March 15, 2025 • 15 mins
https://lestallion.com/collections/journal-notebook-for-artists
Artist journals represent far more than simple notebooks—they're secret portals into the creative process, functioning as time machines that allow artists to travel back through their personal evolution. We dive into how these specialized tools become extensions of the creative mind, capturing fleeting inspirations and serving as trusted companions throughout an artist's journey.
The physical qualities of an artist journal significantly impact the creative experience. Lestallion's 120 GSM acid-free paper prevents deterioration and bleed-through, ensuring artwork remains vibrant for years. Smith-sewn binding allows journals to lay completely flat, eliminating obstacles when sketching across pages. These seemingly small details transform journaling from merely functional to truly inspirational, creating a sanctuary for unbridled expression.
From landscape painters who document color observations and press wildflowers between pages to graphic designers who collect typography ideas, artist journals adapt to individual needs. We explore different options—classic hardbound journals for long-term projects, lightweight softcovers for sketching on the go, and versatile bullet journals that combine creativity with organization. The key is finding one that resonates with your artistic style and media preferences.
For those intimidated by blank pages, approach journaling with playfulness and experimentation. Start small with doodles or color swatches rather than feeling pressured to create masterpieces. Artist journals have no rules—they're playgrounds for imagination that reconnect us with childlike wonder. They become visual conversations with yourself, containing not just sketches but snippets of overheard conversations, dream records, and anything else that sparks creativity.
Ready to begin your own artistic journey? Subscribe to hear more conversations about creative tools and processes that might transform your approach to making art.
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LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.
For More Info on LeStallion, check out:
https://lestallion.com/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, let's jump into another deep dive, and you
know this one, it's going to bea fun one, I think.
Today we're going to be lookingat artist journals those things
that so many creative peopleuse all the time and think about
and we're looking specificallyat some material put out by
Lestallion and Lestallion youknow they're pretty well known
for their artist journals.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Yeah, yeah, but it's interesting.
It seems like they're trying toget at something deeper here.
You know it's not just aboutselling notebooks, Right?
(00:41):
They seem to really be tryingto think about this idea that it
really can be like a secretportal, you know, into their
creative process, this place tocapture ideas and to experiment
and to track their evolution asan artist.
All of that in one place.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
It's almost like a, like a time machine, you know.
Yeah, because you can go backand you can look at your older
work and you can see how you'veprogressed.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
And it makes me think about my cousin.
She's a graphic designer.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
And she always carries around this Lestallian
journal with her everywhere shegoes.
And it really is.
It's beat up, you know.
It's got coffee stains on itand dog-eared pages.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
It's been through the ringer.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
But she says it's like an extension of her brain.
You know she'll be out andabout.
She'll sketch logos on napkinsat a restaurant or she'll jot
down font ideas in the marginsof a newspaper.
You know just wherever she can.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Right, right.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
But then it all ends up in her journal.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
And it's so meticulously organized.
She swears by those numberedpages and the table of contents.
She says it just makes it soeasy to reference past ideas and
to really see how her style hasdeveloped over time.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
And that's one of the things that Lestallion really
emphasizes is this idea oforganization.
And it makes sense, right?
I mean, for artists, ideas canstrike at any moment.
You never know when you'regoing to have that burst of
inspiration.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
So having that dedicated space to capture them
is it's really crucial?
Speaker 1 (02:04):
It's like a safety net for inspiration.
Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
You never know when that that lightning bolt is
going to hit, so you better beprepared.
But I guess I mean why anartist journal, specifically
right Like, isn't just a regularnotebook enough.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Well, I mean, you could argue that any notebook
can be an artist journal.
Right, it's just a notebook.
But I think the right journalcan really enhance that whole
creative process.
It can really make a difference.
And a basic notebook it justdoesn't have what it takes.
And it's not just about likejotting things down, it's about
having this space that's reallytailored for your needs as an
(02:40):
artist.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Yeah and Lestallion, they really go in depth about
the features that set theirjournals apart, and one of the
big ones is the paper quality.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
They use 120 GSM acid free paper and and that seems
like kind of a big deal forartists who work with you know a
variety of media.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
Right Paper quality is so important, especially if
you're using, like you said, alot of different media, mixed
media.
The acid free paper is reallyimportant because it prevents
the paper from deteriorating.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
So your artwork?
