Bible Journaling 101 – Easy to Follow Tutorials

by | Jun 26, 2015 | Bible Journaling, Uncategorized | 26 comments

Bible_Journaling

Over the past few weeks, some of the members of our facebook group have asked me to put together a tutorial. I’ve never done a tutorial before, so this was a whole new learning curve for me. In fact at the end of the first video, the camera is upside down. LOL~! Live and learn, right?

I really enjoyed making these, so you might want to subscribe to my channel, since I’m sure I’l be creating some more.

One page from start to finish takes a couple of hours for me, so I’ve broken the series down into four separate videos:

1) Simple Lettering Techniques

2) Easy to Draw Banners and Roses

3) Painting with Acrylics Pt. 1

4) Painting with Acrylics Pt. 2

Note: At the bottom of this page, I’ve included a list of the supplies that I use.

Also note that you can find us journaling on facebook here: Bible Journaling
And our Instagram hashtag is #drawingcloser

Bible Journaling – Basic Hand Lettering

Bible Journaling – Drawing a Simple Scroll and Roses

Bible Journaling – Acrylic Painting Pt. 1

Bible Journaling – Acrylic Painting Pt. 2

Suggested Supplies for Bible Journaling:

Please note, these are only suggestions. You can certainly save money by using supplies that you have at home like pencil crayons and a simple notebook. These recommendations are for those who are looking for some instruction and guidance.

Bible:

KJV Journaling Bible This is the one I use. My favorite! There are other ones on Amazon too. So you might dig around a bit to find your favorite.

Tools:

A sharp pencil

Ruler

Eraser

Acrylic Paint – I don’t see my set on Amazon (I’m in Canada), but this one is almost identical –
Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Tube 48-Piece Set

If you prefer to paint with watercolor pencils, that’s great–I love them too! You can find a link to those below.

Note: You might want to check the dollar store too, because our dollar store carries acrylic paint. It’s thinner and there aren’t as many colors to choose from, but it’s still pretty awesome!

A Plastic Paint Palette – I used to use a plastic lid, until I found out how cheap these were!
Art Alternatives Paint Tray Palette, 10 Wells with Thumb Hole

Paint Brushes – Since I used a variety of paint brushes, I recommend a value pack like this one:
Royal Brush Manufacturing Royal and Langnickel Zip N’ Close 12-Piece Brush Set in Vinyl Pouch

2 PACK – Pigma Micron Pen .25mm Open Stock-Black – I absolutely LOVE this pen! I started with a different pen, but once I got a hold of this one, I was hooked. My lines are so much cleaner, and I can add small details.

Other Supplies I often Use:

General Pencil Kimberly Watercolor Pencils, 24 Per Package – Under $20.00 for a pack of watercolor pencils. These are a great deal! You can definitely start with them. I use them daily.

Da Vinci Watercolor Paint Brush Size 8 – I don’t see my exact paint brush on Amazon, but this one is very similar. I had no idea what to buy, but now I do. It must have that nice tapered edge so you can get into little places with it.

Gel Ink Pen White – I just picked this up yesterday. Where has it been all my life? This is great for adding little white spots over the paint, like polka dots on a dress, whites in the eyes, etc. OR if you make a little mistake in your lettering, it’s like a little dab of white out. Really awesome pen!!

Derwent Drawing Pencils, Inktense, 4mm Core, Metal Tin, Watercolor, 24 Per Pack (0700929) – These cost a bit more than the Kimberly. I use them alongside the Kimberly pencils because they are vibrant. They also blend a bit better because of the quality. However, you do not need these to create nice images.

And if you are looking to doodle on watercolor paper. This is the pad I’m using: Canson Watercolor Paper Pad, 30-Sheet, 9-Inch by 12-Inch, X-Large I used this paper on the clock and for the images I painted. This paper is also the perfect thickness for creating a birthday card.

Note: I’m using Amazon affiliate links in this post. It doesn’t affect the price at all, but does provide me with a small commission if the products are purchased. On that note–I only post products I truly believe in and love. 

26 Comments

  1. Fiona Hayward on June 26, 2015 at 4:59 pm

    Hi Darlene,
    Thank you so much for taking the time to do these videos. I am truly amazed at well you do the lettering with the tremor. God has obviously blessed you with a talent.
    I am just new to your group on Facebook, so glad I found it, I thought I was the only doodled in my bible ( not to the level that you are doing) and have always found it beneficial to doodle in my notepad at Church as I take notes as it seems to relax my brain to take more stuff in.
    Have you heard of or considered using a stay wet palette for your acrylic paints? You can buy them, but they are really simple to make your own.
    Fiona

    • Darlene Schacht on June 26, 2015 at 6:42 pm

      Fiona, I’ve never heard of that. I’ll have to google it! Thanks for the encouragement.

  2. Asheritah on June 27, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    I saw that Biblie journaling is a trend now but I haven’t dared venture into it because I’m not very artsy and I’m afraid I’ll ruin my Bible. Do you sketch what you’re going to put in your Bible beforehand, or do you make it up as you go?

  3. Lynn on June 29, 2015 at 8:31 am

    IThank you for posting this video. I love your tutorial. Do you mind if I post my art journal entry that is inspired by this tutorial on the bible journaling fb page and how do I give you credit? I used tombow markers instead of acrylic paint.

    • Darlene Schacht on June 29, 2015 at 3:33 pm

      Yes, I’d love if you post that. No need to give me credit! Can’t wait to see it.

