Simple Bible Journaling ideas with watercolor salt resist
Bible journaling is immensely popular, and a creative way to spend time with God in an unexpected way. For me, it helps me focus on days when my mind is going all OVER the place and quiets my mind while I reflect on a certain message.
Today let’s take a look at a super simple tutorial using watercolor paints and salt to create a beautiful page that anyone can do!
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself. This post may contain affiliate links that at NO additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission to help support this blog. Read full privacy policy here.
There will be a supply list at the bottom of what I used, but the basics are simple: a bible, watercolor paints, a brush, and salt.
Everything else can be a good chance to go through your stash and use things you already have to decorate and finish the page.
How do I start a Bible journal page?
To begin, put a piece of waxed paper or a similar barrier to keep the paint from leaking through to other pages. I like wax paper because it is always in the kitchen, and costs pennies!
Gesso is an optional item to use as a base BEFORE you starting painting, but I like how it gives the page extra thickness and strength. It helps keep things from bleeding through too.
The easiest way to spread it by using an old gift or credit card. Keep the layer thin and let it dry completely.
Why are watercolors good for Bible journaling?
Youtube has tons of great tutorials on using watercolors, and they are my favorite medium. I don’t like to color in the lines 😉 , so they lend an air of “flow” that is great for imperfection…and that is what makes this fun instead of stressful!
Now, I used Gesso as a base and that does seem to change the intensity of my paints. When I do pages without it, the colors are more vibrant. Just a side note based on your preference…
When there is plenty of water on the brush, it helps the paint “pool” in a way that will work great with the salt method.
This page is based on Ephesians 1:8, and the goal was a colorful sky. This is fun and easy to do. Just add colors until you get the desired effect.
How do I fix Bible journaling mistakes?
If your paint palette doesn’t have the color you want, add some water to a little container and pull paints into it to mix until you find the right shades.
When color seems a bit too much or off, take a paper towel and gently place on top of the paint to pull some of the color off. Try again! You can’t go wrong here, a worst case scenario?
Gesso over the whole thing and start again.
What is a salt resist painting?
Now comes the fun part, making sure the page is WET, pour salt over all the paint. Let it dry completely.
Dump the salt off and carefully make sure all the granules have come free. Be gentle with this part so as not to rip the paper. It will leave a mottled effect that is soft and lovely.
Bible journaling drawing for the non artist
For natural artists, it is fun to add an image that reflects the passage to you. If you are not comfortable with drawing, search for free clip art images on Google.
A fun tip is to print the image off, OR place your phone under the page and trace the picture.
After drawing the image, I added more watercolor and let it have a fresh layer of salt.
The salt won’t’ ruin the ink you’ve used when the right pen is used. My favorite and most used are Pitt Artist Pens. They work so well for mixed media and Bible journaling and seldom smear when I paint over them.
Embellishments for Bible journaling
Time to add your embellishments. Washi tape, stickers, or whatever you have can add a nice finished effect for your page.
I like to use a stamp that puts the date on as well. Looking back on past years, that has been a comforting reminder of how far God has brought me. I hope that will be a gift to you as well.
That is it! Perhaps my favorite technique of all for Bible journaling! The lighting is not good today, so the vibrancy of the paints just isn’t showing up..even edited. Trust me though, the colors are so beautiful with this technique when you use the watercolors!
Have fun with this and remember, that imperfection is what makes these pages so special.
I even noticed AFTER I was done that I wrote out the scripture wrong, arghh. Oh well! I still had fun.
Bible journaling supplies
Here is a list of the supplies that I used. These are just suggestions though, please use what you have , or experiment with something new. Most importantly, have a good time!
- Crossway Journaling Bible Interleaved Edition
- Gesso (I used Liquitex which isn’t clear, but often choose Diana Wakely Clear Gesso)
- Morton Coarse Kosher Salt (cheap at the grocery store)
- Wax Paper
- Pitt Artist Pens (medium is my favorite and I think these are the best pens for bible journaling)
- Paint brushes (can get 40% off with coupon at Hobby Lobby)
- Pelikan Watercolors (love, love them)
- Miscellaneous letter stickers and ephemera
- Disclosure: I only recommend products I do/would use myself. This post may contain affiliate links that at NO additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission to help support this blog. Read full privacy policy here.
