Don't Be Afraid to Draw

One of the things I wish I had done differently as I started Bible journaling is to have been less afraid of drawing pictures in my Bible.  Because I have never thought of myself as artistic, I almost completely avoided drawing anything beyond the most basic shapes in my Bible.  While this allowed me to focus on my hand lettering, I was missing out on adding those visual elements to my pages that have now become a big part of my "style."

I am still not very good at thinking of an idea and drawing it off the top of my head but I have now become adept at using Instagram and Pinterest to find images I like, practice them on paper, figure out how to make them my own and transfer them to my Bible.  The cacti above were based on an image I found on Pinterest that I am really happy with.

When I started in this Bible, I made a commitment that my pages would be my own and that I would not exactly replicate anyone else's work in my Bible.  I have held true to this and never use pages and lettering with the pictures that go along with it.  I struggled a bit with the fact that I am using the drawings of others on IG and Pinterest to learn how to draw the same thinngs but have decided that I am learning (and now teaching others) how to draw things that I never would have figured out on my own.

So...go for it.  Give it a shot.  Find a sketch or doodle that you like and pay attention to the details.  What makes a picture look 3D?  What sort of coloring and shading gives you the effect that you like?  How do scale and perspective affect what you're looking at?

Happy journaling, friends.

What to Expect at Draw Near 101

Running a business designed to break even is not my specialty (except the shopping part, I'm good at that) but lesson planning is.  I'm totally geeking out over the plans for 101.

I am totally, 100% open to feedback.  I know what I like and what I want to know how to do and what I have experience with but I don't know you.  Well.  I know you but I don't know what you're hoping to get out of this.  Now is the time to tell me while I am still in the planning stages.

Here's the working agenda:

post-bedtime planning time

Welcome/Introduction/Why Draw Near?
Supply Overview and Demonstrations
Introduction to Hand-Lettering with Practice Time
Variations on Bible Journaling (in a Bible, on paper, in journals, sketchnotes, etc.)
Finding Inspiration (aka studying the work of others)
How to Create Your Own Designs
Finished Product Show and Tell


Each participant will get a workbook that I'm putting together now (hence the copy fee).  I want the workbook to include lettering and doodling practice but plan on exchanging the examples from session to session so that each has its own "theme."  I want someone who wants to come to every single session I do to feel like they've learned and seen something new.  At the same time, it's not my goal to dictate the verse or final product that everyone leaves with.

Oh.  While I'm thinking of it, someone help me remember to take a picture of everyone's final products.

I'm actively soliciting feedback on themes/verses/styles of lettering/things to doodle that you would like on the agenda and in the workbook.  Send me a message or leave a comment.

See you soon!
-k

Business Model? I have a History Degree...

Well.  That escalated quickly.

In the past twenty-four hours, I have scouted locations, filled out paperwork, created a new Facebook page and shared a blog that no one had ever seen before.  I also made every person ever with a marketing background cringe when I named my supply goodie bags KimKits.

Thank you, Lord for somehow managing to take a love of ink pens and pretty paper and turning it into a fellowship and ministry opportunity.  For me as much as for anyone else who will attend a session.

I am so humbled by how excited you all seem to be. I've been fielding PMs, texts and all manner of comments for the last couple days and that is proof this is what I'm supposed to be doing as summer winds down and I have some free time to make the logistics work. I'm also grateful for how many of you have offered your churches as a meeting place. I hope to have the chance to visit all of them in the coming weeks and months. I promise to keep putting together sessions as long as there is interest and I have childcare.

There isn't really an existing "business model" for what I am mapping out. Other bible journaling groups are either small groups within a church or commercial ventures. You guys are not a small group and represent much more than just one church. I'm also not trying to make it a business at this point; I just need the KimKits to break even with some copy money left and to get enough from other participants to cover their copy costs and other miscellaneous supplies.

The Kim Kits are coming together and I have the supplies all ready to order when I know how many you want. I promise they'll be good value for the money and every single item is being hand-picked by me. I'm buying some stuff in bulk to pass along the discount to the Kits. They are NOT a requirement for the class nor is a journaling Bible. Many of you have art/scrapbooking/school supply closets much larger than mine and can quickly and cheaply assemble your own supplies. I will ask for $2 from anyone not buying a Kit to cover your copy costs.

The number one thing I've heard from people today is that they are uncertain of their artistic/drawing abilities. Please, please, please don't let that stop you from coming. God loves abstract art and "whimsical" lettering just like he loves everyone of us. I do not consider myself an artist and have lots of tips, tricks and resources to help make beautiful work.

Getting Started: "Need to Have" Supplies

My long-term vision of Bible journaling has always been to share it with others, to use the lettering and doodling as a springboard for real conversations with others about the things God has done in my life.  I want to share with others what's happened since I committed to "drawing near" to Christ.  I want to hear others' stories and know what God is up to in their lives, too.  I am a social creature and these connections feed my soul.

That idea of community seems to be coming together nicely.  A request from a FB friend to come share with her church friends led to several other friends asking to attend a class and DOZENS of people who said they're interested.  Cue giant list of things to know, decide, buy and figure out in order to make it happen in what's left of my dwindling summer.  Open doors.  Opportunities.  Alright, God.  Let's do this.

For my classes, I've decided to give people the option of a shopping list ahead and just paying $2 for copying costs  (probably the reason you're reading this) or trusting me with a little money (I'm thinking $15) and getting a goodie bag of all the "need to have" supplies and some happy surprise "nice to have" items.

