Thank you for sharing all of these great books. I'd only ever heard of the Artist Way; all the other books are new to me and I can't wait to read them now. I keep an art/sketch journal myself. A book that helped me a lot in the beginning was Draw Your Day by Samantha Dion Baker. I don't know it just sort of unlocked something in me and made art journalling easier. But I'm in the same boat as you after a long day with my kiddo, I'm tired and struggle to think of what to draw sometimes. So books like these would be great to have around.
Danny Gregory's books, like Creative License, Illustrated Life, etc were very instrumental in my creative journey. I also love dan prices style and his book how to make a journal of your life.
TAW really helped unblock me despite my never finding my way through it all. Morning pages were filled for 3 years I think? Then I went to evening pages. So now every evening when I go to bed I get my journal out and write things from the day. Sometimes lots or sometimes very little but I like it as an end to a day. I do have other art journals which are a mix of words, pictures from magazine rubber stamp images and more. These I work in anytime and always have 2 on the go. So if one is drying I can carry on. It helps with all my crafts, knitting spinning mixed media. The journal gives me a place to start. For example,yesterday I did a journal pagewith autumn colour and imagery and today I will make my Autumn Equinox goddess figure. I will have all this colour etc inside to bring out. Thank you for your recommendation stations. I’m pleased I followed Louise’s link to you.
Thank you for taking the time to comment. I love the sound of your art journals - what a great idea to have two in case one is drying! I’d love to see your autumn pages.
Ah, The Artist's Way, an absolute classic, and an absolute favourite of mine. It taught me so much during a pivotal turning point in my life when l needed it most. Lovely to see it in your post 💗
This post has been extremely informative and motivation — it’s also the second time in as many days that you have personally influenced me into a cheeky little purchase. First the oracle cards and now a new book (I need no excuses 😉) I went with How to Journal Like an Artist by Jane Mayday. I’ve always wanted to write/draw my day pages. Her style looks aesthetically pleasing but also very do-able! 🎨 ✍️
The books I’ve been obsessing over, are those created by people who show you how to create in a sketchbook. Books such as Sketchbook Joy: How to embrace your creativity and fill your sketchbooks with colour, by Katie Moody.
There’s many art books and journal type books I’ve found on Vinted too. That’s double the excitement for me, as books are SO expensive these days!
Do you have any favourite journals to write in or create in? Or do you now make all of them yourself?
Lastly, I wrote a post about TAW and how I’ve adapted my approach.
I discovered Julia Cameron before children, so morning pages were my thing for a very long time. I just never managed to get back into it after becoming a mum - your idea about creating ideas for what to do later, is genius!
I’d like to do the full workbook one day too, but feel as if it would be joyful to do it in community with other women (2026 manifesting maybe).
If you have kids, chronic illness, stressful job, care responsibilities, you’re grieving, all the life stuff, I think TAW isn’t very accessible to most folks.
I get that it’s life changing for those who can, but some degree of flexibility has to be introduced, or else people will put it down very quickly. Put it this way, I know more people who have started TAW than finished it! But it is definitely a cult classic and will always be worth mentioning 😊
Great book recs. I’m going to read more about art journaling
Thank you for sharing all of these great books. I'd only ever heard of the Artist Way; all the other books are new to me and I can't wait to read them now. I keep an art/sketch journal myself. A book that helped me a lot in the beginning was Draw Your Day by Samantha Dion Baker. I don't know it just sort of unlocked something in me and made art journalling easier. But I'm in the same boat as you after a long day with my kiddo, I'm tired and struggle to think of what to draw sometimes. So books like these would be great to have around.
Oh, “Draw Your Day” has been on my wishlist for a while! Maybe your comment is a sign for me to get a copy!
Danny Gregory's books, like Creative License, Illustrated Life, etc were very instrumental in my creative journey. I also love dan prices style and his book how to make a journal of your life.
Ooh thank you, I’ll check those out!
This was such a good list of useful recs!! thank you for this <3
Thank you for commenting, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Ooh, "How to Journal Like An Artist" looks so cool!! Adding that to my wishlist!
TAW really helped unblock me despite my never finding my way through it all. Morning pages were filled for 3 years I think? Then I went to evening pages. So now every evening when I go to bed I get my journal out and write things from the day. Sometimes lots or sometimes very little but I like it as an end to a day. I do have other art journals which are a mix of words, pictures from magazine rubber stamp images and more. These I work in anytime and always have 2 on the go. So if one is drying I can carry on. It helps with all my crafts, knitting spinning mixed media. The journal gives me a place to start. For example,yesterday I did a journal pagewith autumn colour and imagery and today I will make my Autumn Equinox goddess figure. I will have all this colour etc inside to bring out. Thank you for your recommendation stations. I’m pleased I followed Louise’s link to you.
Thank you for taking the time to comment. I love the sound of your art journals - what a great idea to have two in case one is drying! I’d love to see your autumn pages.
New post up now
Ah, The Artist's Way, an absolute classic, and an absolute favourite of mine. It taught me so much during a pivotal turning point in my life when l needed it most. Lovely to see it in your post 💗
I haven’t made it very far through but The Artist’s Way has already made such an impact!
Oooo! Thank you!
This post has been extremely informative and motivation — it’s also the second time in as many days that you have personally influenced me into a cheeky little purchase. First the oracle cards and now a new book (I need no excuses 😉) I went with How to Journal Like an Artist by Jane Mayday. I’ve always wanted to write/draw my day pages. Her style looks aesthetically pleasing but also very do-able! 🎨 ✍️
The books I’ve been obsessing over, are those created by people who show you how to create in a sketchbook. Books such as Sketchbook Joy: How to embrace your creativity and fill your sketchbooks with colour, by Katie Moody.
There’s many art books and journal type books I’ve found on Vinted too. That’s double the excitement for me, as books are SO expensive these days!
Do you have any favourite journals to write in or create in? Or do you now make all of them yourself?
Lastly, I wrote a post about TAW and how I’ve adapted my approach.
I discovered Julia Cameron before children, so morning pages were my thing for a very long time. I just never managed to get back into it after becoming a mum - your idea about creating ideas for what to do later, is genius!
I’d like to do the full workbook one day too, but feel as if it would be joyful to do it in community with other women (2026 manifesting maybe).
If you have kids, chronic illness, stressful job, care responsibilities, you’re grieving, all the life stuff, I think TAW isn’t very accessible to most folks.
I get that it’s life changing for those who can, but some degree of flexibility has to be introduced, or else people will put it down very quickly. Put it this way, I know more people who have started TAW than finished it! But it is definitely a cult classic and will always be worth mentioning 😊