how do i turn my book into an art journal

• 1. Turn an old book into an art journal. Pick a book that you like, and take out some pages because the book will get bigger as you use it. ...
• 2. Make a DIY art journal. Gather some paper you’d like to use, whether it’s watercolor paper, scrapbook paper, or any other paper you think can serve well for your art journal pages.

Full Answer

How to turn an old book into a journal?

Turn an old book into an art journal. Pick a book that you like, and take out some pages because the book will get bigger as you use it. Also, prepare the pages for art journaling by applying gesso on the paper or by gluing two pages together to make them thicker. 2. Make a DIY art journal.

How do you make an art journal?

1 Turn an old book into an art journal. Pick a book that you like, take out some pages because the book will get bigger... 2 Make a DIY art journal. Gather some paper you’d like to use, whether it’s watercolor paper, scrapbook paper, or any... More ...

Can You glue art journal pages together?

You can glue 1-2 pages together or several, depending on the weight of the paper in the book. Gluing your pages together will likely cause some rippling and bumpiness in the page, but no one said art journaling had to be perfect.

Can I use an art book as an art journal?

Something I’ve learned with experience if you will be using the book for an art journal is that you may want to do is rip out at least half of the pages in the book. This may sound scary, but it will give you a LOT more room and flexibility later on in the project!

How do I turn my book into a journal?

How To Turn a Book into a JournalNow you have shell of the book. ... Next I cut a 2″ wide strip of paper. ... Put glue all over the back of it and attach to the sewn notebook paper.Now the flimsy notebook paper is reinforced. ... Punch all of pages. ... The last page is how the pages will be attached to the cover.

How do you make an old book for art journaling?

In this post I will walk you through step by step my process of creating an art journal from an old book.Step 1: Choosing the Right Books to Alter. ... Step 2: Start Ripping Out the Pages of the Old Book if Necessary. ... Step 3: Glue the Pages Together if Necessary. ... Step 4: Priming Pages With Gesso.More items...•

How do I make an art journal at home?

0:565:51DIY art journals - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEach on one piece of cardboard measure about half inch down. And using a ruler and a closed pencilMoreEach on one piece of cardboard measure about half inch down. And using a ruler and a closed pencil or pen you can score a line so that the front cover can bend open and close.

How do you start an art journal for beginners?

How to start an art journal step by stepPrepare your art supplies. So, now you have picked an art journal, or made one yourself, and have prepared art supplies that you like. ... Decide where you'll make the artistic magic happen. ... Layering is always fun! ... Create a focal point. ... Make swatches. ... Time for journaling.

How do you make an old book into a sketchbook?

Step 1: Find a Book! Find an old book! ... Step 2: Cut Along Binding. Using an Exacto Knife or Box Cutter, make a slit along the first page of the inside of the book. ... Step 3: Remove Pages. ... Step 4: Measure Pages. ... Step 5: Cut New Pages. ... Step 6: Fold New Pages. ... Step 7: Make Signatures. ... Step 8: Trim Signatures.More items...

How do you make a junk journal out of an old book?

2:549:50How to Make a Junk Journal from Old Books | Tutorial for BeginnersYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPoints and then your template is. Complete. If you are a complete newbie to bookmaking i'll link myMorePoints and then your template is. Complete. If you are a complete newbie to bookmaking i'll link my favorite book binding tool starter kit in the description.

What media can be used for art journaling?

The list of the best art journalsWatercolor. Mixed media. BAD FOR. Drawing without paint. If you try to erase the pencil, it often smudges on this paper. ... Acrylic paint. Drawing. Sketching. Stamping. BAD FOR. ... Mixed media. Acrylic paint. Spray paint. Liquid Ink. BAD FOR. ... Watercolor. Mixed media. Spray paint. Liquid ink. BAD FOR.

What is the point of art journaling?

Art journaling creates a deeper sense of self-awareness, empowers us, inspires us, encourages us, and can move us in powerful ways. A few of the many benefits of art journaling: Eases the stresses of life by getting the chaos inside our heads down on paper.

How do you make a simple journal book?

0:0915:45How to make an easy no sew journal | step by step tutorial | DIY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSome tape and some additional cardboard. And we're going to do is take our stack of exercise booksMoreSome tape and some additional cardboard. And we're going to do is take our stack of exercise books and we're going to stick. Them together basically. So I'm using my PVA glue.

What does an art journal look like?

An art journal is the same as a written journal, except that it incorporates colors, images, patterns, and other materials. Some art journals have a lot of writing, while others are purely filled with images. It's a form of creative self-care.

What is junk journaling?

A Junk Journal is a handmade book of recycled and found materials and ephemera. The pages can be used to write, draw, paint or record memories, thoughts, ideas, and inspiration. The finished junk journal can become anything you want.

What should I write in my art journal?

What to focus onThe Skills Focus. You could use your art journal to experiment with colour and mark making, documenting your thoughts and feelings about what you're doing as you play.The Bit of Both Focus. Or you can do a bit of both. ... Connecting with your creative self. ... Quieting the inner critic. ... Fitting into life.

How do you make a book page for a painting?

4:3410:15Preparing a old book page for watercolour painting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDown just pop a little bit on that corner. And then i'll leave this to dry. Completely before i thenMoreDown just pop a little bit on that corner. And then i'll leave this to dry. Completely before i then start adding a ground on the top of it so that it will accept watercolors.

How do you glue journal pages together?

