My project is illustrated journaling. I’m committed to drawing one simple object, person, scene, landscape, etc. I see around me in any nearby sketchbook, using a pen, every day for 28 days, starting from Monday, 1 December 2025.

The rules:

I’m allowed to draw any object, person, scene, landscape, etc. I see around me. On low-mood days, even just a simple mug or a boxy eraser is acceptable.
I’m allowed to draw in any nearby sketchbook. I have placed 4 sketchbooks in different spots in my home, 1 plain traveler’s notebook insert in my backpack, and 1 tiny sketchbook inside my pants pocket.
I must draw using a permanent-ink pen (fineliner, gel pen, marker, etc). No pencil except colored pencils for coloring.
Coloring is optional, and I’m allowed to use any supplies I have at home.
Sharing the entries on social media (including this class’ project page) makes it more fun, but don’t pay too much attention to metrics.

Day 1

28 days of illustrated journaling - image 1 - student project

Day 2-4

28 days of illustrated journaling - image 2 - student project

Day 5-6

28 days of illustrated journaling - image 3 - student project

On day 6, I realized that this illustrated journaling project has made me want to go outside more often. I find excuses to leave the house and draw what I see around me.

Day 6-7

28 days of illustrated journaling - image 4 - student project

Sometimes my 6-year-old son colors my doodles.

Day 8-10

28 days of illustrated journaling - image 5 - student project

Some of these drawings were colored today (19 December 2025) because I've been too lazy to color them all on the days I drew them, but I want to color them before I post them here.

Day 11-13

28 days of illustrated journaling - image 6 - student project

The one thing that helps me draw every day, despite having no drawing fundamentals, is my goal to MAKE BAD ART. If the result happens to be good, it's a bonus. If not, goal achieved, so no need to feel frustrated. I never throw away my drawings, no matter how bad they are.

This is, of course, the opposite of what Neil Gaiman said, "Make good art." What a terrible advice for beginners.

Day 14-15

28 days of illustrated journaling - image 7 - student project

I started noticing that the most enjoyable part of drawing is coloring. Maybe that’s why, despite not understanding color theory, I color almost all of the drawings in my sketchbook.

But then the Fire Nation attacked, and I fell into a depression episode

16 December 2025, I was supposed to draw the day 16 entry. Instead, I doomscrolled social media, read someone’s rant about AI, and got depressed. It triggered a 4-week depression episode (I have bipolar disorder). I could barely take a shower and have proper meals, spending my days and nights sleeping, so drawing and journaling were out the window.

13 January 2026, the episode ended, clearly marked by my ability to return to drawing. But I didn’t want to update this project with the pictures. I thought I had failed because I didn’t draw for 28 days nonstop.

Today, 23 January 2026, I told my husband I felt sad for failing the class. He said something that changes my perception about habit-making, but might make some productivity gurus’ ears red: “Demanding yourself to do something for 28 days without fail is perfectionism. The streak doesn’t matter. What matters the most is picking up where you left off and continuing. You might fail again later. So you continue again. Fail again. Continue again. Over time, the duration of your failed days will shorten and shorten. That’s how you make a new habit.”

It makes complete sense. So I decided to continue updating this project with my journal entries.

Day 16-18

28 days of illustrated journaling - image 8 - student project

I started to play with acrylic brush markers. The brand is Miracle Works. I bought a set of 120 pieces for less than 28 dollars. It was a gift from my husband because I successfully didn’t harm myself during my depression episode.

I don’t know yet how to blend the colors, but I’ve been having so much fun!

Day 19-20

28 days of illustrated journaling - image 9 - student project

Day 21-22

28 days of illustrated journaling - image 10 - student project

Day 23-25

28 days of illustrated journaling - image 11 - student project

Day 26-28

28 days of illustrated journaling - image 12 - student project

And it's a wrap!

Overall, I enjoyed this project although it takes waaaay more than 28 days haha... Thank you, Mr. Armstrong. Looking forward to your next classes!

Dian Ara

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