My Top Ten Art Journaling Tools (not sponsored - just my go to favourites)

As a celebration of nearly reaching 5K subscribers, I thought I would give you a glimpse into my top ten must have supplies for art journaling. Please know - I am in no way sponsored by any of these brands - I just love them dearly!!! I hope you enjoy the video and will share your favourite tools you use as well. In no particular order - here they are:
Stabilo all pencil
Neon paint (I have the Amsterdam paints)
Gesso - white and black
Gel medium - heavy bodied and soft (I tend to use matt gel mediums)
Dina Wakley Media rage - yes all of it - by Ranger ink
Watercolours (I used the Jane Davenport Brights collection and handmade ones by Designs By Rachel Beth on Instagram/Etsy)
Collage papers and ephemera
Inks (stamping, liquid, sprays and acrylic)
Posca Paint Pens (1M and 5M bullet tips)
and finally stamps.
To see more of my artwork- check out @niamhbaly on Instagram or Niamh's Art Journal ( / niamhbaly ) on Facebook. To see more videos like this please hit subscribe and the thumbs up button. Also remember to click on the bell next to the subscribe button to get notified when new videos go up. Enjoy!

[@krystalhills9942]

You are an amazingly beautiful, creative soul! Thank you for helping me break through a creative Gemini block!

[@michellestratford9753]

I'm going to be keeping this as a resource. What a fabulously helpful video! Thank you! ❤️

[@NiamhBaly]

Glad it was helpful!

[@margiehogan3315]

I'm a little late to the party but I am so glad I found you!

[@karenbrown5174]

I would have guessed that most of those items were on your list, but you really threw me with the watercolors. My favorite is also Dina Wakley everything! As a matter of fact I received another order of her products today. You have really given me loads of inspiration and taught me so much with all of your videos. Thank you.

[@karmaleenash2841]

So glad these videos from last year are still here. I am under the weather and bingeing your videos is real therapy right now. I also love Dina Wakley’s materials and would take them with me to a desert island! Thanks so much for the inspiration! 🤍🤍🤍

[@NiamhBaly]

Look after yourself xxx

[@ninagreen9016]

Thank you so much for making this video. It was the most comprehensive one I’ve come across explaining gel mediums. ♥

[@NiamhBaly]

Thank you so much x

[@deb.e.mixedmedia]

All great supplies!

[@leighbanuelos]

Thank you for sharing your favorites. I love the Stabillo All is well. I almost always use Matt medium,gesso, Posca pens, collage, also use charcoal pencils a lot, and stickels and nuvo drops. For paint, I use a lot of the 2 oz craft paint because of the wide selection of colors. I love the Dina Wakley paints but I can’t afford them in every color. Oh I do use distress inks, permanent black ink, stamps, And sprays with stencils. I’m a big Tim Holtz fan and love his collage papers. Oh and Jane davenport I love her watercolors and pastel palette’s.

[@thatone1187]

This was wonderful! I love your work . Do you have a tutorial for the kid with the bunny hat on your art page? 😍

[@beanbeanster7219]

I've seen you use everything you showed us and I knew your Stabilo all pencil was going to come out first! 🙂 Thanks for sharing all your awesomeness. I love your channel and your art is brilliant and I love how we got a mini flip through of your journals. Thanks again.🙂💎💕

[@papercutsbyjoy2670]

Thx for sharing! I never dabbled in neons until I followed you n I’m loving it

[@janlovestocraft]

ganceThanks for sharing. I've crafted for years (card and especially white on white elegance). I never thought I would be into bright colours, paint ect. I've even started drawing much to my amazement! I discovered Dyan Reaveley , Dina & Tracy Scott! It's like a colour bomb went off in my head!

[@ceriseatlewis]

Just what I needed as a beginner- I am in love with your work and it’s just the/my type of style I’m keen to grow with - I just get lost when you talk about gels and gesso etc Keep up sharing your wonderful work - it makes my day and inspires me xx

[@jlstrick1]

So helpful! Like others who commented, I am new to art journaling. This is incredibly helpful. I also appreciate that these are things you love...not because you are sponsoring a product! That is rare these days.

[@janicem4382]

This was so helpful. Lots of inspiration here.

[@Pradatoo2]

Thanks for taking timeout letting us know the products you use. I, too, use most of them. But the new paint Rebecca’s paints I will try a few of them. I do love Dina Wakley’ products, too, and have many. Again, 😊

[@KittehNow]

GREAT VIDEO. I LOVE your work and Dina Wakely is my favorite!, this is such an enjoyable channel. Thank you for ALL YOUR work!

[@michelleventer3113]

Eeeeek! I placed an order for my stabillo alls today and dina's journal. CAN NOT WAIT!!!!

