Dare to Draw Like a Child to Make Great Journal Pages

If you have the courage to draw like a child you can make fun, bold journal pages. You can do this!
To see more about how to use collage, mixed media, and no-fail drawing techniques to make your own visual diary, go here and learn about my my online course The Book of You: How to Keep an Illustrated Journal:
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To see examples of the Outsider Art I showed in this video, there are some on my Pinterest page here:
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You can subscribe to my online, monthly book arts newsletter here:
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Please note, you are entered into the giveaway if you are subscribed by Sunday, 13 February, 6:00 a.m. GMT. Otherwise, please join me because I will be having giveaways of vintage ephemera in upcoming newsletters.
If you would like to buy vintage French lace in my French Ephemera Bundles, they are here:
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[@BookandPaperArts]

This is the link to my online course that will get you making and keeping an illustration journal, a visual diary of your own life: kelly-s-school-b1d1.thinkific.com/courses/the-book-of-you-making-and-keeping-a-visual-diary And for more information, you can check it out here: bookandpaperarts.com/the-book-of-you-how-to-keep-and-make-an-illustrated-journal/

[@lauramarycann9590]

Love the new look 👩‍🎨❤👍

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you so, Laura Mary. It is a little scary but I am faking it till I make it. (As are we all. Or as are we most, anyway.)😁

[@gabrieljacobs2]

Gab the husband speaking. Inspiring video, Kelly. I might even try that myself (not the hair - as you well know, that disappeared many years ago).

[@BookandPaperArts]

The day you start drawing is the day I know you have been replaced with an alien of some kind. I've seen that film and it doesn't end well for the wife! 😁😉

[@rgporter1957]

@@BookandPaperArts Kelly, this was brilliant! What a treasure you are. Simple is very nearly always the best way to go. At through the eyes of a child is a wonderful lesson in letting go or many inhibitions we allow ourselves to be imprisoned with, to my way of thinking. Writing or drawing with your opposite of dominant hand is also a good way to warm up and cut loose. Thank you for this creative reminder. ❤🥰

[@BookandPaperArts]

@@rgporter1957 Thanks bunches, Robyn. I am not always a fan of inner child-anything, but I am an advocate for thinking that if a four year old can do it, so can I and just jump, darn it. I speak French like a seven year old but you know what, seven year olds communicate just fine. I also read books in French written for small children and it gives me a giddy joy when I understand them. The same giddy joy when I draw something imperfectly and find it months or years later. Hope you are having a creative week! Kelly

[@heleneebenstein9120]

Your encouragement re drawing is terrific and so needed. Helps give me the courage to just open the book and do it.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Helene, thanks for checking in. Remember, it's only paper and remember that like children's drawings, ours can and will improve if we stick at it. I still have a pretty rough style but I learned to lean into it. They are my pages, I'll draw how I want. Now go get 'em!

[@roksannastephens4375]

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up". Pablo Picasso EXCELLENT video, LOVE IT!!! I am a retired art teacher from the schools system and loved children's art and honored it greatly. To this day I still teach my students (adult and children) to honor their processes and keep their honest creativity. Yay for you Kelly!!

[@BookandPaperArts]

I, too, taught for a while, fourth grade, and what amazed me was if you ask a ten year old if she can write an opera about a cat and some peanut butter, she will pause, think for a mo, then say "Sure" and get started. Ask a 16 year old and you will be sorry you were born. And ask an adult and you'll be put in the loony bin! (Join me there, won't you, Roksanna?)

[@nicolaj3294]

Love your new look, you always look stylish Kelly. Sidney Nolan comes to mind, very famous Australian artist who did a series of paintings of Ned Kelly the infamous bush ranger, done in a very primitive and childlike style.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Ooh, off to look that up now, Nicola. I know of the Kelly gang but did not know of portraits. As for hair, it took a little getting used to. Not happy about aging but if we must, we must, and do it with panache, no?

[@BookandPaperArts]

Holy macaroni! Those are fantastic. The colour, the dark whimsy! Thanks for the heads up, Nicola.

