The Only Art Supply You Need: How to Capture Your Daily Moments with One Simple Art Tool
I could spend hours poking through Pinterest looking at other people’s journals — travel journals, art journals, written journals. I get sucked into “flip through” videos when one shares the pages of their journey, whether it be scenes of the Italian coast or their daily routine.
Taking your art on the go, and creating a journal of words, doodles, drawings and more is one of the most satisfying and rewarding habits. For many, though, it may seem intimidating. Envisioning Van Gogh, toiling in a wheat field in the broiling Provençal sun with a suitcase of supplies and an easel to capture a moment of his day seems like quite an endeavor. As charming or grueling as that image may be, I’m here to say, wipe that clean in your mind.
The only art supply you really need to create an incredible journal is a pen! It can be a black pen, ballpoint pen, or even a marker! Any pen will do, but make it a pen.
Why a black pen and not a pencil?
I encourage people to start with a pen vs. a pencil so there’s no desire to erase, or “fix” a sketch you are working on. The goal of creating your art on the go is not about the final outcome. It is about the overall experience and act of creation! The moments or time spent sitting down and capturing a scene– whether it be a full building, a crowded market, or a simple doodle of a detail, is what is beneficial. Stopping to capture the details, and taking the time to look at them a bit more deeply (to draw them), will make you retain more memories than you would otherwise.
But that doesn’t really address why a pencil doesn’t work just as well.
It is true, either way you will be spending time capturing the moment, but worrying whether your rendering is completely accurate, or a carbon copy can be quite frustrating. I want you to let go of the rules of perspective, ease up on photo realism (use your camera if you want a photograph), and just relax, draw and be creative! Again, concentrate on the act of creation and enjoy the moment.
Another reason I love a black pen is the ability to tell a story in itself. My line may be wobbly, because I was riding on a trolley when I drew it. Or it may be shaky as I was squatting on top of a rock to get a view. These marks tell a story just as much as what I’m drawing and add another dimension to my final piece!
Lastly, I just love the look of an ink drawing. Many times, I add watercolor afterward (hence, my black ink is permanent/water resistant), but I think an ink drawing can stand up very well on it’s own.
But, if all else fails, and you forget a black marker, I’m here to say there is nothing wrong with an everyday ball point pen! It still is the same as a black pen in regards to keeping you away from perfection- no erasing - and truly can be found almost everywhere if you forget one. That means no excuses!
So, grab your pen and a your notebook and start creating!
Supply Recommendations
My go-to black pen are Sakura Pigma Micron Pens, aka “Microns” as most people call it. They come in a variety of widths, from very fine line 005 to thick 1.0. In general, these are all fine tipped markers, but the more you experience the line weight difference, the more you can use them effectively. My only complaint with Micron pens is that they do dry up relatively quickly (I use mine daily so this may have to do with it too.) But, for the price I find them worth it and have been using them regularly for years. Below are some links where you can purchase them online:
