Simplifying the art of Jiu Jitsu, one drawing at a time.
My name is Paul, and I'm the artist and creator behind The BJJ Journals.
When I started training Jiu Jitsu, it was like drinking from a firehose. Lots of new movements and terminologies could get overwhelming: Where am I supposed to be? How do I tie this belt? What's a Kimura? Why are we "shrimping"?
Like most beginners, I turned to YouTube and the internet — and while the content was great, sitting through videos and actually retaining what you watched was another challenge entirely.
So after every class, I started doing what came naturally to me: I grabbed a notebook and drew it out. As a visual learner, sketching the progressions and key details of each technique was the only way I could remember what we'd covered. One clear image. Everything you need. Right there when you step back on the mats.
That personal habit became The BJJ Journals — illustrated technique notes designed to cut through the confusion and give you the essentials at a glance. Whether you're a white belt trying to survive your first few months or an experienced practitioner looking for a quick reference, these journals are built for the way visual learners actually learn.
Caveat: I'm not a world champion, not a black belt (not yet anyway). I'm just a guy on the journey of becoming a better practitioner, one drawing at a time, trying to make sense of it all. All the instruction comes from skilled coaches much better than me. Any mistakes in the translation are mine. No AI slop here, just pure man-made skritchins. Thanks for following!