CreatingMandalas

HowtoDrawandDesignZendalaArt

DeborahA.Pacé,CZT

Cincinnati,Ohiowww.createmixedmedia.com

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Contents

SpecialOffers

Introduction

Chapter1

GettingStartedSupplies

WhatIsaMandala?

HowtoCreateaMandala

OtherWaystoMakeaMandala

Chapter2

TypesofMandalasBoldandDramatic

LightandAiry

Colorful

Whimsical

Freeform

Chapter3

BasicMandalaProjectsRiverFlower

Cobblestones

Untitled

Shutes&Ladders

Terra-Cotta

TestPattern

ButterflyCocoon

Chapter4

AdvancedDesignsButterflyCocoon

FerrisWheel

DreamCatcher

Holli

Kaleidoscope

RadioFrequency

CubeSquared

SunFlower

BaliPods

Chapter5

MandalaTemplatesStraightandCurvyCombo

StarPower

TonsofTurns

CropCircleSwirl

Chapter6

GettingCreativeSnowflakes

Stencils

Spirograph

HalfandHalf

IlluminatedLetterd

Chapter7

Gallery

AbouttheAuthor

Acknowledgments

WhatYouNeed

Generalsupplies:Coloredcard:gray,navyblue,tan,white,blackCompassErasersGoldleafGoldmetallicgelpenMountingadhesive,doublesidedPaper,bristol,6 ⁄ "(17cm)squarePapertapePencils,no.2Pens,PigmaMicron01(.25mm)and08(.5mm)blackRulerSakuraGellyRollpen,whiteScissorsSpirographStenciltemplateblanksTracingpaperWhitechalkpencilOptionalsupplies:BonefolderCraftknifeGluestickPermanentmarkerProtractorStencilcutterWatercolorpaintbrush

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Watercolorpencils

Introduction

Theartofmakingmandalasislessaboutdrawingandmoreaboutslowingdownandopeninguptoyourinnercreativeflow.Youdonothavetobeanartist.Thereisnoneedtoknowhowtodraw.Allyouneedtomakeamandaladrawingaresomesimpleeverydaytoolsandalittleeffort.Canyoucreateacircleusingacompassandpencil?Canyoudrawaline?Canyourepeatpatterns?Thenyoucancreateyourownmandalas.

cancreateyourownmandalas.Itisimportanttohavefunandnottostresswhencreatingyourmandalas.

Beautifulmandalasareformedwhenwejustgowiththeflowandletthepatternshappen.Ifyoumakeamistake,sowhat?Learntoincorporateitintoyourdesign,givingyourdesigncharacter.HappyaccidentsareinsomeofthemandalasthatIhavecreated,butyoudonotseethembecauseinsteadofstressingoverit,Ijustincorporatedthemintomydesigns,sometimesintentionallyrepeatingthatlittlehappyaccident.WhatdidIget?Anunexpecteddesignthatworked.Ifyouworrythatyourlinesarenotexactlystraight,oryourcirclesarenotperfectlyroundorallthesamesize,youwillnotenjoymakingyourmandala.Letgoandseewhathappens.Youmightbesurprised.Inthisbookyouwilllearnthebasicstepstocreateamandalaandhowto

makeyourmandalasuniquelyyou.Throughprojectsbasedonmyowndesigns,Iwillshowyoustep-by-stephowtocreatedifferentmandalas,andyoucangiveitatryonpracticepagesthatarerightinthebook.TherearealsomanytemplatesyoucantryandagalleryofmandalasIhavedrawntoinspireyou.Youwilllearnhowtoaddcolortothem,howtofindshapesanddesignsthatareallaroundyou,andmostimportantly,Ihope,youwilllearnhowtorelaxandjustletyourselfplay.Asyoucreateyourmandalas,youwillbuildconfidenceanddevelopyour

ownuniquecreativevoice.IhopeyoufallinlovewithmandalasasIhave,butmostofall,Ijustwantyoutohavefunandenjoytheprocessofmakingthesepersonallittleworksofart.—Deborah

Chapter1

GettingStarted

Mandalasarecreatedfromthecenterout,whetheritiswithadotorcircle.Thesubstrateyoudrawyourmandalaonisusuallywhitepaper,drawnuponwithblackinkorpen.However,thatbeingsaid,asyoubecomemorefamiliarwithcreatingmandalas,youcanstarttoexploreandgobeyondtheusual.Mandalasareeasytodraw.Withalittlebitofimaginationandpractice,youcantakeyour

areeasytodraw.Withalittlebitofimaginationandpractice,youcantakeyourmandalastoanylevelthatiscomfortableforyou.Theycanbeassimpleasacoupleoflines,circlesandpatterns,orcomplex,withfinelines,aseriesofconcentriccirclesanddetailedpatterns.Yourmandalasareanexpressionofyou,soremember,whateveryouchoosetodo,enjoytheprocess.

Supplies

No.2pencils—Ano.2pencilisbesttoworkwithwhendrawinglineswithapencil.Itiseasilyerasable;youcanmakefaintpencillinesandstillseeyourlines.Itdoesnotleaveamarkonyourpaperlikesomeoftheharderleadsdo.IhaveafavoritewoodlessgraphitepencilthatIliketouse.IthasajeweltipthatmakesmehappyeverytimeIuseit.

Erasers—IhaveseveralerasersIliketouse,madebyFaber-Castell,StaedtlerandPentel.Inmyopiniontheyallworkequallywell,butIdotendtofavortheFaber-Castell.TheFaber-Castellisdust-freeanderasescleanly.It’samatterofpreference.

PigmaMicronpens01(.25mm)and08(.5mm)inblack—WhyPigmaMicronpens?Becausetheyarepermanentandtheydonotbleed.Evenwhenyouusethelarge-tip(.5mm)pentodarkenasection,itdoesnotbleedthrough.IlikethisbecauseIdonothavetoworryaboutputtinganotherpieceofpaperunderneathmyproject.IfIusepencillines,Icanerasethemwithoutworryofsmearingtheink.

PigmaMicronpens01(.25mm)and08(.5mm)inblueandbrown—AswiththeblackPigmaMicronpens,thecoloredpensarepermanent,donotbleedandhavethesamegoodcoverage.

SakuraGellyRollpeninwhite—Thispenisexcellentwhendrawingonblackordarkpapers.Thewhiteinkshowsupwell.Youcangetafineorheavylinewiththispen,dependingonthepressureyouapplywhendrawing.

PaperTheskyisthelimit!InthisbookIusebristolpaper,cardstock,scrapbookingpaperandtracingpaper.Butyoucanuseanypaperyouwanttouseorthatyouhaveonhand.

Strathmorebristolpaperpad(vellumsurface)—Iusethisbecauseofthesmoothnessofthepaper.Ihave,however,usedStrathmoresmoothbristolpaper.

Ithasalittlemoretexture,butbothworkequallywell.Ipreferthesmoothnessofthevellum;it’sjustmypersonalpreference.

Coloredpapers—Iliketouseavarietyofpaperstocreatemymandalas.Noonesaysyouhavetousejustwhite.Ialsousecoloredcardstockorscrapbookpaper.SomeofmyfavoritecoloredpapersaretheCansonMi-Teintesdrawingpapers.Theycomeinthreedifferentvarietypacks:pastel,earthtoneandgraytone.Inotonlylikethecolorsinthesepads,butIalsolikethetextureofthepaper.

Tracingpaper—Inthisbookyouwillmakeapapersnowflaketohelpcreateamandaladesign.Ifindthattracingpaperisthinenoughtocutthroughlayersoffoldseasily,yetsturdyenoughtoholduptothecuttingwithoutfallingapart.

Compass,ProtractorandRulerTheseareallessentialpartsofmytoolkit.Thecompassallowsyoutodrawperfectcircles,theprotractorensuresevenlydividedspaces,andtherulerhelpsmakestraightlinesthataretrulystraight.

Compass—Acompassisamust-haveforcreatingperfectcircles.Youcanalsogetacompassthathasalatchtoholdapen.Myfavoritesarepicturedonthenextpage.I’vehadthemforever.

Ruler—Generallyarulerisusedformeasuring,butIuseminetohelpmedrawstraightlinesandnotsomuchformeasuring.Shownismyall-timefavoriterulerandIamlostwithoutit.IlikethatitisclearandIcanseemylinesunderneath.

Protractor—Aprotractorisanothertooltohaveinyourarsenalofsupplies.Itisveryhelpfulwhenyouwanttodrawamultitudeofevenlyspacedlinesaroundyourmandala.

Stencils—Stencilsareagreatjumping-offpointwhencreatingyourmandalas—agreatbeginnertoolorforwhenyouarestuckanddon’tknowwheretostart.Youdon’thavetothinktoomuchaboutthedesign.

Spirograph—ThisfuncontraptionthatfirstcameoutintheUnitedStatesin1965isusedformakingvariouscirculardesigns.Itisidealformakingmandalas.

Pens,PencilsandMorePencilsareperfectfordrawingyourbaselinesandcanbeeasilyerasedwhennolongerneeded,andnothingisbetterthanaPigmaMicronpenfortracingoverpencillines.GellyRollpensandwatercolorpencilsaremyfavoriteforcoloringmandalas,butthereareplentyofotheroptionsoutthereaswell.

Watercolorpencils—Foraddingcolortomandalas,IprefertousewatercolorpencilsevenifIamnotgoingtousewateronthem.Withwatercolorpencils,youcanblendyourcolorstogetherveryeasilyusingablendingstump(Iusecottonswabs;don’tlaugh).Whenshading,IcaneasilyblendthecoloroutsoI’mnotleftwithasharpline.

Watercolorpaintbrush—IliketouseaNijiWaterbrush.Ithasafinepointatthetip,evenonthelargestbrushsize.Icangetrighttotheedgeofmydesignwithoutworryingaboutgoingoutsidetheline.Ithasareservoirforwater,soIdon’thavetoworryaboutaccidentallyspillingacontainerofwateronmywork.

Mountingadhesive—Thisisusedtoadheregoldorsilverleafingtocreateanilluminatedlettermandala.

Goldorsilverleaf—Thisisusedtoilluminateyourdesigns.Itcomesinsheetsandflakes.

Metallicpens—Thesecanbeusedtoenhanceanygoldorsilverleafyouapplytoyourdesign.

WhatIsaMandala?Amandalaisanartworkofintricatelydrawnpatternscontainedwithinacircularorsquareshape.ThewordmandalaisaSanskrittermthatmeans“circle”or“discoidobject.”Circlesappearinnature(flowers,snowflakes,sun,moon,etc.)andinman-madearchitecture,andcirclesarebelievedtohelpindividualsfocusinward.Thebasicformofmostmandalasisasquarewithfourgatescontaininga

circlewithacenterpoint.Mandalascancontainbothgeometricandorganicforms.Theycanalsocontainrecognizableimagesthatcarrymeaningforthepersonwhoiscreatingthem.

CircleWithinaSquareIusedgraytonalpaperbyStrathmoreandablackpentodrawthismandala,Tile,whichshowsacirclewithinasquare.Thereisasimplepatterninthecenter,andasthedesignexpandsoutward,thepatternsbecomemoreintricate.SometimesIliketoleavealotofspaceinmydesignsandothertimesnot,asinthisone,whichhaslotsofpatternsthroughout.IknewassoonasIwasfinishedwiththismandalathatitlookedlikeatile.Iwouldlikesomedaytohave

tilesmadeusingthismandalapatterntouseinmyhomeinthekitchen,bathroom,oronthefloor.Icanseeusingthisasanaccentpiece.

