Journal prompts, hmm, here are a few of my favorites...

What is the origin of your name? Were you named for someone?

Name a food or item from your childhood that you can describe in detail using your senses. What memories does it hold for you? Good or bad?

For each of the following colors, write what they symbolize to you, how do they make you feel? Add two more to the list and do the same.

Describe your favorite food in detail by using texture, flavor, smell, and color. Why is it your favorite food?

Open a dictionary at random and, closing your eyes, pick a word. Do this three times so you end up with three words. Write for 15 minutes and write down a memory, dream, or totally fictional event using all three words.

...ok stopping there. I run a writer's group so I could keep going forever. LOL I love writing prompts. Have fun!

Ria :)

Katla said...

You have the most beautiful copper hair, so i think you should have some of that color on it.

bonniebluedenim said...

Your ammunition box...gives you ammunition for your journaling. I admire that you can do the journaling everyday. I am very impressed by that.

Some ideas that you might journal about....
- what are some favorite expressions that you like to say

-what are some blessings you have in your life ( sometimes you have to look hard for them.

-If you were able to give people advice...things they should do...what would you tell them.

props? old childhood toys, old family photos, an old clock, vacation photos or postcards. old jewelry.

what fun!!!

Artsnark said...

Just start a list of words that come to mind. Don't think, just list. Doesn't matter what they are. I used to do this when I needed ideas for short stories & it worked well

ikkinlala said...

If you could go on a vacation anywhere with one other person, who would it be and where would you go? Why?

owenswain said...

EWian,
I'll give you the word I sign each post with, it's a word I try to live by: thrive!

Might be a bit abstract or existential for a journal entry but you never know...

deborah said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
deborah said...

sum up each day with a rendering...instead of putting the highlight of the day in words, state it visually. Also, an idea for decorating your box, why not decoupage your sketches, journal entrys onto it, like travel stickers on a suitcase..

zura said...

Journal prompt: Name 5 things you are grateful for, that you've never been grateful for before.

trish said...

I have been doing the dialogue thing in my written journal, I love it. You write a conversation between you and someone or something-I usually try it with my "future" self ;)
thanks for the comment on my blog too-I've ued firefox for years with no problem, I don't know why I'm having problems now, maybe I deleted something I needed-I have done that many times!
have a great week!!
Trish

Melisa said...

Cool box! For props, you could try a couple of children's books. I especially like the vintage ones. Find a picture in it, and study it. Does it remind you any particular moment in your own childhood? Write about that.

For prompts, I'm going to make an ongoing list of words that I just like the sound of, and ones that I don't. For example, I love the word licorice. I hate the candy, but just like the sound of the word. And serendipity. I am curious to see if a pattern shows up in the words.

Aly B said...

I came up with this prop and used it the other day on the train:

Look out the window for a predetermined number of times throughout the day (I did once every hour) and then sketch it into a 1 inch by 1 inch box, like an inchie.

Because I was moving I wrote the time and guessed the location of the view from the window. If you are looking outside of a building window, this would be great to study light and color and how it affects an image.

Annette W. said...

How about life? Maybe a seed growing into a plant or tree? An older person with all those lovely wrinkles?

I look forward to more!

At one time I was a bit of an artist...high school/college. But now I just create through toys, sewing, crafts, and teaching tools for my kids. :) I admire you!

My sister is quite the artist...she works mostly in paints...watercolor is her specialty.

Joan Y said...

How about drawing things that you can see from one vantage point in your house or outside.

I love the idea and I'm considering doing the same on my blog. I don't have the dedication like you do to draw everyday but I do like the idea of gathering ideas from friends and family. Good luck!

Poetic Dreams said...

Was thinking of more ideas for ya hun.
How about Ya favorite Poem? I like Robet Frosts "Nothing Gold Can Stay"
Favorite song?
Various words of choice such as...
Destiny
Hope
Dream
Creativeness
Artistic
Passion
Imagine
Such words are endless. Oh! there ya go "ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES" that's a really good one.
Hope this helps ya out. Will still think of more.
Hugs~

Apple said...

I have a box like that. ...here are some of my prompts:
*Use pink, blue, yellow, red
*rip paper and glue into your journal
*Use a stencil today
*Use a repeating pattern
*Paint with watercolors
*Use spray ink

gaylemontayostudio.blogspot.com said...

Hello! Try going to your Microsoft word processor in your programs on your computer. Bring up an empty page and type in a word. Go to the top of your page and left click tools, left click Thesaurus. Now....you can find tons of words to work with! This can take you in so many directions!!! Thank you for the chance for your terrific give-away.

Melissa said...