It doesn't fade, it doesn'tbecome brittle over time.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Right.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
And 120 GSM.
That's the weight of the paper.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
It's excellent for preventing bleed through which,
if you've ever, you know, usedwatercolors or inks or markers,
you know you don't want itbleeding through to the other
side.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Yeah, I remember.
This is bringing back memories.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
My mom.
She had this beautiful antiquejournal.
It was leather bound, thesethick, creamy pages, and I was
probably about 10 years old andI decided that would be the
perfect canvas for mymasterpiece, which involved lots
of glue and watercolors.
Let's just say the results werenot ideal.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
I can imagine.
I can imagine so, like thepages probably warped right.
Oh yeah, they buckled.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
Oh, it was a disaster .
Speaker 2 (03:51):
From all that creative energy.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
A disaster of epic proportions.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
My mom was not thrilled.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Yeah, I bet not.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
It was that point that I learned.
You know the hard way aboutchoosing the right paper for the
job.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Right.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
And I can totally see why Lestallion makes such a big
deal about this.
Yeah, they even talk about theluxurious feel of their paper.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
Which, for an artist, I imagine that's an important
part of the experience.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Absolutely.
It's about creating an invitingspace, right, A tactile
experience, something that'sgoing to enhance your flow and
help you be more creative.
And you know, it's not evenjust about the paper.
Lestallion also highlights theimportance of the binding.
Okay, they use a Smith-sewnbinding and that allows the
journal to lay flat, which makesit easier to sketch across two
(04:33):
pages if you want to.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
Oh, that's so important.
Yeah, I've been there.
Oh, I remember struggling withthose spiral-bound notebooks in
art class.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Uh-huh.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
To try to draw a panoramic landscape with that
coil getting in the way it was anightmare.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
It's like how am I supposed to do this?
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
And it's not even just about avoiding the
obstacles, it's also aboutmaking sure that the artwork is
protected and preserved foryears to come.
Absolutely, it's like you'recreating a legacy, a tangible
record of your artistic journey.
And speaking of that, I justremembered they include a ribbon
bookmark in these journals.
Mm, it's a small detail, I know, yeah, but I can see how that
(05:12):
would add to the sense of likeintentionality, like you're
treating this journal assomething precious.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
It's that little extra touch, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Yeah, like a subtle invitation to return to it.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
Pick up where you left off.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Right, keep exploring .
Exactly Keep going, keepcreating.
Yeah, and it's more than just,like you know, collecting
sketches or random ideas.
Right, it really is areflection of your journey as an
artist, your growth, you know,your struggles, your triumphs.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
It's almost like a visual diary.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Capturing not just what they create but how they
feel, how they see the world.
Speaking of seeing the world, Iwas talking to a friend of mine
the other day.
He's a landscape painter and hewas telling me how he uses his
Lestallian journal to, like,document his travels.
Oh wow, he'll sketch thesepanoramic views and he'll jot
down these color observations,and he even presses wildflowers
(06:05):
between the pages.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
That's so cool.
What a beautiful way to justlike capture the essence of a
place you know, bring a littlepiece of it back with you, and I
think that's really coolbecause it shows how versatile
these journals can be.
It's not just a sketchbook,it's like a travelogue, a
repository for inspiration, likewhatever you need it to be.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
It's a chameleon of creativity.
It adapts to you Exactly.
So, speaking of adapting, let'stalk about different journal
types.
Right, because we've beentalking a lot about Lestallion,
but Lestallion is not the onlygame in town.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
No, not at all.
There's so many differentjournals out there and each one
is going to have its ownpersonality.
It's on purpose.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Right.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
You know, you've got those classic hardbound journals
that are super sturdy andreliable.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Yeah, and those are great if you're working on like
a long term project, or if youjust, you know, prefer something
more formal.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Yeah, it's like the stately mansions of the journal
world.
They're meant to to last forgenerations, exactly.
And then, on the other end ofthe spectrum, you have like the
soft cover journals.
Those are lightweight, they'reportable, you can just throw
them in your bag.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Those are great for you know sketching on the go if
you're you know out and about,yeah.
And we can't forget about thebullet journals.
Those are super popular thesedays and they're a really great
way to combine creativity andorganization like a multi tool
for your mind exactly, exactly.