TellaStoryAfteryoudrawyourmandala,putitasideandlookatitthenextdaywhenyoureyesarefresh.Doesthemandalayoucreatedtellyouastory?

HowtoCreateaMandala

Herearesomebasicguidelinesandsuggestionstohelpyoubegincreatingmandalas.ThisisthesimplestwayIknowtostartamandala.Thebasiclinesgiveyouastartingpoint,butpleasefeelfreetostartyourmandalaanywayyoulike.

Choosethetypeofpaperyouwanttoworkonandthesize.Iusuallyworkwithasquareabout6 ⁄ "×6 ⁄ "(17cm×17cm),butyoucanworkonanysizethatiscomfortableforyou.

Drawlinearguidesandestablishyourcenter.Istartamandalabydrawingstraightlinesonthepaperdiagonallyfromthecornersandthenacross(verticallyandhorizontally),lightlyinpencil.Thisgivesyouacenterpoint.Withapen,placeeitheradotorasmallcircleinthecenter.Thisisyourbeginningpoint.

Drawacircle.Fromthecenterpoint,usingacompass,drawacircle(Idonotusuallymeasure;Ijustputsomethingdowntogetmestarted).Ifyoualreadyhaveanideaforyourcenterdesign,youcanmakeyourcirclelargerorsmallertoaccommodateyourdesign.

Startdrawinglines,patternsandmoreconcentriccirclesuntilyouhaveadesignyoulike.Alwaysconcentrateonthecenterofyourmandala.Thisgivesyouananchorpointtofocusonasyourmindwanders.Thatbeingsaid,Idonotalwaysstartinthecenter.SometimesIworkfromtheoutsideinbecauseIcanvisualizetheoutsideofthedesignbeforeanythingcomestomindforthecenter.Doesthatmakeadifference?Forme,itdoesnot.

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RepeatingPatternsandLinesWhenIwasgrowingup,mymomhadaringerwasher.Youcouldactuallyseetheclothesswishingbackandforth.Thismandalaremindsmeofthat.Themandalawasdrawnusingrepetitivepatternsandlines.Irepeatedthepatternaroundthecenterflowerontheoutsideofthecircle.Havingthemgoinoppositedirectionsmadeitlooklikethemandalawasmovingthiswayandthatway,soItitledthisdesignThisWayandThatWay.

MakeaSketchbookWhileworkingonthisbook,Imadeamini5"×5"(13cm×13cm)sketchbook,andoneachpageIdrewacircleandsomediagonalandcrosslines.WhenIgotanideaforamandala,Iworkedoutthepatterninthatsketchbook.

OtherWaystoMakeaMandalaTherearemanywaystomakeyourmandala,andnoonewayisbetterthananother.Itisuptoyoutodecidewhichwayworksbestforyou,dependingonwhat(andhow)youwanttocreate.ItoldyouhowIliketostart,buthereareafewotheroptionsthatIsometimesuseandthatareveryhelpfulwhencreatingmandalas.Inallofthese,thelinesaredrawnlightlyinpencil.Youcanthenerasethelinesorgooverthemwithpendependingonwhetheryouwantthemtoshowinyourfinalwork.

CONCENTRICCIRCLESInsteadofdrawingguidelinesdiagonallyandacross,findyourcenterpointandthen,withacompass,drawaseriesofconcentriccircles.Youcandrawinasmanyorasfewcirclesasyouwanttoworkwith,andtheycanbeascloseorfarapartasyoulike.Thisisgreatifyouwanttodrawpatternswithnoparticulardesigninmind.

ConcentricCirclesTribalwasmadeinaworkshopItaughtonmandalas.Iwantedmystudentstotrymanydifferentpatternsandlearnhowtoputthemtogether.Whendrawingthis,someusedacompass;othersusedacirclemaker,andoneindividualcreatedtheconcentriccirclesbyusingdifferentlysizedrounditems.Youcandrawyourmandalasusingwhateveryouhaveonhand.Afterthismandalawasfinished,itlookedlikeatribalwarrior’sshield,hencethename.

GRIDSGridsaregreatifyouwantyourdesigntobemoregeometric.Thegridalsohelpsinplacementandensuresyourpatternsanddesignsareevenlyspaced.

GridsIoriginallydrewthisdesignincoloredpencils,markerandmetallicpensinmysketchbook,butwhenIredrewthemandalaforthisbook,Idecidednottofillitinwithcolor.Afterseeingitinblackandwhiteonly,Ilikedthelookbetter.Colorsseemedtomakeittoobusy.InUnderneaththeBambooTreethecenterdesignlookslikeatableandchairsunderneathumbrellaswithbambootreessurroundingitforshade.

LINESAseriesoflinesdrawnfromthecenteroutwardisagreatwaytobegin.Youcancreatemanyfunpatternsthatwillbeevenlyspaced,suchasflowerpetals,stars,intersectingboxesandsoon.Youmightendupwithadesignthatlookslikeamariner’scompass.Ifyoudrewaneyeinthecenter,thenthelineswouldberemoved.

removed.

LinesAretheStarDrawingonablackordarkbackgroundwithawhitepencallsforeithermoredetailormorelines.Thismandalaisveryopen,butthemultiplelinesinthecentersetoffthisdesignnicely.Thename,Glow,cameaboutbecauseoftheglowingeffectthecloselydrawnlinesgive.

FREEFORMThepointoffreeformisjustthat:aformthatiscreatedfreely.Freeformmandalascanbecontainedinaparticularspace,orthespaceyouwillbeworkingincanbefreeform.Itisuptoyouandyourimagination.

BeFreeIdon’talwaysknowwhatIamgoingtodrawaheadoftimewhencreatingmymandalas.IjuststarttomakeamarkandlettheinspirationcomethroughasIdrawmypatterns.Thesameistrueforthismandala,QueenforaDay.Istartedwithasmalldotinthecenterandthenwentwithmygo-topattern,aleafshape,buthereImodifiedtheshapeoftheleafbyonlydrawingonesideandthentheotherandshapeditintheformofatriangle.Whenthecenterdesignwasdone,Iusedafavoritefinishingpattern,theswirlcircle,exceptIdidnotendthere.Idrewfoldedfeathersinthemiddlecircle,andfortheouterdesignIdrewlargeandsmallcurvedtriangles,andthenIaddedsomecirclestothetips.Whenthemandalawasdone,ittooktheshapeofacrown.

Chapter2

TypesofMandalas

Thischapterwillshowyoudifferentapproachestodevelopingyourmandalas.Notallmandalashavetobeblackandwhiteordrawnwithablackpen.Ihopetoshowyouhowtohavefunexploringdifferentoptionswhencreatingthem,includingaddingcolororusingcoloredpaper.Eachofthesemandalaswillincreaseyourknowledgeandshowyouthepossibilities.Ihopethischapterwill

increaseyourknowledgeandshowyouthepossibilities.Ihopethischapterwillhelpyou“thinkoutsidethebox,”sotospeak,andcomeupwithyourownideas.Ihavegroupedtheseparticularmandalastogetherbecausetome,theseare

likestepping-stones,goingfromonesteptoanother,givingyouknowledgeandideasthatcanbeincorporatedintoyournextdesign.Pickandchoosecombinationsyouwanttoputtogether.Experiment!Nowlet’sgetstarted.

BoldandDramaticBoldanddramaticmandalasreallymakeastatement.Theyarestrong,fearlessanddaring.Theyarestrikinglydifferent,clearanddistinct.Darkeninglinescanalsochangethemoodofyourmandala.Ifyouknowyourdesignaheadoftime,youcandrawyourdarkenedlinesinasyougo,butIsuggestthatyouwaituntilyouarefinishedwithyourdesign.Thentakeastepbackandseewhatshapesordesignsyouwanttoenhance.Donotdarkeninallthelinesatonce.Doingthismaynotgiveanydistinctiontoyourpatterns.ThroughoutmydesignsIonlyusedarkenedlineswhereIwanteitherseparationoraparticulardesignorpatterntopop.

DarkenedLinesforEmphasisMandalascanreallymakeastatementaswithAfricanRose.WhenIcreatedthis,Istartedwithpetalsandthenaddedlinestothepetals,creatingleaves(mygo-topattern).Imadestarpointsnext,andlikethepetals,Iaddedlinestomakethemintoleavesaswell.Withthismandala,linesspoketome,soIjustkeptaddinglinesandmorelines.WhenIfinishedmymandala,everythingseemedtoruntogetherwithnodistinction.Sowithablack.5mmPigmaMicronpen,Idarkenedandthickenedthelinesinbetweenthepetalsandalongtheoutsideedgeofthemandaladesign.OnceIdidthat,everythingpopped!

SelectivelyDarkenAfterdrawingyourdesign,stepbackandtakealookatitforasecondortwo.Ifeverythingseemstomeshtoomuch,trydarkeningsomeofthelinesinyourdesign.Remember,noteverylinehastobedarkened.Ifyouarenotsure,useathicker-tippenandjustgooversome

everylinehastobedarkened.Ifyouarenotsure,useathicker-tippenandjustgooversomeofthelines.Thatmaybeallyouneed.

LightandAirySometimesthesimplicityofadesigncanreallymakeitstandout.Youdonotalwaysneeddarklinestoseparateorenhanceyourdesignsorpatterns.Leavingopenspacescandojustthat.Thewhitespaceinbetweeneachpatterncanreallymakeorbreakadesign.WhatdoImeanbythat?Toomuchspaceandyourmandalawilllookemptyorflat.Notenoughwillmakethepatternmeshwithoutanydistinction.Youneedabalancebetweenthetwo.Ifyourspaceslooktooopen,addanotherpattern.Yourmandalasdonotneedtobecompletelyfilledwithpatternstolookbeautiful.

SimplicityandaNonsolidLineIthinkthesimplicityofthisparticularmandaladesignreallymakesitbeautiful.WhenIwascreatingWagonWheel,Ididanddidnothaveanideainmind—IknewsomeofthepatternsIwantedtouse,butnotall.IknewIwantedtousethespokesinthecenterandthescoopshapes.AfterIhadallmypatternsdrawnin,Iwantedtoaddacircle.However,Ididnotwanttoaddasolid-linedcircle,soIexperimentedbydrawingdotsaroundmycenterdesignandlikedthewaythatlooked.Itstilldidnotlookfinishedtome,soIdrewasimplestarlikeshapearounditandleftitatthat.

Don’tOverdoAsyouarecreatingadesignforyourmandala,youdonotalwayshavetoaddalotofpatterns.Donotoverdoit.Sometimeslessismore.Simplicitycanhaveaprofoundeffectonyourmandalaandaddtoitsbeauty.

yourmandalaandaddtoitsbeauty.

ColorfulTothesemandalasIaddedtouchesofcolorusingeitherwatercolorpencilsorwatercolorpaint.Afewofushavedifficultywithshading,butusingwatercolorpencilorpaintcanhelpyoueaseintoshading.Youdonotneedtoknowwhichsidetoshadeorwheretheshadowiscomingfrom,justaddabitofcolor.YoucaneitheroutlineyourpatternswithwatercolorpencilsasIdidwithGelly-Fishoryoucanjustgoforit,paintfirst,andaddpatternslater,asIdidwithBirthofaFlower.Withthisparticularmandala,Ithinkhavinganideaofwhatyouwilldrawaheadoftimehelps.Asyoudrawyourmandala,youwillgetafeelofwhatcoloryouwouldliketouseinyourdesign.Ifyouarepaintingfirst,remembersomecolorswillturnbrownwhenmixedtogether.Keepthisinmindwhenyouareputtingcolordownfirst.

