Letting the journal lead US...

...because really, I've found that the format, style, and even the kind of paper make a huge difference in how I use my journals--at least some of them, and to a certain extent.

I'm playing with lighter, smoother paper in the journal above--Strathmore's multi-media paper I recently bound into a book. It's lighter and smoother than my normal hand-bound journal papers, so not quite as much juicy watercolor work (it does buckle slightly), and more writing--because it's a pleasure to write on!  The pen glides...

I've found the same thing with my Stillman & Birn Epsilon journals, with very smooth paper--in fact that one has become my must-have daily writing journal, where I might do several pages of written meditations or observations, THEN add a sketch, either related or not.  (I'm looking forward to the upcoming Zeta journal, which will have heavier paper but still this gorgeously smooth stuff!)

This robin caught my eye as I was journaling...so he ended up in my lovely Epsilon journal.  The pen skates lightly over the paper, and the watercolor goes on crisp and puddly.

I often add toned paper to my handmade journals...so of course I'm moved to add gouache or utilize light and dark colored pencils or inks...

I recently tried out one of Strathmore's toned paper journals, and found it was a real pleasure to work with...smooth for penwork, but still allowing me to add some color and watercolor.  Yum.

This was a quick sketch with ink and colored pencil in the hardbound Strathmore journal.

What's interesting to me is that I've found that ring-bound journals have a sense of impermanence about them.  I am more likely to either doodle, do color or pen tests, or do work I'm willing to tear out for sale.  I NEVER do that with my case-bound books.

Of course many people work only on loose sheets, in an online journal, or even with an app so their work is only on paper if they print it out...

SO--how do YOU feel about paper and format?  Does a ringbound book feel more ephemeral?  Or is it just me...

Playing with the new Strathmore toned paper journal

I have a journal I use almost exclusively for writing, and decided I needed to try the new Strathmore hardbound journal when I ran out of my faves.

It's nice! Smooth surface, a pleasure to write in, tempting mid-tan color, and fun to do some art in, taking advantage of that middleground tone.

This is a Prismacolor dark grey pencil with touches of white...

Whee, more colored pencil and ink!

Pilot Penmanship pen with water-soluble ink, plus white Prismacolor and gouache.

And a female bluebird in gouache.  The paper really buckles VERY little, and it's just plain fun!

It was just a very quick pencil sketch...the gouache brings her to life!

I'd definitely recommend these...I'm having a ball trying out different mediums in addition to my daily journaling!

Roz Stendahl's workshop!

Don't forget, Roz's free Strathmore journaling workshop starts May 1!  I think you need to go here first, to register:  http://www.strathmoreartist.com/vjworkshop2011.html

As noted, she has a workshop blog, HERE, and it's going to be a lot of fun.

See you there!.

My Free Online Journaling Workshop Is Almost Here!

If you haven't already heard, I've got a 4-part visual journaling workshop coming up over at Strathmore (using their new line of journals). It's free. I did this little video for fun last night to promote it.

If the embedded video doesn't play you can see the promo here. I hope you'll join me in May.