Easy Handmade Art Journal: Step by Step, Bold & Messy

Join me as I make an art journal that is bold and fun from ordinary papers. It is also very inexpensive so if you need a blank book for an illustrated journal, a visual diary, or other art journal pages, this ticks all the boxes. The pages are torn for fun and forgiving shapes that will give you permission to take chances and makes messes.

We begin with finding and tearing papers from what's in my stash. Then adding colour and texture in a variety of mixed media techniques to the torn pages to make interesting backgrounds for your work that's going over them.

From there I show how to bind the book with a super easy three-hole stitch.

Finally, check out some of the ways you make marks and drawings on these messy pages with some bold supplies such as charcoal pencils, water soluble graphite, and inktense sticks.

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How to Make Eco Prints from Autumn Leaves:
   • Eco Print Basics: Autumn Leaves on Paper  

What's in My Portable Art Kit:
   • What's in My Travel Journal Art Supplies  

This blank book is messy, perfect for an art journal or any other visual diary or sketchbook you might need, and it is made from a variety of ordinary papers you may already have in your stash. To get them ready I add colour and texture with a variety of mixed media techniques including:

• gesso on faux gelli plate made from Styrofoam
• using soft pastels as a faux Brusho powder
• drizzles, splatters, and washes
• ink, stencils, and mark making

Once the pages are decorated and dry, they are gathered and organised. Then I added a cover made of an eco print using Autumn leaves. The single signature is bound using a simple and easy three-hole binding stitch.