SPECIALCONSIDERATIONSFORADDINGWATERCOLORCreatingyourmandalausingwatercolorpaperandpaintcanbedoneintwoways.Youcaneitherlaythewatercolorpaintdownfirstandthenaddyourpatterns,oryoucandrawyourpatternsfirstandaddwatercolorpaintafterward.Also,watercolorpencilscanbeusedinsteadofwatercolorpaint.SometimesIliketousewatercolorpencilsforshadinginsteadofgraphite.

Thecolorsareeasytoblendanditaddsjusttherightpopofcolor.However,Idonotalwaysusewaterwithmywatercolorpencils—actually,mostofthetimeIdonot.WhenIdoaddwater,though,itisimportanttonotethatthemorewaterthatisadded,themorethepencillooksliketraditionalwatercolor.Ialwaysusewatercolorpaperwhenusingpaintsandpencils.Thisprobably

isn’tnecessaryifyouareusingonlypencilorjustasmallamountofwater,butifyouusealotofwater,paperthatisn’tspecificallymadeforwatercolorscouldbuckle.Plus,dependingonthetypeofwatercolorpaperyouuse,youcangetalotoftexturewhenaddingwatercolor.Iusuallyprefercold-pressedwatercolor

lotoftexturewhenaddingwatercolor.Iusuallyprefercold-pressedwatercolorpaper.However,hot-pressedwatercolorpaperhasasmoothersurface,whichyoumaylikebetter.

TouchesofColorIfyouwanttoeaseintoaddingcolortoyourmandala,Gelly-Fishisagoodexampletostartwith.Ilovetheshapeofjellyfish,andsothatwastheinspirationforthestartofmymandala.Ikeptmyjellyfishverysimple

shapeofjellyfish,andsothatwastheinspirationforthestartofmymandala.Ikeptmyjellyfishverysimpleandaddedoutsidepatternstomakethemandalamoreinteresting.WhenIfinished,Iusedwatercolorpencilstocolorhereandthere,addingjustatouchofcolor.

FullColorForBirthofaFlower,sinceIdidnothaveanideainmindwhenIappliedthewatercolorpaints,IstartedwithlightercolorsfirstinthecenterandgraduallygotdarkerwithmycolorsasImovedoutward.Ilettheshapesspeaktome,drawinginmypatternsandusingthecolorsasmyguide.

StartingonColoredPaperWhosaysyouhavetousewhitepapertocreateyourmandala?IlovedrawingmandalasondifferentcoloredpapersasIdidherewithPearls.ThepaperIusedwasMi-TeintesPastelsbyCanson.IusedawhiteSakuraGellyRollpentodrawmypatternsandthenoutlinedwithabluePigmaMicronpen.

Repeat,withDifferencesTrydrawingthesamemandalausingdifferentcoloredpaperwithdifferentcolorpens/pencils.Seehowalthoughthedesignmaybethesame,thelookandeffectyougetcanbequitedifferent.

DrawingwithColoredPensUsuallywhenIdrawusingacoloredpen,Iuseacoloredbackgroundpaper.IusedwhitepapertodrawOnPointtoseewhatthebluepenwouldlooklikeagainstawhitebackground.Istartedwithatinydotinthecenter,andIusedmydiagonalandcrosslinesthatIusuallydrawfirstas

myguidelinesforthecenterspokes.Ikeptmostlywiththeideaoftrianglesandpoints.WhenIcompletedthismandala,allthepointsjumpedoutatmeand,yes,theywereallonpoint.

TryaSeriesWhencreatingyourmandalawithcoloredpensonawhitebackground,tryworkinginaseries.Drawthesamemandalausingdifferentcoloredpens,penciland/ormarkers,andseehoweachcolorchangesthelook.

WhimsicalThissectionisallaboutlettinggoandhavingfun.Thesemandalasarenotyourtraditionalmandalas.Istayedwiththebasicform,butIhadfunwiththepatterns.Youcancombinepatternswithshapes,repeatingthemasyouworkyourwayout,asIdidwiththeChicksmandala.Pickapattern,playwithitandchangeitupabit.Staywiththebasicshapeofthemandala,usingeitheracircleorsquareorboth,andworkyourpatternsinthem.Thiswayyoukeepthegeneralshapeofthemandalabutstillhavefunwiththepatterns.Trymodifyingyourpatternsandseewhatnewdesignsyoucanincorporateintoyourmandala.

CreatingOutsidetheLinesIdidnotfinishthismandala,butIwanttogiveyouanideaofwhatyoucandousingabasiccircleandlines.(Ienjoyplayingaroundwithsimpleshapes,anditjustsohappenedthatafaceappearedtome!)

LetGoWhenyoucreateawhimsicalmandala,havefunwithit.Thisiswhereyoucanreallyletyourselfgoandletyourimaginationtakeover.Insteadoftraditionalpatterning,seewhatyoucomeupwith.

LightenUpBeingseriousallthetimecanbeabitboring,andthesameappliestocreatingmandalas.Idoliketohavealittlefunandaddabitofwhimsywhendrawingsomeofmymandalasnowandagain,aswithChicks.Ifollowedthesameconcept,startinginthecenterandworkingaroundandoutside.Thistime,insteadofhavingacircle,Iusedasquarewithinacircle,butyoucanuseacirclewithinasquare.

FreeformNowwearegettingtothepartwhereanythinggoes.Althoughyoucanstartwiththebasicshapeofamandala,aswithMr.Pacino,youdonothavetosticktothatshape,whetheritisacircleorsquare.Withthefirstexample,Imadethemandalafreeform,addingbasicpatterns.WithMr.Pacino,Ikeptthebasicshapeandmadethedesignfreeform.IcouldhavemadethismoretraditionalbydividingitintofoursegmentsandrepeatingthepatternfourtimesaswithChicks(ontheprecedingpage),butIlikedtheideaofjustlettinggoandlettingmydesignbewhatitwantedtobe.Withthisparticulartypeofmandala,theskyisthelimit,butkeepinmindthebasicformofthemandalaand/orpatterns.Trynottogetcarriedawaytothepointwhereyourmandalaendsupnotbeingamandalaanymore.

FreeformShapesThisexampleisnotsomuchaboutmakingtheinsidepatternsfreeform,butmakingthemandalashapeitselffreeformandaddingpatternsinside.

StayTruetoYouThisisyourmandala.Createitanywayyouwant.Useoneorbothofthefreeformapproachesshownhere,acombinationofthetwo,orcomeupwithyourownuniqueapproach.Aslongasyoulikeit,that’sallthatmatters.

FreeformPatternsAswithothermandalas,thereisrepetitionandsymmetryinMr.Pacino.Ijusttookafewmorelibertieswiththisexample.Thedesignismorevertical,andinsteadofdrawingmypatternsallthewayaround,Idrewthemfromsidetoside.Icouldhavemadeitmoretraditionallookingbyaddinganotherconcentriccirclearounditandaddingmorepatterns,buttome,itwouldnothavebeenasfreeform,whichiswhatIwasgoingfor.

Chapter3

BasicMandalaProjects

Themandalasinthischapterstartinthecenterandworkoutward.Asyouprogress,eachmandalawillbeabitmorecomplex.Inthelastoneyouwillworkinasquare.Ihaveaddedamandalausingcoloredpaper,butyoucanworkthisoneonwhitepaperifyoulike.Igiveyouabitofvarietytohelpyougetthefeelofcreatingdifferentmandalas.

ofcreatingdifferentmandalas.Aswecreatethefollowingmandalas,youwilllearnhowtoaddlinesand

patternsonestepatatime.Thesemandalasarefairlysimpletocreate,withfewerstepsneededtofinishthem.

Project:RiverFlowerRiverFlowerwasoneofthefirstmandalasIcreatedforthisbook.Asyoucansee,itisaverysimpledesignusingmostlylines.ThenameRiverFlowercameaboutbecauseofthesquigglylines;eachonelookslikearivergoingthroughtheflower.

SUPPLIES

Bristolpaper,6 ⁄ "(17cm)squareCompassNo.2pencilPigmaMicronpens(black):.25mm(01)and.5mm(08)Ruler

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1Withapencil,lightlydrawlinesdiagonallyandacrossasshown.Usingacompass,adda3"(8cm)diametercircleanda5"(13cm)diametercircle.

2Usingtheblack.25mmpen,drawflowerpetalsfromthecenterpointtothefirstdrawncircle.Useeveryotherlineforthecenterofeachflowerpetal,andbringeachtiptoapoint.Drawalinedownthecenterofthepetalandoneithersideofthecenterline.

3Drawleavesbetweenthepetalswitheachpointtouchingtheoutercircle.Usingthe.5mmMicronpen,drawadarkwavylinefromthetopofeachleafdownthecenter.Repeattomakeasecondwavyline.Drawaflameshape(with3curvedlinesinsideeach)oneverypetaltip.

4Usingthe.5mmMicronpen,connecttheleavesandflameswithadark,slightlycurvedline.Thenswitchtoa.25mmMicronpenandoutlinetheentiremandalawithasecondline.Eraseallpencillines.

Project:CobblestonesCobblestonesisanothersimplemandaladesign,butthecenterofthedesignisalittlemorecomplex.Itusessimplelines,butIhavecurvedandshapedthem.WhenIcompletedthepatterninthemiddle,itlookedlikecobblestones.IusuallydonothaveaninspirationwhenIdrawmymandalas,butwhile

visitingmygrandchildrenoneday,Inoticedaclockhangingontheirwall.ThisiswhatItookfromthatclock.

SUPPLIES

Bristolpaper,6 ⁄ "(17cm)squareCompassNo.2pencilPigmaMicronpen(black):.25mm(01)Ruler

1 2

1Withapencil,lightlydrawlinesdiagonallyandacross.Usingacompass,add3concentriccirclesthatare2 ⁄ "(6cm),3 ⁄ "(9cm)and3 ⁄ "(10cm)indiameter.1 2 1 2 3 4

2Drawgridlineslightlywithapencilinthecentercircle,diagonallyandacross.Withtheblack.25mmpen,drawoverthepencillinesonthefirstcircle,thesecondcircle(leavingabouta ⁄ "[6mm]gapbetweeneachdiagonalline),andtheoutercircle.

1 4

3Stillusingthepen,drawaroundeachtriangleshapeinthecentercircle,roundingthecornersandleavingaslightgapbetweeneachtriangleasshown.DrawaVshapeateachgaponthesecondcircle.

AddShadingforInterestTryusingacoloredpencil(insteadofgraphite)toshadeyourmandalaaroundtheoutsideofthecenterpattern.Itwillnotonlymakethatcenterpatternpopbutalsoaddabitofinterest.

4Inthespacebetweenthefirstandsecondcircle,drawconnectingfigureeights,startingandstoppingateachV.Embellishtheoutercirclewithpeaksandvalleys.Eraseallpencillines.

Project:UntitledInthisdrawingweswitchourpenfromblacktowhiteandourwhitepapertonavyblue.Iloveworkingwithcoloredpaperandthisoneisnoexception.Thelookofthewhitepenagainstthedarkpapermakesthedesignreallystandout.EveryyearIgotothePageantoftheMastersinLagunaBeach,California.

