Category Archives: Mandalas

My Favorite Tools for Making Mandalas

Today’s topic is a look at some of my favorite tools for making mandalas.

First, let’s look at drawing a circular container. It is often okay to draw around a circular object or draw it freehand. However, a perfectly uniform circle of a specific size is necessary to construct a geometry mandala. For this purpose compasses are the best tool. My favorite is the Staedtler Comfort 6″ Compass Set. I use mine frequently! It’s easy to use and works like a charm. The set also contains extra leads, another needle, and an adapter. The adapter is handy when using a marker instead of a standard pencil to outline the mandala.

Another helpful tool that I like is the Helix Angle and Circle Maker. It is a Protractor and Compass in One. In addition it features smaller circle templates within it. I especially find the 360-degree marks are useful in evenly marking off grids.

Lastly, I recommend having a t-square in your mandala-making tool kit. This economical 12-inch Helix Plastic T-Square is very useful to ensure 90-degree angles when constructing a mandala. It is also useful for cutting down paper into smaller sizes.

I hope that these recommendations are helpful to you in your mandala-making endeavors! Please let me know in  the comments how these tools work out for you, or if you have other suggestions.

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Participation in Circles Cycles Symbols Event

Originally my plan was to blog about my daily experiences in the Circles Cycles Symbols event as noted in my previous post. However, due to some different issues, I was not able to follow through as planned. On the bright side, I completed all of the exercises by the last day of the event (today).
Rather than making separate posts for each exercise I will summarize them below. Here goes!

Exercise 1 – Circles
Basic circle geometry
Basic circle geometry
 
Back to basics with Circle Geometry. This was a good refresher. The photo above is from my art journal entry and shows my efforts with this exercise. I like how adding splashes of color to highlight information made this simple exercise more artistic.
 
Exercise 2 – Concentric Rings
Concentric Rings
Concentric Rings
 
The exercise was to draw concentric rings starting at the center and radiating outwards. It helps with focus and is calming.
 
Concentric rings with descriptive words
Concentric rings with descriptive words

The prompt was to create a two page spread of concentric circles with matching descriptive words. I thought about tree rings, and how using tree ring dating can tell the history of a particular time and place.

 
Exercise 3 – Connections
Connections with radial lines
Connections with radial lines

A basic mandala grid can be formed by connecting the center and the circumference with radial lines.

 
Radial lines and concentric circles
Radial lines and concentric circles

Sections can be made large and small. The rays suggest the sun.

 
Exercise 4 – Combination Grid Mandala
Combination Grid
Combination Grid

Combining concentric circles, radial lines, and connections creates a more complicated and interesting mandala. Adding color can also create patterns. There are endless possibilities for different combinations with this star symbol mandala.

 
Exercise 5 – Two page spread
Twin Mandalas Spread
Twin Mandalas Spread

The final exercise was to draw  twin star symbol mandalas on facing pages. They are both variations on the same combination grid mandala from exercise 4. Notice how variations in lines, shapes, and colors can create different looking results!

The most important takeaways for me are:
  • Be present, and stay focused.
  • Don’t forget to breathe.
  • Let go of  worries about not being perfect. There is beauty in imperfection.
  • Stay true to your self and to your aesthetic.
  • Don’t be afraid to experiment.

This was a valuable learning experience for me, and I hope that anyone else who participated in the event found it rewarding! I highly recommend Mandala Magic School to anyone interested in learning more about the mandala art form. And definitely take advantage of any FREE workshops offered in the future.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Mandala Magic Taster Event

Have you ever wanted to learn the basics of mandala-making, or to find out about the symbolism and history of the mandala? Here’s your chance!

Circles Cycles Symbols
Circles Cycles Symbols Mandala Course

Right now there is a FREE taster event being offered at the Mandala Magic School. It will run from December 5 – December 15, 2023. To learn more and to sign up follow this link.

Currently I am participating in the event. My plan is to blog about my progress. Unfortunately I got a bit of a late start last night, but hope to catch up. At any rate, all of the lessons will be available for the entire length of the event.

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