How to Create an Art Diary

Like any other journal, an art diary can be a record of your daily thoughts, travels, dreams or any record of goals, things you've done or things you would like to do. A diary or journal becomes an "art diary" when you consistently add any kind of illustrations or embellishments to the pages. 

Start with any standard sketchbook from a department store or art supply shop. Simple and plain is fine- it's more fun to embellish it! If you plan to paint the cover, use some gesso first. Gesso is inexpensive and keeps the paint from seeping into the paper. Now paint the cover or make a collage and add a few decorative do-dads for embellishments. 

Now as you go forward, think about what you might do. If you are just going to make sketches with a standard pencil, colored pencils, markers, pens or make collages, you don't need any further prep work. However, if you plan to paint, gesso ahead a few pages at a time. (Hint: use wax paper between the pages until the gesso dries). You can still sketch or glue collages on the gesso pages too! The pages will buckle and bubble some beneath the gesso, paint and glued collages in your art diary. If you're concerned, make a string-and-button closure or simply put a heavy rubber-band around your art diary to help keep it's form. 

Can't decide, no problem. Don't spend too much time worrying about exactly what to do. Just start doodling or doing whatever's on your mind. Think of something that happened today that made you happy or angry. Use your art diary to vent emotions and opinions in a healthy way. Write and sketch about things that happened in your life that you can't talk about, things that make you laugh, sketches of funny things you saw today or anything! 

Selecting a theme can also be fun. Focus for a few days on holidays, travels, special events, your children, relatives, or places you would like to go. Sketch and gather materials that supports that 'theme'. For example, Thanksgiving is coming up soon, so focus on things that are related to both the holiday, family and giving thanks. Some people often do an entire art diary or journal on this type of theme. Use family photos or even photocopied or scanned photos of your ancestors. Sketch, paint, write and leave space so that family members can add comments and notes too! 

As you create pages in your art diary, don't hesitate to add a few embellishments too! Colored tissue paper, antique (from flea markets) or homemade paper, magazine images (and text), art and text created on a computer, acrylic paint, glitter, gold leaf, feathers, string or whatever tickles your fancy. Be creative and experiment! This is your art diary, so put whatever you want in it and don't forget to date your entries! 

All-in-all, don't get hung up on what might be "right". Whatever you feel like doing is perfectly fine. Do sketches of interesting or memorable moments from your day or week. As you progress through different ideas, interests and moods, you will find that your technique evolves and improves! Making an art diary can be one of the most rewarding forms of art and best of all, there is no right or wrong format or rules about how to make it. It's totally personal choice!　

The mission of the Ankeny Art Center is to be an innovative visual arts organization committed to providing superior art experiences that inspire, educate, and challenge all members of our community. For more information about exhibitions, class schedules, events or volunteer opportunities, please visit our website at: www.AnkenyArtCenter.com or stop by and visit our gallery at 1520 SW Ordnance Road, Ankeny. Our gallery hours are: Tu-Fr: 9a-1p, Th: 4p-7p, Sa: 9a-noon and you can reach us by phone at 515-965-0940 or email at: ankenyarts@ankenyartcenter.com