I've read lots of blogs and pins about bible journaling supplies and have always been a little overwhelmed.  I made the decision NOT to jump all the way in and spend a bunch of money to get started, so I want to share a very few basic things that I think are just right for getting started.  If you are a mega shopper and are ready to dive in and spend a little more, keep right on reading through the "Nice to Have" post as well.

1.  A pen that won't bleed through Bible pages: the list could almost stop here because everything else is something you could probably scrounge up from your house, your kid's backpack or the couch cushions.  My personal favorite is the Micron 05 (.45mm).  Micron comes in various sizes and colors (I also use an 03 and 08 regularly--the smaller ones are for detail work and not as helpful for lettering) and can be ordered or bought in some stores for $3-4 each.  A slightly cheaper alternative that works well for lettering and also does not bleed is a Sharpie pen.  This is NOT the Sharpie you have known your whole life.  The packaging on the pens has a specific "No Bleed" logo.  These also come in different colors and sizes at Walmart.  I personally like medium but fine is just fine.  Haha.  I'm something of a lettering purist and almost always use black pens but you should go for colors if they make you happy.

Micron on Amazon

Have-to-Have #1: an ink pen that won't bleed

2.  A happy pencil and a white eraser: while this is as simple as it seems, it's pretty important to note the adjectives.  "Happy" pencils have softer lead and don't dig a groove into paper and pages as you write.  For me, that's almost always a wooden pencil but I do have some mechanical ones that are happy.  It blew my mind when I realized that many of the people whose work I follow pencil stuff into their Bibles, letter over it with ink and then erase it.  Try it.  It works.  With the right pen, the lightest happy pencil writing you can muster and a good eraser, it's not visible once you erase.  Which brings me to the eraser adjective.  Every fussy teacher's worst nightmare is that eraser dust that is left behind with a bad eraser.  White erasers are made from something I don't know anything about but they will erase without smudging and don't leave (as much) eraser debris behind.  I prefer the clicky ones becuase I'm a middle schooler at heart.  Technically, there are mechanical pencils that come with white erasers that would accomplish both with one item.

Eraser Shown Below on Amazon

a happy pencil and a white eraser

3.  Colored Pencils: Even though I'm a lettering purist and prefer plain black lettering, I almost always add some sort of doodle with color to my pages.  The easiest place to start with color is a set of colored pencils.  The market for those ranges from the broken ones in your kid's backpack to Prismacolor, the soft, smooth Cadillac of colored pencils. Crayola Twistables come in colored pencil form and those are quite popular.  Colored pencils seemed kind of boring to me at first but can actually be blended to make unique colors and you can control the intesity of the color by simply adjusting how lightly you press.  I haven't had an art class since elementary school so some of the things that have been new to me are probably common knowledge to everyone else.  My own coloring pencils are mostly a no-name set I bought on sale at Hobby Lobby with a few Prismacolors I've splurged on along the way.

blending and variations on lighter/harder pressure

And that, dear friends, is how to get started Bible journaling for not very much money.  Stay tuned for some "Nice to Have" items.

Wanted: Balance

I've really felt led the last few months to streamline my life.  My work life, specifically, tends to blow up and more and more ends up on my plate until I resent it.  That's where I've been the last few months at work.  I have other things (hello, Draw Near!) that I would rather be devoting my time to and moments to spend with L&LA while they're in such a fun age.

Thus far, it does not appear to be working very well.  If I said "yes" to everything someone at school has asked me to do this summer, I would be working ten days beyond my required three PD days.  Obviously, my request for a break has not fallen on receptive ears.

I am at a loss for how to accomplish this "less is more" mentality at school without burning bridges or alienating people.  I understand that the jobs of others around and above me go better when my job is rocking.  I also understand that they are people with spouses and families and wish they'd hear what I'm kindly saying and respect the fact that I am not trying to climb a ladder, build a resume or work any connections.  I want to be a mom and wife who also happens to be a great teacher, not the other way around.

I need balance.  I've talked with my small group at church about it and it helped immensely to have people say "I hear you.  That is not an unreasonale request."  Maybe that is what we all need.  To be heard and understood.

I sincerely want to have a willing spirit.  Willing to listen.  Willing to follow where I am led.  Willing to put God above personal glory.

Talking to Adults

I want to take a moment to talk about a special first in my bible journaling life, my first class for adults.  I've done hand lettering classes with middle schoolers but never a bible journaling class with adults.  There were some other firsts wrapped up in the session.  It was the first time I've ever prayed in front of someone and the first time I've shard my testimony about being an infertility veteran and NICU mom.

Diet Mountain Dew and Art Supplies
"Workshop in a Box"

I had several great conversations about bible journaling, specifically about the possibilities of doing future sessions with other churches and other groups.  I can feel God working through this particular type of study and am grateful to be useful in sharing his love and building the kingdom.

A Sketchnoting Challenge

Florals are such a common theme in journaling.  I'm
hesitant to even join the arena.

I love the smudgy, rich colors of gelatos.

My current favorite.

Micron and Chalk

I'm glad these pictures don't show how many times
I practiced before actually drawing in my Bible.

I've been busy working in my bible.  I have gotten that routine figured out and hopefully will figure out a way to incorporate regular posting here as a part of that routine.