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Art Journaling | 11 inspiring art journalers to follow on Instagram

Last updated on September 4th, 2023 • Art Journaling

Know you need to get back to your art journaling, but feel uninspired? Oh, you have a journal—but there it sits, collecting dust, mocking you with its unused pages. 

Maybe you are in a slump, and just don’t feel creative. The energy it would take to drag out your pens or paints and sit down to put something on a page feels overwhelming. It’s just too much. 

These experiences are common, but possible to overcome. What if all you need is a little inspiration? 

Something to spark your imagination and reignite your desire to play in your art journal. 

This list of 11 remarkable follows on Instagram will inspire you to pick up your journal and light up its pages with your own creativity. 

1. Follow @IllustratedJournal and create scenes from your daily life

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A post shared by Kathrin Jebsen-Marwedel (@illustratedjournal)

About @IllustratedJournal

Kathrin Jebsen-Marwedel works as a graphic designer in the marketing and PR department of a company in Kiel, Germany. She bought her first Moleskine pocket diary in 2001 and began to draw the most important happenings of every day, describing them with just a few words. She found that this was a nice way to start drawing again, since at first, she was drawing only for herself. She decided an illustrated journal worked better than a written journal, because when she browses through her Moleskines, she can see at a glance what she did that day.

Most used media? Watercolors, pencils, fineliners

Where to learn more from @IllustratedJournal You can find more of Kathrin’s work on Flicker or read more about her visual journaling practice in this interview.

2. Want to capture interesting characters on the fly? Follow @FelixScheinberger

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A post shared by Felix Scheinberger (@felixscheinberger)

About @FelixScheinberger

Felix Scheinberger lives in Berlin and is a professor at the Münster School of Design. Scheinberger has had an eclectic career; he was a drummer for many years, and has worked for multiple theatres. He has also illustrated over 50 books, and is the author and illustrator of Urban Watercolor Sketching. 

Most used media? Ink and watercolor

Where to learn more from @FelixScheinberger: He has a brilliant class on quick sketching and capturing your ideas with inks and watercolor on Domestika. Felix will have you try new processes that are quick to create a win in your art journaling pages.

3. Free your inner cartoonist and super hero by following @samaxamen

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A post shared by Samax Amen (@samaxamen)

About @SamaxAmen

Cartoonist, Samax Amen specializes in comics. While Amen provides illustration for all types of commercial work, he specializes in album artwork for musicians and has a thriving t-shirt business. One of the fun things about Samax’s journal is that when he’s not drawing digitally, he draws all the time on anything. Many of his amazing creations are on plain old notebook paper. 

Most used media? Markers and digital art

Where to learn more from @samaxamen: Samax coaches freelance artists through comic strips at Starving Artists Anonymous.

4. Capture the beauty of new places with @a.aradilla

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A post shared by Alicia Aradilla (@a.aradilla)

About @a.aradilla

Alicia Aradilla lives a nomadic lifestyle and travels the world. The diary she keeps of her journeys includes architecture, nature, food, cityscapes, and scenery. Her miniature watercolor paintings are expressive captures of the world she is discovering. 

Most used media? Watercolor

Where to learn more from @a.aradilla: Alicia teaches a wonderful (and affordable) course on travel journaling on Domestika. 

5. Coach yourself by drawing your emotions with @themaritzaparra

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A post shared by Maritza Parra (@themaritzaparra)

About @themaritzaparra

Maritza Parra is the creator of Heartwork Journaling. Maritza shares that after trying therapy and all kinds of self help, she turned inward with creative journaling and found her power. Her signature  process helps people feel better, gain clarity on their thoughts, and remove mental and emotional blocks. 

Most used media? Markers, ink, and watercolor

Where to learn more from @theMaritzaParra: You can find livestreams and coaching on Maritza’s website,  Heartwork Journaling.

6. Find internal beauty with @sevgispoetry

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A post shared by 𝓈𝑒𝓋𝑔𝒾 𝓀𝒶𝓇𝒶𝒽𝒶𝓈𝒶𝓃 ☾ (@sevgispoetry)

About @sevgispoetry

Sevgi Karahasan lives surrounded by the sea in Cyprus. She likes to view life as a journey of beautiful existence within any pain, exposing her feelings through her poetry and journaling. In addition to being a writer, she studies at the University of Hertfordshire to pursue her love for education.