One thing that I like to do is collect takeout menus and other things I can use for memorabilia, even if that particular outings isn't noteworthy. An example, when I ate a Chili's a while back with my boyfriend it was rather lowkey but I took one of the coasters and a menu home with me. I didn't write in my journal about that date but one we had a week or so ago. Only this time we had my nephew and niece with us. It was a night to remember, even if it isn't a fond memory but I was able to use the things I had taken home before to journal about this night. The moral to my journal post was to remind myself to never take these 2 kids out to eat in a crowded restaurant again any time soon. It will be takeout for us.

Poetic Dreams said...

So does this mean ya added the Word SEXY to ya description? :) Actually ya should use Talented,Sweet,Generous,Giving,Caring,Friendly. I could go on but i'm sure I'm making ya blush.
Wishing ya a wonderful weekend hun. Hugs~

Orinda said...

That is a great box.

A mirror would be a food prop. You can draw yourself, or the underside of anything.

A tired retired recluse @ Swallowcliffs.blogspot.com/ said...

What a great idea this Prop Box is. I think I will make me one! I could add sayings I find in my reading, a rock or other finds that remind me of something or someone, pictures are always good, a game spinner with things to make a mark about listed on the chart would be fun, dictionary pages, bible pages, quotes, etc. Yep, I definitely need one of these!
Please add me to your sweet and generous give a way!

Brandi said...

I like to find old pictures online and write stories about the people in them and what I would show them if they travelled in time to me and I had one day to show them around the 21st century......then I write a response journal from their POV of the adventure. It helps me gain perspective on what I see and take for granted on a daily basis.

Francine Cronos said...

I like to use the words and verses of favorite songs that are meaningful to me and touch my heart as prompts to create journal pages.

For props, I like to save small bits of scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, candy wrappers, boxes that have interesting cutouts to use as templates, things I find on the sidewalk, or things I pick up when I go on a walk. I collect these in a box and use them for inspiration. I also love to go to thrift stores and yard sales in search of items that are inspiring to me and that I can use in my artwork.

Jocelyn in Wonderland said...

Hmmm ok here is a bit of a darker prompt but I find that is helps me to get stuff out of me and onto the page reducing my anxiety "what is keeping you up at night?" let me know what you think! Best way to reach me is at jocelyn.bond@yahoo.com Thanks luv!

LucyLuxx said...

Why not take some of your favourite words and write them on cardstock - decorate them if you wish - then put them all into a jar - shake it up and take out two words then journal what comes to mind from that.
You could put colours in or words you like the sound of or names - each jar would be personal but it would be fun to see what words got taken out at the same time and what visual pictures you could make from them.

Curiouser Alice said...

Your box reminds me a little bit of the old Hope Chests, that mothers would put together for their daughters, filled with the linens and cloths they would need in their new married lives. I was thinking your box is already a Hope chest...hope that you'll find inspiration, hope that you'll have the time to work in your art journal. So perhaps that's a theme to work from, in terms of decorating your box...a new twist on Hope Chests. Plus, old linens, with their intricate embroidery, can be fun to draw.

Some journal prompts:

* Draw the piece of technological equipment that's your favorite (Computer? Internet Modem? Printer? All of the above?)

* Make a patchwork quilt in your journal, and fill all the boxes in with things that describe you (drawn out, although using fabric would be cool, too)...a friend of mine inspired me to try this.

And thanks for the giveaway opportunity! This is a hugely generous gift, and I can't believe you've added more to the set. It's like a dream-set for art journaling. Just...wow!

Aly B said...

Another prompt I came up with and I have been using is I am drawing (doodling really) a self portrait of myself each day for a week. I make a point to portray the predominant emotion I am feeling and the clothes I'm wearing. Tomorrow is my last day for the prompt but I like seeing the range of emotions so much in my doodles I am making it a regular part of this journal.

bubblemunch said...

I'm with LucyLuxx with her idea of little cards.
You could also use smooth, tactile pebbles and write a 'prompt' or inspirational word on each in Sakura souffle pen or sharpie/other permanent pen.

bubblemunch said...

Use a random word generator site like

http://watchout4snakes.com/CreativityTools/Main/Intro.aspx

Great for when your mind can't come up with something or is a bit cloudy! ;-)
You can generate random words, phrases or sentences.

bubblemunch said...

Use a newspaper or magazine and choose paragraphs, words or pictures based on numbers that you've randomly picked ...

ie 3rd word from first 3 paragraphs on 3rd page.
4th picture on page 4
5th sentence on page 5 etc
... and if you really want to challenge yourself - do combinations!

bubblemunch said...

Use a different one of your books each time!

Poetic Dreams said...

