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The Decorated Journal: Creating Beautifully Expressive Journal Pages
This follow-up to the highly popular Decorated Page offers even more great ideas for beautifying a journal, more breathtaking photos to inspire, and more smart (and simple) ways to endow even the artistically timid with confidence. It simply brims with suggestions and instructions. Find out about the wealth of contemporary supplies, from papers and adhesives to paints, pens, and pastels. See how to create the actual journal from scratch, including a quick-to-complete Three Minute Pamphlet. Use the tips for customizing a store-bought book that could use a little flair. Build layered pages, take advantage of the creative potential of transparencies, and more.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 5, 2016
Very good book about art journaling, covering everything from choosing materials and blank books to types of journals people keep to prompts and journaling ideas to instructions for binding your own journals. Recommended. I got this from the library, but a used copy of my very own is already on its way from Thrift Books. :)
July 14, 2018
comprehensive and enjoyable workshop in a book
The Decorated Journal attests that Gwen Diehn is not only competent at embellishing beautiful books but also finds her niche in writing them. From the first page onward, it is evident that Diehn, who teaches journal-creation as an art form, takes great pride in sharing the details of her creative knowledge and experience as much as she enjoys putting them to use.
In this inspiring companion to her previous book, The Decorated Page, Diehn effortlessly initiates and encourages the flow of creative juices with regards visual journaling (complementing descriptive text with visual art), beautifying and personalizing pages/covers, and basic book-binding as a form of artistic expression.
Brimming with instructional gems, each page — amply and colourfully illustrated with expressive images and beautiful examples of creative journal pages — builds gradually on the preceding pages, allowing the reader to progressively observe how the core pieces of the project fit together and visualize the finished product.
The Decorated Journal includes various uses of materials such as watercolour, pastels, coloured pencils, crayons, liquid acrylics, ink, and a vast array of techniques to get the most out of your materials. Also helpful are Diehn’s detailed and practical comparisons of various types/weight of paper, varieties of adhesives, and brushes. Other design suggestions include the use of cut-outs, copier transfers, gouache, collage, colour washes, stamping, etc., to enhance the beauty and interest of your journal. The author touches upon dry/wet processes, use of transparencies and drop shadows to add an interesting dimension to the journal’s pages.
One of the book’s highlights is the comprehensive section on creating an actual journal from scratch, using basic easy-to-find materials. Even the most hesitant of bookbinders will appreciate the chapter entitled “The Reluctant Bookbinder” which walks you through the fundamentals: an easy-to-complete 3-minute pamphlet, the 6-minute double pamphlet, the 30-minute multiple pamphlet journal, and ultimately, the beautiful yet functional 2-hour leather-bound journal. Diehn’s tips are also helpful in customizing an unimaginative store-bought blank book that could use a personal touch. Instructions also include altering book covers or using an old book cover to create a new blank book.
Diehn generously offers her readers a comprehensive workshop in a book which will be sure to delight journal enthusiasts. Whether you are a novice or “journal veteran”, an occasional journal reader/writer or an avid daily archivist, The Decorated Journal will prove to be a valuable creative resource, overflowing with inspiration and imaginative ideas.
The Decorated Journal attests that Gwen Diehn is not only competent at embellishing beautiful books but also finds her niche in writing them. From the first page onward, it is evident that Diehn, who teaches journal-creation as an art form, takes great pride in sharing the details of her creative knowledge and experience as much as she enjoys putting them to use.
In this inspiring companion to her previous book, The Decorated Page, Diehn effortlessly initiates and encourages the flow of creative juices with regards visual journaling (complementing descriptive text with visual art), beautifying and personalizing pages/covers, and basic book-binding as a form of artistic expression.
Brimming with instructional gems, each page — amply and colourfully illustrated with expressive images and beautiful examples of creative journal pages — builds gradually on the preceding pages, allowing the reader to progressively observe how the core pieces of the project fit together and visualize the finished product.
The Decorated Journal includes various uses of materials such as watercolour, pastels, coloured pencils, crayons, liquid acrylics, ink, and a vast array of techniques to get the most out of your materials. Also helpful are Diehn’s detailed and practical comparisons of various types/weight of paper, varieties of adhesives, and brushes. Other design suggestions include the use of cut-outs, copier transfers, gouache, collage, colour washes, stamping, etc., to enhance the beauty and interest of your journal. The author touches upon dry/wet processes, use of transparencies and drop shadows to add an interesting dimension to the journal’s pages.
One of the book’s highlights is the comprehensive section on creating an actual journal from scratch, using basic easy-to-find materials. Even the most hesitant of bookbinders will appreciate the chapter entitled “The Reluctant Bookbinder” which walks you through the fundamentals: an easy-to-complete 3-minute pamphlet, the 6-minute double pamphlet, the 30-minute multiple pamphlet journal, and ultimately, the beautiful yet functional 2-hour leather-bound journal. Diehn’s tips are also helpful in customizing an unimaginative store-bought blank book that could use a personal touch. Instructions also include altering book covers or using an old book cover to create a new blank book.
Diehn generously offers her readers a comprehensive workshop in a book which will be sure to delight journal enthusiasts. Whether you are a novice or “journal veteran”, an occasional journal reader/writer or an avid daily archivist, The Decorated Journal will prove to be a valuable creative resource, overflowing with inspiration and imaginative ideas.