Most used media? Watercolor and collage

Where to learn from @sevgispoetry: Sevgi has a “How to poem journal” tutorial on YouTube.  

7. Draw fun fab faces in your art journaling with @karencampbellartist

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A post shared by Karen Campbell, Artist (@karencampbellartist)

About @karencampbellartist

Karen Campbell is a full time multi-media artist, instructor, business owner, and author of 18 art-related books. She is the founder of Awesome Art School, where she teaches online creative courses to adults of all backgrounds and ages. Her courses can uplevel your art journaling in a very short amount of time.

Most used media? Alcohol markers, watercolor, graphite

Where to learn more from @KarenCampbellArtist: Take Karen’s Fun Fab Faces course and learn how to draw amazing female faces in about an hour. 

8. Add visuals to any type of journaling with @Cathy.Hutchison

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A post shared by CathyHutchison | VisualJournal (@cathy.hutchison)

About @cathy.hutchison

Cathy Hutchison was a stressed-out marketing executive who learned that carrying a journal everywhere helped her navigate overwhelm, manage tasks, and capture a steady stream of learning and ideas. Adding simple doodles to her journals engages the right side of her brain in what are normally left-brained tasks, which pays big dividends in processing concepts. 

Most used media? Ink, markers, and watercolor

Where to learn more from @Cathy.Hutchison: Take her How to Start and Keep a Visual Journal course to learn how to sketchnote along with tons of practical applications for making your art journal part of your daily life. Use coupon code IG20 for 20% off the course. 

9. Find inspiration in the present moment with @jesamine_on_the_spot

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A post shared by Jesamine on the spot (@jesamine_on_the_spot)

About @ jesamine_on_the_spot

The work of Jesamine Totañes is characterized by cheerful colors, and reflects her character. Whenever the weather is pleasant, she pulls out her markers to draw. Colorful sketches, made on location, easily capture the atmosphere of a moment, preserving memories. ⁣ Jesamine loves to share the story behind her sketches, and the paintings she then creates.

Most Used Media? Watercolor and acrylic markers

Where to learn more from @jesamine_on_the_spot: Jesamine teaches viewers how to Urban Sketch with great tips on what to make, the subject, color combination, and the use of different materials. Find even more from Jesamine on her YouTube channel.

10. Capture urban life with @mysquiggles

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A post shared by Alena Gastaldi • Creative nomad (@mysquiggles)

About @mysquiggles

Alena Kudriashova is an architect and an urban sketcher from Russia, currently based in Singapore. She uses her sketchbook to keep a record of places, events, people, and even weather and smells. She believes it is the most secure place for keeping memories and even has prints available through her Etsy store. 

Most used media? Ink and watercolor

Where to learn more from @mysquiggles: Alena shares “draw with me” videos on her YouTube channel so you don’t have to do your art journaling alone!

11. Mix beautiful lettering and sketches with @nienkevletter

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A post shared by Nienke Vletter | Illustrator (@nienkevletter)

About @Nienkevletter

Nienke Vletter is an illustrator who teaches workshops in illustration, sketching, and hand lettering.

Most used media? Markers and colored pencils

Where to learn more from @nienkevletter: Her current online courses are in Dutch, but you can sign up for her newsletter to find out when they will be released in English.  

Is your Instagram feed more inspiring now? 

Are your art journal pages feeling the love? Are other people’s ideas sparking your own and making you feel more creative? 

Say goodbye to that rut. Let your fingers dabble with inks and pages, and feel the joy of creating again. 

And if you ever feel a little low? Just click that Instagram icon on your phone for fresh inspiration. 

About Cathy Hutchison

Cathy Hutchison helps people get more joy, meaning, and freedom in a world of demands through the practice of visual journaling.

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This book! I read The Buy Nothing Get Everything This book! 

I read The Buy Nothing Get Everything Plan at the intersection of: 

+ Feeling overwhelmed by how much plastic I use (and learning the severe limitations of plastic recycling.) 

+ The extreme cost of alternatives like toothpaste that comes in tablets, biodegradable plasticware, etc.

This book is SO PRACTICAL! Not only did it connect me to the Buy Nothing app which has resulted in some great gifts with people in my neighborhood, but it also reminded me that our grandparents didn't use all this stuff. (Commercials changed the way we live.) 

