Twisted mandalas have a unique way of capturing attention. Although they are made from simple repeating shapes, the gentle rotation of each layer creates the illusion of movement, making the finished artwork look far more intricate than it really is. That beautiful twisting effect is exactly what makes this style one of my favorite types of mandalas to draw.
In this tutorial, I will guide you through the complete process of drawing this twisted mandala, one layer at a time. Every step builds naturally on the previous one, so you can follow along at your own pace without feeling overwhelmed. Even if some sections look complicated at first, you will soon discover that they are simply made from repeating patterns that become easier with every new ring.
Take your time, enjoy the process, and don’t focus only on the final result. One of the greatest joys of drawing mandalas is watching a blank page slowly transform into a detailed piece of art with every line you add. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll not only have completed this beautiful twisted mandala but also gain techniques that you can use to create many original mandalas of your own.
Why I Fell in Love with Twisted Mandalas
When I first discovered the world of mandalas, I was fascinated by the endless variety of patterns that could grow from a single center. However, one style immediately captured my attention more than any other: twisted mandalas. They seemed to move even though they were completely still. Every layer gently wrapped around the previous one, creating the illusion of rotation and giving the entire design a beautiful sense of motion.
Drawing my first twisted mandala was an unforgettable experience. I still remember the excitement of adding one ring after another without fully knowing how the finished artwork would look. Then, little by little, the illusion appeared. The simple petals began to twist, the layers started to flow into one another, and a flat drawing suddenly looked full of energy and movement. Watching that effect develop was incredibly satisfying.
Since then, twisted mandalas have become some of my favorite designs to create and teach. They may look complex at first glance, yet they are actually built from simple shapes repeated with patience and consistency. Once you understand the rhythm of the pattern, drawing them becomes both relaxing and rewarding.
In this tutorial, I will guide you through every step of this mandala exactly as I drew it. We will build it one layer at a time, and by the end, you will discover how a collection of simple petals and repeating patterns can transform into a beautifully twisted mandala that looks far more intricate than it really is.
What Is a Twisted Mandala?
A twisted mandala is a type of mandala that creates the illusion of movement. Although every pattern is carefully placed in a symmetrical layout, each new ring is drawn with a slight rotation or offset from the previous one. As the layers build outward, your eyes begin to perceive a gentle spiral, making the entire design appear as though it is twisting around its center.
One of the most fascinating things about a twisted mandala is that the effect is entirely optical. The paper remains perfectly flat, and the patterns themselves are often quite simple. Yet when those simple shapes are repeated with consistent spacing and a subtle change in direction, they combine to create a dynamic design that feels full of motion and energy.
Don’t let the finished artwork intimidate you. Many people assume that twisted mandalas are among the most difficult designs to draw, but they are actually built one layer at a time. Every ring follows the same principles of repetition, symmetry, and patience. Once you complete a few layers, you’ll notice that the design begins to flow naturally, and the twisting effect develops almost by itself.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn exactly how that illusion is created. Rather than simply copying a finished drawing, you’ll understand how each layer contributes to the overall movement. Once you master these techniques, you’ll be able to apply the same principles to create your own original twisted mandalas with confidence.
Materials You’ll Need
Before we begin, gather all the tools you’ll need for this tutorial. Having everything ready will help you stay focused and enjoy the drawing process without interruptions.
- Compass to draw the concentric circles that form the foundation of the mandala.
- Protractor to divide the circle into equal sections with precision.
- Ruler to draw the radial guidelines from the center to the outer edge.
- Pencil for constructing the mandala grid.
- Eraser to remove the grid once the ink has dried.
- Four 0.4 mm fine drawing pens in different colors. For this tutorial, I used red, orange, yellow, and blue, but you can choose any four colors you like. Using different colors makes it much easier to distinguish the overlapping layers and enhances the beautiful twisting effect of the finished mandala.
If you enjoy drawing mandalas but prefer to skip the time spent creating the construction grid, you can also use one of my Mandala Grid Sketchbooks. Each page already includes professionally designed mandala grids, allowing you to start drawing your patterns immediately. They are perfect for practicing new designs, experimenting with different pattern combinations, or simply spending more time creating and less time measuring.
Before You Start Drawing
Before we begin, I’d like to share a few thoughts about the way I teach mandala drawing. You may notice that my approach is different from many other tutorials, but it has helped hundreds of my students become more confident and enjoy the process much more.