Hi hun,
Ya know ya making this giveaway too generous! But then again ya a sweetie so it's not a total surprise!

Been thinking if ya happen to have pics from the time ya were born till present, why not add a pic for every year? Just pick one of ya favs and add it.Then every year add a new one till it's complete.

I think seeing how ya've transformed over the years would make for an awesome Inspiration box!

Hope ya day is wonderful and ya weekend extrodinary.
Love & Hugs~

postal orphan said...

wow, what a generous giveaway! found your blog through your flickr photos, and am looking forward to looking through all of your entries. as for prompts, i like to find interesting phrases in old books and snip them out. i keep keep them in a box and will pull one out randomly to either write about or to create a collage around. i also like to write down quotes that i find in books as i'm reading them.

Brenda said...

OK I'm confused, do you want props or prompts? Hmmmm, I have yet to start art journalling, but one thing I would include for sure is different sized lid tops or tubes to create circles on my pages.

As for prompts, - there are so many websites out there devoted to prompts for your journals - I don't think you'd ever run out. As for me, I love quotes so would try and include these into my journal.

bubblemunch said...

This is such a fantastic thread and must be a great resource now for anyone who reads your blog - we're all winners! :-)

I'm on a roll now!
How about thinking of your first 'buys' or first experiences
ie the first single you bought, the first album, your first car, the first poster you put in your room, any new place you visited.

bubblemunch said...

Get some paint chip cards or paint catalogues/leaflets - the page can be set around that particular shade (you can have fun trying to get it right or get a tester!) and some have great names to work around too

ie from dulux:
desert wind
dusted damson
ocean ripple


crown
purity
refresh
moonlight bay

Aly B said...

I think it's important to claim your crafting talents to banish self doubt and getting stuck. Why not take a photo of yourself, alter it with acrylics, and then design a crown for yourself. You could even make it a 3D element by using an accordion fold or those puffy glue dots. Claim yourself as a Queen Crafter!

Apple said...

I love using quotes on my pages...either made up or borrowed. Find one and design a page around how it makes you feel or what it makes you think about.

bubblemunch said...

Everytime I think of something new or come across an idea I think of coming here now to share it!

How about keeping some scraps of material or patterned papers in your box as inspiration for designs, colours, patterns, backgrounds.

Also, I found this idea on Creature Comforts
Lay in the grass and search for shapes in the clouds

Apple said...

I am loving this giveaway!! It's awesome!!
Prompts:
What is your earliest memory?
What is your favorite meal and why?
What is your favorite art supply and why?

Mindy Blanchard said...

Start the journaling experience with a period where you do some deep breathing. clear your mind. get yourself ready for the journal journey! Then grab a piece of scratch paper or a mini notebook filled with just ideas and do some free writing..give yourself a certain time limit - 5 minutes write words only ...anything that pops into your head. or do some free writing of sentences/prose/etc...you never know what could come up...some great stuff indeed. good luck!! great ideas in your blog by the way...U INSPIRE ME!

Vicki Holdwick said...

I cut words out of magazines before I recycle them. I keep them in a plastic covered container. When I am lost for an idea to journal/sketch about, I reach into the box and pull out 5 or so words and try to arrange them into a saying. This provides the impetus for my journaling.

So far it has worked very well for me.

Maybe it would work for you, too!

xoxo

Poetic Dreams said...

Hi Hun,
Was thinking why not add some special pics of those ya love. Those whom touched ya life and write some descriptive words about them. I think that would look wonderful since ya added a map of where ya were born. Wishing ya a lovely day.
Love & Hugs~

Poetic Dreams said...

Wishing ya a Beautiful Sunday hun.
Big Hugs~

Apple said...

What are your dreams?
What are your fantasies?
What are your favorite things?

Anonymous said...

This box is your dream activation box. Let it contain your wildest dreams for yourself and your life. Wild and outgrageous dreams. Who would you like to be? What would you like to be? Where would you like to go? What would you like to have, see, do?

You will look at this box everyday and it will change your life as some of your dreams start to come true, and you can add to it after you live each dream.

Unknown said...

I go to library sales and buy the hardback collects of things like Life magazine.
Incredible black and white photos and text excerpts.

I also purchase bags of watch parts to embed in pages.

JDC

booksrmysoul said...

blair lewis
blairwlewis@gmail.com

Each day walk outside and pick up something you like, some thing small. (a rock a Pinecone or maybe a bird feather) Then add it to your daily things.

Aly B said...

Create a handful of inchies, place them in an envelope and shake it up. Pick an inchie, no peeking! Now base your spread on the theme/color of the chosen inchie. I also like to use them as a means to date my pages =)

Aly B said...

