Tomoe River Paper has been around a long time, and was a favorite for ink artists and calligraphers. I kinda wish I’d known about it then! But over the course of a number of years, the paper went through a lot. The decommissioning of one machine, then another, then the sale of the paper to another company, Sanzen. Calligraphers have panned it, mostly because of feathering – and if that’s a big part of your work, I can totally see it.
Does that mean Tomoe River Paper is now useless? Maybe it’s not helpful for those whose work depends on crisp lines. If you know me and my sketchy style, I’ve never panicked over feathering a little from time to time. (My all time fave paper for pen and ink is Hahnemule’s Lettering Paper if I need a really crisp line, and I’m now becoming aware of some others that calligraphers recommend. Stay tuned.)
I tested out a few different black pens as well as fountain and dip pen….and yes, various amounts of feathering if you look really really close. Not a dealbraker for me, but yes, it’s there!
I’ve used this paper for more than pen and ink, though. Primarily Bible journaling, but maybe more in my future, after some revelations that clicked in my brain!
Tutorial: What is Tomoe River paper?
Watch the video below and scroll to the end to leave comments or questions — or click HERE to watch it on YouTube and leave comments over there. I read both dutifully!
While this was once known as great paper for inking – the amount of liquid matters. Maybe one day it hadn’t mattered – although I do find I struggle with Sumi-e papers buckling too, so maybe it’s user error!
For Bible journaling I love watercolor and washes of color or ink enough that I’m good with somewhat wrinkly pages. To mostly flatten them I iron them (cotton setting) for 10-15 seconds between a few sheets of computer paper. I say “mostly” flatten – but remember we’re talking about paper. The buckling is sometimes turned into fine wrinkles in the paper. Not in a terrible way, IMHO – I’m not expecting perfection. But for art that I want to sell or frame, this paper wouldn’t work for me – not for washes.
But for line art, it’s fine, primarily for sketching and doodling. Most pens won’t bleed through, and it works nicely – though with slight feathering. So it depends on how bothered you might be by that. Again, I’m not sure I’d be selling anything on this paper that isn’t truly labeled a sketch, but for inexpensive paper that I can play with? It’s awesome.Â
Graphite sketching – and kiddos
The smooth surface of this paper is lovely for graphite. The pigment rests on the top of the surface – no tooth to hide pigment down in the valleys of the paper. Which means blending methods work more immediately than a lot of papers I’ve regularly used!Â
A simple cotton ball can soften and blend easily. Gamsol enriches the blackness, and drawing on top of wet blended areas comes out darker. Erasing can lighten areas, from soft kneaded eraser lifting blended highlights, or a stick eraser to draw with. The value range is pretty much off the charts.
The price here is a big benefit as well. I’ve talked with parents of kids who obsessively draw – and they ask what they should do with ALL THOSE SKETCHBOOKS they keep buying for their children. This paper is less expensive in its loose-sheet format than most sketchbooks (100 sheets for about $12-13), and the parent can spirit away some of the best drawings or the ones that mark special milestones or stories. (Parents, SAVE YOUR KIDS ART! What I wouldn’t do to have more of mine….)
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Colored PencilsÂ
The same tips for graphite also apply to colored pencil – layering, blending, gamsol, tools, and techniques. But using artist grade pencils works better for more saturated drawing; the pencils you can get at the drugstore or grocery store are for kiddos, and have more binder than pigment in them. Your kids can still get some potential benefit from Gamsol, but I’d recommend getting even a small pack of good pencils.Â
Bible journaling
If you’re new to the concept of Bible Journaling, I’d recommend one of my courses to get yourself started; I find colored pencils are my top recommendation of a medium to start with since we all know how to hold a pencil! The whole point of Bible journaling is creating while in an attitude of worship, documenting what you’ve learned from a particular passage of Scripture, or a prayer in your heart inspired by the text. I find that creating imagery helps to cement those ideas in my mind and provide me with other reminders in daily life of what the picture was about – this elephant is paired with a passage about remembering God’s faithfulness….my next trip to the zoo might well help me recall that when I see the elephants.
Fruit of the Spirit class
As seen in the samples in the video – 9 of the images taught in the class are animals, and then I added the fruit for the 10th (I have a thing for round numbers!) The images are taught at full page size for ease of working with the techniques but feel free to use the smaller images in a column-style journaling Bible.
The new class could well be a little much if you’re truly brand new, but if you’ve got some drawing experience, colored pencil isn’t that different, so the new course could work out great for you.
Long story short: I had an incident with a tortilla bag that left a big greasy stain on my new Bible! I bought it just for a meetup I’ll be hosting this summer at my church, and was devastated by this accident. But have no fear…art is here to save the day!