September 12, 2014
This is what I would consider a classic antidote for a constant round of books that are full of the authors' prompts to do it their way. How many faces with soulful eyes turned upward and teeny pointy chins surrounded with white printing on colored grounds do I want to see?
Diehn opens a pathway that is pretty clear of all that drivel and provides a path to exploration that steers clear of cloying and copying. There's plenty to encourage investigation of our own way through self-expression. After all, art has been said to be the straightest path to our own soul. Otherwise, why do it? I can buy decoration anywhere.
I've had the book for years; don't know when I purchased it.
Have a nice trip.
Diehn opens a pathway that is pretty clear of all that drivel and provides a path to exploration that steers clear of cloying and copying. There's plenty to encourage investigation of our own way through self-expression. After all, art has been said to be the straightest path to our own soul. Otherwise, why do it? I can buy decoration anywhere.
I've had the book for years; don't know when I purchased it.
Have a nice trip.
October 30, 2021
What a great resource! Not necessarily just for artists, since anyone with any level of artistic skill can journal.
Not only does Diehn talk about the process of journaling; the types and methods, such as spiritual, naturalist, travel, etc, withe xamples, she spends a lot of time talking about materials, the best adhesives and paints and papers for different purposes. She goes so far as to talk about the color wheel, and the Golden Proportion, alongside making your own colors from natural materials like local clays or plants materials, and wraps up with instructions on repurposing old books or mass-produced journals, as well as preparing and binding your own pages.
There are a ton of pictures from actual journals, which are interesting to look at in their own right.
I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed actually reading this book, not just looking at it for ideas and instructions.
Not only does Diehn talk about the process of journaling; the types and methods, such as spiritual, naturalist, travel, etc, withe xamples, she spends a lot of time talking about materials, the best adhesives and paints and papers for different purposes. She goes so far as to talk about the color wheel, and the Golden Proportion, alongside making your own colors from natural materials like local clays or plants materials, and wraps up with instructions on repurposing old books or mass-produced journals, as well as preparing and binding your own pages.
There are a ton of pictures from actual journals, which are interesting to look at in their own right.
I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed actually reading this book, not just looking at it for ideas and instructions.
April 18, 2019
My therapist recommended art journaling as a way to express my thoughts and creativity. This is the fourth book I have read on the subject and it has been my favorite one so far. The style of writing is honest, unlike the other books I have read on the subject that seem to be out of a teen magazine. This book is for people who are looking to primarily journal, unlike the other books on the subject that seem to be about creating postcard or writing quotes.
March 20, 2019
Excellent
September 29, 2022
If you are into journal creations then you should read this book. Exceptionally Awesome!!
February 28, 2017
Quick read! Basic beginner scrapbook techniques - even lists basic all purpose supplies! Good news - it tells you how to make your own stampers (save tens of dollars).
This book's focus is on journals, but I am using it for ideas on making greeting cards, bookmarks, and how to make my prayer journal more visual.
Lots of colorful pages explaining how to watercolor pages, interesting layouts, and ideas on how to make a journal of collage/drawing and writing.
I gave it 3 stars because I had picked up a lot of what it suggested from cardmaking YouTubes and was hoping for more journal layout ideas. But it is a great starter book for an overview on journal art.
This book's focus is on journals, but I am using it for ideas on making greeting cards, bookmarks, and how to make my prayer journal more visual.
Lots of colorful pages explaining how to watercolor pages, interesting layouts, and ideas on how to make a journal of collage/drawing and writing.
I gave it 3 stars because I had picked up a lot of what it suggested from cardmaking YouTubes and was hoping for more journal layout ideas. But it is a great starter book for an overview on journal art.
September 20, 2012
I liked this one even more than Gwen Diehn's other book about journaling: The Decorated Page: Journals, Scrapbooks & Albums Made Simply Beautiful. Some of the information overlapped, but this was more practical for my purposes. She's goes into detail about ink, paint, glue, paper, book binding, journal types and inspiration, drawing techniques, etc. I love looking at the pictures of other art journals.
August 15, 2008
This book is not an exact step by step book but it does give some how-to's and suggestions on way to make a decorated journal. The examples are truly beautiful and creative. This book does focus on paint more then any other material though. And although I am more collage oriented when making journals the book did give me a lot of inspiration and desire to paint in a journal.
April 2, 2008
Another for my keeper bookshelf. While it's not as heavy on the artwork as some art journal books, there are a lot of fantastic prompts and ideas in here.
October 17, 2008
Both inspiration and how-to.
March 21, 2009
such a beautiful inspiring book
April 23, 2010
this is the best book on journaling that I know of. Full of great exercises and advice from a pro. Can't say enough.
January 26, 2011
I want to create beautiful journals!
May 1, 2012
Great how to book...I'm having a blast trying out the techniques and creating a beautiful visual journal.
January 15, 2013
Wonderful journal inspirations. I love using watercolour as a medium especially with children. I enjoyed the section on Journaling with children.
January 27, 2015
Good visual resource for journalling, sketchbooks and creating in general
December 15, 2021
4.5 stars. A truly excellent, detailed, resource-full, comprehensive book for all styles of journaling.
April 12, 2013
Not really my style of journaling, but a lot of interesting information
September 4, 2015
Great book, inspirational ideas
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews