Using Mungyo and Crayola oil pastels in my art journals

Success is liking yourself,
liking what you do,
and liking how you do it.
Maya Angelou

It’s been a while since I’ve had time to art journal, but for the past few days I’ve been making time. It’s surprising how much creating these pages brighten my day, and make me a happier being overall. Giving myself permission to play, explore, and have fun are gifts I need to give myself more often. 

This art journal is a composition notebook that I started months ago, and kinda forgot about. I usually have several of these available at once. I don’t work in chronological order when I art journal, unless I’m writing the date on the pages. I normally hesitate dating the pages because I have a habit of opening up a page, and adding more to it at any given time. The only time I add the date is if I’m keeping track of daily painting. 

I love working in these books because they’re cheap (.88 each at Walmart), and the paper is perfect for what I want to use it for. Notebook paper is much stronger than you might think. I’ve been using notebooks as art journals for years. Yes, the paper warps and crinkles, but I don’t care. The imperfections give my artwork character, and allows me the chance to create something I never could on canvas. 

I prep the pages ahead of time in my studio by giving them a light wash with either acrylic, gouache or watercolor paint. I use these art journals in my downtime, usually while I’m lying in bed watching Netflix or Youtube videos. The art supplies I use are limited because I don’t want to make a mess..although oil pastels are messy, so if you try it have plenty of paper towels on hand. I don’t use any paint or water. I find this makes me tap into my creativity more to not have “all the things” within my reach. 

Later, if something bugs me..like this bird’s beak kinda does, I have the option of fixing it in the studio.

Besides paint and oil pastels, I also used Uni-ball Signo UM-153 gel ink pens: colors gold, red, white, blue & black. I like these pens a lot, but what I don’t like is how quickly they dry up, and become unusable. I know there’s an expiration date on oil pastels, but I’m not sure if these pens have one too, but it seems like they should. 

The inks dries up even if I’ve only used them once or twice, and there’s plenty of ink left. I’ve tried all kinds of tricks to get the ink moving..blowing into the tube, and trying to force the ink down, let it stand in hot water, warming up the tip with my hair dryer. Nothing worked. The barely used pens are dead, and as much as I enjoy using them, I’ve had to throw a lot of them away. I’m unsure if I’ll buy them again. 

I hope you’ve enjoyed having a peek inside my art journal, and that you’re having a lovely peaceful Wednesday. It’s going to be a stormy one here, so I’ll be hiding out in the studio if you need me. 

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