12 Creative Ways to Use Vintage Photos in Your Art Journal
Posted by Amber Demien on Sep 27th 2024
Vintage photos are often used in art journals to help the artist tell a story. We can’t help but wonder who the people in the photo were, what their lives were like, or what they were thinking when the photo was taken. Not only do these snapshots add intrigue and a relatable human touch to a journal page, but it’s also gratifying to rescue them from dusty attics or cluttered antique stores, allowing the people captured in them to live on in our artwork. We’ve collected some clever ideas on how to put a spin on this common collage element, ensuring that you stay inspired and never run out of ways to tell their stories, and your own, in your artwork.
LISA GODDARD⎟ ART JOURNALING WINTER 2023
Use tiny scraps of interesting papers to dress-up someone’s clothing. Use colorful papers on a black-and-white photo for added contrast.
See more in the Winter 2023 Issue of Art Journaling.
MICHELLE SANDERS⎟ ART JOURNALING WINTER 2023
Cut out the image of a sitting person, and place them upon an unexpected surface for a touch of whimsy.
See more in the Winter 2023 Issue of Art Journaling.
TINA WALKER⎟ ART JOURNALING SPRING 2023
Print a vintage photo onto fabric for a softer, timeworn effect, and complement it with fibers and stitching.
See more in the Spring 2023 Issue of Art Journaling.
LOUISE MUZIO⎟ ART JOURNALING SUMMER 2023
Cut a vintage photo into strips, and then staple or stitch the pieces back together for a dose of drama.
See more in the Summer 2023 Issue of Art Journaling.
NANCY BALES⎟ ART JOURNALING AUTUMN 2023
Choose a striking black-and-white photo, and layer it atop a colorful collage of patterned papers to set it apart on the page.
See more in the Autumn 2023 Issue of Art Journaling.
SUSAN PAGNUCCI⎟ ART JOURNALING AUTUMN 2023
Photocopy a vintage photo onto the same cardstock as the background of the art journal page, cut it out, and attach it with 3-D adhesive.
See more in the Autumn 2023 Issue of Art Journaling.
JANNETTE SIMONS⎟ ART JOURNALING WINTER 2024
Choose a photo featuring a group of people, and use permanent markers to color-in their clothing.
See more in the Winter 2024 Issue of Art Journaling.
LEACA YOUNG⎟ ART JOURNALING WINTER 2024
Create a custom paper doll by cutting out the head and shoulders of a person from a photo, and then complete their body using patterned papers.
See more in the Winter 2024 Issue of Art Journaling.
VERONICA KURIAN⎟ ART JOURNALING SPRING 2024
A vintage photo is the perfect item to tuck into a pocket in a junk journal. Allow it to peek out a bit for added intrigue.
See more in the Spring 2024 Issue of Art Journaling.
AMBER WALKER⎟ ART JOURNALING SPRING 2024
Create fantastical, dreamlike imagery by combing a vintage photo with another image, like this girl and house combination reminiscent of “Alice in Wonderland.”
See more in the Spring 2024 Issue of Art Journaling.
NICOLE WATSON⎟ ART JOURNALING SUMMER 2024
Embrace a true monochromatic color palette by using only materials that perfectly match the vintage photo on the page.
See more in the Summer 2024 Issue of Art Journaling.
NARAH KIMBERLY⎟ ART JOURNALING SUMMER 2024
Complement a vintage image with found-text poetry, and place everything on a brightly painted background for eye-catching contrast.
Discover more ways to use vintage photos in your art journal in our latest issue of Art Journaling.
