In the previous tutorial, I showed you how to trace five different easy mandala patterns based on the regular petal basic shape. These mandala patterns come in handy when you face a creativity block while drawing, and they can help beginners create their own mandalas. In this tutorial, I will guide you through creating a mandala leaf pattern.
I hope you enjoy this tutorial and, most importantly, try it out. Remember to share your results with me by leaving a comment below.
Materials
- Compass
- Fine black drawing pen
- Sharpened pencil
- Eraser
- Protractor
- Ruler
- A4 white paper or cardboard
Steps to Create Mandala Leaf Pattern
Step 1: Prepare the Mandala Grid
What is a Mandala Grid?
A mandala grid is a structure used to base our mandala, giving it a perfect symmetrical finish. Drawing a mandala grid is easy, especially with the proper equipment: a compass and a protractor. If you don’t have these, check out my post on how to draw a mandala grid without a compass and a protractor.
- Mark the Center: Measure the center of your A4 white paper lengthwise and widthwise. Mark the point where the two centers meet and trace a horizontal and a vertical line crossing the center, dividing the paper into four equal parts.
- Trace Circles: Trace 5 circles with radii of 1 cm, 2 cm, 4 cm, 6 cm, and 8 cm.
- Grid Lines: Using the protractor, trace a grid line every 30 degrees.
Step 2: Fill the Mandala Grid with Shapes and Patterns
- Draw Regular Petals: On each 2 grid sections, draw one regular petal.
- Leaf Patterns Inside Petals: Inside each regular petal, draw leaf patterns.
- Retrace First Circle: Retrace the outline of the first circle.
- Draw Above Previous Petals: Right above the previous petals, draw one regular petal on each two grid sections.
- Diagonal Double Inner Outline: Trace a diagonal double inner outline.
- Draw Swirls: On the bottom line of each regular petal, draw two opposite swirls.
- Circles Between Outlines: Draw circles in the space between the two outlines.
- Teardrop Leaves in Petals: In the empty space of the regular petal, draw teardrop leaves.
- Draw Bigger Regular Petals: Starting from the summit of one petal and ending on the summit of the other, draw bigger regular petals.
- Intersected Curved Lines: Draw four intersected curved lines on the top of each petal.
- Half Circle and Coloring: Draw half a circle and color it in black.
- Down-Facing Petals: Draw down-facing petals as shown in the illustration.
- Regular Petal from Summit to Summit: Draw a regular petal that starts from the summit of the previous petal and ends at the summit of the next petal.
- Diagonal Inner Double Outline: Draw a diagonal inner double outline.
- Curved Lines Filling: Fill the space between the two lines with curved lines.
- Teardrop Petals and Coloring: In the empty space, draw teardrop petals and color the blank space in black.
- Regular Petals at Summits: Just like in previous steps, draw regular petals starting and ending at the summit of the previously drawn petals.
- Draw Another Inner Outline: Draw another inner outline.
- Small Circles and Coloring: Fill the space between the lines with small circles and color the blank space in black.
- Leaf Pattern Inside Petal: Inside the regular petal, draw a leaf pattern.
I hope this guide helps you create your own beautiful mandala leaf patterns. Don’t forget to share your creations and leave your thoughts in the comments below!
