Ellie Claire Art Journal

WOW, it's been a long time since I've done a blog review.  So many companies prefer Facebook or Instagram posts for reviews, but sometimes there's just so much you want to say that a blog post just makes more sense. Such is the case with the Ellie Claire Art Journals.  Contributing to the need for space is the fact that there are actually 3 journals that I will be discussing today, all similar but each different from the other.  These books were given to me free on charge in exchange for my honest review.

The three books, Illuminate Your Story, The Illustrated Word, and Faith & Lettering Journal all have the same premise.  They "teach" the beautiful script and illustration styles that you see in religious texts.

Illuminate Your Story is the smallest of the three books and is from the Museum of the Bible.  This book starts by focusing on the history of Illuminated letters and the various styles and the process involved in the intricately made illuminated Bibles and prayer books of ancient times.  The remainder of the book is step-by-step written and visual instructions on how to do each letter of the alphabet.  While there is room to practice each letter, there are also a few blank lined pages included every few pages to give you the opportunity to practice more in-depth.

The Faith & Lettering Journal is by hand-lettering artist and graphic designer Krystal Whitten.  In the introduction she explains how she was first introduced to the art of lettering and how, when she first tried lettering using Exodus 14:14, the slow process of drawing, erasing, and repeating became a powerful way to memorize scripture.  This book focuses less on that initial first letter of illustration, and instead focuses on various styles overall.  There are plenty of practice pages, both lined and graphed, as well as quotes and scripture to practice.  She even goes over embellishments such as scrolls, containers, banners, and arrows.  I see this style of art all the time on Instagram! So many home decor items utilize these styles as well!

The Illustrated Word is the largest book in the collection.  Like, Illuminate Your Story, this book is also from the Museum of the Bible.  This book is more of a coloring journal.  There are blank lines and every few pages there is a coloring page.  The coloring pages remind me of a biblical adult coloring book.  They pages are actually inspired by the Museum of the Bible's collection of illuminated manuscripts.

Each of these books (or all three) would make a really original gift for Christmas, a birthday, or even a confirmation.  Each of these addresses lettering and illustration in a different way so I would recommend getting all three.

Links are below if you want to purchase one (or all) of the books:

FAITH & LETTERING
Amazon: http://amzn.to/FaithAndLettering-Amazon 
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/FaithAndLettering-BN 

THE ILLUSTRATED WORD
Amazon: http://bit.ly/Illustrated-Amazon
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/Illustrated-BN

ILLUMINATE YOUR STORY
Amazon: http://bit.ly/Illuminate-Amazon
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/Illuminate-BN