One of the best things I ever decided to do in my art journal was to devote myself to drawing. For about a year I devoted 20 to 30 minutes a night to drawing in my journal. I drew ewverything and anything from stacks of bottle caps to used tea bags to every piece of fresh fruit that came into the house. Sometimes in the 20 to 30 minutes I'd make 5 or 6 quick drawings othertimes I'd work on one. Anyway, contour line drawing does something in the brain (we aren't sure what yet) but it's been linked to all kinds of good things. (Check out Grandma Layton.) Take a moment when you are watching TV to go draw something. *

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I love compostion books for all things note taking. I use them in school for class notes, ideas, and doodles. Their sturdy stitching lets them live in my bag and survive. These make great art journals. Here are a few videos to give you some ideas on what you can do with them.

If you are having problems viewing the video here on my blog, click the title on the top left of the video and it will open in youtube.

I'm a huge fan of printmaking and printing things. Years ago I took a monotytpe/print class and I was addicted to the process. However without a press true monotype is impossible. I learned about making gelatin plates at some point over the years and Jane and I tested it out a few years ago. SO MUCH FUN. While this post isn't specifically about gelatin printing (gelli is a brand name of a product) it's about printing in all it's fun filled glory. Oh what fun can be had with a brayer and some paint. Or some plastic sheets and ink.

If you are having problems viewing the video here on my blog, click the title on the top left of the video and it will open in youtube.

Found this lovely vid via Diana Trout's amazing blog.

Of course no post on art journaling and printing would be complete without a few videos by the amazing Traci Bunkers. She has an awesome book. about printing that is very helpful to mine if you are looking for good printing ideas.

Make your own permenant gelatin plate aka gelli plate.

 
You don't need to have a "gelli" brand plate to print. You can make your own perma-gelatin or you can try a silicone sheet or foam sheet. I picked up a couple of silicone sheets (Used in lockers as message boards) at staples and they work VERY well for gelatin printing. You could also get smooth silicon baking sheets and use them to print.  Ther are MANY possibilities.

You can plan out a gelatin print as well.

Printing can also be done by making your own stamps.

I decided to put up a variety of different videos today.

If you are having problems viewing the video here on my blog, click the title on the top left of the video and it will open in youtube.

Collage can be done in a million different ways, here are a few.

If you are having problems viewing the video here on my blog, click the title on the top left of the video and it will open in youtube.

Here are some videos for the basics of art journaling. you don't need everything listed, but a few basic supplies will be helpful for you.

If you are having problems viewing the video here on my blog, click the title on the top left of the video and it will open in youtube.

Gesso is a great tool in the art journal. It's great for so many things. These videos detail just a few.

If you are having problems viewing the video here on my blog, click the title on the top left of the video and it will open in youtube.

There are a lot of things I like to use in my art journal but acrylic is one of my favorites.

If you are having problems viewing the video here on my blog, click the title on the top left of the video and it will open in youtube.

Today's technique is doodles. I love to doodle on paint, on paper, all the time anywhere.

If you are having problems viewing the video here on my blog, click the title on the top left of the video and it will open in youtube.

This week's theme is transfers. I've love me some transfers. they are one ofthe best tools in an art journaler's tool box. They are fast, fun, and get a look nothing else replicates. So here you go!

If you are having problems viewing the video here on my blog, click the title on the top left of the video and it will open in youtube.