They're great for artists whowant to like plan their day,
keep track of their tasks, butalso have a place for their
(07:29):
artistic side, you know and I'veseen some people get incredibly
elaborate with their bulletjournals.
Oh, for sure.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
It's almost an art form in itself.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
It is, it is.
It's all about personalization,creating something that really
reflects you, your style, yourneeds, and that's so important,
because there is no one sizefits all when it comes to
journals.
It's about finding one thatspeaks to you.
You know that inspires you.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
It's like finding your soulmate, but in this
stationary aisle.
Exactly, exactly, but how doyou know which one's the right
fit?
You know, like, what are somethings artists should consider
when they're choosing a journal?
Speaker 2 (08:05):
Well, I think the first thing to think about is
your artistic style.
So what kind of media do youtypically use?
If you're working with drymedia, like pencils or charcoal,
you're going to want somethingwith, you know, a thicker, more
textured paper.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
And if you're a watercolor enthusiast, you're
going to want to make sure thatthe paper can handle those wet
media without buckling orbleeding through.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Exactly exactly, and binding is another big one.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Right.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
If you like to work across two pages, you need
something that's going to layflat, so something like a Smith
sewn binding or a Coptic stitchbinding, and then there are all
sorts of other features, likepockets for storing your
inspiration.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
Right.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Elastic closures, you know, keep everything secure.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Ribbon bookmarks to mark your place.
It's those little details thatreally make it special to mark
your place.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
It's those little details that really make it
special.
I remember when I first startedjournaling I had this plain
spiral bound notebook and it didthe job, but it lacked that
special something.
And then I found this beautifulleather bound journal.
It had a ribbon, bookmark and alittle pocket for holding
mementos, and it was just itfelt so much more special.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
It felt more intentional and it was just.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
It felt so much more special, you know, it felt more
intentional and it completelytransformed the experience from
just, you know, writing thingsdown, to actually like a ritual
of self-expression.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
It's about creating a space right where you can
really let your creativity flow.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Yeah, and speaking of flow, let's talk about how to
actually use an artist journal.
Okay, what are some tips forpeople who are just starting out
, you know, who are new to allof this?
Speaker 2 (09:37):
I think the most important thing is to just
approach it with a sense ofplayfulness, you know, a sense
of experimentation.
Don't be afraid to makemistakes, to try new things you
know, Let your imagination runwild.
It's not about being perfect,right.
It's about capturing theprocess, the journey of
discovering your own style.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
And that brings me back to something that
Listallion talks about.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
Their journals are designed to be super versatile,
so you can do all sorts ofthings with them.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
It could be quick sketches, it could be detailed
illustrations, colorexplorations, mixed media,
experiments, like whatever youwant.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
It's like having a portable art studio right.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Yeah, exactly, but with so many possibilities it
can be overwhelming.
So do you have any advice forovercoming that blank page
anxiety?
Speaker 2 (10:26):
I would say start small.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Don't feel like you need to fill an entire page or
create a masterpiece.
Just start with somethingsimple, A little doodle a color
swatch.
You know, maybe a quote thatinspires you, or even just like
a list of words that describehow you're feeling.
Sometimes the simplest thingscan spark the biggest ideas.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
And remember, there are no rules in an artist's
journal.
It's your space to explore, toexpress yourself however you
want.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Exactly, it's a playground for your imagination.
It's your space to explore, toexpress yourself however you
want.
Exactly, it's a playground foryour imagination.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
You know what that makes me think about.
When I was a kid, my dad builtthis amazing tree house in our
backyard.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
It had this rickety ladder and a trap door and a
secret hiding spot under thefloorboards.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
It was our own little world.
We would spend hours up theredrawing on the walls and telling
stories and creating our ownadventures.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
It sounds magical.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
It was, and in a way I think that an artist's journal
is kind of like a grown-upversion of that.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
I like that yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
It's a sanctuary for your creative spirit, a place
where you can escape from theeveryday and just tag into that
childlike sense of wonder andpossibility.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Yeah, it is funny how those certain things can take
you right back to being a kid,you know.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Right.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
That sense of just pure creativity.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
And I think that's something we can all tap into,
no matter how old we are or whatour experience level is.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
Absolutely the Artist Journal.
It's a reminder that creativityis not a destination, it's a
journey.
It's about embracing theprocess, the exploration, the
joy of making things.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
So, speaking of making things, let's talk about
what we actually put in thesejournals.
