journaling Q&A

What is your favorite writing tool?  What do you use to add all the color?

Hmmm...so many favorites. For actual writing I love a dip pen (there will be an article in next Art Journaling magazine on dip pens), I love black Uniball's ,especially extra fine or micro. For colored writing I favor Copic markers.

Do you use watercolors, paints or pencils, how do you get that sheer color effect? 

I use watercolors for backgrounds (often Daniel Smith's) and Golden Liquid Acrylics. I rarely use the inexpensive acrylic paints (like these) because they are too flat and too parched feeling to work on top of. But sometimes, if there is a color I really want to use, then I'll use those too. I think the sheer color effect that you are talking about comes from the nice (more expensive) paints on top of the water color paper.
 

 
what types of pens & markers do you use & how do you get the color to achieve that look? 

I love Copics, and Prismacolors, and Chartpaks, and even the inexpensive markers I buy for my children. The Copics really have a nice sheer look to them and are so versatile.

 Do you journal your family pictures?

No, not really. But I'd like to start. My friend, artist Corey Moortgat has a wonderful book on doing just that. It's a really great book if you are so inclined. 

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. 

See above for favorite art pens. Yes, I do draw over the painted part often. Although, I also like to draw and then color in later. The white pen is one of those slick paints with a pointed top (comes out like glitter glue). Anahata uses these alot and turned me onto them.

 Do you make your journals with art paper etc? and what do you use for the outside.

Yes, very often I do. I use Teesha Moore's method described here. For the outside I use the inexpensive art boards like these.

could you give us a video or a step by step process?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).

hmmm...good idea. I did buy a flip camera. Will give this a try.

I am dying to know what type of paper, pens etc. you use. 

Teesha turned me into a Fabriano Artistico  140lb hot press watercolor paper addict. I just LOVE how soft and smooth it is. It's worth the extra cost to me. Pens are mentioned above.



Maybe you could post a "basic supply list" on your blog so we would have a  point to start from.

Ok, good idea. Will work on this. But for starters you could reference Teesha's. I was heavily influenced by her materials when in a journal exchange with her. She has been making amazing journal art for years and years.

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

Pretty much self-taught. Really want to actually take some real classes or at least some computer tutorials this year. I copy letters and fonts I see. I have always loved letters and typography and reference some old penmanship books, but I have also used some Dover books as reference points.

Do you paint first and then doodle or do you a combination of both? 

Truly a combo of both.

What type of paint do you use in your journals? 

Most often Golden Liquid Acrylics or watercolors tubes like Daniel Smith's.
What type of glue do you use? 

I like Perfect Paper Adhesive. It dries so fast without wrinkling. I have never been able to get the hang of rolling tapes or even glue sticks. I love the nostalgic smell and feel of rubber cement, but it doesn't last. If I'm really feeling like I've got time and space to play I will break out the Golden's gel medium, but usually, it's a much more "quick, sneak some play in" type of gluing that's going on so a bottle of PPA is great. I don't worry about acid free. I don't make my journals to last forever. I like things that age and wear over time.

Do you think about where to place pieces of  paper or is it a non-thinking event and you just go with the flow? 

Well, I try not to think too much about any of it. I am thinking more about combinations, not results. Not "big picture" or end result. Just "do I like this here?". I will take a scrap that I like and know I want to use and will place it on a couple different areas to see the visual impact. I may even place it on different pages. Eventually, I will get that, "ya, I really like it here" feeling in my gut. Often, at many of the places I try it I will like it, but I keep playing until a spot stands out to me as better than the rest. Kind of like comparing photos when editing. Does that make sense?

Where do you find the paper that you use? Is it just scrap-booking paper or is vintage paper?

I love all paper. I really do. That said, I am trying to allow myself to use my favorites- which usually are vintage- because I tend to like the results of that better and for a longer time. I find it everywhere. Etsy has lots, Ebay, flea markets, antique stores, scrapbook stores, I buy some from vendors at every art retreat I attend. I'm a crazy paper lover.

Would really like to see more full views of your pages like Teesha Moore shows.