2:209:10Altered Books-Gluing Pages - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo try to choose a glue that stays flexible any of the white glues works well put a little bit ofMoreSo try to choose a glue that stays flexible any of the white glues works well put a little bit of water with. It. So that you can get it a little bit easier to brush on okay.

How do you glue pages together?

Open your book and squeeze a thin layer of glue inside the spine of the book where the pages have loosened. Then use your bone folder/popsicle stick/knitting needle to spread the glue. The goal is to have an even, thin layer of glue on the spine.

How do you glue pages in an altered book?

I use a gel medium for this type of gluing; it sticks well but does take some time to dry, so it's not the best if you are in a hurry. Start by brushing the glue along the middle of the two removed pages and ease these together. Then coat the outside of the stumps and one whole page that is to be stuck together.

What can make a book look polished?

Now you have shell of the book. Decorative tapes and papers can make the inside look more polished.

What is the last page of a journal?

The last page is how the pages will be attached to the cover. I use a pocket created out of a manilla folder. You can cover it with paint and inks or leave blank for journaling.

Why is it important to alter an old book?

While it takes some time and patience to do this, in the end it will definitely save you a lot of headaches and ensure your creative work stays intact.

What to do with old antique books?

Very old antique books will likely need a little reinforcement and more advanced book binding techniques in order to be something that is sturdy. The Most Important Thing When Altering a Book? Sewn Binding. Most books will either have sewn binding or glued binding.

What is glued binding in books?

Most books will either have sewn binding or glued binding. Glued binding is exactly what it sounds like – the pages are glued together. This is pretty common for most mass-market books printed in the past 30 years, even if they are a hardcover book. However, you do not want glued binding for your altered book projects if you can avoid it! Sewn binding is stronger and the pages will be less likely to fall out, whereas with glued binding you risk the glue coming apart and pages falling out. It is relatively easy to identify sewn binding in an old book you want to alter – you will see actual stitches in between the signatures of the book! What is a signature? Signatures are sections of pages, so you might see the stitches in between every 20-40 pages or so for example, depending on the book of course! Note: Some books this does not apply to – such as children’s board books.

How many pages can you glue together?

You can glue 1-2 pages together or several, depending on the weight of the paper in the book. Gluing your pages together will likely cause some rippling and bumpiness in the page, but no one said art journaling had to be perfect.

How often do you see signatures on a book?

Signatures are sections of pages, so you might see the stitches in between every 20-40 pages or so for example, depending on the book of course! Note: Some books this does not apply to – such as children’s board books.

Do you have to rip out art journal pages?

Of course, you do not actually have to “rip” the pages out – you can always use a craft knife and carefully cut these pages out. That sometimes looks a lot neater and nicer. I usually save my ripped out pages for gluing and collaging later on in the art journal, so these pages don’t even get wasted.

Can you use glued binding on altered books?

However, you do not want glued binding for your altered book projects if you can avoid it! Sewn binding is stronger and the pages will be less likely to fall out, whereas with glued binding you risk the glue coming apart and pages falling out. It is relatively easy to identify sewn binding in an old book you want to alter – you will see actual ...

What happens when you open your art journal?

When you open your art journal, the blank page is going to stare at you. Perhaps you’ll be a bit intimidated and think: What can I create here? I have no idea where to start!

How to make art journal pages thicker?

Turn an old book into an art journal. Pick a book that you like, take out some pages because the book will get bigger as you use it. Also, prepare the pages for art journaling by applying gesso on the paper or by gluing two pages together to make them thicker. 2.

What is an art journal?

An art journal is a visual diary where you practice making art while expressing yourself at the same time.

What are Jane's instructions?

Jane’s instructions are not technical and you don’t feel intimidated by them. She’s found a way to present figure drawing in such an easy way that anybody can start drawing female figures and be satisfied. She goes in detail on how to draw hair, hands, fingers, feet, legs, and so, so much more.

Why do books have spiral binding?

Spiral binding. Books with the spiral binding are sometimes practical because you can lay them flat open and turn the pages freely. That’s why I take some of my DIY art journal to a stationary store, or a printing studio, where they offer this kind of binding, and they do it for me for an affordable price.

Why are journal spreads so good?

These journals are great because they are sturdy and let you use the whole spread as one piece of art. This way, you connect the two pages into a spread and have more space to work on.

Can you write in an art journal?

There are no rules, you can do anything. The same goes for writing in your art journal. Having this in mind, you can write whatever feels right to you, whatever moves you at the moment, or troubles you. Your art journal is for your eyes only, if you decide that, so just feel free to pour out anything you want to.

What do you need to make an art journal?

All you need is paper and tape and you can make you’re very own handmade art journal.

What books are good for art journals?

Children’s hardcover books are another great option for art journals. They are large which means you’ll

Why use a book with a sewn binding?

The general consensus is to use a book with a sewn binding vs a glued binding. This is because glued bindings can fall apart wrecking havoc on your beautiful art.

Why do people make their own journals?

Making your own journal personalizes it, turning the journal itself into a work of art. It stimulates your brain to think in more creative ways.

Can pizza boxes be turned into art journals?

You’ll be amazed at what you can turn into an art journal. As you have already seen, pizza boxes can be transformed into a wonderland of art. Check out my tutorial on Turing things around your house into an Art Journal.

Do you have to sew holes in a book?

Once you have the pages folded its time to make a template for making the holes you will sew through. You don’t have to sew at all. I will go through options I use further down in this article.