This book reminded me that: 

1) My mom brushed her teeth with baking soda as a child. (I put some in a diner-style sugar dispenser with peppermint essential oil and the cleaning results are pretty great.) 

2) Homemade salad dressing is easy and WAY more delicious than what comes in a plastic bottle.

3) Tons of things can be repurposed. (And Amazon doesn't need to be my first move.) 

I highly recommend downloading the free @buynothingapp and grabbing a copy of this book. (I first listened to it on my library's app, then decided to buy a copy so I could mark it up and use flags on the pages where I want to implement the ideas. 

#sustainability #plasticfree #artjournaling #yourvisualjournal #booksofinstagram
This is the most complex #urbansketch I’ve compl This is the most complex #urbansketch I’ve completed to date. Saturday, my @starbucks was crowded. I started with a quick pencil sketch, but the reality is that the scene kept moving. People standing there are amalgamations of those who came and went. 

It's interesting the decisions you have to make to simplify what's there so the drawing communicates, but still remains authentic to the scene. (ie. there's a lot of stuff missing behind the counter) I'm deeply enjoying this practice of drawing everyday scenes. 
#urbansketching #urbansketchers
#yourvisualjournal #artjournaling
Ever hear something that resonates so much you hav Ever hear something that resonates so much you have to write it down in your #journal word for word? #artjournaling
I'm finding that the more digital my world becomes I'm finding that the more digital my world becomes, the more satisfying it is to touch pens and paper. It's part of why I'm enjoying practicing #urbansketching.

The thing about urban sketching is that you learn it by doing it. I have a small pouch of pens and #watercolors with me all the time, so when I had some wait time at the Arboretum I tried to capture what was right in front of me. It became the backdrop to a #journal entry.

#yourvisualjournal
I carry my notebook with me everywhere and capture I carry my notebook with me everywhere and capture whatever feels significant or particularly charming. Because it is such a hub I keep my calendar here as well. It gives me a visual overview of the month and the doodles make me smile when planning. #journaling #yourvisualjournal #bulletjournal
Wine and I are not friends. (Yes, I know. Shocking Wine and I are not friends. (Yes, I know. Shocking.) 

However, I do enjoy wineries (= sitting on patios in beautiful locations talking with friends.) 

So, this weekend, I went with my wine friends which gave me the chance to practice #urbansketching in new locations. 

I find I keep focusing on the people and ignoring the scenery. By far to me the best part of any “place” is the people who are part of the fabric. 

It’s been fun exploring this type of #visualjournaling
Sometimes when faced with a whole #journal page it Sometimes when faced with a whole #journal page it’s easier to draw a smaller canvas to work in. Plus botanical #doodles are fun. #artjournaling #yourvisualjournal
I love capturing moments in a conversation in my j I love capturing moments in a conversation in my journal. This page was captured while sitting around Melanie’s kitchen table drinking tea.
Yesterday I went out solo for lunch to practice mo Yesterday I went out solo for lunch to practice more #urbansketching. This is such a fun challenge trying to build the skill.
Lately I’ve been practicing #urbansketching in m Lately I’ve been practicing #urbansketching in my visual journal. It’s a fun challenge and can be done with a brevity of supplies.  #artjournaling #journaling #leuchtturm1917
Holiday morning means time to journal at Starbucks Holiday morning means time to journal at Starbucks ♥️ #yourvisualjournal #journaling #artjournaling #artjournal
This year, BFF Weekend was held @lynettesug's brot This year, BFF Weekend was held @lynettesug's brothers house at Lake Tahoe. This area remains one of the most beautiful places I've ever experienced. I tried to capture it in my journal. 

Of course, a favorite part (besides just getting to be with these women) was sitting on the deck watching birds come to the feeder. There were Stellar Jays, Juncos, and--what I drew--a Mountain Chickadee. 

#traveljournal #yourvisualjournal #journaling #artjournaling #leuchtturm1917 #watercolorjournal #watercolor
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Disclosures

Some links on this site are affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The author receives a  small (really small) commission if you happen to buy something.  Funds are used to support journaling supplies & four crazy sweet Aussies who bark for treats every time I come in the door. (To be fair, I have a pattern of giving in to them.) I write about all kinds of journaling, and if Bullet Journaling is your thing, I’m here to support you. But if you want to go deep, go to the original source–Ryder Carroll, who created the system, and started it all at bulletjournal.com. I use the method daily which is why I started writing about it here.
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