Ok, will do that. I laugh to myself when I say yes to these requests because I think, easy for me to promise, but now I've got to sweet talk my brother into helping me set it up in some fashion so that I can like to it on my sidebar. Wish me luck with that!) Here's a link to Teesha's full pages.

Do you do the front and back on your pages or just the front?

Both the front and back.

And what kind of marker can I use that won't "bleed" through? 

I don't have a problem with any of the markers doing this with the heavy watercolor paper once it's been painted with liquid acrylic or watercolor first.

Where do find such pretty papers/wallpaper? Is your stash from years of collecting?

Yes, Years of being unable to throw any scraps away. I think that Donna sold me my last set of  wallpaper packs.  I'm sure there's lots of great stuff on etsy etc., but I've actually been very good and trying to use up what I have and not buy anything for quite awhile.

How do you get the colors for example the blue on your birds.  Is it watercolor or copic markers or what?  

The bird that you are referring to, (I think), on the cover of the first ArtJournaling magazine, was painted with watercolors that I mixed together. A little kit like this one works great.

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? 

No, I don't usually seal them. But I did coat the one I made at the beginning of the year with Mod Podge. At ArtFest, Teesha had made some small watercolor journals and "sealed" them by using shiny packing tape, they were really cool.

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

There are a few retreats (like Squam and Art and Soul) that I know of, and I'm sure others that I don't know of- please feel free to post them in the comments.

Do you restrict yourself to a specific series of colours, or do you just go with whatever appeals to you on a certain day?

Always go with whatever is striking me at that moment. I seem to go through phases.

Do you have any general guidelines you abide by? 

 I try never to have an end result in mind. I allow myself to make pages that I hate. I usually end up painting/coloring/writing/collaging on every page. 

 Also, the swirly white stuff on your header--is that paint How did you apply it?

It's Tulip slick paint. You just squeeze the tube. Fun.



 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?

I try to embrace them first of all, because they usually end up leading me to something better. Yes, I try to fix them and also camouflage them. In the photo above, I had drawn this whole big bird, but hated the way I filled in the tail so I covered it up with collage. Then on the right, I didn't like the way the writing looked so I covered over it with a leaf design in crayon. And I think it's a great policy to keep moving on, keep working it if you don't like it, or set it aside, get into a groove on something else and then come back to it later. Anything goes.

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?

I think the fact that I do a good job gluing down the edges is a good start, then the crayons around the edges, or pencil outline helps. Also, sometimes I take the design of the collage and freehand a continuation of it to blend the two. If it's a heavier paper being collaged down, I might sand the edges softly.

Is it just me, or is it hard to organize ephemera?

It's not just you!  I have scraps everywhere. 

~did anyone ask yet what glues you use to affix things?

Yep, see above.

I'm having a hard time finding the linen book tape.  Where do you buy it?

I bought a huge roll of Lineco linen book binding tape from Sterling Arts.

 

Phew! I think I answered them all with links. Thanks for your patience in my reply.

A bit of good news: Stampington has come up with a way for all those that weren't able to get a copy of Art Journaling before they sold out. They are offering a digital version. So if you were on the hunt, problem solved.

Have fun journaling!!!!!!!!! 

Comments

[Renee' D.]

WOW - thank you for sharing this info!

[jane jennings]

Pam, you are so giving. Thank-you so much for this. Janey

[hope]

Hi Pam, thanks so much for all of this - I have been journaling a lot lately (and blogging about it here http://besottment.typepad.com/ ) I am finding it to be amazing - it really makes a difference journaling reguarly and not just sporadically - my techniques improve and my thoughts and pages start to come a little easier. I am still working on finding my true journaling style, but it is a fun process.

I have been using rings since I cannot get the stitching thing down (I mean, really, after taking your class twice you think I would be great at it, but you saw how I just cannot take to it!!)

anyway, I am really commenting say that I hope you know that you can contact me if you cannot sweet talk your brother for blog help.

Hope all is well

Hope

[hope]

P.S.