Right, because we've talkedabout sketches and color
palettes, but what else can weput in there?
Speaker 1 (12:07):
I think you should think of it as a visual
conversation that you're havingwith yourself.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
And it can include anything that sparks that
creative fire in you, you knowso it could be snippets of
conversations that you overheard, or quotes that really resonate
with you, or even dreams thatyou had that you jotted down
when you wake up.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
Oh, I love that.
It's like creating a mosaic ofinspiration, like you're piecing
together these fragments ofyour inner and outer world.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Exactly and don't underestimate the power of words
in an artist's journal.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Because writing can be just as expressive as drawing
or painting and you can use itto you know, brainstorm ideas,
or to work through a creativeblock, or just to reflect on
your journey as an artist.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
You know, that makes me think about my grandmother.
She wasn't an artist in thetraditional sense.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
But she kept the most amazing journals.
They were filled with pressedflowers and handwritten recipes
and stories about her childhoodand she even had, like these,
little sketches of dresses thatshe would design for her dolls.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
And you know it wasn't art with a capital A.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Yeah.
But it was so full of heart andpersonality, right With a
capital A, yeah, but it was sofull of heart and personality
Right and it's a beautifulexample of how an artist's
journal it doesn't have toconform to any specific
definition.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
Right.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
It's a reflection of you and your passions, your
observations, your unique way ofseeing the world.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Yeah, it's those personal touches that make it so
special.
Yeah, I remember finding one ofher journals and she had pasted
in this tiny, faded photographof herself as a young girl.
She was standing on a beachwith her family and next to the
photo she had written this iswhere I learned to dream in
color oh wow, that's so powerful.
It really shows the emotionaldepth that these journals can
(13:45):
hold yeah they become vesselsfor our memories, our dreams,
our most cherished moments andthat's something that I think
Lestallion understands, becausethey really emphasize that their
journals are not just aboutcreating art.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
Right.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
They're about documenting a life lived
creatively, and they eveninclude a dedication page at the
beginning of each journal whereyou can write a little note to
yourself, you know, or to futuregenerations who might find your
work.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
It's a beautiful thought.
It's a reminder that ourcreative endeavors they're not
just for us.
They have the potential totouch and inspire others.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
It's like sending a message in a bottle.
Yeah, you're just casting yourcreativity out into the sea of
time.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
That's a great analogy.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
Hoping it washes up on some distant shore and sparks
a flame in someone else's heart.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
And who knows, maybe someday someone will find our
journals tucked away in an atticsomewhere and they'll be
transported to our world, to ourtime, you know, to the inner
workings of our creative minds.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
What a legacy to leave behind.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
Yeah, and it all starts with a simple act.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Opening that journal and putting pen to paper or
brush to canvas or whatevermedium calls to you.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
It's about embracing the journey, the process, the
imperfections along the way.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
And remembering that there's an artist within each of
us just waiting to bediscovered.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
So until next time, keep exploring, keep creating
and keep diving deep.
All right, let's jump into another deep dive, and you
know this one, it's going to bea fun one, I think.
Today we're going to be lookingat artist journals those things
that so many creative peopleuse all the time and think about
and we're looking specificallyat some material put out by
Lestallion and Lestallion youknow they're pretty well known
for their artist journals.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Yeah, yeah, but it's interesting.
It seems like they're trying toget at something deeper here.
You know it's not just aboutselling notebooks, Right?
(00:41):
They seem to really be tryingto think about this idea that it
really can be like a secretportal, you know, into their
creative process, this place tocapture ideas and to experiment
and to track their evolution asan artist.
All of that in one place.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
It's almost like a, like a time machine, you know.
Yeah, because you can go backand you can look at your older
work and you can see how you'veprogressed.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
And it makes me think about my cousin.
She's a graphic designer.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
And she always carries around this Lestallian
journal with her everywhere shegoes.
And it really is.
It's beat up, you know.
It's got coffee stains on itand dog-eared pages.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
It's been through the ringer.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
But she says it's like an extension of her brain.
You know she'll be out andabout.
She'll sketch logos on napkinsat a restaurant or she'll jot
down font ideas in the marginsof a newspaper.
You know just wherever she can.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Right, right.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
But then it all ends up in her journal.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
And it's so meticulously organized.
She swears by those numberedpages and the table of contents.
