Today, I’m back with another post on Visual Journaling – a journaling technique that combines image and text. Since I shared my first post about Visual Journaling, I’ve discovered a new love: using paint in my visual journal! It can be a little scary to use paint on such thin paper – but it is a fun way to add texture, color, shape, and so much more! I also have been using magazine pages a lot, but instead of cutting out specific words/images to collage, I’ve been using large editorial images to create mood and serve as a base for the journal entry.
If you’ve been looking for some new inspiration for your visual journal, here are a few ideas to jump-start your creativity!
IDEA #1: Use a large magazine image across two pages, with a small margin for journaling. I also love the look of the torn edges – it keeps everything from looking too neat. If everything is too perfect, I get scared to make mistakes. Starting off with a few imperfections takes away the fear and lets me create more freely!
IDEA #2: Paint & write on top of a magazine image! I used acrylic paint in a bright color to title my entry, and then sharpie to journal & doodle. The magazine paper also projects your journal page from paint/sharpie bleeding through to the previous & next page. Win-win!
IDEA #3: Use chalkboard paint to create a black background! I used an inexpensive chalkboard paint from the craft section at Target to messily paint the background of the page, and then a white Uniball Signo Pen to write on top. (If you’re interested in what I was journaling about – I was trying to figure out the lyrics & chords to a new favorite song on the left page, and then I pulled out one line to letter on the right page! The chords didn’t show up in the photo as they’re written in a neon gel pen… )
Visual journaling is a great way to get messy and experiment with different media – so don’t be afraid to make mistakes! The best thing about a journal is that you can just turn to a new page and start again, or even rip the page out. I find the ripped edge of a page an interesting journal entry in and of itself – it means I created something that I didn’t like, but at least I created something and felt something about it!
Just like in my first post on Visual Journaling, I have put together a list of fifty MORE visual journaling ideas in case you’re feeling stuck (or you just like lists). You can find both lists in the WBT Library – so if you’re already a BrightMail subscriber, just click here and enter the password to download them. And if you’re not a subscriber, what are you waiting for? Click here or the image below to subscribe, and gain instant access to the WBT Library and BOTH lists of visual journaling prompts. That’s 100 prompts to get you started!
And if you do use one of these prompts, entry ideas, or you just want to show me what you’re journaling about, be sure to tag me on Instagram or Twitter @haleympettit – I’d love to see what you create!
