What Makes A Sidekick Journal So Special For Daily Art?

A Sidekick Journal in the context of art journaling typically refers to a smaller, portable, less polished and more casual companion journal that artists use alongside their main art journal or mixed media projects. What I discovered in 2025 so far what that my main art journaling in my creative life is really just that: a Sidekick Journal. Because I do a lot of big mixed media art projects, my Sidekick has become my go-to for that messy, random art journaling that I also crave! There are many reasons why an artist might keep a sidekick journal on their art table or even carry it with them in their bag: -Practice and Experimentation: It’s a place to test out techniques, color palettes, or materials before committing them to your main journal. -On-the-Go Creativity: Because it's smaller and more portable, it’s ideal for sketching or journaling while traveling or when you're away from your main workspace. -Idea Development: Many artists use it to jot down ideas, make rough sketches, or write quotes, poems, or concepts to use later. -Creative Overflow: When you have more to express than fits in your main journal spread, the sidekick can hold those extra thoughts or doodles. Common Features: -Smaller size (e.g., passport size, A6, pocket-size) -Lightweight and easy to carry -May have mixed media-friendly paper or just plain/sketch paper I'm basically using my Sidekick journal as a way to experience the fun of just letting go with scraps of paper and leftover paint and ink. I am IN LOVE with this way of art journaling and I don't see myself stopping anytime soon! Check out Fodder School , my podcast, blog, free resources and everything Willa Wanders here: https://willawanders.com