[@NiamhBaly]

Ohhh - have fun - I hope you love them as much as I do x

[@paulap2389]

I’m a bit of a Dina addict too, love her stuff & I love what you do with it! Haha I have to confess, I only just got my 1st Stabilo the other month 😳 lurve it, can’t believe it’s taken me so long to get my hands on it! Thanks for sharing.

[@18MundyStJournals]

Love your fave list.... I must get some Dina products....Thank you for sharing...great to have an Aussie artist review xxx

[@LindaRogersTO]

Things in common are gesso, gel medium/modeling paste, posca pens, acrylic paints. Things not on your list that I use a lot are watercolours, Tombow brush markers, Inktense pencils, and Lindy's magicals (find them more versatile and economical than the sprays.

[@lorettaleyba4293]

I just started following you and have found all this information most useful. Thank you.🌷

[@NiamhBaly]

Welcome to the wonderful world of mixed media ♥️♥️♥️

[@pattyleib]

I love Dina Wakley too!! Thanks for sharing

[@renymissos6256]

Loved this video. We have similar favorites. The DW journal is the bomb!

[@susanbailey5231]

Really enjoyed this, thanks so much for sharing. I use some of the same items too, but also love texture pastes and Paper Artsy Fresco paints. Must try the pencils, will have to look out for them. Love your artwork

[@NiamhBaly]

I have just bought about 20 of the paper artsy paints after I had some classes with Tracy Scott last weekend. Love them!

[@susanbailey5231]

Oh that sounds great. There's so much colour choice in their range. Their crackle glaze is brilliant and the glazes too. Look forward to seeing one of your journal pages with them soon 🤞

[@SammiJarrad]

It’s a great list. Thank you for sharing. 😁💜👍🏻

[@poke_n_around]

Thank you for the inspiration 😀😀

[@artsylove89]

This was amazing. Thank you!

[@evehamer3490]

Nice video. Thank you.

[@susananolik9303]

Fantastic!!!! Great to know what your favorites are.

[@cloverrabbit5622]

Those items are a lot of my favorite things also, along with Dyan Reaveley's fabulous products. I haven't used Dina's paints yet. Do you have any videos using Dina's white on white collage tissue papers. I'm not really sure how to use them. Thanks for sharing.

[@NiamhBaly]

Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6KtlKikj9eZptE kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJnWpoGChLWZY8U Xxx

[@kezmot666]

Another great informative video. Thanks for sharing

[@flyingcheff]

If you have trouble with autofocus, put your hand behind the thing -same depth, the camera lens can then focus.

[@DianeClancy]

Thank you, Nimah!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@FlagsUp50]

I tend to use a lot of Dylan Reavely stuff and dylusions paint n spray. Is Dina wakely

[@juliaomcs]

Wonderful, thank you.

[@papercutsbyjoy2670]

🙌🙌🙌another non stencil cleaner 😂😂😂

[@deborahbaughman1366]

Will you teach us how to do the ‘scribbled’ writing?

[@NiamhBaly]

I will attempt to one day :) Basically it is over exaggerating the up and down strokes, making them much larger and overlapping them with each other. Also the spacing between the letters is much closer than normal. I also try not to pick the pen up between words - just keep writing.

[@EricfromBloatGames]

Thank you very much for sharing!!

[@fredestair7360]

thanks for the video,I love your work and I learn a lot from watching. I have every one of the products you talked about. Unfortunately I could only find 10 colors of the Stabilo woodie sticks would love more colors but I'm lucky I have any, they are fun to use. Question, the Dina wakley collage papers that come in white I have trouble figuring out how to use them other than coloring them in any suggestions? Thanks again for sharing your talents.

[@NiamhBaly]

bobbi slavin thank you😊 I struggle with the white tissue too. I have found if you stain the tissue on the back side with spray inks, watered down acrylics or scribble sticks- it pops the image out more. Then you can add it to your work- just being careful when flying if you used a water reactive ink. Dina tends to staple these pieces into her journal to avoid tgat

[@fredestair7360]

Niamh Baly thanks, I'll give that a try.

[@jodierennie1897]

How do you sharpen your stabilo? I have trouble getting mine sharp. I adore Dina paint and brushes. I took a class with her and it was a true highlight of my life.

[@NiamhBaly]

She’s wonderful isn’t she 💕 I just use a metal sharpener. Since I bought my prisma colour pencils and got one of their sharpeners, I use that and I haven’t had an issue. Just go slow is my best advice x

[@zbatzb]

I wonder how many of these favorites have changed over time. Not the Stabilos! 😊

[@NiamhBaly]

Most are still the same, but it is time for a update in the new year x

[@d.mo.5396]

😘❤❤❤

[@michellemoldovan7894]

How do you keep your pages from sticking together. They look glossy and I like that look but how to keep them from sticking together?

