A few years back we started seeing Mandalas everywhere. Literally, everywhere. On clothes, accessories, home décor, etc. And all eyes were directed towards this art, which was highly recommended by psycho-therapists as a therapeutic art that helps a person relax and alleviated stress.
Studies have also shown the positive effects Mandala art has on the whole body, not only on our mental health. As it regulates our heartbeat, lowers our blood pressure, and controls our breath.
Even though the mass population discovered this art recently, but Mandala art goes way back in history and it has very deep spiritual meanings. Mandala is a Sanskrit word that means a circle or universe. It was first invented by Buddha and was transmitted to his disciples as a method to help them meditate and achieve mindfulness. Buddha was inspired by the movement of the universe and the construction of the world we live in. Everything we are surrounded by, in nature, is a Mandala.
Look around you and you will definitely find a Mandala hidden somewhere.
In time, a mandala was created by a compilation of religious symbols. Colored sand was and still is the main drawing material used by Monks in the creation process. They spend hours and days in the creation of their art piece. They disconnect with the outer world and focus on the Here and Now which allows them to achieve complete mindfulness. Once the Mandala is achieved, the Monks wipe it off as an expression of the impermanence of life.
Mandala art doesn’t require any special skills. Anyone can practice this art and draw a Mandala, all you need is to learn the simple basics steps and you’re good to go.
To draw a Mandala you need few simple things:
- Get into the mood. Get settled in a nice quiet place where you can be alone if possible, have a very comfortable seat and put a soothing meditative music on.
- Get your materials ready. In general, Mandala drawing requires the following materials: compass, protractor, pencil, eraser, rules and a fine drawing pen. (a 02 is perfect for beginners)
- Drawing a Mandala is an art that can be practiced on any surface you choose: a paper, cardboard, wall, clothes, etc. So choose the surface that feels right for you.
- Choose or get inspired by a design. Always try to come up with an original design. In other words, try to put yourself into your work or drawing, get inspired by others but do not copy unless you were allowed to.
Materials Needed
(Check the brands I recommend)
- A4 cardboard
- Compass
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Protractor
- Pencil
- 02 black drawing pen
Directions
This full-page Mandala is composed of two Mandalas, one in front of the other. Therefore, you will need to draw two Mandala grids as follows:
- First, choose a spot on the top left of your paper to be the center of your front Mandala and trace 7 circles with the following radiuses: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 cm.
- For the second mandala, mark the center of your A4 paper and use it as a center for the next grid circles. Using your compass, trace 17 circles filling the whole paper, but without crossing the circles of the first grid. The radiuses of the second mandala are as follows: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 ,13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 cm.
- For the front mandala, trace grid lines separated by 10 degrees.
- For the second mandala, trace grid lines separated by 20 degrees.For more info about a Mandala grid CLICK HERE
- Start filling the mandalas with shapes as shown in the pictures I have shared with you below.
Follow these pictures step by step:
a- Start with the front Mandala. Keep the center circle empty for the moment. Start filling half of the second tow with regular petals and decorate them as shown below. Click on the picture to enlarge it and get a better view.
b- On the second half of the row draw arc petals on each 2 grid section. As for the center circle decorate it as shown in the picture. Enlarge for a better view.
c- On the third row trace a regular petal on 2 grid sections, then draw a second outline for each petal. Decorate the first half of the petals with a double-pointed teardrop and a line, and fill the other half with stippling.
d- Between every 2 petals draw a teardrop.
e- Retrace the outline of the circle and color the space between the teardrop.
f-Next, on each 2 grid sections draw a pointed petal and mark a point towards the summits. Draw a double-pointed teardrop between every 2 petals. Then trace on the outside of each pointed petal another outline.
g- Above each pointed teardrop draw a regular petal and fill it with arcs as shown in the picture. Enlarge the picture to see it better.
h-Draw another outline for each petal.
i- Trace the third outline and Fill the space created with arcs and color the emptiness in black.
j- Now trace the fourth outline and mark a point on the summit. Use the pictures shared with you as a guide to follow. Enlarge the picture for a better look.
k-Draw a teardrop between every two petals and retrace the outline of the circle.
l- Color the blank space in black.
m- Draw a regular petal on each 2 grid section reaching the final outline of this mandala. Decorate each petal with a flower. In order to do so, trace a very small circle in the center of the petal, and trace teardrops all around the circle.
n- Draw teardrops between every 2 petals, retrace the outline of the last circle, and fill the blank space with stippling.
o- For the second Mandala, leave the center empty for the moment and trace on arc petal on each grid section of the second row. Decorate the bottom of each arc with a swirl.
p- Draw a double outline for all the arc petals traced previously. Then, on the next row, trace one petal on each grid section.
q-Color the double outline in black. Then, trace on one side of the petal a double line, then trace a line on the other side to get the pattern shown below. Fill each petal with stippling.
r- Draw between every 2 petals a teardrop and keep them white. Then, starting from the summit of each petal and ending at the summit of the petal next to it, trace petals with a double outline exactly like you did in step (p). Draw a teardrop between every 2 petals and color it in black. Retrace the outline of the circle
s-On the space extended between the next two rows, trace a regular petal on each 2 grid section. On the inside of each petal, trace a line on the left, then one on the right side of the petal. Repeat three times for each side. Then draw a teardrop in the center of the petal. Color it in black and stipple on one side of the teardrop. For the center, decorate it as shown below.
t-Now, between every 2 large petals, draw a small teardrop. Color it in black. Trace an outer outline for each teardrop. and keep it white. Then, trace a regular petal on top of each teardrop, reaching the same line as the previously drawn large petals. Decorate the inside of these petals with arcs as shown in the picture below.
s-On the right side of each small petal trace a curve and keep it white. Then, on the left side of each large petal draw a line that stops at the line traced around the small petal. Color it in black
t- First, retrace the outline of the circle. Second, on the next four rows, draw a petal on each 2 grid section and fill it with teardrops. Third, recreate the pattern shown in the picture below, by tracing double outlines then filling every other space with arcs and teardrops.
u- Between every two large petals trace a small teardrop. Draw a line in the center of each teardrop. Draw another teardrop reaching the 3rd row. Color it in black. From the summit of this teardrop trace five curves from each side. Retrace the outline of the circle without trespassing the borders of the large petals.
v- Above the retraced outline, draw two regular petals on each one grid section. Give each petal a bold outline on one side as seen in the picture.
w- Decorate the inside of these petals with a flower pattern.
x- Retrace the outline of the circles. On the next row, draw a one-pointed petal drop on each two grid sections. In the center of each pointed petal draw teardrop petals. To do so, draw a teardrop in the center, then two teardrops from each side. Last draw a tiny black drop on each side. Then, draw two other internal outlines for the pointed petal. Last, between every two pointed petals, draw a large teardrop that is one row higher than the pointed petal. Decorate it with arc petals and color the blank spaces in black.
y- At the summit of each previously drawn pointed petal draw teardrop leaves as shown in the picture below. Then, retrace the outline of the circle, and draw 4 arc petals on each grid section. Retrace the outline of the outer circle as well, and color in black the blank spaces. Lastly, fill the empty spaces of the page with stippling.
