Five minute journaling

Five minute art journaling

I love to have a regular journaling practice. It’s time to myself, dedicated to art making and a place to express myself freely. I can choose my materials, style, colour palette and words to suit my mood or situation. I wrote this blog about starting an art journal but five-minute journaling is part of how I make this happen for me!

There are days when I can spend half an hour or more playing with paint, layering collage and searching for quotes. On other days, I have a long to-do list, places to be and life’s responsibilities to meet. On days when I do have time to journal I can find myself frozen, unable to put anything on paper and not sure where to start. I’m afraid of creating a “bad” page or wasting the precious time. On these days my art journal lies shut on my table.

Five minute journaling really helped me create often and I quickly built my confidence. I actually prefer this style of journaling now.The idea is to put simple guides in place to limit the time spent thinking about creating and helping you to focus on making the page as well as giving permission for creative time.

How does it work?

• Prepare limited materials before you start
• Set a timer
• Keep it simple

Keeping the process simple is essential when you only have 5 minutes to create. This is how I do it and it’s just a guide.

Choosing supplies

I go to my art trolley and I choose from my favourite supplies. I pick up things I’m comfortable with so I’m not going to get any surprises. In the beginning I set myself a 5 minute limit for choosing my supplies too because I’m easily distracted and get frozen by choice. With practice, it takes me less than a minute to prepare.

Choosing colour

Choose no more than three supplies to add colour. You might choose an ink, a paint and a watercolour crayon or three coloured pencils, for example.

I love to use acrylic inks so I usually pick at least one of these. To reduce the risk of a muddy mess when working so fast, less is definitely more. Avoid complementary colour combinations such as blue and orange and go for colours that will blend together well such as yellow/orange/red or turquoise/blue/purple or blue/purple/red.

My favourite combination right now is turquoise and purple. I also like to choose a main colour and then a highlight colour.

Texture in journaling

Find a way to include texture that is quick to use. This can be a stamp and ink pad or maybe a patterned paper scrap and glue. There are loads of texture stamps available but I’ve also used bottle caps, pieces of foam packaging and kebab sticks. Scraps of wrapping paper or even junk mail can be perfect collage. Don’t think too hard, just grab what you are drawn to at the time.

Adding text to your journal page

I don’t always include words but when I do I like to use just a couple, particularly if I’m stamping them with letter stamps. Sometimes I find the same phrase coming up for me over and over but that’s ok.

Famous quotes or affirmations can be a great way to pin down how we are feeling. I keep a Pinterest board of quotes that can be scribbled out onto my journaling page quickly. I find paint pens are good for this but use your own favourite writing tool.

Extra supplies

So you will need a journal, sketchbook or paper to work on. I also keep a pencil and a black paint pen close by as well as a waterbrush. Because I like to use inks and paint I have my heat tool ready nearby to dry my page faster.

These things might be different for you depending on your favourite supplies. Use what you love but try to keep your supplies to a minimum. This will help you reduce the time you spend choosing what to use and give you time to create.

Why use a time limit for art journaling?

I wrote this blog for beginners about starting with journaling and I talk about boundaries. Limiting your choices can reduce the feeling of overwhelm and limiting your time can encourage you to make the most of the time you have.

If this rigidity puts you off, allow yourself flexibility too. Allow yourself to finish early or go over time a little. The timer is there to help you value that time for art and fit it in to your busy day. It’s your time to use how you like.

What am I supposed to journal about?

I think the answer to this is quite personal. We arrive at journaling for our own reasons even if we benefit in similar ways. My journal is emotional, it’s a place to put whatever is on my mind and sometimes I don’t know what that is until it comes up on the page.

Other people keep beautiful travel journals or visual diaries of their days. There is no right or wrong. Do what feels right for you. You may find your journal changes over time or even has a different approach every day. You do not have to show anyone your art journal, so do what works for you without worrying what others think.

Intuitive journaling

I’m a fan of intuitive journaling, I just turn up, pick my colours for the day and go. Sometimes the choice of my colours says a lot about my mood.

Other days I know exactly how I’m feeling and I need to get it on paper. Just remember, you only have 5 minutes, this is not about long planning or creating the perfect page. It’s about turning up.

Creating the journal page

Start your timer, pick a colour and put some on the page. Maybe you do what you feel, do what you always do, do something small or paint the whole spread one colour, there is no wrong, just start. Put some colour on the page.

Now add your textures. Use your stamps, glue down torn scraps or threads, or paper patterns. There is nothing to fear here. Remember that this page is expression, not perfection. It doesn’t have to be what you think is beautiful. You might not like the result and that is ok too. Keep it in your journal to look back on later.

Adding marks

Then add marks. I tend to make some repetitive marks or shapes. I do think the marks reflect my thoughts from closed circles or grid lines to chaotic splatters. Move quickly, don’t worry about merging colours although if you’re using wet media, a heat tool or hairdryer can be useful. (Whether you count this drying time is up to you.)

Add words to your journal page

With textures done and your timer counting down you have a short time to add your sentiment or expression. Whether you scribble your own (readable or not) or stamp it or stick it in, let it be something that pins down your page, the reason you needed to be at your art journal.

I recommend you date your page, I usually use a pencil in the corner but date stamps look fantastic. This is a great habit to get into and your future self will thank you.

Finishing the page

When I started this process, I always worked past the timer. I had a strong need to finish to the page, to keep adding layers, just one more thing. I couldn’t just leave it. Here are some thoughts I have about that.

• It’s ok to want to spend more time on the page, if you have the time, do it.
• It’s ok to go back to the page another day.
• It’s ok to leave a page unfinished.
• It’s ok to set your timer for 10 minutes or more or not at all.
• It’s ok to write your thoughts in your page another time.
• It’s ok for you to make your journal your way.

This process works for me. Try it, maybe it will get your daily art practice on track and your journals, overflowing with colourful practice, thoughts and memories will be piling up on your table. If you have questions about art journaling, read this article of Frequently Asked Questions.

You might also be interested in the Sketchbook Project inspiration article.

[Reviewed February 2024]