Theretheyhaveafreeprintmakingbooth.YoucreateadesignonStyrofoam,pickyourpaintcolor,andtheyprintitforyou.Thisiswhatspilledoutofme.Tore-createthis,IusednavybluepaperandawhiteGellyRollpen.

SUPPLIES

CompassNavybluecardstock,6"(15cm)squareRuler

SakuraGellyRollpen(white)Whitechalkpencil

1Withthechalkpencil,lightlydrawlinesdiagonallyandacross.Usingacompass,add3concentriccirclesthatare1 ⁄ "(4cm),2 ⁄ "(6cm)and2 ⁄ "(7cm)indiameter.DrawasmallcircleinthecenterusingthewhiteGellyRollpen.

1 2 1 2 3 4

2StillusingthewhiteGellyRollpen,drawleafshapesusingthediagonalandcrosslinesasaguide(centeraleafoneachline,aroundthesmallestcircle).Thengooverthesecondcirclewiththepen.Nowdrawscallopsaroundthecircle.Drawcirclesontopofthescallops,andaddadotinthemiddleofeachcircle.Gooverthethirdandfourthcircleswiththepen.

3Drawlinesbetweenthethirdandfourthcircles,goingallthewayaround.Nowdrawazigzaglinearoundtheoutercircle.

4Drawalineextendingfromthedipineachzigzagandembellishtheends.Eraseallchalklines.

TipSometimesasIamcreatingamandala,IalreadyknowwhatIamgoingtonameit,andsometimesanamecomesafteritiscomplete.Untitledbecamethenameofthisparticularmandalabecauseforthelifeofme,Icouldnotthinkofanameforit.Don’tstressoveraname!

Project:Shutes&LaddersHerewearestartingtoaddnotonlymorelinesbutabitmorepatterningandembellishments,aswiththepreviousmandalaUntitled.Aftercompletingthismandala,Inoticedthelinesaroundthehalfcircleslookedlikeladderedparachutes.Thecirclesandthetriangleslookedlikepeopleholdingon,floatingfromtheparachutes—hencethename,ShutesandLadders.

SUPPLIES

Bristolpaper,6 ⁄ "(17cm)squareCompassNo.2pencilPigmaMicronpen(black):.25mm(01)Ruler

1 2

1Withapencillightlydrawlinesdiagonallyandacross.Withacompassdraw3concentriccirclesthatare1 ⁄ "(3cm),2"(5cm)and2 ⁄ "(6cm)indiameter.Gooverthecircleswiththeblack.25mmpen.

1 4 1 4

2Usingtheblack.25mmMicronpen,drawaspiralinthecenter.Drawarrowsbetweenthefirstandsecondcircles.Betweenthesecondandthirdcircles,drawscallops.

3Draw8trianglesaroundthethirdcircle,leavingasmallgapbetweenthem.Nowdrawsmallcirclesoneithersideofthetrianglesandonelargeronebetweenthem.Drawflowerpods(linestoppedwithdarkdots)inthetrianglesasshown.

4Drawacurvedlinefromonetriangletiptothenextallthewayaroundthemandala(creatingshutes),thenrepeatforanothersetofcurvedlinesabove(orbelow)thefirst.Nowdrawlinesinbetweenthecurvedlines(creatingladders).Drawstraightlinesaroundtheshutes,makinganoctagonshape.Finishwithflowerpodsateachangle.Eraseallpencillines.

AddingFacesandHandsIfyouwantthecirclestolookmorelikepeople,tryaddingfacesandlittlelinestolooklikehandsattheendsofthetriangles.

Project:Terra-CottaMovingfurtheralongwithmorepatterns,wearenowcreatingdesignsthataremorecomplex.Choosingwhichpatterntousenextcanbealittleoverwhelming,butifyoutakeitonestepatatime,theoutcomecanbeamazing.WhenIwasmakingthismandala,IknewwhatIwantedtocreatebefore

starting,soItriedtopickpatternsthatwouldlendthemselvestothosethatwouldbeonaclaypot.TheinspirationcamefromapictureIsawinagardenmagazinethathadthesebeautifuldesignsonaterra-cottapot.

SUPPLIES

Bristolpaper,6 ⁄ "(17cm)squareCompassNo.2pencilPigmaMicronpens(black):.25mm(01)and.5mm(08)Ruler

1 2

1Withapencillightlydrawlinesdiagonallyandacross.Withacompassdrawa1"(3cm)diametercircle.Gooverthecirclewiththeblack.25mmpen.

2Stillusingthepen,drawcurvedlinesinsidethecircle,makingasmallloopattheend.Draw8trianglesaroundthecircle.Nowdrawdoubleloopsbetweenthetriangles.

3Drawsquarespiralsaroundthetriangles.Drawatrianglearoundeachspiralsquare,andembellishwithdotsinsideandout.

4Drawcirclesconnectedbydashesaroundthedottedtriangles.Withthecompassdrawacirclearoundthecirclesanddashes.Gooverthiswiththeblack.25mmpen.Againusingthecompass,drawanothercircleabout ⁄ "(3mm)away.Gooverthislinewiththeblack.5mmpen.Nowdrawlinesbetweenthesetwocircles.Drawswirlsaroundtheoutside.Drawanothercirclegoingaroundtheswirls,usingthecompass.Drawoverthepencillinewiththeblack.5mmpen.Eraseallpencillines.

IdeasAreAllAroundInspirationcancomefromanywhereaswithTerra-CottaandCobblestones.Lookaroundyouandseewhatinspiresasyoucreateyourmandalas.

1 8

Project:TestPatternCreatingthismandalawasjustamatterofaddingandremovinglinesuntilIgotsomethingIliked.Sometimesdrawinginlinescreatesaspacethatgivesmeanideaforaparticularpattern.WatchingtelevisionwhenIwasgrowingup,achannelwoulddisplayatest

patternonthescreentoletyouknowthetelevisionstationwasdoneforthenight.Thismandalabringsbackmemoriesofthosetimesandhowtheyhavechanged.Theoutsidepatternlinelookslikeanelectricalchargedancingaroundmytestpattern.

SUPPLIES

Bristolpaper,6 ⁄ "(17cm)squareCompassNo.2pencilPigmaMicronpens(black):.25mm(01)and.5mm(08)Ruler

1 2

1Withapencillightlydrawlinesdiagonallyandacross.Drawasmallcircleinthecenter.Withacompassdrawa3 ⁄ "(9cm)diametercircle.Usingaruler,drawa3"(8cm)squareinthecenter.1 2

2Gooverthesmallcentercirclewiththeblack.5mmpen.Stillusingthepen,startatonecornerofthesquareandgooverthelineuntilitmeetsthecircle,thengooverthecirclecurveuntilitmeetsthenextcornerofthesquare.Continuegoingoverthecirclecurvesandsquarecornersuntilalllinesaredrawn.Drawasecondlineabout ⁄ "(6mm)awayfromthelineyoujustmade.Addcirclesinbetween.

Darkenthelineswiththeblack.5mmpen.Erasethecenterpencillines.Drawdiagonallinesfromthepointswherethesquarecornersandcirclecurvesmeettothesmallcentercircle.Thereshouldbe8diagonallines.

1 4

3Darkenthediagonallineswiththeblack.5mmpen.InthecornersdrawtheTanglepatternBetweedwiththeblack.5mmpen.ForthecentersdrawtheTanglepatternParadoxusingtheblack.25mmpen.Fillinthesmallcentercircle.

4Usingtheblack.5mmpen,drawawavylinewithpointsaroundthecircle-squareshape.Eraseallpencillines.

Project:ButterflyCocoonWehavebeenworkingonroundmandalassofar,whichisthebasicform.Nowwearegoingtodrawasquaremandala.WhenIlookedatthisone,ittooktheformofbutterflywingswithcocoonsinthecenter.Itissortofanart-decodesign,whichwasaccidental.IdonotalwaysknowwhatIamgoingtocreate,butwhenIdrawonepattern

atatimeandtakeitslowly,themandalastartstospeaktomeandtakeshape.Youdonotneedtorushthroughyourdesign.Takeitslowlyandseewhereitleadsyou—youmightbesurprised.

SUPPLIES

Bristolpaper,6 ⁄ "(17cm)squareCompassNo.2pencilPigmaMicronpen(black):.25mm(01)Ruler

1 2

1Withapencillightlydrawlinesdiagonallyandacross.Drawasmalldotinthecenter.Usingacompassdrawa2 ⁄ "(6cm)diametercircle.Usingarulerdrawa3 ⁄ "(9cm)squareinthecenterandaroundthecircle.

1 2 1 2

2Inthecenterofeachsideofthesquare,drawaninvertedpyramid,usingtheblack.25mmpen.Stillusingthepen,gooverthepencillinesofthesquare,stoppingatthepyramids.DrawapartialMookaTanglepatternineachquadrantofthesquare.

3Drawcocoonsfromthepointofeachpyramidtothecenter.DrawlinesfromeachcornerofthesquaretothetopcenteroftheMookapattern,creatingafan.

4Drawacircleoneachcornerofthesquareandhalfcirclescenteredonthebaselineofeachpyramid.Addasmalldotinthemiddleofthehalfcircles.Addcurvedlinesgoingfromeachpyramidtoeachcornercircle,makingtallercurvesasyouapproachthecircles.Eraseallpencillines.

Chapter4

AdvancedDesigns

Thereareawidevarietyofmandalasinthischaptertoexpandyourknowledgeindrawingandcreatingdesigns.Thesemandalasareabitmorechallengingandrequireafewmorestepstocomplete.AswiththemandalasinChapter3,eachonestartsinthecenter,whetheritbewithadot,swirlorcircle,andexpands

outward.Wewillusemorepatterning,andIwillchallengeyoutocomeupwithyourownmandala.Youwillalsolearntofillinoraddweightedlines.Thesecanenhanceyourdesigns.Socomeandexplorenewideasandpossibilitiesforcreatingmandalasinthis

chapter.

Project:ButterflyCocoonIhadanideaofwhatIwantedtodobeforestartingthismandala.Ihadsomepatternsinmind,andIknewIwantedtousecoloredpaper.Thismandalaisdrawnonsilverscrapbookpaper,butIdidnotliketheshininessofit,soIdrewonthebacksideinstead.SomeofthepatternsIhadinmindforthismandaladidnottranslatefrommy

headtothetipofthepen.Insteadoffightingthepattern,Iletthedesignspeaktomeandchangedmyplan.Aftercompletingthismandalaandlookingattheswirlinthecenterandthedarktrianglesaroundtheedge,Isawastarburstingoutward.

SUPPLIES

CompassGraycardstock,6 ⁄ "(17cm)squareNo.2pencilPigmaMicronpens(black):.25mm(01)and.5mm(08)Ruler

1 2

1Withapencillightlydrawlinesdiagonallyandacross.Drawasmallcircleinthecenter.Usingacompassdrawconcentriccirclesthatare1 ⁄ "(4cm),2 ⁄ "(6cm),2 ⁄ "(6.4cm),3 ⁄ "(10cm)and4 ⁄ "(11cm)indiameter.

1 2 1 4 1 2 3 41 2

2Withtheblack.25mmpendrawaswirlpatterninthecentercircle.

3Inthesecondring,drawleaves.Thereshouldbe32leavesaroundthesecondring.

4Inthethirdringdrawcirclesateachofthediagonalandcrosslines.Nowdrawacirclehalfwayinbetweeneachsetofcircles.DrawcurvedMsbetweenthecircles.Thereshouldbe16circlesand16Ms.