She says it just makes it soeasy to reference past ideas and
to really see how her style hasdeveloped over time.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
And that's one of the things that Lestallion really
emphasizes is this idea oforganization.
And it makes sense, right?
I mean, for artists, ideas canstrike at any moment.
You never know when you'regoing to have that burst of
inspiration.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
So having that dedicated space to capture them
is it's really crucial?
Speaker 1 (02:04):
It's like a safety net for inspiration.
Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
You never know when that that lightning bolt is
going to hit, so you better beprepared.
But I guess I mean why anartist journal, specifically
right Like, isn't just a regularnotebook enough.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Well, I mean, you could argue that any notebook
can be an artist journal.
Right, it's just a notebook.
But I think the right journalcan really enhance that whole
creative process.
It can really make a difference.
And a basic notebook it justdoesn't have what it takes.
And it's not just about likejotting things down, it's about
having this space that's reallytailored for your needs as an
(02:40):
artist.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Yeah and Lestallion, they really go in depth about
the features that set theirjournals apart, and one of the
big ones is the paper quality.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
They use 120 GSM acid free paper and and that seems
like kind of a big deal forartists who work with you know a
variety of media.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
Right Paper quality is so important, especially if
you're using, like you said, alot of different media, mixed
media.
The acid free paper is reallyimportant because it prevents
the paper from deteriorating.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
So your artwork?
It doesn't fade, it doesn'tbecome brittle over time.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Right.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
And 120 GSM.
That's the weight of the paper.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
It's excellent for preventing bleed through which,
if you've ever, you know, usedwatercolors or inks or markers,
you know you don't want itbleeding through to the other
side.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Yeah, I remember.
This is bringing back memories.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
My mom.
She had this beautiful antiquejournal.
It was leather bound, thesethick, creamy pages, and I was
probably about 10 years old andI decided that would be the
perfect canvas for mymasterpiece, which involved lots
of glue and watercolors.
Let's just say the results werenot ideal.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
I can imagine.
I can imagine so, like thepages probably warped right.
Oh yeah, they buckled.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
Oh, it was a disaster .
Speaker 2 (03:51):
From all that creative energy.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
A disaster of epic proportions.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
My mom was not thrilled.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Yeah, I bet not.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
It was that point that I learned.
You know the hard way aboutchoosing the right paper for the
job.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Right.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
And I can totally see why Lestallion makes such a big
deal about this.
Yeah, they even talk about theluxurious feel of their paper.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
Which, for an artist, I imagine that's an important
part of the experience.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Absolutely.
It's about creating an invitingspace, right, A tactile
experience, something that'sgoing to enhance your flow and
help you be more creative.
And you know, it's not evenjust about the paper.
Lestallion also highlights theimportance of the binding.
Okay, they use a Smith-sewnbinding and that allows the
journal to lay flat, which makesit easier to sketch across two
(04:33):
pages if you want to.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
Oh, that's so important.
Yeah, I've been there.
Oh, I remember struggling withthose spiral-bound notebooks in
art class.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Uh-huh.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
To try to draw a panoramic landscape with that
coil getting in the way it was anightmare.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
It's like how am I supposed to do this?
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
And it's not even just about avoiding the
obstacles, it's also aboutmaking sure that the artwork is
protected and preserved foryears to come.
Absolutely, it's like you'recreating a legacy, a tangible
record of your artistic journey.
And speaking of that, I justremembered they include a ribbon
bookmark in these journals.
Mm, it's a small detail, I know, yeah, but I can see how that
(05:12):
would add to the sense of likeintentionality, like you're
treating this journal assomething precious.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
It's that little extra touch, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
Yeah, like a subtle invitation to return to it.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
Pick up where you left off.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Right, keep exploring .
Exactly Keep going, keepcreating.
Yeah, and it's more than just,like you know, collecting
sketches or random ideas.
Right, it really is areflection of your journey as an
artist, your growth, you know,your struggles, your triumphs.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
It's almost like a visual diary.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Capturing not just what they create but how they
feel, how they see the world.
Speaking of seeing the world, Iwas talking to a friend of mine
the other day.
He's a landscape painter and hewas telling me how he uses his
Lestallian journal to, like,document his travels.
Oh wow, he'll sketch thesepanoramic views and he'll jot
down these color observations,and he even presses wildflowers
(06:05):
between the pages.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
That's so cool.