[@deserthorses5]

I needed this 30 years ago when I started teaching! LOVE IT!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, Cheryl Ann. Feel free to borrow at will and pass it forward. We could all use more creative courage and less judgment, no? One of my favourite written diary prompts is: "Why am I so hard on myself?" Same goes for using up those blank pages. Hope you are having a creative weekend! Kelly

[@angelastrozier7467]

This was a great video!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, Angela. Hope you are having a creative weekend! 🌷🌷🌻🌻🌼🌼

[@lolly7608]

So cool Kelly! Thanks for your time and encouragement 😊 Sorry about your lost berets 😑

[@BookandPaperArts]

You are so welcome! And I could spit. Lost two in a month. Here, let's be positive - they wouldn't have gone with short hair anyway, right? 😁

[@Lucyverre]

That's great

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, Lucy!

[@rosannagajdanelson999]

After my seventh grade art teacher told me I was not artistic in so many words, it took 50 years to realize I am creative! I dabble with paper, journal making, sewing, etc. However I still have a block about drawing. This is a perfect way to start! I have seen so many great daily journals with original art and always thought I could never do that! But you have given me a way to begin without being my own worst critic! Thank you!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Dear Rosanna, hello, thank you, and welcome! I have been teaching journal arts for yonks and it took me awhile to realise that even though it seems as though I am teaching mixed media, collage, composition, etc., the truth is that most of the adults that come to me are looking for permission to work in their own books. Since then it has been a kind of mission to head that off before it gets here and shout - yes! You can make stuff whether you know how or not. No excuses. So glad you checked in! Kelly

[@kathyfenton9268]

I really enjoyed this video! Two words: passion and fearlessness! I love your comments about childrens' art and the examples of "primitive" art. I might add - no matter what your efforts end up looking like, you will feel so much better for having recorded it!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Amen to that, Kathy. I look back at some of my really primitive, nearly stick figure efforts from 15 years ago and I am so glad I didn't not try. They still convey a lot and anyway, there's nowhere to go but up!

[@loisraphael9748]

Uh huh, it is so a dumpling! Kelly, I love this. Another fun video -- and so encouraging. Love the haircut and I can't wait to see how your grays grow out. It's going to look beautiful. PS, I'm loving the illustrated journal class.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you so much, Lois. As for the dumpling, maybe I should have pointed out that sometimes we need to rely heavily on the power of suggestion - if it was good enough for Picasso, it's good enough for the rest of us.😎

[@brigittalamprecht3653]

Thank you so much! It helps me So much ! I like your videos! Greatings from Cologne in Germany 🙋‍♀️

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you for telling me, Brigitta. It makes me happy to know that we can all be braver on the page and in our journals. Hope you are having a creative weekend! Kelly

[@Nanakinsz]

This was profound! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

[@BookandPaperArts]

Golly, thank you Deb. I hope you are going to make a page or three today. Kelly 😉😁

[@Nanakinsz]

@@BookandPaperArts No, today I am making a MESS like a kid as I work on my month-long closet cleaning and organizing projects!

[@BookandPaperArts]

@@Nanakinsz I have done a ton of culling this year and my reward was much-needed order AND I found a boatload of misplaced art supplies I had forgotten about so ding, ding, ding!

[@lynnboyd33]

Kelly, first off your new hair cut and starting to go back to your natural color, all look great on you!! Secondly, your little drawings are simply adorable. Maybe that's not the 'look' that you were going for, but still, I love them, especially that pudgy little car! Thanks for this insightful share!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Lynn. I felt I needed to do this to see if even a few people decided to be bold and put themselves on the page without so much judgment. We have enough of that in our lives already.🌼🌼🌻🌻🌷🌷

[@chantalsalmon9485]

Thank you Kelly I love your state of mind to create ....and your hairstyle lol

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, Chantal. J'ai decidée changer mon cheveux parce que quand je suis allée en france october derniere, j'ai vu beacoup des femmes vielles avec tres, tres chic cheveux, tous gris et argent. Alors.....

