Art Journaling
December 22, 2024
No Comments
Fantasy art journaling is a unique blend of creativity, self-expression, and organization. It’s a visual diary where you can let your imagination run wild, creating magical worlds and fantastical creatures on paper.
Here’s what you need to know:
Key techniques:
Remember: There are no rules in fantasy art journaling. It’s all about expressing yourself and having fun with your creativity.
Ready to start your magical journey? Grab your supplies and let your imagination soar.
Fantasy art journaling is a unique mix of creativity and self-expression. It’s not your typical art journal – it’s a portal to imaginary worlds where artists bring fantastical elements to life on paper.
What sets fantasy art journaling apart? Here are the key ingredients:
Whimsical Themes: Think magical realms, mythical creatures, and landscapes that defy reality.
Mixed Media: Artists use all sorts of materials to add depth and texture. As Diana Trout, a journal artist, puts it:
"I love the textural elements: the burlap, the canvas, the threads sticking out are such fun."
Storytelling: Each page can be a chapter in a larger visual story.
Symbolism: Those magical symbols and fantastical elements? They often have deeper meanings.
Freedom from Reality: Unlike realistic art, fantasy journaling lets you break free from the real world’s rules.
Francisca Nunes, a mixed media nature artist, sums it up perfectly:
"In the world of mixed media art journals, the dichotomy between ugly and beautiful fades away, offering a practical sense of creative freedom and personal liberation."
Fantasy art journaling isn’t just about making pretty pages. It’s a powerful tool for personal and artistic growth:
Emotional Expression: It’s a safe space to explore feelings through visual metaphors.
Skill Development: The more you practice, the better you get.
Stress Relief: Creating fantastical scenes can be deeply calming.
Boosting Creativity: It encourages "out-of-the-box" thinking, which can spill over into your daily life.
Self-Discovery: As you create fantasy worlds, you might uncover hidden parts of yourself.
Want to give fantasy art journaling a try? Here are some tips:
Ready to dive into fantasy art journaling? Let’s talk supplies and workspace setup.
You don’t need to break the bank to get started. Here’s what you’ll want:
"If you are starting out with art, do NOT feel like you need to go out and buy a bunch of stuff." – Marcia Beckett
Start with what you have and build from there.
Your creative space doesn’t need to be huge, but it should inspire you. Here’s how to set it up:
"Having pretty things around you even on the ‘admin’ table is important." – Roben-Marie Smith
Now you’re all set. Grab your supplies, set up your space, and let your imagination run wild!
Fantasy art journaling brings your wildest dreams to life on paper. Let’s dive into two key techniques to create magical journal pages.
Watercolors are perfect for dreamy, otherworldly landscapes. Here’s how to start:
Pick colors that match your fantasy scene’s mood. Soft blues and greens for mystical forests, warm oranges and pinks for magical sunsets.
For misty backgrounds, use the wet-on-wet technique. Dampen your paper, then drop in colors. They’ll blend and flow on their own.
"This method works well for painting trees that are further away or in the background of the painting", says watercolor artist Erica Schaffel.
Once dry, add details with wet-on-dry. Start big (trees, mountains) and work down to the small stuff.
Create depth by using darker, more defined shapes up front and lighter, softer tones in back.
Finally, sprinkle in some magic. Add glowing orbs, floating islands, or mythical creatures.
Katrina Crouch, an artist and tutorial creator, loves loose watercolor techniques:
"Loose, moody landscapes in watercolor was the perfect outlet! Lots of color play and simple composition is perfect for my tired little soul."
Remember: fantasy art is all about letting your imagination run wild. Don’t be afraid to break the rules!
Magic symbols can add layers of meaning to your fantasy pages. They’re not just pretty – they can represent powerful ideas or intentions. Here’s how to use them:
First, do your homework. Learn about common magical symbols and what they mean. The Pentagram often stands for protection and harmony, while the Spiral represents growth and change.
Want to get personal? Create your own sigils. Here’s how:
Weave these symbols into your scenes naturally. Carve them into tree trunks, float them in the sky, or hide them in a magical creature’s fur pattern.
Try using runes for storytelling. These ancient symbolic letters add mystery and history to your pages.
"Runes originated in the Germanic tribes of Europe and spread to Scandinavia around the 1st century AD", notes one expert.
Play with materials. Use metallic pens or gold leaf to make symbols pop. Or try modeling paste for raised symbols you can feel.
Remember, symbols in fantasy art are powerful because of what they mean to YOU. As fantasy artist TeoStudio explains:
"In my books I use it as a symbol of harmony in relation to the universe, symbolizing the five elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood."
