I've been keeping a sketchbook for years, but it wasn't until recently that I stumbled into the wonderful world of illustrative journaling. It felt like a natural evolution of my daily sketching habit—a way to combine writing, drawing, and personal observation in one place.
I approach it like I approach drawing: start with the big shapes, observe carefully, capture what I see, and let the imperfections make it feel alive. If you're thinking about getting started with illustrative journaling, you're in for something that is expressive, calming, and incredibly rewarding.
Whether you're an artist, a traveler, or just someone who loves recording your life creatively, illustrative journaling can help you slow down and really see the world around you. It's not about being perfect or polished; it's about capturing moments and impressions in a way that's personal and meaningful. It's a conversation between your eyes, your hand, and your heart—and honestly, that's what makes it so addictive.
Before we dive into the list, here's a quick look at a few key points that can really make a difference when you're starting out.
Key Points
- Focus on observation first. Get used to drawing the big shapes before worrying about details.
- Embrace imperfection. Illustrative journaling shines when it feels personal and a little messy.
- Mix words and drawings naturally. Don't overthink whether you should write or sketch—do both as they come to you.
How to Get Started with Illustrative Journaling: 10 Practical Tips
Getting started with illustrative journaling is easier when you have a few realistic strategies to lean on. These are the things that helped me the most when I was first figuring it out, and they can make a big difference for you too.
1. Start with Observation in Illustrative Journaling
When you first start illustrative journaling, focus on simply observing the world around you. One of the best habits I built was learning to spot the big shapes before getting bogged down in details. Whether I'm sketching a sunflower or a quiet street corner, I let observation guide my hand.
I usually begin by asking myself: what is the basic shape here? A rectangle, an oval, a triangle? I block those in first, very loosely, and only after that do I start layering in the smaller, more detailed shapes. It’s way too easy to get caught up in the tiny parts and lose the bigger structure if you don’t.
If you want more help building observational skills, check out nature journaling and urban sketching, two great ways to practice seeing before drawing.
2. Choose a Simple Sketchbook You Love
Picking the right sketchbook can really set the tone for your whole journaling experience. Early on, I made the mistake of buying a fancy, expensive sketchbook that felt “too good” to mess up. I froze every time I opened it.
Now, I use something sturdy but approachable. A sketchbook I’m not afraid to fill with messy, unfinished pages. Trust me—if you feel pressure every time you open your journal, you won’t use it.
I often recommend Moleskine sketchbooks if you want something sturdy and portable. If you're wondering whether they’re worth it, I wrote more about it here.
3. Develop a Loose Drawing Habit
If you’re used to finishing every drawing neatly, illustrative journaling will push you out of that mindset—in a good way. I try to think of each page as a snapshot rather than a finished product. Sometimes it’s just a rough sketch of my cat sleeping next to my coffee mug, with a quick note like “rainy morning.”
Making loose, quick sketches keeps it fun and sustainable. You don't need to make “good” art—you just need to get it down.
You can build this skill with expressive drawing practices, which help you loosen up and draw without judgment.
4. Blend Words and Pictures
At first, I thought I had to either write or draw—not both. It took me a while to realize that the best illustrative journals weave them together naturally.
Some pages are just a paragraph and a tiny doodle. Others are full-blown sketches with captions describing smells, sounds, or thoughts. Trust your instincts. If a drawing feels incomplete, add a few sentences. If a page of writing feels empty, sketch something small in the corner.
If you’re stuck on ideas, I’ve collected some simple daily drawing prompts to help you get started.
5. Sketch Scenes, Not Just Objects
Early on, I would draw random objects floating on the page—a cup, a plant, a pencil—but they didn’t feel connected. Once I started drawing whole scenes, my journals started telling little stories.
Now, if I draw my coffee, I also draw the table, the window, the book I'm reading. It doesn't have to be complicated—even a few background lines can ground your sketch in a moment.
I talk more about this in my guide on how to draw a scene and sketching scenes.
6. Set Gentle Themes
Themes are great when you want a little direction without strict rules. Sometimes I’ll pick a loose idea like “things growing” or “places to sit” and fill a few pages with sketches around that theme. It keeps me moving without making it feel like homework.
You can find lots of inspiration in topics for drawing and sketchbook theme ideas.
7. Accept and Celebrate Imperfection
This was the hardest but most important lesson for me: your journal doesn’t need to look perfect. Some pages will be weird. Some drawings will flop. Some writing will sound awkward. I’ve had pages that I almost ripped out, but I'm glad I didn't—because those imperfect pages ended up showing the real story of my day, with all its messiness.
It’s okay. It’s more than okay—it’s part of what makes your journal yours. Those “mistakes” are often the parts I look back on and love the most. They remind me that I was there, in the moment, sketching what I saw and felt, not worrying about how it would look to anyone else.
I wrote more about this mindset in drawing is imperfect, because it’s something I constantly come back to when I feel the urge to make everything “good.”
8. Mix Drawing Styles and Materials
I used to think I had to pick “my style” and stick with it. Now, I mix pencils, pens, and colored pencils freely, depending on my mood.
Some days I'll sketch lightly with a pencil and shade carefully. Other days I'll go straight into bold pen lines with no erasing. Mixing it up keeps it playful and helps you discover new ways of working.
If you're curious about new materials, drawing with ballpoint pen techniques can be a fun place to start.
9. Let Mark-Making Tell the Story
When I started focusing less on making “finished” drawings and more on capturing the energy of a moment, my pages became way more interesting.
Scribbles, fast hatching, broken lines—they all tell a story. Try drawing fast without lifting your pen, or making jagged lines on purpose. It brings a real feeling of life to your pages.
I dive deeper into this idea in mark-making and materiality in art.
10. Keep Going Even When It Feels Boring
There will be days when you sit down, stare at your blank page, and think, “I have nothing to say.” That's fine. Draw your shoe. Draw your hand. Write about the weather.
The important thing is that you show up. Those “boring” days are actually when your habit gets stronger. Some of my favorite journal pages started when I thought I had nothing worth recording.
If you want extra encouragement, a self-imposed drawing boot camp is a good way to build a daily drawing routine that sticks.
Final thoughts on illustrative journaling
Starting illustrative journaling changed how I see the world. It's not about creating perfect art—it's about documenting life as it happens, in your own voice and hand. Whether you're sketching wildlife, plants, coffee shops, or your backyard, the important thing is to keep going and find joy in the imperfections.
If you're looking for even more resources to support your journey, check out my guides on finding your artistic style and creative confidence in drawing. There's always another way to approach your sketchbook and make it your own.