Art Journaling/Mixed Media: List of Supplies for Beginners

If you follow my blog or me on Facebook you know that I have fallen in love with art journaling, junque journaling and mixed media.  I just cannot get enough.  I've been in my craft studio every day playing with Gesso, paints, dyes, mists and inks.  What fun.

I've been creating layouts without patterned paper (gasp) and LOVING it.  For those who know me, this is a FAR departure from my "normal" style of scrapbooking, where patterned papers rule with each layout needing to contain 3 or more patterns.  However, I find it freeing, fun and very artsy. 

I am quickly adding to my collection of paints, stamps, mists and such...as seen by the above picture. The stash grows!

However, I thought it would be nice to share a simple list of supplies you might want to purchase or gather if you too would like to give mixed media and art journaling a shot without breaking the bank.  Many of you already may have some of this stuff in your stash.  However, there are a few essentials I think are necessary, just so you can give it a try.  Once you find your rhythm you can add to the supplies.  You might find you like art journaling or not so much.  One thing to remember...do what you want.  The coolest part of art journaling is, there are NO rules.  Do what you like!

Beginner's supply list:

• Gesso (to prime your paper. You want to use this. It will allow your paints/supplies to go much further.
• Acrylic Paints
• Ink pad
• Stamps 
• Templates
• Brushes
• Mists
• Sharpie or Copic for writing on top of paint
• Oil Pastels (really not must have for beginners but it'll provide you with a bit of variety. 
• Paint tray 
• Artists Sketch Book with heavy paper to hold up to the painting and misting. 

If you missed my first attempt at an art journal page, here it is.

Here is my first layout created without patterned paper.  I LOVE how this turned out.  I used a stamped image, paint, stickles, rub ons, flowers and buttons to complete this layout.  It's in 6x12 format for a special album I'm creating of friends from days gone by!

Stayed tuned more creations coming soon, including some art journaling and junque journaling pages!

Happy Crafty Monday!