Unlike many artists, I encourage my students to draw directly with their fine liners instead of sketching the entire mandala in pencil first. Of course, you’ll need a pencil to construct the mandala grid, but once the grid is ready, I recommend putting the pencil aside and starting your patterns with ink.
Why I Encourage Drawing Directly with a Pen
Over the years, I’ve found that the first line you draw is often your most natural one. From my own experience as an artist, I feel that it carries your rhythm, your confidence, and your personality. When you spend time tracing pencil lines with a pen, that fresh, spontaneous feeling can begin to fade. For many students, the process becomes repetitive, and some of the excitement disappears before the mandala is even finished.
Drawing directly with ink also changes the way you approach your artwork. Instead of worrying about creating the perfect line, you learn to trust your hand and enjoy each stroke as it happens. This mindset makes the entire drawing experience more relaxing and rewarding.
Every Mandala Tells a Different Story
Another reason I love drawing directly with a pen is that it teaches one of the most important lessons in mandala art: mistakes simply don’t matter. Every unexpected line is an opportunity to invent a new pattern, add another detail, or transform the design into something even more interesting. Some of my favorite motifs were created because I made what first looked like a mistake.
This is also why no two mandalas are ever truly the same. Even when a group of students follows the exact same tutorial, each finished piece develops its own character. I’ve witnessed this countless times during my workshops. Everyone draws the same circles, the same petals, and the same patterns, yet every mandala looks unique by the end.
I believe this happens because every person draws lines differently. Some lines feel soft and flowing, while others appear bold and energetic. A patient hand produces different strokes than one that is rushing. Those subtle differences become part of the artwork, giving every mandala its own personality and making each finished piece a reflection of the artist who created it.
So, don’t aim for perfection. Focus on enjoying the process, trust your hand, and allow your mandala to become uniquely yours. The beauty of mandala drawing isn’t found in perfectly identical lines. It’s found in the individuality that naturally appears with every stroke.
Mandala Drawing and coloring are very beneficial to one’s physical and mental health. A mandala was first created by Buddha who was inspired by the universe and its circular shape and created this drawing method to help monks enter in a state of mindfulness in order to meditate.
At the time, drawing a Mandala included a number of religious symbols and meanings, but today the mandala is geometrical and we use few shapes inspired by the nature like peals and leaves.
Building the Mandala Grid
Every beautiful mandala begins with a solid foundation, and this twisted mandala is no exception. Before drawing the decorative patterns, we’ll first create a precise construction grid. This grid serves as the framework for the entire design, helping every layer stay balanced and allowing the twisting effect to emerge naturally as the mandala develops.
For this tutorial, the grid is made up of 10 concentric circles. Starting from the center, draw circles with the following radii:
- 1 cm
- 2 cm
- 3 cm
- 4 cm
- 5 cm
- 6 cm
- 7 cm
- 8 cm
- 9 cm
- 10 cm
Keeping a consistent spacing of 1 centimeter between each circle creates nine evenly sized rings. This gives you enough space to build detailed patterns while maintaining a harmonious composition throughout the mandala.
Next, use your protractor to divide the circle into 16 equal sections. Place a mark every 22.5 degrees around the outer circle. Then, using your ruler, draw straight lines from the center through each mark until they reach the outermost circle. These guidelines will help you position every petal and decorative element with perfect symmetry.
Save Time with My Mandala Grid Sketchbook
If you prefer to skip the measuring process, you can use my Mandala Grid Sketchbook instead. For this tutorial, I used Grid C from the sketchbook as the starting point. The only modification I made was adding two additional concentric circles with radii of 9 cm and 10 cm, allowing enough space to complete the outer layers of this twisted mandala. Using the sketchbook lets you begin drawing almost immediately while still following this tutorial exactly.
A Strong Grid Makes Every Step Easier
Although drawing the grid may seem like the least exciting part of the process, it is one of the most important. A carefully constructed grid makes every step that follows much easier because you’ll spend less time checking measurements and more time enjoying the creative process.
Don’t worry if your measurements aren’t mathematically perfect. Tiny variations are rarely noticeable in the finished artwork. What matters most is maintaining an overall sense of balance and rhythm. Once your grid is complete, you’ll have everything you need to transform a few simple circles and guidelines into a beautiful twisted mandala.
Video Tutorial:
