journal questions?

So I leave tomorrow for ArtFest, where I will be teaching and taking classes. Above is a photo of my class samples. We'll be constructing a journal from start to finish, and play on the pages inside too. Often, when I post about journaling I get some questions, so I thought I'd answer them all in one post. How about anyone who has any questions for me regarding journaling, just ask them in the comments section here and I will do a post with all the answers when I get back next week?

And to answer the main question I get:
How do you construct your journals?
I make all sorts of different journals, from all sorts of different materials, but the method I use the most is Teesha Moore's method which I learned on her website. She taught me to love her favorite paper too, so fabriano artistico  140 lb. hot press (smooth) watercolor paper is what I use most when making a journal from scratch (sewing in the pages). (I order online from danielsmith.com).

If you've been thinking about starting an art journal, I say now's the time! There is no wrong way to do it; just allow yourself to buy a moleskin, or a journal on etsy, or stack a bunch of paper together and bind at Kinko's. Anything. Allow yourself to start...you can always throw it away or cover over anything you don't like. Got the itch? Scratch it! I know that the first issue of ArtJournaling is sold out, but there will be a second one out soon too, so you'll be ready to go.

See you next week!

 

Comments

[Dagmar Leuenberger-Swift]

Hi Pam;
I am lucky enough to have ArtJournaling and you are a constant inspiration!! We are Canadian snowbirds here and when we go back in 2 weeks I am taking that back with me. I have taken so many of your suggestions and made them my own for my journals. Thank you for your generous sharing!!!
ox
Dagmar

[Carole]

You are such a great inspiration to me. A couple of years ago I saw you on HGTV. I had never seen anything like what you maded before. I was hooked instantly. I've never commented on your blog before but thought it was about time.
Thank you for your generous spirit...
Have a great time at ArtFest

Carole

[natalea]

i LOVE art journalling and I love your's Pam!

[jessi nagy]

gorgeous you will have a ball. take lots of pics.

you and amy looked fab at gilding the lily!! i love her.

oxoxox,
jessi

[Robin]

I'm so in love with your journaling style! What is your favorite writing tool? What do you use to add all the color?
Thanks so much for sharing!

[Nancy]

I so agree with Dagmar - I,too, have the issue of ArtJournaling & love it.

I've made one journal similar to yours - and am anxious to make another. It's such fun!

Enjoy your time at Artfest!

[Anne Marie]

Those are so creative...it looks like tons of fun! But alas...I only digital scrapbook...I don't like the mess :)

It's very nice to meet you- and will be back to puruse through your blog later!

[Stacy]

I love my copy of ArtJournaling! Do you use watercolors, paints or pencils, how do you get that sheer color effect? Thanks!

[Jane]

Your work is stunning & I love the colorful, delicate look you create. It seems to be the result of more collage work & drawing as opposed to the style of using layers of paints on the page. I like your style better. As Robin & Stacy asked, what types of pens & markers do you use & how do you get the color to achieve that look? I've been carrying around the "Art Journaling" magazine to keep me inspired. Wish I could take your class.

[Zita - Mlle Magpie]

Gorgeous!

[lilith]

these journals are absolutely gorgeous!! I dream of crossing the atlantic ocean to come to the artfest one day!!!

[Kristena]

These are so neat! You're very talented and creative, lady. :)

[Jill James]

I went to Teesha.com as you suggested - love her over the topness & you for sharing. Sharing means you're secure that there is plenty for everyone and means you're naturally talented. God & the universe love that! Do you journal your family pictures? XO

[susiebelle]

Pam~ You and your artwork have inspired me some time ago to start an art journal, and it has been so therapeutic! I was hoping you could answer a question that I asked around Christmas time...What are your favorite art pens-do you draw over the painted part? or draw then paint? I love the white pen that you use in your blog banner. What is it. (ok there is more than one question here...)~jane

[Lynne Laura]

Pam,

Thank you for sharing how you make your journals and sources. I really appreciate it. Kindredly, Lynne Laura

[mary goacy]

i also love your journal pages and bought the somerset journaling with you featured. do you make your journals with art paper etc? and what do you use for the outside. i have been trying to figure out how you bought a regular "journal" at borders or b&n and transformed it but i am thinking you take art paper and put it into some type of binder? i like peggy's idea..could you give us a video or a step by step process? thank you for sharing your gift. could you give us a step by step process on the blog? or make a video and sell it...rosie o'donnell on rosie.com has a "crafty u" video (just an idea). i am dying to know what type of paper, pens etc. you use. maybe you could post a "basic supply list" on your blog so we would have a point to start from.

finally HOW DO YOU DO ALL THE LETTERING? did you take classes for this or self-taught? i love it!

thank you!!! mary

[Carla]

I love Fabriano watercolour paper. It's a bit on the expensive side, but it's just world apart from the rest. And your journals are, as usual, fantastic.

[shawn]

Whoosh, you opened up a can since I have lots of questions about art journaling. I love your style.
Do you paint first and then doodle or do you a combination of both?
What type of paint do you use in your journals?
What type of glue do you use?
Do you think about where to place pieces of paper or is it a non-thinking event and you just go with the flow?
Where do you find the paper that you use? Is it just scrapbooking paper or is vintage paper?

[Carol]

Ok, I've been drooling over your art in the Artjournaling magazine as well..Would really like to see more full views of your pages like Teesha Moore shows...but my question is...do you do the front and back on your pages or just the front? And what kind of marker can I use that won't "bleed" through? Thanks!!

[Dollybelle]

Gorgeous journals Pam! Very inspiring!
love love love
Christine

[Angie G.]

Hi, Pam! I also cherish my copy of Art Journaling simply for your pages. Where do find such pretty papers/wallpaper? Is your stash from years of collecting?
Thanks.

[amy]

your stuff is so beautiful. yes...same question...how do you get the colors for example the blue on your birds. is it watercolor or copic markers or what? i too think a basic supply list and maybe step by step would be great!!!

[susan gilman]

My question - when you make covers like the ones in the photo - with lots of collage - do you "seal" them? And if so, do you use something to seal the collage, but you can still journal over?

PS So wish there was an ARTFEST on the east coast! Any chance of branching out this way?

[Jeanne]

Have a wonderful time at ArtFest. I know it will be an incredible time. I have been wanting to do an art journal for awhile now and I need to just jump in and try one. Thanks for the encouragement and resources.

[Vickie]

I really like your journals. There is so much detail. They are just beautiful.

[Suzy]

You seem to have a signature palette. Do you restrict yourself to a specific series of colours, or do you just go with whatever appeals to you on a certain day? Do you have any general guidelines you abide by? Also, the swirly white stuff on your header--is that paint? It seems to have almost a 3-D effect. How did you apply it? How do you deal with things you consider 'mistakes?' Do you try to fix them or camouflage them, or do you just nix it and move onto something new? And finally, how do you get such a seamless look with your collages? It's hard to tell what's been glued onto the page and what's on your base page. You don't seem to get many hard, obvious edges. Any advice on how to achieve that?
Is it just me, or is it hard to organize ephemera? It's starting to take over my den... Maybe I'm just organizationally challenged.
I truly love everything you do (that I've been able to see). Thank you so much for sharing your process. You are obviously very generous and secure with yourself and your talent. I don't think any of us is out to copy you (where's the joy in that?), but it is both enormously helpful and interesting to learn from you. Thank you.
P.S. I've been seeing/hearing a lot about these Copic markers. What makes them so great (expensive)? Are they really that much better than Prismacolor?

[karen]

I looked at this post last night before bed and just kept thinking about all my supplies to make something similar...you are so inspiring!!! I wish I could come and take your class...sigh! someday.....
karen...
recycledrita.blogspot.com

[andrea]

I see some of my questions in the above ~did anyone ask yet what glues you use to affix things?
Andrea

[Titelaine]

so beautiful, as always!!!
I hope you're fine!
xoxo

[Andria]

Hello, Pam! It's me, the one who was "finished!" in class last week. So, now I want to try the journal again so I don't forget how to use it, but I'm having a hard time finding the linen book tape. Where do you buy it?

[Deirdra Doan]

Hi Pam....I just found you on Maija blog.
I see now you and I were both at Artfest...did we meet or trade?? It was such a blurr. But I really love the beauty of your work and am so happy to find you. I am sorry I missed you but hope to meet you another time. I am going to have my dolls in ADQ in Winter I believe and a mixed media piece in Somerset. I had the pleasure of visiting Stampington and getting a tour of every room...so much fun to see the amazing art and the wonderful editors.