I was in a Paper Source last week and saw that they have binding tape in different widths, in many of the colors they offer their paper in which I thought was great for people who do not want to cover their tape up: http://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/kits/bookbinding-tools.html

[Dawn Sokol]

Thanks for sharing all this! Your pages are always beautiful...hope to see you soon!

[Connie @ Constantly Vintage]

Love all the journaling info! Thanks so much for sharing!!

[Suzy]

Thank you so much, Pam! All this information is really, really helpful and I'm sure it took a while to compile. It's very kind and generous of you.

[Helen]

Pam,
I am a regular reader and love your work. I am also a calligrapher/lettering artist and have a couple specific questions, just out of curiosity... Which types of nibs do you have the best luck with and what types of ink or guache, etc. do you prefer with your dip pens?
Thanks for your time and generosity in sharing in your blog!
Blessings to you,
Helen

[Stacy]

thank you so much Pam, lots of great information!

[shawn]

those answers were great thank you. am looking forward to seeing a video of your style. thank you!!

[Francesca Di Leo]

Dear Pamela, I purchased the first edition of Art Journaling from Somerset Studio and discovered your work. WOW. Just brilliant.

I've been journaling since I was 14 (and am now 37), and for whatever reason I never put the two together, writing, and art - art journaling. Click, the lightbulb went off, and the issue of the magazine totally spoke to me.

I've just made my first two projects, with both paints, colour, collaging, and it felt sosoo good doing this. It all finally came together for me.

Thank you for sharing your art and inspiring me to come out of my 'box' and try something new.

Love your art and your blog.

Francesca

[susiebelle]

Thanks Pam! You answered all of my questions. I never, ever would have thought the white was the slick paint!I have so been looking forward to this post. So nice of you to share.

[corey moortgat]

Hi Pam! Beautiful stuff as always these days... I just wanted to say thank you for linking me and my book! Although I'm so lazy these days-haven't been getting to much kid's photo journaling, unfortunately.

We also just got a Flip camera (my husband got it as a bonus at work-nice!),but I haven't tried it out yet.

Anyway, at some point I hope to get back into going to retreats and such, and we can meet up again! Although stuff out on the East coast definitely would make it easier...! xoxo

[Laura Melohn]

Thanks for sharing all this great information! What fuN!

[Jeanne]

I am so excited to go back and reread all of your suggestions and visit the sites. You also have great book suggestions. You will be keeping me busy for awhile:-)

[Jen]

Thanks you for sharing and all the great links. Would love to see you come to New England to teach!!

[Suzy]

I'm waiting for you to write a book! Actually, just a bunch of your journal pages in book form would suffice. Any plans for that???

[Terri]

You covered everything! This is so great. I will be reading this over and over. Thanks so much for sharing! Terri

[Teah]

Thank you so much for sharing your wealth of information based on years of experience. You are a constant source of inspiration! Thank you and God bless!

[Tina]

Wonderful post! I've ruined several markers, including my copics, by trying to write on top of acrylics. Am I doing something wrong or is it just impossible to use copics on acrylics?

[Christine Drevo]

Thanks for sharing all the info. you should really consider writing a how to book with illustrations or a DVD.. I had to print out everything in order to keep going back a million times a day! I try and keep my blog stalking : ) to a minimum of once a day, but you have such great style and a creative genius!!

Love all your work and your blog!

[grrl+dog]

this post is the ark of the covenant of journalling. What treasure lies here. Thankyou for being so free with your ways, and sharing the tips for the perfect paper and paint.

Just discovered the joys of copic, to the horror of my credit card...whoo hoo!

[Paula Bogdan]

Thank you for this absolute wealth of information! There is so much food for thought here, and I really appreciate your generosity and time.

[nelda ream]

Thank you, Pam, for being so generous with us. I will never forget how much fun we had in your journaling class at ArtFest, and how you turned us on to the importance of fun in art through journaling. It was one of the best things I learned this year.

[Cindy Pestka]

Pam, your generosity in sharing your expertise never ceases to inspire me. What a beautiful gift you give to the world!

[Sheila at Halo Hill]

Thanks for being so generous, Pam. As always, you are a doll!

Hugs,

Sheila