What a beautiful way to justlike capture the essence of a
place you know, bring a littlepiece of it back with you, and I
think that's really coolbecause it shows how versatile
these journals can be.
It's not just a sketchbook,it's like a travelogue, a
repository for inspiration, likewhatever you need it to be.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
It's a chameleon of creativity.
It adapts to you Exactly.
So, speaking of adapting, let'stalk about different journal
types.
Right, because we've beentalking a lot about Lestallion,
but Lestallion is not the onlygame in town.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
No, not at all.
There's so many differentjournals out there and each one
is going to have its ownpersonality.
It's on purpose.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Right.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
You know, you've got those classic hardbound journals
that are super sturdy andreliable.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Yeah, and those are great if you're working on like
a long term project, or if youjust, you know, prefer something
more formal.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Yeah, it's like the stately mansions of the journal
world.
They're meant to to last forgenerations, exactly.
And then, on the other end ofthe spectrum, you have like the
soft cover journals.
Those are lightweight, they'reportable, you can just throw
them in your bag.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Those are great for you know sketching on the go if
you're you know out and about,yeah.
And we can't forget about thebullet journals.
Those are super popular thesedays and they're a really great
way to combine creativity andorganization like a multi tool
for your mind exactly, exactly.
They're great for artists whowant to like plan their day,
keep track of their tasks, butalso have a place for their
(07:29):
artistic side, you know and I'veseen some people get incredibly
elaborate with their bulletjournals.
Oh, for sure.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
It's almost an art form in itself.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
It is, it is.
It's all about personalization,creating something that really
reflects you, your style, yourneeds, and that's so important,
because there is no one sizefits all when it comes to
journals.
It's about finding one thatspeaks to you.
You know that inspires you.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
It's like finding your soulmate, but in this
stationary aisle.
Exactly, exactly, but how doyou know which one's the right
fit?
You know, like, what are somethings artists should consider
when they're choosing a journal?
Speaker 2 (08:05):
Well, I think the first thing to think about is
your artistic style.
So what kind of media do youtypically use?
If you're working with drymedia, like pencils or charcoal,
you're going to want somethingwith, you know, a thicker, more
textured paper.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
And if you're a watercolor enthusiast, you're
going to want to make sure thatthe paper can handle those wet
media without buckling orbleeding through.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Exactly exactly, and binding is another big one.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Right.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
If you like to work across two pages, you need
something that's going to layflat, so something like a Smith
sewn binding or a Coptic stitchbinding, and then there are all
sorts of other features, likepockets for storing your
inspiration.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
Right.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Elastic closures, you know, keep everything secure.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Ribbon bookmarks to mark your place.
It's those little details thatreally make it special to mark
your place.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
It's those little details that really make it
special.
I remember when I first startedjournaling I had this plain
spiral bound notebook and it didthe job, but it lacked that
special something.
And then I found this beautifulleather bound journal.
It had a ribbon, bookmark and alittle pocket for holding
mementos, and it was just itfelt so much more special.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
It felt more intentional and it was just.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
It felt so much more special, you know, it felt more
intentional and it completelytransformed the experience from
just, you know, writing thingsdown, to actually like a ritual
of self-expression.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
It's about creating a space right where you can
really let your creativity flow.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Yeah, and speaking of flow, let's talk about how to
actually use an artist journal.
Okay, what are some tips forpeople who are just starting out
, you know, who are new to allof this?
Speaker 2 (09:37):
I think the most important thing is to just
approach it with a sense ofplayfulness, you know, a sense
of experimentation.
Don't be afraid to makemistakes, to try new things you
know, Let your imagination runwild.
It's not about being perfect,right.
It's about capturing theprocess, the journey of
discovering your own style.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
And that brings me back to something that
Listallion talks about.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
Their journals are designed to be super versatile,
so you can do all sorts ofthings with them.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
It could be quick sketches, it could be detailed
illustrations, colorexplorations, mixed media,
experiments, like whatever youwant.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
It's like having a portable art studio right.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Yeah, exactly, but with so many possibilities it
can be overwhelming.
So do you have any advice forovercoming that blank page
anxiety?
Speaker 2 (10:26):
I would say start small.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Don't feel like you need to fill an entire page or
create a masterpiece.
Just start with somethingsimple, A little doodle a color
swatch.
