Drawing Skills Aren’t Essential . . .
I kid you not. Yes, a deftly drawn line can be divine. Impressive. Beautifully expressive. But an aptitude for drawing is not a prerequisite for creative journalling.
Scribble words. Scratch in paint. Loose yourself in observational sketching. There’s no right or wrong way to approach your journal pages. The idea is to find YOUR way.
More Than Just Drawing
Did I tell you about the time I went to art college? Well I didn’t. Not properly at least — but that’s another story. In my foundation year I found myself surrounded by arty types who couldn’t draw for toffee.
What could they do? Well, some had a discerning eye. Others a plethora of ideas. And they tended to speak in photographs or collage or computer.
One of the most moving pieces I’ve spied in an art gallery was a photo. A vintage photo of a woman. Her face scratched out. No drawing. No photography. No mark-making skills either. The artist had found the photo. Complete with gouges. It expressed everything. Poignantly. Perfectly.
On Drawing
Which is all to say: Pristine drawing skills don’t necessarily equate to powerful self expression. And, like many seemingly miraculous things, observational drawing — recording what you see more or less faithfully —takes practice. It can be learned. If you want to. Do you want to?
If not, begin where you are. Because creative journalling will embrace you where you’re at.
What Journallers Do
Sabrina Ward Harrison scribbles and scrawls and doodles in her journals. Like a quirky kid. Spidery writing on hand-drawn lines. Smears of colour. Collaged paper patchworks. These are her hallmarks.
While Rakefet Hadar explores in layers. Specific layers. Layers of meaning — also the name of her book — created from text, collage, colour, line, shape. Resulting in jewel-hued page spreads — like magic carpets.
And, yes, Jeanne Oliver obviously boasts a certain artistic flair. But her journals are peppered with vintage or natural ephemera and old photographs. Photographs she traces or transfers. To create impressionistic portraits. Or inform naive prints.
Make Your Own Mark
As Maya Angelou once said:
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
Forget drawing skills if the thought drags you down. The beauty of creative journalling is in its diversity. Make your own mark. Use chaotic scrawls. Perfect patterns. And anything in between. It’s all part of the adventure.
