Painting Myself Into My Art Journal: A Handmade Mixed Media Journey
Painting Myself Into My Art Journal: A Handmade Mixed Media Journey
For the past few weeks, I’ve been immersed in creating something deeply personal—a handmade art journal built from folded maps, layers of collage, and now, hand-painted portraits of myself. The entire process has felt like visual storytelling, with each brushstroke and paper scrap adding a piece to the puzzle of who I am right now as an artist.
A Journal Made from Maps (Literally)
It all started with some old map pages that I folded into a journal. I love using maps because they represent movement, memory, and a sense of place. The paper texture alone makes a beautiful base for collage and mixed media layering.
Collage, Texture, and a Bit of Digital Help
I built the backgrounds using a combination of patterned papers, bits of vintage book pages, and paint. To personalize the portraits, I used FaceApp to stylize my photos before painting over them—something I’ve been experimenting with to explore identity and expression in a new way. The result is bold, a little surreal, and super fun.
Why I Love This Process
There’s something magical about seeing your own image evolve on the page, especially when surrounded by hand-chosen textures and marks. This journal has become a playground for exploring who I am through color, shape, and memory.
Watch It Come to Life
If you want to see the process in motion, I shared a full video on my YouTube channel. You can watch me work through each stage—from folding the journal to layering collage and finally painting the portrait. Watch video here: (117) From Travel Dreams to Daily Motivation: My Journal Transformation - YouTube
Your Turn—Would You Paint Yourself Into Your Art?
I'd love to know: Have you ever created a self-portrait? Or thought about using your own photo in an art journal spread? Let me know in the comments or tag me on Instagram if you try something similar!
Disclaimer: Some of the links included in this description may be Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no extra cost to you, and it helps support my channel. Thank you for your support!
Prismacolor water-soluble colored pencils https://amzn.to/4gELdXB
Staedtler double-ended lettering brush pens https://amzn.to/4gFiBNS
Posca pens for shading and accents https://amzn.to/4pv88Zg
Mod Podge Matte for gluing & sealing https://amzn.to/42FiuMk
Golden paint (mixed with budget-friendly brands for quality & affordability) https://amzn.to/426GJD8
Chrome Pens: https://amzn.to/4pAkzTP
Acetate sheets (for stencil making) https://amzn.to/4pz2W6F
Wood-burning tool with soldering iron tip https://amzn.to/4gDud41 (This tool is not the same as I have but most are fine for this project. This link is to a similar tool)
