Creating a Travel Journal (September & October) with Pam Benoit

Creating a Travel Journal: Documenting Your Adventures with Pam Benoit

Wednesdays, September 2, 9 & 16, 2026
Wednesdays, October 14, 21 & 28, 2026
5:30 to 7:30 pm
$95 for 3 classes, supplies needed
Limited to 12 students

Check out Pam Benoit's Instagram!

In this class, you will create a personalized travel journal. If your time is limited, you may enroll in the 3 week course for a very brief introduction to the basics.  Or, you may continue for an additional three weeks to get a comprehensive approach to creating your travel journal.  Classes include demos, examples, hands-on exercises, and creative time to work on your journal.

Week 1: Introduction to Travel Journaling & Materials (Sept 2)

• Overview of travel journaling concepts and benefits
• Planning Your Journal
• Introduction to types of travel journals and layout ideas
• Creating coherence in your journal

Week 2: Sketching and Using Different Media (Sept 9)

• Deciding what to draw
• Using different types of materials, media, pencils, pens
• Including photos and images from the internet

 Week 3:  Lettering and Journaling (Sept 16)

• Different kinds of journaling
• Lettering styles

GETTING THE FULL EXPERIENCE

Week 4:  Adding Ephemera and Embellishments (e.g., ticket stubs, labels, stickers, pressed leaves or flowers, etc.) (Oct 14)

• Types of Ephemera and Embellishments
• Integrating Ephemera Into the Page

Week 5:  Creating Folders for Your Travel Journal (Oct 21)

• Types of Paper for Folders
• Ways to Fold and Different Sizes
• Pre-Made Envelopes 

Week 6:  Customizing  Your Travel Journal Cover  (Oct 28)

• Paper and Fabric Options
• Embellishments and 3D
• Stamps and Transfers

Additional Resources about Travel Journals:

• Books
  • Abbey Sy, The art of the travel journal
  • Merel Djamilia, Paint, paper and going places
• YouTube videos:
  • How to complete a travel journal  Abbey Sy
  • Illustrated travel journal made easy.  Carlos Pava
  • Ideas for your travel journal. Merel Djamila

Level

This class is appropriate for beginners and intermediate painters.  Covers basic watercolor painting techniques and provides individual assistance. No prior experience is required. Intermediate painters will gain a deeper understanding  of the foundational concepts of watercolor through practice and guidance.

Pam Benoit is an award-winning teacher with a lengthy career teaching communication at universities. She has taught watercolor classes at Forstall and Four Seasons Gallery.  She loves helping other artists find their joy through watercolors.

• Watercolor Sketchbook (I like the accordion/concertina journals but you can use any sketchbook that has mixed media/watercolor paper and you should choose a size that is good for travel)
• Black Micron pens in different sizes
• Travel watercolor set
• A few brushes (travel brushes, water brushes, or 2 brushes-round and a detail brush)
• Tissues
• Mechanical pencil
• Kneaded eraser
• Collapsible water container

• Micron pens in different colors
• Gel Pens
• Watercolor pencils
• Neocolor II crayons
• Acrylic Markers
• Washi tape
• Stickers
• Small scissors
• Glue stick
• Fountain pen and waterproof fountain pen ink
• Small travel ruler
• Mini photo printer-Fujifilm smartphone printer; Canon portable printer