So last week I shared my introduction to mandalas, and I thought it’d be cool to share how I draw mandalas!
This week I’m sharing how I draw them by hand, and then next week I’ll show you how I do it in Adobe Illustrator, the process of which could be adapted for other programs!
First I gather up my supplies, including a protractor, a compass, a pencil, a ruler, an eraser, and some kind of inking supply (I’m using a set of Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pens).
Then I’ll draw out two perpendicular lines, trying to center it (and typically missing the center).
From there, I can use my protractor to mark out various angles from the center cross, and then I’ll draw them in with my ruler.
Next I’ll use my compass to draw concentric circles out from the center. I tend to make a bunch of guides randomly assorted and then build the design around it, so I try to make at least five circles to give a good base.
Then it’s time to build out a structure. I make a general pattern, like these boundary circles and the arch patterns, and I’ll continue this all around the mandala.
After the structure is done, I’ll decide on the details and start to fill out the mandala. I’ve been partial recently to dots, parallel lines and swirls. In this one, the swirls turned into caricatures of waves, and I think it made a neat pattern!
And then the mandala is complete! Sometimes I’ll choose to color it in, but for this one, I really liked the simple black and white look!
Tune in next week for my more digital variation!