[@aiagorreta]

Thank you so much for your encouragement and inspiration . today i have drawn liitle things from my life, and i just love the wonderful imperfection and wonkiness. My inner child is delighted.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Ana. This is truly nice to hear. It is weird how we neglect to make a record of our everyday stuff that is our real life. So pleased that you are giving it a go! Kelly

[@artiste335]

Love this video, Kelly. The Outsider art is just perfect and your drawings are such an inspiration. You've given me the confidence to create my own book. Also, love your haircut and can't wait to see your hair its natural color!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello there, Deborah. You starting your own book just made my day. I look forward to seeing some pages, if you are up to sharing them, as and when. I am trying to invent a new kind of page that will let me create a sort of kind of illustrated ACIM. It is an ongoing project but one of my resolutions this year is to go to the next level with it. As for hair, I am not happy about it but if it has to be - when I was in France last October I saw soooo many older women with grey, silver, and charcoal highlights that were so crazy chic and nobody's meemaws. So I figured if it has to be, I am going out that way. 😎

[@artiste335]

@@BookandPaperArts Oh, Kelly...I love this ACIM idea...brilliant. I just finished creating my own Oracle card deck...it's pretty cool. Also...I just finished a book by Bernadette Roberts entitled, "The Experience of No-Self: A Contemplative Journey"...quite extraordinary. You are probably the only person I know who would appreciate it.

[@BookandPaperArts]

@@artiste335 Hi, Deborah. Looking up the book now. Would love to see your oracle cards!

[@BookandPaperArts]

@@artiste335 And I just saw your review on Good Reads!

[@artiste335]

@@BookandPaperArts I will be happy to email you photos of the deck.

[@MissDaisyParsley]

Don’t know how I missed this video! I guess life has just been too crazy! So that means that I should have lots to illustrate! Great instruction and encouragement!

[@laracraft82]

Your new look is great. I love the idea drawing with simplicity and in general art should be enjoyed and so not taken too seriously that we only except the da vinchi of our time .

[@BookandPaperArts]

Quite right, Lara. I have often thought of taking a drawing basics course but I always find I am too busy drawing imperfectly to take one!

[@laracraft82]

@@BookandPaperArts yes more fun to draw freehand and see what comes up. Love your French farm printouts added them onto my computer now 😀

[@debijohnson4237]

Thank You for this video! I needed this!

[@BookandPaperArts]

It is my real pleasure, Debi. Hope this gets you making pages! Kelly

[@marmaz57]

Kelly - this video is so inspiring and encouraging! Thank you!

[@08pepperdog]

I love your hair. Will be beautiful. Try Just Nutritive shampoo for gray hair. Truly the best! You can get it on Amazon. Love your channel too! Very interesting and inspirational.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you! And thanks for the encouragement. I will look for that shampoo. This is a strange new world of grey and silver I am going into. 😉

[@diane2941]

Thanks for the encouragement!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Diane, it is my real pleasure. Hope you are having a creative Sunday!

[@kristinev7671]

💜❤️💚🧡Thank You 💛🖤🧡❤️💜

[@denisestone9119]

Great advice! And visuals! Thanks!

[@Geemeel1]

What a GREAT encouraging vid, you are so patient and loving, I started right away and.... it worked ! Considering your course, Hope you found your beret back by now :-) All Love and Light from Europe 💞

[@vintagewriting]

Definitely using your influence for good here

[@BookandPaperArts]

You mean my hair, right?

[@vintagewriting]

@@BookandPaperArts hair + drawing, both!

[@BookandPaperArts]

@@vintagewriting Well, I told you I was going to try to change the world. 😎

[@johnk.blanchard503]

"Would you say that to a child? So why are you saying to yourself?"

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi John, when I teach in my studio I am always horrified by the mean things people say to themselves about their creative everything, and that is why I am always preaching to start where you are now and do what you can do and grow and learn and if you think you can't, do it anyway and hey, presto you will be making pages before you know it. Thank you for touching base. That always makes my day. Kelly