Tutorial: Galaxy painting with baby wipes
Watch the video below and scroll to the end to leave comments or questions — or click HERE to watch it on YouTube and leave comments over there. I read both dutifully!
As I carefully applied the blue paint onto the section masked with Frisket Film, I observed with anticipation as the color deepened upon contact with the supple suede material. The rich hue seeped into the fibers, creating a beautifully desaturated effect that exceeded my expectations. Combined with a baby wipe to create the texture most suitable for this book cover art, I decided I’d paint the rest with the same “tool,” inelegant as it may seem.
I gradually added additional layers to create a sense of depth, allowing each one to dry before applying the next. The soft and textured effect achieved with a baby wipe was simply perfect for the desired outcome.
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Eventually, I progressed to using white to explode some light and then incorporated additional hues, creating splatters with a toothbrush for added dimension. The final step involved contemplating a suitable title on the piece.
The word “Bible” seemed just a little too obvi, if you know what I mean! I did a short study on heaven, stars, creation….and settled on the simple word GOOD. If anyone asks me about it I could tell them so much about that word:
When God had completed the steps of creation, He said it was GOOD.
He’s been nothing but GOOD to me.
This book is called the GOOD book. Which is also a misnomer since it’s a great one, but ya know. Tradition, I guess?
So much more about goodness 🙂
A little bonus!
This past weekend I was asked if I’d do the annoucement video at church, since I’ll be teaching this coming Saturday. And they wanted a bit of my story about how I got into Bible journaling. This video is forwarded just to my bit:
More galaxies?
Join me for a course all about watercoloring galaxies! You’ll have fun watching the paint move around, we’ll explore when to push it where you want it to go and when to let it go, and creating depth, planets, and design of your own imaginative galaxies. Great for cards, illustrations, and bookmarks!
Are you a journaler? I’ve done art journaling and Bible journaling for years, although not nearly as much art journaling as I’d like….I get as far as finishing a sketch and I have to get on with other big projects! But every fall I slide back in…and today I’ll compare some similarities and differences in art journaling vs Bible journaling.
REVISED GIVEAWAY UPDATE! It appears my website only allows reviews on SOME classes, and I’m trying to figure out why that is. So instead of that being your entry, leave a comment on THIS post about a class you took and what you would have left as a review. Sorry for the confusion!
Video: Art journaling vs Bible journaling
Watch the video below and scroll to the end to leave comments or questions — or click HERE to watch it on YouTube and leave comments over there. I read both dutifully!
Similarity #1: Journaling mediums
Both types of journaling can allow for a lot of the same mediums – but with Bible paper you may need to adapt by using less of a medium, and testing it out to see if it bleeds or ghosts (see a discussion of that here.) But you can easily overcome it with a tip-in as discussed! There are no “rules” about any journaling as far as mediums, although some might think my pages are “illegal” since there’s not a bunch of Tim Holtz products on them like on many journal pages.
Watercolor, micron and white gel pen
Monoprint (gelli) with gouache flowers. Painted over text in the column above and below the headline.
Similarity #2: Journaling goals
Making art is a pretty straightforward goal! Sometimes journaling helps an artist relax, get un-stuck, or test out materials. However, I find that with just imagery, it might be pretty but lacks #3 below. Most of the time if it’s just an art piece without journaling, I’d do this in my sketchbook instead.
Acrylic with micron and signo white gel pen.
Acrylic + gouache, practice page for my Gratitude Junk Journal lesson.
Similarity #3: Personal growth
For me, growth comes from journaling, usually something I’m working out in-the-moment; I don’t use art or Bible journals anymore as a diary, but letting the art help me see past questions, blocks, and obstacles in my life.
Journaling happened first, then acrylic paint covered it up.
Journaling is atop the gelliprint; dark pen on dark color background
Difference #1: Journaling focus
The most obvious difference, Bible journaling is about faith, and art journaling can be faith related but I typically focus on art.
Based on a sermon; Jesus may not be what we ask for, but He is what we need in every circumstance.
Created while blue about the state of things. Left white space to journal reviews by students and cheered me up a ton.
Difference #2: Journal types
The paper in journaling Bibles is pretty much the same as you’re used to in most other Bibles; that doesn’t make it not ok for art! Ironing a wrinkled page after the watercolor dries can help it smooth out – it won’t be 100% back to normal but then again, your page has art on it which is an improvement 🙂
Art journals have thicker paper – but any sketchbook is fine.
Journaling Bibles can have wide columns, various arrangements but usually left and right sides. Also can get interleaved with blank pages between printed text pages.
Any journal or sketchbook is great for art journaling! I like the Dylusions books because paper is nice and thick. And works well for alcohol marker too.
Difference #3: Journaling process
While pages can be approached very differently one day to the next, my own process can be vastly different between art and Bible journaling.
