Here's a list of 100 art journal prompts designed for entries using pencil, charcoal, watercolor, casein, or oil paints. They range from observational and technical to emotional and abstract. All perfect for exploring a wide range of mediums and moods.

Even better… all are easy to access and require no extra effort or cost to use as subjects for a journal entry.

Observation-Based Prompts

1. Sketch your breakfast, lunch, brunch or dinner.

2. Paint your favorite view from your window.

3. Draw your hand in 5 different positions. Then draw your foot.

4. Study and paint a houseplant or cut flowers in a vase.

5. Do a quick gesture study of a pet or person.

6. Draw something metallic, ceramic or glass.

7. Paint a single object from multiple angles.

8. Do a tonal study of a crumpled or folded piece of paper.

9. Sketch a still life of random objects on your desk or counter.

10. Paint the sky at different times of day.

Let your imagination run wild- Memory & Imagination

11. Illustrate a vivid childhood memory.

12. Draw your dream home or an obscure section of your neighbors house

13. Paint a scene from a recurring dream.

14. Reimagine a past vacation from memory.

15. Create an imaginary animal.

16. Combine two objects into one surreal creature.

17. Recreate a favorite toy from childhood.

18. Paint your earliest memory.

19. Invent your own mythological figure.

20. Depict how your room looked as a teenager.

Feels - Mood & Emotion

21. Draw how anger or frustration feels.

22. Use color to express calm.

23. Capture the feeling of loneliness.

24. Paint what excitement or happiness looks like.

25. Express gratitude with shapes and color.

26. Create a visual representation of fear.

27. Sketch yourself in a moment of joy. Maybe try adding your favorite people or a pet

28. Draw what your anxiety looks like.

29. Paint something peaceful in monochrome.

30. Illustrate resilience.

Nature & Landscape - Nature Always Provides

31. Paint a single tree in every season.

32. Sketch the texture of rocks or bark. Closeups of knarly tree trunks are a favorite of mine

33. Paint a garden scene from memory.

34. Create a cloud study in watercolor.

35. Paint the movement of water.

36. Draw a series of leaves using pencil or charcoal.

37. Create a moody forest scene.

38. Illustrate the ocean using only shades of blue.

39. Paint a storm.

40. Sketch the horizon line of a place you love.

Personal Reflection

41. Draw your face as you feel today.

42. Paint an abstract representation of your mind.

43. Illustrate a personal challenge.

44. Journal about change—draw what it looks like.

45. Use paint to show your current state of mind.

46. Depict your morning routine visually.

47. Paint a symbol of growth.

48. Combine text and image to represent your values.

49. Create a self-portrait in charcoal or pencil.

50. Paint your biggest inspiration.

Technique-Focused

51. Do a page of blind contour drawings.

52. Use watercolor to layer a landscape.

53. Practice shading with crosshatching in pencil.

54. Paint a limited palette study in casein.

55. Draw a 1-minute sketch, then a 10-minute version.

56. Create texture studies in each medium.

57. Try negative space drawing in charcoal.

58. Do a warm-up doodle page.

59. Paint only using one brush or tool.

60. Study lighting with a single object and strong shadow.

Free Yourself With Creative Constraints

61. Create something with only 2 colors.

62. Draw without lifting your pencil.

63. Paint with your non-dominant hand. This one makes my brain feel funny. Kind of like climbing up the rope in gym class…

64. Fill a page with circles and turn them into images.

65. Use only one shape in different ways.

66. Draw something using only straight lines.

67. Paint upside down (then flip and reflect).

68. Sketch something while listening to music.

69. Create an image using only warm tones. Then try only cool tones..

70. Use 3 to 5 random words as inspiration.

Fantasy & Whimsy

71. Paint a city in the clouds. Or one floating on water like Atlantis…

72. Draw a secret garden.

73. Create your dream studio.

74. Paint a scene under the sea.

75. Draw a magical door and what’s behind it.

76. Create a hybrid animal.

77. Illustrate an imaginary landscape.

78. Paint a futuristic version of your hometown.

79. Draw a creature from folklore.

80. Depict your idea of heaven or paradise.

Time & Seasons

81. Illustrate the feeling of winter.

82. Paint the mood of summer.

83. Draw the passing of time in 4 small boxes. …or spheres.

84. Paint your favorite time of day.

85. Represent morning, noon, and night on one page.

86. Use watercolor to illustrate changing weather.

87. Depict the transition from autumn to winter.

88. Paint a quiet evening scene.

89. Draw something timeless.

90. Depict an hour as a visual story.

Art History & Inspiration

91. Reinterpret a famous painting in your style.

92. Create a tribute to your favorite artist. Or do a series of thumbnail portraits of artists that inspire you.

93. Try painting in the style of an Impressionist.

94. Combine two art styles in one composition.

95. Sketch a modern version of a classical subject.

96. Reimagine a mythological scene.

97. Illustrate your favorite quote from an artist.

98. Create an artwork inspired by a song.

99. Paint using only the colors of your favorite painting.

100. Draw a “conversation” between two artworks from different periods. Or if you’re feeling really inspired a scene showing two of your favorite artists conversing…

Let me know if you try any of these. Also please share your favorite prompts for creating.