5Inthenextringdraw32triangles.Nowdrawcirclesinsidethetriangles,withasmallercircleineachcenter.

6Intheouterring,draw32circleswithswirlsinthecenter.Drawtrianglesaboveeachswirledcircleandfilltheminusingtheblack.5mmpen.Eraseallpencillines.

SeeWhereItLeadsIfyouhaveapatterninmindthatyouwanttouseinyourmandalabutitisnotworking,insteadofforcingthepattern,trysomethingelse,orletthepatterntakeyouwhereitwantstogo.

Project:FerrisWheelThisFerrisWheelmandalaisalittlemorecomplex,andIthinkitwillchallengeyououtofyourcomfortzone,whichisagoodthing.BeforeIdrewthismandala,IknewIwantedtousetheTanglepatternFengle.Iwasnotsurehowitwouldturnout,butwhenIfinished,Iquitelikedthewayitlooked.Thetanglepatternwasdrawntwice,onebehindtheother.Thecirclesdrawn

hereandthereremindmeofthecogsthatholdaFerriswheeltogether.ThespokesinthemiddleresemblethespokesonaFerriswheel.TheendsontheoutsideoftheFenglepatternlookliketheycouldholdpassengercarsforriders.

SUPPLIES

Bristolpaper,6 ⁄ "(17cm)squareNo.2pencilPigmaMicronpen(black):.25mm(01)Compass

1 2

1Withapencillightlydrawlinesdiagonallyandacross.Drawasmallcircleinthecenter.Usingacompassdrawconcentriccirclesthatare1 ⁄ "(4cm)and5"(13cm)indiameter.1 2

2Withtheblack.25mmpendrawstraightlinesuptotheedgeofthefirstcircle.Thereshouldbe32straightlines.Nowdrawapetalshapeaboveeachline.

3AddtheTanglepatternFengleusingtheoutercircleanddiagonallinesasaguide.

4DrawanotherFenglepatternbehindthefirstone.Oneorbothpatternscanbefilledinwithotherpatterns,completelyorpartially.Eraseallpencillines.

Try,ThenTryAgainYoudonotalwayshavetoknowwhereyouaregoingwhenyoudrawyourmandala.Ifyoudonotlikethewayitlooks,youcanalwaystryagain.

CirclesEverywhereTherewasnorhymeorreasontothenumberorsizeofthecirclesIadded.IjustputtheminuntilIwassatisfiedwiththelook.Icouldhavefilledonesetwithcirclesleavingtheotherone

untilIwassatisfiedwiththelook.Icouldhavefilledonesetwithcirclesleavingtheotheronewithout.

Project:DreamCatcherMygo-topatternisusuallyapetalorleafshape,whichIwasgoingtodoforthecenterofthismandala.Ifirstdrawonesidegoingaroundthecenterandthentheotherside.However,whenIwasdrawingthelinesontheoneside,IendeduplikingthewaythatlookedasopposedtothepatternIoriginallyhadinmind.AfterIfinisheddrawingallmylinesin,therewasnodistinctionbetweenthem,soIaddedpatterninginside.Iliketousedoublecirclesalotinmymandalasandthisoneisnoexception,

butinthiscaseIdidnotlikehowthecenterdesignjustfloatedwithinthetwooutercircles.Toremedythat,Idrewtrianglesconnectingthecenterdesigntothebandcreatedbythetwooutercircles.Whenmymandalawasdone,theconnectingtrianglesandthecurvedlinesonthebandmadeitlooklikeadreamcatcher.Icanactuallyseemakingadreamcatcherusingthispatternasmyinspiration.

SUPPLIES

Bristolpaper,6 ⁄ "(17cm)squareCompassNo.2pencilPigmaMicronpens(black):.25mm(01)and.5mm(08)Ruler

1 2

1Withapencillightlydrawlinesdiagonallyandacross.Drawasmallcircleinthecenter.Usingacompass,drawconcentriccirclesthatare2 ⁄ "(6cm),4 ⁄ "(11cm)and5"(13cm)indiameter.1 2 1 4

2Withtheblack.25mmpengooverthecentercircle,thendrawstraightlinestotheedgeofthe2 ⁄ "(6cm)diametercircle,diagonallyandacross.Thereshouldbe8straightlines.Draw8flowerpetalscomingoutfromthecenterofthecircle.Echoeachpetal.

1 2

3Drawacurvedlinebetweeneachechoedpetal,touchingeachofthestraightlines.Thereshouldbe8lines.

4DrawabackwardsCatthetop,connectingthetopofthepetalandthelinejustdrawn.Echodownwardtowardthecentercircle.Dothis7moretimes.

5NowdrawacurvedlinefromthetopofoneCtothetopofthenextC.Dothis7moretimes.Fillintheshapescreatedwithstraightlines.

6Add16triangles,makingeveryotheroneslightlycurved.Fillineveryotheronewiththeblack.5mmpen.Drawabandusingthelasttworingsasguides.Nowaddcurvedandbrokenlinestothebandcreatedbythetwooutercircles.Eraseallpencillines.

Project:HolliThismandalawasahappyaccident;itdidnotturnoutanythinglikeIhadoriginallyintended.Drawingtheouterpetalscreatedpetalsinthecenter,whichIliked,butwhenIstartedtodrawtheotherlines,youcouldnotdistinguishonefromtheother.TosolvethatIfilledinthecenterpetals.Iwantedtomaketheouterpetalsstandout,butIdidnotwanttofillinthebackground.Ifeltdoingsowouldmakeittoodarkandtooheavy,soIwentwithacheckerboardpattern,whichbroughtbalancetothemandaladesign.WhenIfinishedthepattern,themandalalookedlikeahollyflower.Ithinkit

wasthecenterpetalslikeonahollyplantthatmademeseethis.

SUPPLIES

Bristolpaper,6 ⁄ "(17cm)squareCompassNo.2pencilPigmaMicronpens(black):.25mm(01)and.5mm(08)Ruler

1 2

1Withapencillightlydrawlinesdiagonallyandacross.Drawasmallcircleinthecenter.Usingacompass,adda4 ⁄ "(11cm)diametercircle.1 4

2Withtheblack.25mmpendraw8petals,startingfromthecentercircleuptotheoutercircle.Aseachpetalisformed,overlapthebottom,creatingadditionalpetals.

3Fillinthesmallerpetalswiththeblack.5mmpen.

4Fortheouterpetals,drawadoublecurvedline,dividingthepetalsinhalf.Nowdrawdiagonallinesononehalfofeachpetal.Drawacircleonthetipofeachpetal.

5Makeastarontheoutsideofthedevelopingshapeusingthecirclesasthepoints.Fillinthebackgroundwithacheckerboardpattern.Drawswirlcirclesineachindentationofthestar.

6Drawaribbonaroundyourdesign,weavinginandout.Drawinvertedtrianglesateachpointofthestar.Eraseallpencillines.

StartSmallIfsomethingdoesnotworkwhenyouaredrawingyourmandala,tryaddingalittleofthisoralittleofthattogetyourdesignmovinginadirectionyoulike.

Project:KaleidoscopeSpoons,pineapplesandheartshelpedinthecreationofthismandala.Asusual,themandalaledmeastrayandIamgladitdidbecauseIlikethewaythismandalaturnedout.Iliketofinishmymandalaswithacirclearoundthemforthemostpartandthenembellishthecirclewithapatternortwo.However,Ifeltthatwouldnotdoforthisparticularmandala.Iusedpetalsinstead,andIthinkthataddedtothepatternsinside.Becauseofthespoonpatternsinthecenter—actually,Iwastryingtogetthe

effectofawaterwheel—andthewaythepatternsconnectedwithoneanother,themandalatookonthelookofakaleidoscope.

SUPPLIES

Bristolpaper,6 ⁄ "(17cm)squareCompassNo.2pencilPigmaMicronpen(black):.25mm(01)Ruler

1 2

1Withapencillightlydrawlinesdiagonallyandacross.Drawasmallcircleinthecenter.Usingacompass,adda2"(5cm)diametercircle.

2Withtheblack.25mmpengooverthecentercircle,thendraw32straightlinesgoingfromthecentercircletotheoutercircle.

3Addacurvetoturneachlineintoaspoon.

4Onthediagonalandcrosslines,drawpineappleshapes.Inbetweenthepineapples,drawcornhuskshapes.

5Atthetipofeachpineapple,drawanopenVforitstop.Atthetipofeachcornhusk,drawtwofatteardropshapesthatformaheart,withoverlappinglinesshowing(Icallthisan“openheart”).

6Drawacircleaboveeachheart.Drawathinteardroponthesideofeachcircle,startingatthebaseofeachcircle.Drawsmallercirclesinbetweenthetipsoftheteardrops.Eraseallpencillines.

Project:RadioFrequencyIwasinoneofthose“Let’sgoforitandseewhathappens”moodswhenIcreatedthismandala.Iplayedwithpatterns,addingsomeofthis,alittleofthat,notworryingaboutwhatIwasdoing—justhavingfun.WhenIgottiredofdrawingstraightlines,Ithrewinsomecrookedlinesjustbecause.Afteritwasallsaidanddone,thejaggedlinesandorbslookedlikeradioantennas.

SUPPLIES

Bristolpaper,6 ⁄ "(17cm)squareCompassNo.2pencilPigmaMicronpen(black):.25mm(01)Ruler

1 2

1Withapencillightlydrawlinesdiagonallyandacross.Usingacompass,addcirclesthatare1"(3cm)and4 ⁄ "(11cm)indiameter.1 2

2Withtheblack.25mmpen,gooverthe1"(3cm)diametercircle,thendraw3stackedhalfcircles(largetosmall)ateachdiagonalandcrossline.Fromthecenterofeachtophalfcircle,drawabouta ⁄ "(13mm)lineextendingoutward.1 2

3Connectthe ⁄ "(13mm)lines,makingastarpattern.1 2

4Halfwaybetweeneachdiagonalandcrossline,drawswirlcircles.Connectthesecircleswithstraightlines.

5Drawtrianglesaboveeachswirlcircle.Nowfillinhalfofeachtrianglewithstraightlines.Draw4stackedhalfcirclesinbetweeneachtriangle.Fromthecenterofeachtophalfcircle,drawalightningboltextendingtothe4 ⁄ "(11cm)diametercircle.1 2

6Nowdrawswirlcirclesattheendofeachlightningbolt.Usingthe4 ⁄ "(11cm)diametercircleasaguide,drawadoublejaggedlineconnectingtheswirlcircles.Aboveeachmiddlejag,drawabouta ⁄ "(13mm)lineextendingoutwithahalfwhite/halfblackcircleinthecenter.Finishthetopwithasmallercircle.Eraseallpencillines.

1 2

1 2

Project:CubeSquaredIwantedtocreateasquaremandala,havingthepatternsgoingarounditinagrid,sothatisexactlywhatIdid.Itgotitsname,CubeSquared,becausetome,thatiswhatitlookslike.WhatcanIsayaboutthespikesontheoutside?Ijustlikethem.

SUPPLIES

Bristolpaper,6 ⁄ "(17cm)squareNo.2pencilPigmaMicronpen(black):.25mm(01)Ruler

1 2

1Withapencillightlydrawdiagonallines.Withtheblack.25mmpenandarulerdrawconcentric1"(3cm),1 ⁄ "(4cm),2 ⁄ "(5cm)and2 ⁄ "(7cm)squares.1 2 1 16 3 4

2Stillusingtheblack.25mmpen,drawaspiralsquareinthecenter.