Bible journaling entails hearing from God first. Independently of figuring out an image to paint, I study first, make art later after assessing what I heard and how it applies to my life. I don’t decide “today I’ll paint a fish” then go seek a verse with a fish in it.
Art journaling may have an idea in mind first, or can begin with just making marks. My art journaling sessions are often used to get un-stuck —- and once I put some color on the page, I dig deep to learn why I was stuck in the first place. Usually that leads to journaling and figuring out what to create art-wise.
Message received – it’s not my job to get someone cleaned up and repentant; my job is only to encourage them to look to Jesus and He’ll do the rest.
Page began with inspiration from Diebenkorn. Which led to journaling atop the paint, and painting over it to restore the design and hide the journaling.
Themed journal
If you struggle with what to create on your pages, try a themed journal. Find a small one like this little board book with few pages, and make a list of X number of related things to journal about. It could be favorite artists who inspire you, moments of “aha” when you learned something in art, your favorite trees, it can be anything! I decided to try capturing my current Sandy-isms; these change over the years, so this is my 2023 list of over-blathered phrases. Tab through using the arrow to see them all.
Gratitude Junk Journal class giveaway
I get to give away a seat in the class! You’re most welcome to comment on this post, too, but go pick out one of my classes that you’ve taken or a download – and leave a review for other students to see!The website seems to only allow reviews on a few classes all of a sudden. AGH! So instead, leave a comment on this post with what you would have posted as the review. After my recent bout with feeling like a failure, it does my heart so much good to know all that I put into my work is making a difference for artists. I’ll have random.org pick a winner from all new reviews this week – and announce it on Saturday Sept 30 Sunday October 1!
My class lesson inspiration
Below is the inspiration for my lesson in class; I created this small version using a gelli print with gouache for the bird painting; in class I do a different technique for the background on bigger pages, and show you how to paint the image – but you can also do the same with any image you want for your page. Acrylic or gouache works great!
Lots of instructors will be using all different mediums in class – you can use whatever you like. Get inspired by all the themes of gratitude!
My journaling classes sale
For the remainder of September, get a nice discount on two of the journaling classes:
This class teaches a study method to help to read Scripture deeply, hear the message God has for us as individuals – and then a method to brainstorm imagery to express God’s message!
Create an art journal all about your creative journey – in Copic marker! Techniques and pep talks will help expand both your skills and your confidence! Â
Merry Christmas! Today I decided to share a little footage of the painting of a Christmas page…and there are two ways to watch it!
I was re-reading the Christmas story in Luke, and was thinking about how Mary and Joseph would have had a heck of a stressful Christmas Eve. Far more than those of us still shopping like mad! Trying to find a place to sleep, with a pregnant woman – and an uncomfortable donkey for travel! Yeesh! And in that day, Mary would have been side-saddle, which I never was able to do without falling off a horse, so….being pregnant I have no idea how she did it!
Anyway….here’s the first video. Just music, and sped up so it’s a little shorter, and keeping all the footage intact.
This is a Bible-like paper – not exactly the same, but very similar.
Plan to trim. It’s of course larger than a Bible page, so note how big to paint so you can trim it down to the size you need. (Not all Bibles are the same size.)
Deal with paper warping. Most of the time a second layer of color can recover some of the “stripes” made by paint collecting in the low points in warped paper. Or tap with a baby wipe to sop up excess. Just know there’s going to be some texture from it.
No bleeding. Well, as long as you’re using a medium that wouldn’t bleed on Bible paper either!
Dry as you work. If keeping it taped onto a board, a heat gun or hair dryer will flatten the warping – no need to iron as I normally do when flattening Bible paintings.
Choose a tip-in adhesive. My preference is a very thin strip of doublestick tape; others put a tiny line of elmers glue in the gutter and slip the page in.
Round corners. I use the 1/4″ side of my Corner Chomper that makes the corners fit my Bible. A little snip with scissors can round them a bit too.
Last chance: signed books
Ellen Hutson has the last 10 of my books and workbooks that are signed – once they’re gone, they’re gone, unless I ever hear from my new publisher on how to order more! (I had to order 100 of each in bulk myself to supply them to small retailers, which was so weird….and am now out of those. Not having heard from the publisher who bought my contract in the last 2 years, I’m pretty much in the dark about getting more.)
I hope you have a blessed celebration, no matter what it looks like this year. Make room in your heart for Jesus!
Supplies
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A week ago I launched this new fun class on my Bible Journaling channel…but I wanted to be sure to get word out to blogland and my main YouTube channel too! See the preview of Watercolor Animals for Bible Journaling here:
While you might be able to learn to paint animals on watercolor paper from this – the class only teaches on Bible paper. If anyone decides to try these on watercolor paper, please do let me know – so I can tell people if you found it helpful on non-Bible-paper!
