I’ve now crossed the halfway mark of this year’s 100-day art journal challenge, and these last 20 days have felt noticeably different.
There’s been more flow. More confidence. More freedom in the way I approach the pages.
During this time, I ended up creating a class inspired by this very mixed media accordion book — teaching how to build a similar accordion-style structure, but with a different approach. I created 10 signatures with 10 different themes & color palettes.
And I can clearly see how that exploration started influencing the pages inside this book too.
How My Color Palette Started Evolving
In the earlier phases of this 100 day art journal challenge, I was mostly focused on simply showing up.
Now, I’m beginning to notice recurring visual language.
Muted earthy tones.
Dusty neutrals.
Soft layered palettes.
As I worked on the class alongside this project, those colors naturally started finding their way into my journal pages. And I’ve been enjoying that evolution.
Confidence Changes the Way You Create
One thing I’ve noticed strongly during Days 41–60 is this: I hesitate less now.
When I open this mixed media accordion journal, I no longer spend much time wondering what to do. I simply begin.
That confidence hasn’t appeared suddenly. It has been built slowly through repetition. This is what sustained creative daily art practice does.
The more you work, the more familiar the process becomes.
And familiarity softens fear.
The Pages Are Becoming More Layered
Earlier in the project, I often paused before covering something up. Now I layer much more freely.
Paint over collage.
Marks over paint.
Texture over texture.
I’m trusting that even if something disappears, it still leaves behind history.
And honestly, some of my favorite pages now are the ones where earlier layers are only partially visible underneath. Those hidden fragments create depth.
Visual Journal: Days 41–50 
What I’m Learning Halfway Through
At this point in the 100 day art journal challenge, I’m realizing that growth rarely feels dramatic while it’s happening. It feels quiet.
It looks like:
- Starting faster
- Judging less
- Experimenting more
- Recovering from “mistakes” quicker
And over time, those small shifts completely change the creative experience.
This mixed media artist book is becoming less about individual pages and more about accumulated practice.
Moving Into the Next 20 Days
As I move toward Days 61–80, I’m curious to see what shifts again.
Will the palettes continue evolving?
Will the pages become bolder?
Will resistance return in a different form?
I don’t know yet.
And I think that uncertainty is part of what keeps this process alive.
Final Thoughts
These last 20 days have taught me that confidence in art isn’t something you suddenly achieve.
It’s something you build quietly through repetition, experimentation, and trust. And somewhere inside this unfolding handmade artist book, I can already feel that shift happening.
If you’re doing a 100 day art journal challenge, what are you noticing about your own creative process lately? Have your colors, materials, or approaches started evolving too?
Tell me in the comments below.
