{how-to} collage / journal

Updates in-progress …
And I would love your input!

What are your questions about art journaling? If we were sharing the same creative space, what would you want to know? which how-to’s would you need to begin? to advance to your next level?

Please feel free to post in the comments …

I have been a journaler all of my life. And I have been a collector and periodic collager of random elements that remind me of experiences, inspirations and my loves. So, when I was in the midst of a particularly hectic time in my life — desperate for a more art-full way to plan my weeks and my work projects — I started experimenting with those practices. That was the early months of 2008: when Right Brain Planner was officially born. I started a blog to collect links and ideas, and to compile my discoveries and inspirations.

I am frequently asked, “So-o, how do I begin making collage? How do I start a journal?”

Which I find difficult to answer universally because collage and journaling are as unique as the artist.

What? You don’t consider yourself to be an artist!? Then, let’s begin some how-to instructions with that …

We are all artists.

“If we tell people again and again and again that we are something or we are not something, then whether it’s true or not, we will eventually convince them.” ~Mandy And sometimes … We must tell ourselves. Over and over again. Because we are! ♥

Your ArT

What is your art? What do you enjoy creAting? Do you capture images on your digital camera? hand-letter? doodle? watercolor? dry flowers or herbs? use scissors to cut and collect bits of magazines and other printed materials? save ticket stubs or candy wrappers?

Basically … What do you want to add to your journal pages to embellish and make ‘em pop!?

During the past 12 months, I finally freed myself {mostly} from the limiting force of perfectionism. It was a collage of elements, but Tammy’s {aka @gypsy999} Index-Card-a-Day {ICAD} inspiration sealed the deal for me! ♥ 

Her blog includes numerous helps and how-to’s. Two of my favs:

Here are some basics I have practiced with my own art journaling and collage:

Paper/Journal book

I have used a wide variety of “journals” for both my daily journal entries as well as my daily planner…

• hardcover, wire-bound journals/Blue Sky planners — just a fav; no paid endorsement
• old hardcover books I altered to create a journal/planner
• watercolor paper (or another type of heavy-weight paper; I like 24-lb paper) that I bound
• an inexpensive spiral notebook (spiral bound is easier to work with since it will open flat on your work surface)

♥ One of my favorite journals is a .10 spiral notebook my youngest son used for his Algebra homework. I write over his equations, attach entire printed {or collaged} journal pages, and collage images or words or random notes with quotes or notations. [image]

Theme

Determining a theme is totally optional. (This is your journal, my friend!). However, if you begin with a theme, it is likely you will be less of a perfectionist and.or critic of how to begin and what to include …

Theme ideas: by the event, week or month (review of activities, feelings, ponderings, highs, lows, “words-to-describe”)

My current themed journals are: 1) business notes 2) morning pages 3) miscellany & random.

Basics to Attach/Add

Using adhesives (double-sided tape, glue sticks, glitter-glue, even stickers); scissors (straight-edge and decorative); paper punches; rubber stamps or various colors of pads; random stickers; threads, ribbons or cords; glitter or confetti pieces; leaves or grasses; dried flowers; decorative papers (even various wrappers or cuttings from junk-mail) — and other favorite tools with most any flat (or semi-flat) item that makes you smile!

Be creative and freely create a journal that reflects your personal style, unique personality or blend of interests!

Personally, I save all sorts of colorful papers and wrappers!  I cut-out shapes and items from mail-order catalogs — anything colorful, unusual or thematic.

The Collage Part

Again, thematic pages are an easy way to start collage journaling. I started a page today with a red ticket from a door-prize drawing. From there, my theme was “Winning” (quotes, gold stars, journal notations, etc.)

You might want to choose a color for your mood; a photograph or cut-out image to build a theme around. From the focal theme or image, begin to place your items on the page. Start from the center or a corner … Or just any place on the page you elect to begin!

Disclaimer: Again, please remember you are the artist. Anything goes! These are merely ideas to prompt your own collage / journal practice.

Building Layers

Once you decide where you will write (or how much of the page you want to write on later) begin to tape or glue the base-level items. Then select the other elements that will compliment your theme or design (random or orderly).

Once you begin to attach elements on your page(s) you will add finishing touches (glitter, lettering, stickers, threads, etc.) for the final design.

Remember: This is art. You are a designer. Trial and error is an important element of design. Your personal style — your art — is unique and part of a semi-experiment as you begin to explore collage journaling.

Final notes …

I tend to collect similar items in various container and plastic zipper-bags. If I “finish” pages and have leftover items, I simply store them for a later collage with these items. (No, I do not store items or put them back in-place every time. My art thrives in a semi-messy {yet orderly} work space!)

You may not like what you have worked on; give it some time. Come back to it later … There may be other inspirations you choose to add that will “endear” it.

What is a CreAtive Planner?

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