Just thought of another- Collect all of the paper you amassed today (reciepts, candy wrapers, a piece of paper you found on the street, etc.)
Next, use the for the base of your page; you could tint them with water colors and then sprinkle rubbing alcohol on it, tear them and place them in a pattern, use them as inspiration for your color scheme, coat them in thick layers of acrylic and use the end of your brush to doodle in it, etc.

Poetic Dreams said...

Hiya hun,
Do ya have a favorite poem? How about incorporating that into ya box? Favorite flowers and the colors. I'm still working on ideas hun. lol
Wishing ya a beautiful night. Hugs~

Apple said...

I can't wait until you have this giveaway!! I am so excited/anxious for it!!! :)

owenswain said...

embracing change,
that other place,
water - write a hiku,
your first ________ experience,
someone from your childhood,

Thought I'd send along a few more for you EWian

Mescrap said...

I love art journaling and collaging.
'Dream' always the subject that I look forward.

owenswain said...

Using pencil shavings, of various colour, create an illustration by gluing the shavings onto your page.

Poetic Dreams said...

I can't believe ya keep adding to this giveaway! Now I really hope I have a chance to win. lol

I was thinking...Have ya ever had a dream which seemed so real? Or one which actually came true? How about doing something creative with that?

Wishing ya a wonderful Sunday.
Love & Hugs~ Poe

Noble Beeyotch said...

I love collecting chocolate wrappers and silver and gold foils. I then decorate my journal/scrapbook with the foils. I also use old magazine pieces and try to recreate that piece in my own way in the journal!

Apple said...

I love using aluminum foil as a collage piece. I also like to search through magazines and let the words and the people speak to my imagination. I rip out whatever speaks to me and just collage it without thinking about it.

Apple said...

I am so excited to see all of this stuff in a pile. Whoever wins will be one lucky person!!!

I like to draw lots of different faces on my journal pages. I like to see how many different facial features I can come up with.
Use the sky as a prompt. Draw what you see in the clouds.

Digital Misfit said...

I have a big box of old postage stamps that I like to use for mixed media art journal pages. They make great inspiration pieces for travel pages, communication pages, and the fun animal stamps can be used as wildlife in nature pages.

heidig@gmail.com

Poetic Dreams said...

So looking forward to this drawing. Keeping my fingers & toes crossed! lol

I was going through my hope chest & thought why not use post cards as inspirations? Ya can use some from various places ya visited or even have people mail ya a postcard and use it. I think that would be a cool project.

Wishing ya a Beautiful Saturday hun.
Big Giant Hugs~Poe

Aly B said...

Why not take a clipart or magazine image of a person and write a diary entry for them? Imagine what their day was like and what they would like to day. This would be a great exercise for writers or even just a chance to get out of your own skin for a while when you're feeling down. =)

Aly B said...

Never dismiss children's art projects, they can be adapted to your higher skill level. Try shaving cream painting to get a marbled paper effect- use a cookie tray and spread about 1" of shaving cream onto it. Next take water colors or food coloring in eye droppers to paint the shaving cream. Use a comb or skewer to swirl the paint. All you have to do is lay a piece of cardstock onto the painted shaving cream and press to make sure it comes in full contact with the paper. Then just scrap off the shaving cream from your paper and you will have a lovely marbled effect!

Aly B said...

I figured I'd leave one more idea for the last day before the drawing- it's a very simple one but I've been using it a lot lately when I get stuck trying to think of a color scheme. Choose any book or magazine from your shelf that you know has pictures in it. Flip to a random page and use the color scheme from that picture. This has helped me use colors I don't normally consider/like so it's been really helping me see the possibilities of colors and how they're affected when they're used together.

Good luck everyone!

Poetic Dreams said...

Hiya Hun,
I was thinking of ya and wanted to stop by. I see tomorrow is the big reveal as to who wins this extrodinary & generous gift of ya's. (praying it's me lol) Have ya ever thought of using a quote book? Or even children's coloring books for inspriration? The latter idea came from Lil Love. lol Are ya keeping track of all these ideas people are sending ya? I sure hope so. :)
Wishing ya a wonderful night. Big Hugs~

Poetic Dreams said...

I'm checking in with ya before I head out the door to work. Have another Idea which just popped in my head. (Shocking I know) lol I keep a memory box with lil Trinkets inside.Such as a special note,shells,small odd shaped rocks & such. Why not use them for inspiration?
I hope ya having a good day. Big Hugs~Poe

Eileen Lockard said...

Mine would be resilience. We forget how much and how often we bounce back - from life: disappointments, sorrow, changes, etc.

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