You know, maybe a quote thatinspires you, or even just like
a list of words that describehow you're feeling.
Sometimes the simplest thingscan spark the biggest ideas.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
And remember, there are no rules in an artist's
journal.
It's your space to explore, toexpress yourself however you
want.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
Exactly, it's a playground for your imagination.
It's your space to explore, toexpress yourself however you
want.
Exactly, it's a playground foryour imagination.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
You know what that makes me think about.
When I was a kid, my dad builtthis amazing tree house in our
backyard.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
It had this rickety ladder and a trap door and a
secret hiding spot under thefloorboards.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
It was our own little world.
We would spend hours up theredrawing on the walls and telling
stories and creating our ownadventures.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
It sounds magical.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
It was, and in a way I think that an artist's journal
is kind of like a grown-upversion of that.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
I like that yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
It's a sanctuary for your creative spirit, a place
where you can escape from theeveryday and just tag into that
childlike sense of wonder andpossibility.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Yeah, it is funny how those certain things can take
you right back to being a kid,you know.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Right.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
That sense of just pure creativity.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
And I think that's something we can all tap into,
no matter how old we are or whatour experience level is.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
Absolutely the Artist Journal.
It's a reminder that creativityis not a destination, it's a
journey.
It's about embracing theprocess, the exploration, the
joy of making things.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
So, speaking of making things, let's talk about
what we actually put in thesejournals.
Right, because we've talkedabout sketches and color
palettes, but what else can weput in there?
Speaker 1 (12:07):
I think you should think of it as a visual
conversation that you're havingwith yourself.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
And it can include anything that sparks that
creative fire in you, you knowso it could be snippets of
conversations that you overheard, or quotes that really resonate
with you, or even dreams thatyou had that you jotted down
when you wake up.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
Oh, I love that.
It's like creating a mosaic ofinspiration, like you're piecing
together these fragments ofyour inner and outer world.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Exactly and don't underestimate the power of words
in an artist's journal.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Because writing can be just as expressive as drawing
or painting and you can use itto you know, brainstorm ideas,
or to work through a creativeblock, or just to reflect on
your journey as an artist.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
You know, that makes me think about my grandmother.
She wasn't an artist in thetraditional sense.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
But she kept the most amazing journals.
They were filled with pressedflowers and handwritten recipes
and stories about her childhoodand she even had, like these,
little sketches of dresses thatshe would design for her dolls.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
And you know it wasn't art with a capital A.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Yeah.
But it was so full of heart andpersonality, right With a
capital A, yeah, but it was sofull of heart and personality
Right and it's a beautifulexample of how an artist's
journal it doesn't have toconform to any specific
definition.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
Right.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
It's a reflection of you and your passions, your
observations, your unique way ofseeing the world.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Yeah, it's those personal touches that make it so
special.
Yeah, I remember finding one ofher journals and she had pasted
in this tiny, faded photographof herself as a young girl.
She was standing on a beachwith her family and next to the
photo she had written this iswhere I learned to dream in
color oh wow, that's so powerful.
It really shows the emotionaldepth that these journals can
(13:45):
hold yeah they become vesselsfor our memories, our dreams,
our most cherished moments andthat's something that I think
Lestallion understands, becausethey really emphasize that their
journals are not just aboutcreating art.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
Right.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
They're about documenting a life lived
creatively, and they eveninclude a dedication page at the
beginning of each journal whereyou can write a little note to
yourself, you know, or to futuregenerations who might find your
work.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
It's a beautiful thought.
It's a reminder that ourcreative endeavors they're not
just for us.
They have the potential totouch and inspire others.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
It's like sending a message in a bottle.
Yeah, you're just casting yourcreativity out into the sea of
time.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
That's a great analogy.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
Hoping it washes up on some distant shore and sparks
a flame in someone else's heart.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
And who knows, maybe someday someone will find our
journals tucked away in an atticsomewhere and they'll be
transported to our world, to ourtime, you know, to the inner
workings of our creative minds.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
What a legacy to leave behind.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
Yeah, and it all starts with a simple act.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Opening that journal and putting pen to paper or
brush to canvas or whatevermedium calls to you.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
It's about embracing the journey, the process, the
imperfections along the way.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
And remembering that there's an artist within each of
us just waiting to bediscovered.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
So until next time, keep exploring, keep creating
and keep diving deep.
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