Many art journalers don’t decorate the cover of their journals until the very end. It’s sort of a sweeping measure to finish up a long record of artful adventures. However, I personally like to decorate – at least in part – my journal covers immediately.
I want my journal to be inspiring, inviting me in, even if I see it on the shelf or from across the room. An easy way to give yourself an instant journal cover is to use a piece of existing artwork. For this journal, I used Create Fearlessly and you can see the many motivational prints I have in the shop. You can definitely use a copy of your own artwork or even magazine cutouts of imagery that inspires you.
Don’t hesitate to alter and decorate the art to make it your own. Think about collaging different elements together, adding 3D embellishments, and little details with pens and paints. I’ve added a paper-mache glossy heart, with some tulle to embellish the cover and binding area.
Existing imagery can give you a jumpstart, so you can dive into your journal today. How would you decorate your journal covers?
9 Comments
This is wonderful! Simple but very nice and pretty!
Well done!
Thaís Gisele
~Sweet_lemmon
Thanks so much for stopping by, Gisele!
Ahh! Im doing this *right* now. The glue on my newest art journal just dried and so I’m ready to alter it. This time I actually used a book (a review copy of a not-so-good book that I was sent). I was originally just going to gesso the pages, but I realized I would need TONS of gesso to cover the text even a little. So I wound up tearing out the pages and binding my own (drawing paper with a gesso wash on it) inside. Now I need to cover the cover, since it’s bright read and it still has the old title on it (which is nothing remotely compelling- it was a book about a cookie club and it was overly dramatic). I think I might use muted colorful papers this time to celebrate summer and what I am hoping for – a bright, cheerful, yet not overly exciting season (with not much rain!)
sounds fabulous! I think it’s great to reuse something that would have just sat around collecting dust, you know?! can’t wait to see it on your blog!
These little faces are always so adorable – and to see them as book covers, with the lovely little added heart… even MORE adorable! Great work! xoxo
thanks so much, Pauline!
What a lovely little cover – your faces are so sweet!
Saw this posted on Balzer Designs. Your cover is adorable! Love it and the saying is just perfect! TFS
LOVE your art journal cover – I like to decorate my cover before I fill the pages too.