  4. Tina on June 29, 2015 at 1:07 pm

    What a great way to help your children memorize scripture. We do not have Journaling bibles so I think this would make great art work for their rooms. Thank you!

    • Darlene Schacht on June 29, 2015 at 3:32 pm

      Yeah, great for memorization!

  5. Nora on June 30, 2015 at 2:37 pm

    You mentioned in your video about buying the acrylic paint at the Dollar Store…are you talking about the General Dollar Store or Dollar Tree type stores?

    Thanks so much for sharing your videos on this….

  6. Julie on July 1, 2015 at 1:48 am

    Thank you so much for sharing this, Darlene! I love how you took us step by step through how you do it. I learned so much. I love your style and really enjoyed seeing exactly how you do it.

    Blessings – Julie

  7. Rachel on July 3, 2015 at 12:58 pm

    Thank you for posting these tutorials! I am totally new to Bible journaling and this is increasing my skills. I have started and I love it. Thank you!

  8. Catie Darlene on July 11, 2015 at 4:20 pm

    Hi Darlene

    I am so inspired by this. Going to order my journaling bible today!

    I also have essential tremor, so I really didn’t think I should attempt the journaling. However, your tutorial has given me insight that it can be done through God’s grace and will be a great blessing and joy to me.

    • Darlene Schacht on July 13, 2015 at 1:08 am

      I love how God uses our weaknesses to illustrate His strength!

  9. Allyson George on August 19, 2015 at 3:07 pm

    I am trying very hard to get the insturctions to get me going!! I almost need another person to help me get starting. I will continue to find a way that I can start with the arylics, and the brushes. You do it so well, but I am taking a lot of time to figure it all out.

  10. Allyson George on August 19, 2015 at 3:12 pm

    I guess the issue is that I am trying to find acrylics and brushes. I went to the Dollar Store recently, but they did not have the “good brushes” and I never found the acrylics.

    If possibly, could you give me some stores, other than the Dollar Store. Our Dollar Store did not have the good brushes and finding the acrylics.

    Other than that, hoping that I can find the right place to get good help!!!!!!

    • Darlene Schacht on August 19, 2015 at 3:38 pm

      Perhaps you could try Walmart. I haven’t checked their brushes, but I’ve seen acrylic paint there.

  12. Dawn on October 7, 2015 at 1:39 am

    Great job, thanks so much for sharing, I was curious do you ever do both sides of the page and if you do they ever bleed or ruin one of the sides? I am excited my daughter and I both love to draw and I was looking for a way to send time with her involving the Bible and I think this will work. I am so excited to get started.
    Dawn

    • Darlene Schacht on October 10, 2015 at 12:34 am

      Dawn,

      The paint rarely bleeds through but sometimes the ink does. I use micron pens because they bleed the least. There are times when I have to get creative with the other side of the page. I add color to cover up the bleed. Acrylic paint is fun and easy to use (also cheap at the dollar store!) and it covers well.

  13. Teresa Arsenault on January 29, 2016 at 8:12 am

    Thanks for sharing your techniques, Darlene. I really appreciate it and I’m excited to try making some scrolls and roses of my own. I actually enjoyed hearing your wee birdie in the background. I was trying to figure out if he is a conure or cockatiel. Perhaps something else? I love birds. I am also a Canadian.
    Blessing hugs,
    Teresa
    (Prince Edward Island)

  14. Katherine Wright on November 10, 2016 at 12:35 pm

    Hi Darlene!
    I’ve been really interested in bible journaling and I have purchased a bible with margins on the sides. My biggest concern, especially with the watercolors and pens, will they bleed through the bible thin pages? I would love to do these things but I really don’t want to ruin my bible. Are there some paints/pens that bleed more than others?
    Thank you for your tutorials!

    • Darlene Schacht on November 17, 2016 at 12:52 am

      I find that almost every black pen shows through a bit. Micron is the best, but I will choose black pencil crayon when I want to be certain. Watercolors sit on top of the page. They are great. I haven’t had a problem with them. But if the page is wet, it can tear so easily.

  15. becky on January 12, 2017 at 2:41 pm

    Do you have a journal that already has the black and white pictures and verses that can be colored in. We are having a conference for teenage girls and we would like to be able to color in the daily verse and pictures. thanks Becky

    • Jolene S. on February 24, 2017 at 10:52 am

      Yes Becky, most of the Bible Journals do have pre-printed designs to color in, and several that do not for us to be creative! Go to Amazon.com and type in Bible Journals, they will have several different ones Bibles you can choose from?

      Hope this helps,
      Your Sister in Christ

  16. Jolene on February 23, 2017 at 3:05 pm

    Darlene & aall,

    You have given me such hope in Bible Journaling, I have ordered my FIRST Bible for Bible Journaling, I am SO EXCITED! Love all of your creativity and am looking forward to sharing my first Page (hard to think of finishing up an entire Bible) SO EXCITED!!!

    God Bless all
    Your Sister in Christ,
    Jolene

  17. Jolene on February 23, 2017 at 3:08 pm

    Corrected comment,
    (MINUS typo please excuse my last post, hit enter in error)

    Jolene
    February 23, 2017 at 3:05 pm – Reply

    Darlene & All,
    You have given me such hope in Bible Journaling, I have ordered my FIRST Bible for Bible Journaling! I am SO EXCITED for this journey!

    Love all of your creativity and I am looking forward to sharing my first Page (hard to think of finishing up an entire Bible) I am SO EXCITED!!!

    God Bless all
    Your Sister in Christ,
    Jolene