I love using free art journal prompts because they encourage me to create things in my journals that I normally wouldn’t make. Rather than painting or collaging the same old, same old, I get to play and imagine and try something completely new.
Personally, I use art journaling prompts in several different ways, so I thought I’d share several examples with you before you go and download this free printable!
How to Use Free Art Journal Prompts
First, if you have not started an art journal and want to learn how to start, here’s a post on how to start your first art journal. It is very simple and is a great way to alleviate stress.
I use my art journals as a place to test art supplies, try new techniques, and PLAY. Want a peek into some of my journals? They are a bit ECLECTIC, but that’s what creativity is all about, right?
Here’s a notepad-turned-into-art-journal where I drew out my gratitude lists. 🙂
Lyrics in hair are everywhere in my art journals. 🙂 You should try it!
When I got my set of INKredible inks, I was so overwhelmed by the vivid colors, I had to swatch them out. This is also a great way to break out of the what-should-I-create-on-this-page fog.
Grab a pen and draw directly into an old book. Wow, this was difficult for me! But it’s amazing what you can do with just a couple of colors. There’s an art journaling prompt for you: use two colors to show how you feel right now.
I don’t bother with trying to make the spreads in my art journals “match.” This is my space to play and experiment. On the left of this page, I was thinking about what it means to be brave as an artist. On the right, I was inspired to make a summer flower fairy after picking wildflower bouquets with my daughter.
And it doesn’t matter if your pages are “dirty” or messy. Just draw or paint over them! Often those blops of paint offer great texture and bring interest to the page. And don’t forget, you can washi tape in extra pages into your art journal!
When in doubt, draw rainbows! Ironically, I wasn’t even meaning to draw rainbows for this page. I was just drawing arches and watching my daughter draw in her art journal. When I finished, I realized how rainbow-esque they looked. Fun!
This is a happy journal spread I taught for a virtual retreat. We drew happy memories from our past, and I drew some of the adventures I had with my sisters.
Here’s a sweet little girl that may or may not be a cartoon version of my own kiddo. 😉
And here’s one last snapshot of small art journals and happy journals I have kept over the years. That bag of tea is a pocket for treasures. 🙂
Okay, I hope those pages inspired you to pull out your own art journal and get to creating!
Have an amazing {and creative} day!