3Dividethenextsquareinto20evenlyspacedsquares.Drawverticallinesineveryothersquare,thendrawhorizontallinesintheremainingsquares.

4Dividethenextsquareinto28evenlyspacedsquaresanddrawtrianglesinsideasshown.

5Dividethelastsquareinto36evenlyspacedsquaresanddrawcirclesinside.

6Nowdrawtalltrianglesaroundtheoutsideofthesquare.Thereshouldbe40triangles.(Optional:Togivethecentersquaretheillusionthatitissplit,drawdiagonallineslightlyusingyourno.2pencil.)Eraseallpencillines.

Project:SunFlowerThisisanotheroneofmyfavoritemandalas.AsI’vesaidpreviously,mygo-topatterniseitherleavesorpetals,andthatiswhatIstartedwithhere.Iwantedthesenottobethesame-old,same-old,soIsquaredthetipsalittleandaddedmorepetalsinthecenter.Insteadofusingacirclearoundtheoutside,thistimeIaddedawavyline.WhenIlookedatthismandalaafteritwasdone,theblackonthetipsofthe

petalsresembledsunflowerseeds,andthewavylinemadeitlooklikehugepetalsaroundaflowercenter.

SUPPLIES

Bristolpaper,6 ⁄ "(17cm)squareCompassNo.2pencilPigmaMicronpen(black):.25mm(01)and.5mm(08)Ruler

1 2

1Withapencillightlydrawlinesdiagonallyandacross.Usingacompass,add1"(3cm)and3"(8cm)diametercircles.

2Withtheblack.25mmpengooverthe1"(3cm)diametercircle.Nowdraw16wedgesusingthediagonalandcrosslinesandthe3"(8cm)diametercircleasaguide.

3Drawanothersetofwedgesinsidetheonesalreadydrawn.Thendrawalinedownthecenteroftheinsidewedgesanddarkenthetipswiththeblack.5mmpen.

4Drawcirclesaroundtheperimeterofthewedges.

5Drawsmall,mediumandlargeroundedspikesaroundthecircles.Drawadarklineinsideeachspikeusingtheblack.5mmpen.

6Drawawavylinearoundtheoutside,cominginwardonthelargespikesandoutwardonthesmallspikes.Drawalinefromthecenterofthepeakofeachwavedownbetweenthe2smallspikes.Drawadditionallinesoneithersideofthecenterline,fanningoutoneitherside.Eraseallpencillines.

Project:BaliPodsThistimeIcreatedamandalawithasquarewithinacircle.Squigglelinesmoveoutwardfromthecenterdot.Leavesextendoutwardtothecorners.Insteadofdrawingtheleaves,Iusedlinestoformthem.Therearepetalsinbetween,embellishmentsaroundthesquare,andseedpodsinbetweentheoutercirclesthatmakeupthismandala.TheveinsoftheleaveslooklikethemovementsofBalinesedancers,andwith

theseedpodsallaround,thenameforthismandalabecameBaliPods.

SUPPLIES

Bristolpaper,6 ⁄ "(17cm)squareCompassNo.2pencilPigmaMicronpens(black):.25mm(01)and.5mm(08)Ruler

1 2

1Withapencillightlydrawlinesdiagonallyandacross.Drawa2"(5cm)squareinthecenter.Usingacompassdrawa4 ⁄ "(11cm)diametercircleanda4 ⁄ "(12cm)diametercirclearoundthesquare.Draw4leafshapesdiagonallyinthecenterofthesquare,usingthegridlinesasguides.

1 2 3 4

2Usingtheblack.5mmpendrawdarkcurvedlinesdownthecenterofeachleaf.Then,withthe.25mmpendrawdiagonallinesoneachsideofthecenterline.Stillusingthe.25mmpen,drawpetalshapesbetweeneachofthe4leaves.Echothepetalshapeoneachside.Tracearoundthesquarewiththepen.

3Drawscallopsaroundeachsideofthesquare.Drawa1"(3cm)lineinthecenterofeachsideofthesquareabovethescallops.Drawacurvedlinefromthetopofthelinetothecornerofthesquare.

4Echoyourarchwithadditionallines.Drawfansstartingfromtheoutercornerofthesquaretothecenter.Drawonelineontheinsideofthefirstfanandthen3moreoutsidethefirstfan.Draw8leafshapesonthecornersandcenterpointsofthesquare.Drawcurlicuesoneach.

5Echotheleavesbydrawingalineontheoutsideoneitherside.Drawanotherleafinthecenterofeachleaf.

6Finishthemandalabyaddingcirclesontheoutsideofthecenterleaves.Gooverthe4 ⁄ "(11cm)diametercircleandthe4 ⁄ "(12cm)diametercirclewithyourpen.Erasealllines.

1 23 4

Chapter5

MandalaTemplates

Asabeginner,learninghowtodrawamandalacanbeabitintimidating,andstaringatablankpagedoesnothelpeither.Usingtemplatescanhelpyougetstarted.Inthischapter,fourdifferentblanktemplatesareshownwithsomefinishedexamplestohelpyoustart.Thetemplatesaregeometric,curvilinearor

organic,oracombinationoftwoormoreofthesestyles.Note:Youdonothavetostaywithinthelines;theyarejustasuggestion.Youcanmodifyyourmandalaanywaythatispleasingtoyou.Makeseveralcopiesofthesametemplateandtrycompletingthemwithdifferentpatterns.Trymodifyingtheshapeofthetemplateandseehowyoucanmakeityourown.

TemplateDesign:StraightandCurvyComboThiswasthefirsttemplateIcreated.Istartedwithacircleinthemiddleandthenaddedlines.Ilikedthewaythecurvedandstraightlineslookednexttoeachother.OnceIgotmytemplatedone,Istarteddrawingmypatternsintotheindividualshapes.

ShapesFirst,ThenFillInWhendrawingamandala,trydrawingtheshapesfirstandthenaddyourpatterns.

FinishedExampleWhenIfinishedcreatingthistemplate,itendeduplookinglikeangels.Ididnotwanttocreateamandalawithpatternsinwhichtheangeldesignwouldstandout.Imustsay,IhadahardtimewiththisonebecauseIdidnotwanttomodifythetemplateorchangeitbygoingoutsidethelines.Iwantedyoutoseehowtousethistemplateasis.However,takingastepbackandstartingwithmygo-toleafpattern,thedesignsstartedtotakeshapewithinthetemplate.Itrieddifferentpatternstofillinthetriangles,butintheend,Ilikedtheopenlookbest.

TemplateDesign:StarPowerThistemplatestartedwithacircleinthemiddle,andthenIaddedstarpointsusingstraightandcurvedlines.Ilikechangingupthepatternsometimestogivethetemplateabitofinterest.Toenclosethedesign,Iconnectedthestarpointswithacurvedlineandaddedtrianglesinbetween.

LettheTemplateTellYouAsyouarefillinginthetemplatewithyourpatterns,letitspeaktoyou.Lookatitandseewhatstartstoemerge.

FinishedExampleIbegandrawingmypatterninthecenter.AsIstartedaddingthedifferentpatterns,thetrianglesbegantolooklikeumbrellastome,soIwentwiththattocompletemymandala.

TemplateDesign:TonsofTurnsThistemplatejustspilledoutofme.Itwassimpletocreateandsimpletoworkwith.AlthoughIcouldnotthinkwhatpatterntouseinthecenter,Iwasstillabletomakeitwork.Thistemplateisveryversatile.Ifyouerasethecenterlines,youhavealargespacetofillinwithauniquedesignordrawing.Icanseeaddingeyesinallofthehalfcirclesandendupmakingthistemplateawhimsicalone.

FollowtheLeaderDrawingyourpatternscanbeassimpleasjustfollowingthedesignofthetemplateandrepeatingitwithlines.

FinishedExampleWhenIaddedmypatterns,IstartedfromtheoutsidebecauseIdidnotknowwhatpatternIwasgoingtodrawfortheinsideportionofthetemplate.WhenIgottothecenter,Istilldidnothaveapatterninmind,sofollowingtheinsidecurves,Ijustdrewcurvedlines.

TemplateDesign:CropCircleSwirlMyinspirationforthistemplatewascropcircles.IhadjustcomebackfromavisittoRoswell,NewMexico,andwhileIwasthere,Isawacropcirclesimilartothis.Thisisoneofmyfavoritetemplatesbecauseofthesimplicity.Usingfour

differentpatternsandrepeatingthemaroundthemandala,makingsuretherewasabalancebetweenthelightanddarkpatterns,broughtoutthismandala’struepotential.Thistemplateisveryversatile.Youcancreateadifferentpatternineachsectionorthesamepatternandmodifyasyoumoveontothenextsection.Iwouldusethistemplateasawhole,meaningIwouldnotdeleteanylinesasIworkedmypatternsin.Iwantedsomethingfuninthecenterbutdidnotwantittotakeawayfromthemaindesign,soIjustaddedalittlesomethingforinterestandthereyouhaveit.Ofcourse,youcouldmakeyourcenterpatternmoreelaborateorleaveitblankandaddatouchofcolorinthecenter.

RepeatandVaryDrawingpatternscanbeassimpleasrepeatingapattern.Youcanalsousethesamepatternandvaryitabit.Insteadofusingwhitedotsbycoloringinthebackground,Icouldjustaseasilyhavedrawninblackdots.

Chapter6

GettingCreative

Thischapterwilltakewhatyouhavelearnedaboutcreatingmandalasastepfurther.Sometimesafterrepeatedlycreatingthesamething,wegettothat“nowwhat?”phase.Weaskourselves,“WhatelsecanIdowiththis?HowcanItakethistothenextlevel?”Thefollowingprojectswillshowyouhowyoucancreate

mandalasinunconventionalwaysbyusingdifferentmethodsandtools.Solet’shavesomefunandseewhatwecancomeupwithtotakeourmandalasbeyondthe“nowwhat?”phase.

InspiredIdea:SnowflakesRememberaschildren,duringtheholidays,wemadesnowflakes?Rememberhowtheywerehungfromtheceiling,bringingtheoutdoorholidayseasoninside?Well,wearegoingtotakedownoneofthosesnowflakesanduseitasourpatterntocreateaone-of-a-kindmandala.Afterall,notwosnowflakesarethesame.

SUPPLIES

BonefolderBristolpaper,6 ⁄ "(17cm)squareNo.2pencilPigmaMicronpens(black):.25mm(01)and.5mm(08)Scissors

1 2

TracingpaperOptional:cardstock,craftknife,low-tacktape

SnowflakeDesignThisisthesnowflakeIstartedwith.

FinishedExampleAfterIdrewmysnowflakepattern,IhadnoideawhatIwasgoingtodrawnext.AsIcontinuedtolookatthepatternonthemandala,shapesstartedtoemerge.IdrewalinedownthemiddleoftheheartshapesandwhenIaddedaheavylinearoundtheshape,bugsstartedtoform.Iroundedthetrianglestomakeleaves.Iaddedlinesandshapesand,withoutrealizingit,beesandbutterfliesflewontomymandala.

