The Decorated Journal. Creating Beautifully Expressive Journal Pages

Customer Reviews

Informative and artistic

2008-07-19
Even if I never make my own journal, I love looking at this book! It takes you through the whole process or suggests how you can transform an already existing book. The examples show creative and beautiful ideas. It focuses more on the use of paint than other materials. I bought it with The Decorated Page which elaborates on page ideas and love owning both. It is a great addition to my art reference material.

Kicking it up a notch for a beginner like me

2007-09-13
This book helped me get to the next stage in my beginning art journaling. I learned why paper behaves the way it does when liquid is applied, how different adhesives work and what they're good for--tons of practical stuff for a neophyte to art journaling. I go back to it again and again. It's got great information, and it's a beautiful book to spend time with. I'll grow into it for a long time.

decorated journal

2007-09-03
I loved Gwen Diehn's first book and this one is very, very good. The journal pages by the artists and the suggestions from the author are inspiring and thought provoking.
The design of this book is uninspired and boring. It is UNDERdecorated. It looks like a text book, which is a shame.

very good ideas

2007-08-12
I was very pleased with this book! It has lots of great ideas for journaling or other mediums.

A must have book for journal makers!!

2007-07-21
I devoured this book! It is by far the most inspiring and informational book on journal making I have ever read. Wonderfully written and illustrated so it is easy to understand and put to use. I can't wait to try everything including making my own pigments! I guess I'll have to buy her first one!

Decorated Journal

2007-03-13

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.

Making meaning and not merely another pretty book

2007-02-27
Given the popularity of scrapbooking and memory books, which has spawned an industry of kits, supply stores and weekend seminars, I at first mistook THE DECORATED JOURNAL from its title as belonging to this trend. In fact, this book can well serve that audience because it encourages crafters to seek original artistic expression and materials. THE DECORATED JOURNAL is also valuable as a fine arts resource because it is talking about using visual art media, techniques and aesthetics to create a record or reflection of experience either in place of or in the company of text.

The author, who teaches journal making as an art form at the college level, has produced a neat exploration of ways in which artists and amateurs have created meaning in the format of journals that marry the visual and text. She speaks plainly and concisely for those of us untrained in art and provides an excellent overview of materials and choices. She sorts through various paper, media and adhesives, explaining their plusses and minuses, their ease in use and mess quotient. She takes us into the world of making our own pigments and books. She gives us "the how" and "the what" in spades.

She also gives us "the why" through color photographs of a variety of artist's journals, including her own. She references a number of books worth reading, including some out of print that sound wonderful enough to hunt down.

Great fun!

2007-02-23
I think this is the first of the two books out by Diehn - both are wonderful. The examples are full of energy and life. There is more to the art of journaling than writing - this book exemplifies some of the best ideas. Not limited to merely drawing and painting - collage and other mixed mediums are represented as well. Bravo!

A Must Have For The Art Journalist!

2007-01-29
Gwen Diehn does it again! I loved her first book and also love this one. I found it very useful in many ways: supply ideas, art journal ideas, jump-starting my creative muse on days she didn't want to be jump-started, etc. Many of the examples in this book can be used in numerous ways, not just for art journals.

good for book binders

2006-11-11
I loved the first book,"Decorated Page", and altho this book is very good, I am
am not at this time going to bind my papers into my own Journal. But, i love
the information on color, and the drawings, and am very happy that this book
is in my library. I know I will refer to it, when I am ready to make my own books, and I am so happy
that it is part of my references.