Art Journal Supplies

Some women can’t get enough clothes or shoes. For me, it’s art supplies. I love buying new stationery and creative art journal supplies and tools, but more than that, I love using them. I’m always trying to create new journal spreads, testing different layouts, mixing materials, and seeing how various supplies work together on the page.

Over time, art journaling has become a space where I experiment freely. Its my creative outlet. I try new pens, paints, papers, and collage elements, not just to collect them, but to see what they can do— how they layer, how they feel, and how they change the mood of a spread. Some experiments work beautifully, others don’t, but every attempt teaches me something new.

That hands-on experience is what shapes the way I think about art journal supplies. I know which tools feel effortless, which ones require patience, and which ones are worth coming back to when you want to push your creativity a little further. This section is based on real use, real trial and error, and a genuine love for exploring what’s possible inside an art journal.

The Ultimate Guide to Art Journal Supplies: From Basics to Game-Changers

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One of the best things about art journaling is that there’s no “right” way to do it—and that includes supplies. You don’t need a huge craft closet or expensive tools to get started. Art journaling is about expression, experimentation, and letting go of perfection. Your supplies should support that, not overwhelm you.

Here is a breakdown of essential art journal supplies, categorized by what you actually need to get started and what you might want to add later.

1. The Foundation: Choosing a Journal

See the best journals

Your art journal is your foundation. Some people prefer a bound journal, while others like loose pages they can rearrange later. Your choice of paper dictates what you can do on the page. Standard notebook paper often isn’t strong enough for wet media.

• Mixed Media Journals: Look for journals specifically labeled “mixed media.” These usually have paper weighing 140gsm or higher, which can handle light washes of paint and glue without disintegrating.
• Watercolor Journals: If you plan on using heavy water, watercolor paints, or ink sprays, invest in a journal with thick watercolor paper (300gsm is the gold standard).
• Altered Books: A budget-friendly and eco-conscious favorite. You can use an old hardcover book (vintage readers or encyclopedias work great). You simply glue a few pages together to make them thick enough to paint on.

Things to consider:

• Paper weight: Thicker paper handles paint and mixed media better.
• Texture: Smooth paper is great for markers and pens, while textured paper adds character to paint and collage.
• Size: Smaller journals feel less intimidating; larger ones invite freedom and boldness.

There’s no rule here—your journal should feel inviting, not precious.

2. The Essentials (Start Here)

If you are building your first kit, these are the workhorses you will reach for every time.

Basic Drawing and Writing Tools

Waterproof Fineliners: This is non-negotiable. You need a black pen that won’t bleed when you paint or glaze over it. Look for “archival” or “waterproof” on the label.

Micron Pens: These are widely considered the gold standard. They use archival ink, which means they are waterproof, fade-resistant, and—most importantly—do not bleed through thin pages. They come in various nib sizes (005 for tiny details to 08 for bold lines).

White Gel Pen: Great for adding highlights to eyes, writing on top of dark paint, or fixing little mistakes.

Paint Pens: Acrylic paint markers are fantastic for doodling on top of dried acrylic paint. They are opaque and come in vibrant colors.

Black pens are especially popular because they help anchor a page and make everything else pop.

Paint and Color Mediums

Color brings emotion and energy into your journal. You don’t need every type—just one or two you enjoy using.

Acrylic Paints: These are fast-drying, opaque, and permanent once dry. You don’t need the most expensive professional grade to start; “student grade” acrylics are perfect for journaling. If your budget is tight then start with a primary set (Red, Blue, Yellow) plus Black and White, and mix your own colors.

Watercolors: Unlike acrylics, watercolors are translucent and reactivate with water even after they dry. They are perfect for creating soft, dreamy backgrounds or layering color without covering up the text or sketches underneath.

• Pan Sets: Great for portability and beginners. You just wet the dry “cake” of paint with your brush to activate it.
• Tube Paints: These offer more intense pigment and mix easily, but they require a palette.

Note: If you use watercolors, make sure your journal has paper thick enough (heavyweight or mixed media) to handle the water without buckling.

Paint Pens: Acrylic paint markers are fantastic for doodling on top of dried acrylic paint. They are opaque and come in vibrant colors. They give you the opacity and vibrancy of acrylic paint with the control of a marker. They are a “must-have” for art journaling because they allow you to write over dark backgrounds, add precise doodles, or outline shapes without the mess of a brush. They are particularly useful for adding final details on top of mixed media layers.

Adhesives and Tools

Nothing fancy required here—just what helps you put things together.

Helpful basics:

• Glue Stick: A high-quality glue stick is essential for quick collage work. Look for one that applies blue or purple but dries clear so you can see where you’ve put it.
• Scissors: (a pair you don’t mind getting messy)
• Matte Medium: This is the secret weapon of art journalers. It acts as a liquid glue that seals your paper. unlike white school glue, it dries with a matte finish (no shine), so you can paint right over it. It is perfect for sealing collage images so they become part of the page.

• Old gift cards or plastic cards for spreading paint

These small tools make the process smoother and less frustrating.

Junk journaling is a type of art journaling that focuses on layering papers, ephemera, and keepsakes using a lot of adhesive. If you are planning on gluing in papers, keepsakes, and textures, our junk journaling supplies guide is a great resource for choosing the right glue.

3. The “Game Changers” (Level Up)

Once you have the basics, these supplies will drastically expand your techniques.

Gesso

Think of Gesso as a primer for your page.

• White Gesso: It looks like white paint but dries with a “tooth” (texture) that grabs media. It prevents paint from soaking through the paper. You can also use it to cover up a page you hate so you can start over!

• Clear Gesso: This is transparent and gritty. It is amazing for working in altered books because it seals the page but lets the original text show through.

Water-Soluble Pencils/Crayons

• Watercolor Pencils: These look like standard colored pencils but when you run a wet brush over them, they react like watercolor. They are excellent for creating grungy shadows or soft backgrounds. You can color on the page and then lightly brush over it with a wet brush to turn the pigment into paint. This gives you the control of a pencil with the look of watercolor.

Stencils and Stamps

• Stencils: The quickest way to add complex patterns. You can sponge paint through them or trace them with a pen.
• Texture Stamps: You don’t need perfect image stamps. Look for stamps with text, script, cracks, or dots. These add visual interest to the background without creating a focal point.

Collage and Texture Supplies

This is where art journaling gets playful.

You can use:

• Scrap paper or magazine cutouts
• Printed words or phrases
• Tissue paper or wrapping paper
• Stickers, washi tape, or labels

Collage is perfect if you don’t feel “artistic” because it’s more about arrangement and intuition than drawing skills.

4. Tools of the Trade

• Brayer: A small rubber roller used to apply paint quickly and evenly. It creates a different look than a brush—more distressed and uneven.

• Old Credit Card: Don’t throw away expired cards! They are the best tool for smoothing out bubbles in collage paper or scraping paint across a page.
• Heat Gun: If you are impatient (like most of us), a craft heat gun dries paint and glue in seconds so you can move on to the next layer.

The Most Important “Supply”

The most important thing you bring to your art journal isn’t something you can buy. It’s permission.

Permission to:

• Make messy pages
• Create something imperfect
• Use supplies “the wrong way”
• Show up without a plan

Art journaling isn’t about the supplies—it’s about the experience. Start with what you have, add things slowly, and let your journal grow with you.

How to Save Money on Art Journal Supplies

Art journaling doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, some of the most interesting pages are created with simple, low-cost materials. With a little creativity and flexibility, you can build a great art journaling setup without overspending.

Start with what you already have.
Before buying anything new, look around your home. Pens, markers, notebooks, magazines, wrapping paper, old cards, and even junk mail can all become art journal materials. Using what you already own not only saves money, it also removes the pressure to make everything “perfect.”

Choose versatile supplies.
Instead of buying many specialized tools, focus on supplies that can be used in multiple ways. A small set of markers, a basic watercolor palette, or a few acrylic paint colors can go a long way. Neutral colors and black-and-white supplies are especially flexible and work well with almost any style.

Use inexpensive paper on purpose.
You don’t need premium art paper for every page. Cheap notebooks, printer paper, or recycled paper are great for experimentation, practice, and messy layers. When the paper feels less precious, you’re more likely to create freely.

Repurpose everyday items.
Household items can replace art tools surprisingly well. Old credit cards can spread paint, sponges can create texture, and makeup brushes can be used for paint or gesso. Even cardboard packaging can be cut up for collage or stencils.

Buy slowly and intentionally.
It’s tempting to buy everything at once, but art journaling evolves over time. Try one new supply at a time and see how often you actually use it. This helps you avoid clutter and spend money only on things that truly support your creative process.

Saving money on art journal supplies isn’t about limiting creativity—it’s about removing barriers. When supplies feel accessible, art journaling becomes more relaxed, playful, and sustainable.