1. Cuta6"(15cm)squarepieceoftracingpaper.Folditinhalfdiagonallytoformatriangle.Throughoutthesenextsteps,keepthefoldonthebottom.Markthecenterofthetriangleonthefold,lightlywithapencil.Drawaline,lightlywithapencil,fromthebottomcenterpointtothe

centertopofthetriangleonbothsidestoformaV.Taketherightsidebottompointofthetriangleandfoldituptotheleftpencilline.Nowtaketheleftsidebottompointofthetriangleandfoldituptotherightpencillineoredgeofthefoldontherightside.Yourtriangleisnowfoldedintothirds.Foldinhalfagain.

2. Withscissorsstarttocutoutvariousshapesfromeachsideofthetracingpaper(circles,squares,etc.).Cutoffthetoppartofthetriangle(oppositefromthepoint).

3. Openupthesnowflakeandcenteritonthebristolpaper.Withapencillightlydrawaroundthecutoutsandouteredgeofthesnowflake.Note:Tohelpkeepthesnowflakefrommovingaround,tapeitdownwithlow-tacktape.

4. Starttodrawyourshapesusingtheblack.25mmpen.Youcanusetheshapesasistocreatethemandala,orlinescanbeconnectedand/ortakenaway,creatingdifferentshapes.Usetheblack.5mmpentocolorinanddarkensomeoftheshapesandlines.

5. Eraseallpencillines.

SelectivelySliceKeepinmindwhencuttingoutyoursnowflakenottocutallthewaythroughtotheotherside;otherwise,yoursnowflakewillfallapart.Youcanalsodrawinadesignfirstbeforecuttingintothepaper.Ifyouwanttomakeyoursnowflakesturdier,glueittocardstockandthencutaroundtheshapesusingscissorsoracraftknife.

InspiredIdea:StencilsStencilsareagoodtooltohaveforcreatingmandalas.Stencilshelpcreatenotonlytheshapeforyoubutalsosomeofthepatterns.HereIhavetwodifferentexamplescreatedfromonestencil.Youcanseeadramaticdifferencebetweenthetwojustbychoosingwhichlinestouseornotuse.OnoneIusedaheavyline,andontheotherIwentforamoredelicatelook.Thechoiceisyours.

SUPPLIES

Bristolpaper,6 ⁄ "(17cm)square

No.2pencil

PigmaMicronpens(black):.25mm(01)and.5mm(08)

Stencil,smallerthan6 ⁄ "(17cm)square

1 2

1 2

StencilDesignThisisthestencilIstartedwith(PlaidFolkArtPaintingStencil#30606).

FirstFinishedExampleWiththisfirstexampleIwantedtokeepmostofthestencillinesandshapesinmymandalasoyoucouldseehowstencilscanbeused.Ifyoulookclosely,youcanseemostoftheshapesandlinesofthestencil.Ieliminatedveryfewofthelinesandenhancedothers.Keepingtruetothestencildesignmadeforaverysimpleandeasymandala.

1. Besuretochooseastencilthatwillfitonthepieceofbristolpaper.Centerthestencilonthepaper.

2. Withapencillightlytracearoundthestencil.3. Decidewhatlinesyouwanttousefromthelinesdrawn,either

connectingorremovingthem.Withthe.25mmpendrawoverthepencil

lines.Keepgoingoverthelines,addingmorelines,curves,circlesandshapesuntilyougetthelookyouwant.Usethe.5mmpentofillinshapesanddarkenlinesifdesired.

4. Eraseallpencillines.

TaketheSameStencilinDifferentDirectionsYoucanusethesamestencilrepeatedly.Bychoosingwhichlinestoconnectorremove,youwillgetadifferentlookeverytime.Youcanalsousethestencilasisandaddpatternstotheindividualsections.

SecondFinishedExampleThisexampleiscreatedusingthesamestencilbuthasaverydifferentlook.Iremovedalotofthestencillinesandshapestocreatemyowndesign.IwantedtoseehowdifferentIcouldmakethismandalalookfromthestencil.Istillkeptsomeofthebonesofthestencilbutmadeitmoremyown.

HowtoCreateYourOwnStencilsSupplies:Paper,stenciltemplate,pencil,permanentmarker,craftknifeOptional:Stencilcutter

1. Cutoutasquarefromapieceofpaper,anddrawyourdesigninpencil.Thesimplerthedesign,theeasieritwillbetocutout.Keepinmindthatsomeofthelinesneedtostayconnected;otherwise,thestencilwillfallapart.

2. Cutoutasquarefromthestenciltemplatetofityourdesign.Placethestenciltemplateoveryourdesignandtrace,usingapermanentmarker.

3. Cutoutyourdesignfromthestenciltemplateusingeitheracraftknifeorastencilcutter.

InspiredIdea:SpirographTheoriginsoftheSpirographasadrawingtoygobackto1908,whenasimilardevicecalledtheWondergraph,whichusedasystemofgearstoproducegeometricdrawings,wasmarketedbytheSearsandRoebuckCo.ThefirstSpirographtoywasmarketedbyKennerintheUnitedStatesin1965,andtoday,currentlyaHasbrotoy,itisanaturaltooltousewhenmakingmandalas.ThereisnoneedtoworryaboutmakingtheperfectcircleforyourmandalawhenusingaSpirograph;ittakestheguessingoutoftheequationforyou.TheSpirographhasanumberofcircles,squaresandtrianglesinalldifferentsizes;youcouldnotpossiblyrunoutofideasforcreatingyourmandalas.

SUPPLIES

Bristolpaper,6 ⁄ "(17cm)squareNo.2pencilPigmaMicronpens(black):.25mm(01)and.5mm(08)Spirograph

1 2

SpirographDesignThisistheSpirographdesignIstartedwith.

FinishedExampleIcouldhavestoppedattheinitialdesignwhenIdrewmymandala,butIaddedmorelinesandpatternsandfillinginhereandthere,andyoucanseeagreatdifferencebetweenthetwo.

1. FortheinnerpatternIchosewheel#144/96andusedhole6.Centeronthebristolpaperandbegintodrawthepatternusingthe.25mmpen.

2. FortheouterpatternIchosewheel#150/105andusedthesmallestcircle,andwithwheel#24Iusedhole1.Centeraroundtheinnerpatternandbegintodrawtheouterpatternwithyour.25mmpen.

3. Oncebothinitialpatternsaredrawn,starttoaddotherpatterns,lines,curves,circlesandothershapestodevelopthemandala.Alsotryjoiningsomeofthelinestogether.Usethe.5mmpentofillinshapesanddarkenlinesifdesired.

MakeaHomemadeSpirographYoucancreateyourownSpirographusingcogsandwheelsfromthehardwarestore.Oldclockpartscanalsobeused.

InspiredIdea:HalfandHalfIlovethelookofblackinkagainstwhitepaper,butIlovehowawhitepenagainstblackpaperlooksevenmoredramatic.HereIcombinedthetwointoone.Youcanbuytwo-tonedcoloredpaper,butIhaveneverseenblack-and-whitepaper.TosolvetheproblemIcutapieceofpaperinhalffromthewhiteandfromtheblackandtapedthetwotogether.TheonlyproblemIhadwhendrawingmymandalawasrememberingtoswitchpens.SometimesIwassointocreatingmymandalathatIforgot.

SUPPLIES

No.2pencilPapercutterorscissorsPapertape

PigmaMicronpen(black):.25mm(01)Ruler

SakuraGellyRollpen(white)WhitechalkpencilWhiteandblackcardstock

SimpleStartThisisthesimplehalfwhite/halfblackdesignIstartedwith.

FinishedExampleIhadalreadydrawnthismandalaawhilebackusingablackpenonwhitepaper.Ithoughtthiswastheperfecttimetoseewhatitwouldlooklikehalfblack/halfwhite.Ichosethisparticularmandalatodrawbecauseofitssimplicity.Youcanseethedesignclearly,soitiseasytoreplicate.Itisagreatbeginnerdesigntostartwithbecauseyougetatasteofwhatthistypeofmandalaisliketodrawwithouttoomuchdifficulty.

1. Cuta6 ⁄ "(17cm)squarefromboththewhiteandtheblackcardstock.Cutbothsquaresinhalf,thentapeablackhalfandawhitehalftogether.

1 2

Makesurethatbothhalvesbuttupagainsteachotherascloselyaspossible.

2. Drawlinesdiagonallyandacrossusingtheno.2pencilonthewhitesideandthewhitechalkpencilontheblackside.

3. Drawthemandalausingtheblack.25mmpenonthewhitesideandthewhiteGellyRollpenontheblackside.

4. Startwithacircleinthecenter,followedbyastararoundit.Drawanotherdoublecircle,fillingitinwithblackonthewhitesideandwhiteontheblackside.

5. Continuedrawingthedesignwithleaves,swirlsandlines.6. Eraseallpencillines.

Don’tSplitUpWhendrawingyourmandala,drawitasawholeandnotonesidefirstandthentheother.Forexample,donotdrawtotallyontheblacksideandtrytoduplicatethepatternonthewhiteside.Youwillnotgetthatevenflowandyourmandalamayenduplookingdisjointed.

InspiredIdea:IlluminatedLetterdThewordilluminatemeans“tofillwithlight.”DuringtheMiddleAges,ancientliteraturewastranscribedbymonkstohighlydecoratedtextscalled“illuminatedmanuscripts.”Theilluminatedletter,typicallythefirstletterofapageorparagraph,isenlargedanddecoratedwithgold.Anilluminatedlettermandalaislikeanyothermandala,exceptthereisa

letterinthecenter.Insteadofstartingwithacircleinthecenter,youarestartingwithyourletter.Yourlettercanbeaselaborateorasplainasyoulike.Therearemanytypesoffontsonline,sothereisnoneedtoworryaboutnotlikingyourhandwriting.Trydrawingyourpatternthroughyourletter.Itwillgiveyouatotallydifferenteffect.Experimentandseewhatyoulikebest.

SUPPLIES

Bristolpaper,6 ⁄ "(17cm)squareCompass

Goldleaf

GoldmetallicgelpenLetterofyourchoice(handdrawnorphotocopied)No.2pencilPigmaMicronpen(black):.25mm(01)Scissors

1 2

4"(10cm)squaredouble-sidedmountingadhesive

IlluminatedLetterDesignBeforestartingmydesign,Itracedpartofmyletterinthecenterofthedrawncircle.Thepartiallytracedletterismyregistrationmark.Registrationmarksnotonlygiveyouaguidetohelpplaceyourletterontoyourmandala,buttheyalsogiveyouaguideforwheretostartandendyourpattern(s).OnceIgottheplacementofmyletter,Iwasabletodeterminewheretostartdrawing.

FinishedDesignIlookedatsomeoldilluminatedlettersonlinetoseehowtheyweredecorated.Iwantedtokeepthatsamefeelinmymandala,soIchoseascroll.Idrewthepattern,keepingthedesignthesameandbalancedaroundmyletter.Inkeepingwiththeinsidepattern,Iaddedasimilarscrollpatternontheoutsideofthecircletofinishthedesign.

1. Inpencil,drawortracetheletteryouhavechosenonthedouble-sidedmountingadhesive.Cuttheletterout.Savetheotherpieceforanotherproject.

2. Onthebristolpaper,drawa5"(13cm)diametercircleinthecenterwiththeblack.25mmpen.Centertheletterinthecircleanddrawregistrationmarksforplacingtheletter.Thenremovetheletteranddrawyourdesign.Note:Yourdesigncanbedrawneitherbeforeorafteryouplaceyourletterinthecircle.

3. Peelawaythepaperfromthebacksideoftheletterandplaceitinthecenterofthecircle,matchinguptheregistrationmarks.Ifthedesignwasnotdrawnbeforehand,finishdrawingitnow.

