Complete Guide to Bible Journaling: Creative Techniques to Express Your Faith by Joanne Fink
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Before I got this book, I had only a vague idea there was such a thing as Bible journaling and no idea how to go about it or what a movement it had become. But now that I’ve read it, I’m a convert!
What a comprehensive and gorgeous guide this is!
Six sections take the reader through:
Getting Started: An explanation of what Bible journaling is and how to begin.
Tools and Techniques: A walk through many Bible journaling techniques including lettering in different styles, tracing, using stamps, drawing, coloring with colored pencils, preparing Bible pages for paint, painting with watercolour and acrylics, the use of washi tape etc. The book is lavishly illustrated with colour photos that show processes step-by-step and display the finished designs.
Artist Profiles: An introduction to eleven Bible journaling women who have connected and attracted a following on the internet (through their websites and social media). Their stories are as varied as their styles, which go from demurely decorative illustrations filling the margins of journaling Bibles to scrapbooked Bibles chubby with bold whole page paintings and attached memorabilia.
Gallery: An embarrassment of riches here, featuring 20+ pages of Bible journaling reproductions in full colour, organized by themes (“Patterning,” “Coloured Pencils,” “Line Work” etc.).
Resources and Index: In addition to an index of the book, here you’ll find lists of resources—artist websites and the favourite social media hangouts for Bible journalers.
Bonus Section: A final 30+ pages feature examples of lettering styles and simple graphic items as ideas and to copy, stickers and traceable line drawings printed on see-through vellum.
I was impressed by the artistry and beauty of the work with which these women (no, there was nary a man to be found in the pages of this book—pity, I’ll bet some guys would enjoy this as much as the girls) illuminate their Bibles.
The purpose of Bible journaling—to get individuals to interact with God’s word—gets lots of emphasis in the explanations by the authors and the stories of the profiled artists. I appreciated that.
Over and over the authors remind readers that the object of this activity is not to achieve perfect art. The tone is accepting of any effort and a celebration of the wide variety of styles and personalities that come through in the artists’ works as they dig into the Bible. The book makes you feel like you can do it too.
In addition to people who journal in their Bibles, I can see this book being useful to anyone who scrapbooks, as well as to those who enjoy crafts like making cards and wall hangings.
Perhaps not surprisingly I’ve picked out a journaling Bible (Bibles with wide lined margins, especially designed for journaling) in my favourite version and can’t wait to get started. I’m sure my Complete Guide to Bible Journaling will soon look quite used.
I received the Complete Guide to Bible Journaling from the publisher (Design Originals, an imprint of Fox Chapel Publishing) as a gift for the purpose of writing a review.
Violet Nesdoly 
It’s a wonderful new way to worship. And this book is the best one I have found on the subject so far! It is written in easy terms so the non-artist can go into Bible Journaling and accomplish a good page at first try. I believe the Bible Journaling movement has caused a return of people to spend more time reading the Word, and ENJOYING it. I know I fit into that category. I no longer dread spending time with my own Bible. ( hard to admit that one). But now I joyfully grab some Crayolas and colored pencils and head off to find a scripture that stimulates my mind to out that phrase into color. Several minutes later, I realize I am relaxed, I have enjoyed reading the Word, and I have poured out my artistic soul in a most colorful way. It strengthens me.
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Thanks,Linda, I so agree! It’s freeing and stimulating. I’ve joined several Bible journaling Facebook groups and the creativity is amazing too.
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I have joined some groups,too, and I love being with the people I find there. Thanks!
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