I just forwarded this post to a Substack friend who laments his lack of artsiness. I wrote, "Rina removes artistic ability from the equation." He has an iPad and Apple pencil. More importantly he has an active brain and writes brilliant posts.
Frank, I’m so glad you showed it to your friend— this is exactly the type of reader I wanted to reach with this particular post. Thank you for doing that. I hope he finds it helpful!
Thanks, Hilary! A lot of the pages are pretty messy, and not “good drawings” at all! It really is a no-pressure playground! You should try it (and maybe you already do)!
Thank you! So the brand I use most is Speedball Handbook — the paper has a bit of tooth and is perfect for washes and wet media, markers etc. It doesn’t bleed to the other side of the paper. They’re nicely made little books, a little on the pricey side but worth it. The other brand that I’ve recently found that is a lot cheaper, and of the same quality is the Talens Art Creation. These books have the same quality paper (the paper is a bit smoother but is still great for washes etc. and doesn’t bleed to the other side). A long time ago i used Moleskine — in my opinion, they are hyped, not as good, and way overpriced. Here’s some links to the Speedball Handbook and the Talens: Thanks again!
I love journaling! Mostly in words but I’ve taken to doodles too especially when my brain/heart is overwhelmed. I tend to make too big a deal of the doodle though, feeling like it needs special paper or pens (mainly because I love a good pen on nice paper!). Sometimes to be free in my art I have to be a little intentionally irreverent with my art supplies - which I usually kick off by letting my 1 & 3yo girls have at it! Their mark making is so free and wonderful. It reminds me to just let go and let the marks happen :)
It’s wonderful the way kids seem to have that magical freedom when you give them art supplies! Also, “mostly words” is totally fine if that’s what you’re comfy with! 👌
I really appreciate this, thank you for sharing. I tend to doodle a lot during the day, but never in one concentrated notebook. I’m going to be intentional with it for the week and see how it makes me feel!
I started art journaling 9 years ago and I'm now on volume 86, I can't imagine my life without it. It's been my constant companion through bad times and good!
oh damn! Thank you algorithm god that I came across this piece. this is so well put into points and I have already started doing this, and I can vouch for Art Journaling and how incredibly it changes my mood for better. I have been thinking for sometime to make a comic on this representing how good this exercise is. This blog will be of Great help! This process helps us to know ourselves better, and puke the good bad ugly thoughts out from our system in our sketchbooks.
What a great post! I totally relate to your comments not to worry about what you put in the journal because no one sees it but you. That's how I feel about my brainstorming books while creating ideas for my strip. I doodle/write ANYTHING because I know whatever I put down, it's for my eyes only. Very freeing. Lots of great advice here, Rina. You could have an exhibit with those sketch books.
Your stack of journals is just… amazing. What incredible persistence. And your spreads are wonderfully visceral and playful. 💕
Thank you for your kind words… I appreciate it! 😊
What a great and wonderful post, and your drawings are monstrously fun. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks so much for reading, and for the feedback!
I just forwarded this post to a Substack friend who laments his lack of artsiness. I wrote, "Rina removes artistic ability from the equation." He has an iPad and Apple pencil. More importantly he has an active brain and writes brilliant posts.
Frank, I’m so glad you showed it to your friend— this is exactly the type of reader I wanted to reach with this particular post. Thank you for doing that. I hope he finds it helpful!
Love getting a peek inside your sketchbooks. Thought it particularly cool to see the catalog of scribbles because those aren't intimidating!
Thanks, Hilary! A lot of the pages are pretty messy, and not “good drawings” at all! It really is a no-pressure playground! You should try it (and maybe you already do)!
A really impressive pile of notebooks! Could you tell me, what kind of books you use?
Forgot to say— they are both acid-free 👍
Thank you! So the brand I use most is Speedball Handbook — the paper has a bit of tooth and is perfect for washes and wet media, markers etc. It doesn’t bleed to the other side of the paper. They’re nicely made little books, a little on the pricey side but worth it. The other brand that I’ve recently found that is a lot cheaper, and of the same quality is the Talens Art Creation. These books have the same quality paper (the paper is a bit smoother but is still great for washes etc. and doesn’t bleed to the other side). A long time ago i used Moleskine — in my opinion, they are hyped, not as good, and way overpriced. Here’s some links to the Speedball Handbook and the Talens: Thanks again!
https://www.amazon.ca/Global-Art-Materials-Drawing-Portrait/dp/B0025TWY5S/ref=asc_df_B0025U0YK4/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=706730780088&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9215182174764219977&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9197976&hvtargid=pla-351443918057&mcid=ae041fa651053a87823403943885148d&gad_source=1&th=1
And:
https://www.deserres.ca/products/art-creation-sketchbook?colour=black
I love journaling! Mostly in words but I’ve taken to doodles too especially when my brain/heart is overwhelmed. I tend to make too big a deal of the doodle though, feeling like it needs special paper or pens (mainly because I love a good pen on nice paper!). Sometimes to be free in my art I have to be a little intentionally irreverent with my art supplies - which I usually kick off by letting my 1 & 3yo girls have at it! Their mark making is so free and wonderful. It reminds me to just let go and let the marks happen :)
It’s wonderful the way kids seem to have that magical freedom when you give them art supplies! Also, “mostly words” is totally fine if that’s what you’re comfy with! 👌
WOW so glad I found this today! So nice when the algorithm gets it right. Very cool and very inspiring!
Thanks for checking it out!
I can attest to this 100% when I don’t do artwork in a day I’m 100% more anxious. 😣
Same here!
All true 👍
I love this so much!
Thank you!✍️✌️
I really appreciate this, thank you for sharing. I tend to doodle a lot during the day, but never in one concentrated notebook. I’m going to be intentional with it for the week and see how it makes me feel!
I started art journaling 9 years ago and I'm now on volume 86, I can't imagine my life without it. It's been my constant companion through bad times and good!
oh damn! Thank you algorithm god that I came across this piece. this is so well put into points and I have already started doing this, and I can vouch for Art Journaling and how incredibly it changes my mood for better. I have been thinking for sometime to make a comic on this representing how good this exercise is. This blog will be of Great help! This process helps us to know ourselves better, and puke the good bad ugly thoughts out from our system in our sketchbooks.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Richa— it truly is a freeing exercise!
Very inspiring! Art journaling is an idea I've been mullling over, and you've encouraged me to actually do it! Thank you.
How exciting! I’m happy to have helped a little bit!
Inspiring! Thanks for writing this piece :)
My pleasure— and thank you for reading it :)
What a great post! I totally relate to your comments not to worry about what you put in the journal because no one sees it but you. That's how I feel about my brainstorming books while creating ideas for my strip. I doodle/write ANYTHING because I know whatever I put down, it's for my eyes only. Very freeing. Lots of great advice here, Rina. You could have an exhibit with those sketch books.
Thanks, Sandra! I wish I could take a peek into your “For my eyes only” notebooks! You’re right— it is so very freeing!