[@NiamhBaly]

None of my pages stick. I think because most of the acrylic products I use are Matt based (gel medium/paint). If you used gloss gel medium, you may find it sticks?

[@adelia988]

Don’t know why she called the paint cheddar it should be a yellow for real cheddar. The Dina journal looks fun, wonder if it’s in uk.

[@NiamhBaly]

Hey, It is - check out Art from the Heart, they have all the dina/ranger stuff and ship all over the UK. Plus they bring Dina over regularly for classes!

[@coveredinpaint7318]

I also recommend Art From The Heart (www.afth.co.uk) They have loads of good products, including, Dina, Dyan Reavely, Tim Holtz, Seth Apter, Paper Artsy, Prima, and loads more. I've spent a fortune with them!

[@terrimoore9305]

Love your list of supplies and want to try the Posca paint markers.. Besides black and white what are your favorite colors? Looking for maybe 3-4 to get started with .

[@NiamhBaly]

Thanks :) I love the turquoise, pink, yellow and neon colours. They tend to pop over the top of all the other colours I use, and as they are so opaque - you don't get a transparent washed out colours which I hate.

[@terrimoore9305]

@@NiamhBaly Thank you, I appreciate the advice. I love the bright colors too and have watched many of your videos.

[@stephaniemartel]

I have been wanting to try the woody pencils! Do they set pretty easy or are they greasy like a china marker?

[@NiamhBaly]

They are creamy and easy to apply . But I haven’t had issues with transfer unless I hear the other side of the page I worked on and press firmly.

[@FlagsUp50]

Oops, it sent before I finished 😂 is Dina wakely much different to use ? Also you often mention a machine to put the sticky back on paper, can you tell me what it’s called or do you have video of how you use it .... sounds like a great thing to have on hand

[@NiamhBaly]

Robyn Condon hi- Dina’s stuff is acrylic based, so permanent. Dylan’s paint is too, but is a thinner consistency and more gloss. Dina’s is a heavy bodied paint which is matt. However you can pretty much use them in the same way- particularly in an art journal. If you were painting canvases and wanting to create texture it would be more difficult. The machine is called a cut on machine- but I’m not sure if they are still made? They used to be everywhere 15yrs ago. If you can’t find one though- print, scan or collage onto sticker paper instead:)

[@annunderwood8602]

Hi Niamh. Thanks for the video! What brand/weight of cardstock do you like best for printing digital images? Laser or inkjet?

[@NiamhBaly]

Hi:) I print on either normal printer paper or a4 sticker paper. I use a laser printer that I have at home:)

[@annunderwood8602]

@@NiamhBaly Thank you.

[@SAVED55S]

niamh have you done a look thru or whatever you call it of this journal? if not would it be possible to have a look please? you know what i think would be a good idea? have a file or whatever with all yr completed journals where anyone can just pick one out & look thru it. does this sound feasible to you? how many journals have you done all together?

[@NiamhBaly]

There is a flip through journal playlist on my channel where you can see all my journals

[@ShelleyCarlson]

🙂

[@Heran8890]

Hello loved watching where is your best craft shop online to buy

[@NiamhBaly]

Lynne Heran thank you- where are you based? Australia?

[@Heran8890]

@@NiamhBaly I'm in Launceston Tasmania

[@NiamhBaly]

I get most of my stuff from bevs cross crafts in Spreyton. I also teach classes there (when there’s no pandemic!) she has a huge amount of stuff and gets orders in regularly. She also ships your order on the day you get it and I usually get it next day or day after (she uses toll, cheaper than aus post and quicker). Www.bevscrosscrafts.com.au - but if you want a trip down there- it’s worth it and only 1hr from you :)

[@Heran8890]

@@NiamhBaly ♥

[@merrillhawkins4732]

*

[@lisamorales3914]

No pitt pens or gelatos?

[@NiamhBaly]

No- I don’t own any. I’m sure they’re great though

[@dr.amyanna9235]

Stabilio Pencils I cant find any? All I want is the black one and white...... POSCA Pens- ->URGH! Cannot not find them! *****You we’re off screen to show the difference and both times-off the screen....

[@NiamhBaly]

Amy Anna thanks- yes I realised that when editing. Both stabilise and Pisces pens are available from most good art stores. If you’re in Australia I know bevs cross crafts sells them (www.bevscrosscrafts.com.au) and will ship to you. Otherwise amazon has them as well.

[@cathysuzanneart]

You can order them all on Jerry's Artarama or Blick online. They really aren't in stores -- especially the black Stabillo All.

[@coveredinpaint7318]

Amazon (UK) has them, so I'd have thought they would be available on Amazon in other countries.

[@dr.amyanna9235]

I tried a Jerry’s Artarama, none. I seen someone say Blick. Going there now! THANK YOU SO MUCH ALL OF YOU!😊👍🙌👏👏👏