4. Whenyouarefinishedwithyourdesign,peelawaythetoplayerofthepaperfromyourletterandapplythegoldleaffollowingthemanufacturer’sinstructions.

5. Outlinetheletterwiththegoldmetallicgelpen.6. Optional:Addanotherdesignaroundtheoutsideofyourmandalacircle.

GiveColoraTryIncreatingthismandala,Iusedgoldleafing,butyoucanusecolorinstead.

Chapter7

Gallery

Ilovegoingtoartgalleriesandlookingatallthedifferentartworksondisplay.Iliketoseewhatnewtechniques,stylesandideasareoutthere.Creativeandtalentedartistsalwaysfascinateme.Iloveabookormagazinethathasagallerysection.Itshowshowindividualartistshavetakenanideaanduseditinmultipleanduniqueways.Iamamazedhowartistscancomeupwithsomanycreative

anduniqueways.Iamamazedhowartistscancomeupwithsomanycreativeideas.Thepossibilitiesseemendless.Tothatend,ImustsayIamamazedthatIcreatedallofthesedifferent

mandalasmyself.Asyoulookthroughthischapter,viewitasifyouwereinanartgallery,gazinguponallthedifferentartworks.Donotjustglanceateachone,butbeinspiredtoeithertryoneorallofthesemandalasorcomeupwithyourownuniqueartpiece.Trytotakesomethingfromeachone.Creatingthesemandalasnotonlychallengedmetothinkoutsidethebox,but

alsopushedmetomakeeachmandalauniquelydifferent.Sometimesyoudonotknowwhatyoucandountilyougothroughthechallenge.Ihopeyouwillchallengeyourselftodothesame,butmostimportantly,Ihopeyouhavefunintheprocess.

LotusBloomAlthoughthismandalahasmanylinesthroughout,Ithinkithasadelicatelook.Usually,ifthereisastrongcenterasinthisone,Iwillmaketheoutsidestrongaswellforbalance.IdidnotfeelLotusBloomneededthis.IfIhad,Ithinkitwouldhavetakenawayfromthedelicatelookofthedesign.LookingatAsiandesignsinthepast,thisdesignremindedmeofthelotusflowerinbloom.

AStitchinTimeAswiththemandalaHolliinChapter4,thecenterdesignmadedoublepetalswhendrawingthelargerpetal.ThistimeIusedlinestofillinhalfoftheinsidepetals.Itgivesthedesignalightandopenfeel.Thewhitelinesagainsttheblackbackgroundreallyenhancethedesignofthismandala.Thedashmarksaroundthedesignremindmeofhandstitching,andsinceittookmesometimetodrawthis…well,youknowwhereIamgoingwiththisinnamingthemandalaAStitchinTime.

ArrowheadsIusedblackpenontancardstockforthismandala.Noticethatthismandalausesmostlystraightlinesforthedesign.Asyousee,youcangetadramaticeffectusingonlylines.Isawarrowheads:round,pointedandfanned.

ThereIwastryingdifferentloopsandcircleswhendrawingthismandala.Ilikethesimplicityofthisdesign.Theloopsconnectingwitheachothermakethemandalalooklacy.Whenitcametimetogiveitaname,theonlythingthatcametomindwasTherebecauseIthought,There,I’mdone.

WeepingWillowHerewehaveanotherwhitemandaladesignonadarkbackground.Onceagain,youcanseehowthesimplewhitelinesonblackpaperhaveadramaticeffectonthedesign.Thewaytheloopshangoverremindsmeofawillowtree.

TryLightonDarkTryusingblackordarkbackgroundpaperwithsimplelinedrawingsusingawhitepen.Drawlinescloseandfarapartandseewhatemergesfromyourdesign.

EyeoftheStormHereisanothermandalaontancardstock,butthistimeIusedawhitepenanddrewmyfavoritego-topattern,leaves.Thismandalahasverysimplelinesandcirclesdrawnaroundtheleafpattern.Althoughitisveryopen,thelinesandcirclesfillitinjustenoughtomakeitinteresting.Theopencircleinthecenterlookslikethecenterofatornadoortwister.Ihaveneverpersonallyseenone,butthatishowIimagineonewouldlookintheeyeofthestorm.

CircusTentHereIdrewanothermandalaontancardstockusingawhitepen.WiththismandalaIusedmostlytriangles,linesandafewcircles/ovalsformypattern.Unintentionally,themandalaendeduplookinglikeacircustentfromabird’s-eyeview.Thetrianglesontheoutsideandthelineswithdotslooklikestakesholdingtheropesonthetent.

Snails’PaceWitheachofthepreviousmandalas,Iusedmostlylines,keepingitsimple.Iwantyoutofeelsimplicitywithadramaticeffect.Here,withSnails’Pace,Iamstillusingmostlylines,butnowIamaddingmorepatterning,weightedlinesandfill-ins.WhenIdrawmandalas,thecenterseemstodictatehowthemandalaisgoingtoendup.Eachpatterntellsmewhatthenextoneshouldbe.IhaveasignaturepatternthatIliketousefrequentlywithmymandalastofinishthem:swirledcircles.

ThistimeIaddedlittleantennasandturnedmyswirledcirclesintosnailsmovingaroundthemandala.

TakeaBreakSometimes,whenIamstuckandIdonotknowwhatpatterntodrawnext,Iwalkawayforawhileorsimplyfinishitthenextday.Youdon’talwayshavetofinishamandalainonesitting.

whileorsimplyfinishitthenextday.Youdon’talwayshavetofinishamandalainonesitting.IttooktheOldMastersalotlongerthanonedaytocompletetheirmasterpieces.

MichaelCreatingmandalasisnotonlyenjoyable,butitcanbeagreatmeditativepastime.Releasingthatnegativeenergycanturnintosomethingpositiveandbeautiful.Forme,thismandalaholdsadeeppersonalmeaning.Icreateditaftermyeldestson,Michael,passedawaytwodaysafterMother’sDay.Idrewthismandalatokeepmymindoccupiedandtogetmethroughadifficulttime,anditdid.

SoapBubblesThismandalaremindsmeofthesongbyDonHo:“Tinybubbles,inthewine,makemehappy,makemefeelfine.”AmIdatingmyself?Anyway,whenIfinisheddrawingthis,Isawasoapdesign—onethatmightbeseenfloatinginwaterasitgoesdownthedrainafterwashingdishes.

LettheMusicMoveYouHavemusicplayinginthebackgroundasyoucreateyourmandala.Themoodofthesongcaninfluencewhatyoudraw.

TowersTraditionallymandalasaredrawnround.Ichosetostartwithasquarewiththismandala,addingdiagonalsquaresaroundtheperimeterofthesquaremandala.Ifyoutakeacloserlook,youcanseethatnotallthelinesthatformthedesignarestraight.Haveyoueverseenapicturelookingdownontoacityscape?Thismandalaremindsmeoftalltowers

hoveringoverthelandscapeofabigcity.

WithaCherryonTopThismandalastartedwithacandyswirlinthecenterandamodifiedversionoftheTanglepatternZinger.Insteadofdrawingastraightcircle,Idrewaslightlycurved,weightedlinearoundtheoutside.Ifinishedtheoutsideofthecirclewithmyswirledcircles.AfterIfilledinthecirclesabovethepattern,theZingerlookedlikeacherryontopofachocolatesundae.

FansThecenterisaflowerpatternwithlinesadded,andthefilled-inshapesaroundthecenterflowermimictheindentationofeachpetal.Thestraightlinesaroundtheflowerdesignendeduplookinglikefansaroundthemandala.Doublecurvedtriangles,withtheinsidetrianglefilledinandapetalshapeinbetween,finishedthemandala.

OpticalIllusionIalreadyknewIwasgoingtocreateamandalathatwasgoingtobeaflowerinitself.IdrewtheTanglepatternAurkasforthecenterofthismandala.Iwantedthepatterntobeboldforthisparticulardesign.Toseparatethepetalsfromthecenterdesign,Iaddedcirclesaroundthecenterpattern.Imustsay,afterfinishingthismandala,itmademedizzy.AsIlookedatit,itseemedtobemoreofanopticalillusion.Itstillmakesmedizzytolookatitnow.

VectorThedefinitionofvectoris“aquantityhavingdirectionaswellasmagnitude,especiallyasdeterminingthepositionofonepointinspacerelativetoanother.”Iwouldsaythismandalafitsthatdescription.Tofinishthemandala,Idrewasquarearounditanddividedthecornerswithtriangles.Doingthismadethecenterdesignpop.

MaiseThedesignforthismandalawasalreadystartingtotakeforminmyheadbeforeIsatdowntodraw.Iwantedthedesigntobeacircleinasquarewithintersectinglines.Thelookwascleanbutemptyandboring.Iknewitneededmore.Withaddedlines,curvesandangles,mymandalastartedtotakeonamazelook.So,thereyouhaveit:Maise.

DaisyDoTomakethismandala,Iusedasnowflakepattern—agreatwaytogetyoustartedbecauseallyouhavetodoistracearoundtheopenspaceandyouhavethestartofyourmandala(seetheSnowflakesprojectinChapter6).Icutoutasnowflakeandtracedarounditonmypaper.Byconnectingand/ordeletinglines,Icreatedthisdesignfromthatsnowflakepattern.Thetipslooklikedaisiesthatdowanttospringoutintothesunshine.

AbouttheAuthor

DeborahA.Pacéisanaward-winningmulti/mixed-mediaartistandworkshopinstructor.SheisaCertifiedZentangleTeacherandSulkyInstructor.DeborahhasbeenpublishedintwoNorthLightBooks,ZenDoodle:TonsofTanglesandZenDoodle:OodlesofDoodles.Shestartedinfashionattheageoftwelve,andfromthereherinterestsandtalentsgrew.Sheisnotonlyaquiltartistanddesignerbutafiberartistaswell.AlongwithquiltingDeborahmakesandsellsherownjewelryandpaperart.SheiscurrentlyworkingondesigningaTanglepatternmarketbagforsaleinthenearfuture.Herinterestsarealwaysgrowing,andsheisalwaysworkingandexperimentingonnewdesignsandlearningnewtechniques.DeborahisamemberofQuiltVisions,SAQA(StudioArtQuiltAssociates)andWAC(WearableArtsConnection).YoucancontactDeborahatdpavcreations@gmail.com,orvisitheratherblog,dpacreations.blogspot.com.

Acknowledgments

Firstandforemost,IwouldliketothankGodforthetalentsHegavemeandtheabilitytousethem;F+Wfortheopportunitytowritethisbook;tomyhusband,DougPirie,forsupportingmethroughallthisandbeingeversopatientwithme;andlast,butnotleast,Iwouldliketothankyou,thereader,forpurchasingmybook.

CreatingMandalas.Copyright©2015byDeborahA.Pacé.Allrightsreserved.NopartofthiseBookmaybereproducedinanyformorbyanyelectronicormechanicalmeansincludinginformationstorageandretrievalsystemswithoutpermissioninwritingfromthepublisher,exceptbyareviewerwhomayquotebriefpassagesinareview.PublishedbyNorthLightBooks,animprintofF+WMedia,Inc.,10151CarverRoad,Suite200,BlueAsh,OH45242.(800)289-0963.

OtherfineNorthLightproductsareavailablefromyourlocalbookstore,artsupplystoreoronlinesupplier.Visitourwebsiteatfwmedia.com.

eISBN:9781440341885

Thise-bookedition:November2015