Your fantasy art journal is your gateway to magical worlds. Let’s explore how to make your pages pop with some special touches.
Want to add some sparkle to your journal? Here’s how:
Metallic Markers: These are great for adding shine to your fantasy scenes. Morfone Metallic Marker Pens come in 10 shimmering colors and work on different surfaces. For dark pages, try Sharpie Metallic Permanent Markers. They’re smooth and mess-free, perfect for highlighting shadowy forests or starry skies.
Glitter Accents: Use glitter for magical dust, sparkling water, or twinkling stars. A little goes a long way, so apply it carefully with a fine brush.
Metallic Watercolors: Want a subtle sheen? Try metallic watercolors. They’re great for ethereal landscapes or giving fantasy creatures a magical glow.
"Metallic markers are like paint markers. They show up well on many surfaces – paper, glass, metal, wood – without chipping." – Art Supply Expert
Pro Tip: When using metallic markers on thick paper, only write on one side. This stops the ink from bleeding through and keeps your magical creations looking sharp.
Stickers can quickly level up your fantasy art journal pages. They’re an easy way to add complex details without needing to be a master artist. Here’s how to use them well:
Pick Themed Stickers: Find sticker sets that fit your fantasy world. Dark Moon Paper offers weekly-updated themed sticker kits for fantasy journaling. Their ‘Electric Forest’ and ‘Lilac Dusk’ collections could add some magic to your pages.
Layer Them: Create depth by layering stickers. Start with big elements like trees or castles, then add smaller details like flowers or magical creatures.
Mix with Your Art: Don’t just use stickers. Blend them with your own drawings or paintings for a unique look.
Create Focal Points: Use eye-catching stickers to highlight important parts of your journal spread. A glittery dragon or shimmering crystal could be the star of your page.
Fantasy art journaling isn’t just about putting pen to paper. It’s about opening a door to worlds that only exist in your mind.
Your fantasy art journal is a no-judgment zone. It’s your personal playground where you can let your imagination run wild.
This freedom is what makes fantasy art journaling special. It’s not about creating perfect art. It’s about enjoying the process. Kristal Norton, an experienced art journaler, says:
"Art journaling is for YOU, it’s not meant to be a masterpiece."
As you start your fantasy art journaling journey, keep these tips in mind:
Every page you create is a step into a new world – your world. Let your imagination go wild. Don’t be afraid to break the rules of reality in your art.
Fantasy art journaling isn’t just a hobby. It’s a way to express yourself, relieve stress, and grow as a person. It lets you explore your feelings, improve your art skills, and create a visual diary of your inner world.
So grab your journal and your favorite art supplies. It’s time to start your adventure.
Your fantasy art journal is your map to undiscovered lands. Where will it take you? There’s only one way to find out. Happy journaling!
Art journaling is all about creative freedom. It’s not about making perfect art – it’s about expressing yourself and exploring your ideas visually.
Here’s what you might put in an art journal:
The cool thing about art journaling? There are no rules. Kristen Webb Wright, who knows a ton about art journaling, puts it this way:
"Art journaling often combines techniques such as drawing, painting, writing, doodling, collaging, and sketching. Pages are about playing & exploring."
You don’t need to worry about making things look perfect or following any specific structure. The whole point is to express yourself and get creative. Many people find that art journaling helps them deal with stress and anxiety, and it can even make you a better artist.
Your art journal is YOUR space. Don’t stress about messing up or trying new things. The folks at Classpop! say:
"Art journaling is a fantastic way to cope with stress and anxiety, and it can also help you grow in your skills as a painter, collage artist and more."
So grab whatever art supplies you like and let your imagination go wild. Your art journal is ready for whatever unique creations you come up with.
Stickers Made for Planning
Our custom stickers are a fuss-free way to brighten up your planner pages with perfectly-sized designs that add a spark of personality to every layout.
Why use planner stickers?
Planner stickers make organizing easy, fun, and personal! Add color, creativity, and structure to every page, transforming your planner into a tool that reflects you. Perfect for tracking, decorating, and staying inspired daily!
Hello and welcome!
I’m Rachael Snow, a lifelong artist and entrepreneur, and I started Dark Moon Paper to blend my love of art, technology, and the mysterious beauty of the world around us. My sticker kits are meant to set the mood, tell a story, and give you a little escape from the ordinary.
I work from my cozy studio tucked away in the beautiful woods of Oregon, surrounded by nature and a dark night sky full of stars.