Bullet journals have gone from a simple planning tool to stunning works of art. It seems that every major bullet journal social media account is lined with beautiful spreads. This can be extremely intimidating! I would not consider myself to be an artist, however I do enjoy creating pretty spreads. Here are a few ways I go about adding simple beauty to my bullet journal.
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Florals
Very simple and so customizable! Adding flowers, vines, and leaves is a simple and quick way to add small embellishments that can go a long way in any journal. One technique I LOVE is drawing a simple vine and adding tiny detailed flowers.
The individual flowers are quite simple, but all together they create a small masterpiece! Hibiscus flowers, roses, and lotus style flowers can be small or large and provide a way to introduce a pop of color into your spreads!
Banners
Banners are huge in bullet journals because it provides a way to highlight headings, important details, and key ideas. Frames are also great for this. They can be sketched, or in color, the focus of the spread, or just a part of it. There are tons of ideas for banners on Pinterest and Instagram. Don’t be afraid to use the resources around you!
Simple characters
One of my favorite spreads to date is one where I included a small sketch of Stitch from Lilo and Stitch. I was insanely proud of this spread as soon as I finished it!
I knew I wouldn’t be able to draw stitch free hand the way he looked in the movie, so I looked on Pinterest for ideas about how to draw a simple cartoon version of him. You can do this with any character, animal, concept. Adding a small sketch that you’re proud of is easier than it seems.
Don’t be afraid to trace. The people who draw gorgeous life like animals free-hand are trained artists, and that is fantastic! If you aren’t entirely confident in your ability to draw, don’t be afraid to look up examples or trace images.
As long as you don’t try to pass them off as your own work, there is no shame in it! The flowers I drew in my Stitch spread were traced from an image I found on the internet and I love that spread so much, I don’t think it would’ve been the same without them.
Don’t be intimidated by the masterpieces created by fellow bullet journal-ers. Practice makes progress, and if you stick with it you will see huge growth in your artistic abilities in no time!
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Hi, I’m new to journaling and I want to include artwork. You mention tracing in your post but how do get the drawing into the journal after you’ve traced the sketch? Thanks in advance.
Hi, I’m new to journaling and would like to include artwork. You mention tracing art I like but how do you get the tracing to the journal?
This is so great. I just do happens that vines and tiny flowers are my favorite too.