Art Journal :: Mandala Art Project

A few posts ago I talked about a Spring Re-do…or starting over with my One Word, and although it’s been a challenge at times to commit to making time to CREATE, I am doing it. This week the girls and I bought a new art journal, and I want to share a new-to-us project we just discovered called Mandala art.

What is Mandala art? “The word “mandala” is from the classical Indian language of Sanskrit. Loosely translated to mean “circle,” a mandala is far more than a simple shape. It represents wholeness, and can be seen as a model for the organizational structure of life itself–a cosmic diagram that reminds us of our relation to the infinite, the world that extends both beyond and within our bodies and minds.” -Mandala Project

When I first saw Mandala on an art blog I had no idea the designs were based in Hinduism. I was just draw to the graphic-ness of the designs.

The Cross-Cultural of Mandala. Mandala Project states, “The mandala pattern is used in many religious traditions. Hildegard von Bingen, a Christian nun in the 12th century, created many beautiful mandalas to express her visions and beliefs.”

Mandala designs can also be found in Native American (medicine wheels), Taoist (yin-yang), Aztec (Aztec calendar), and Tibetan cultures. You can read more about the origins at the Mandala Project at your leisure…but let’s get on with the Mandala show-and-tell.

Looks complicated, right? Once I watched a few YouTube Videos, I figured out that the Mandala is pretty easy to draw using a compass. I put together a quick (i.e. lazy) tutorial in pictures for you below but this YouTube Video is a great how-to as well.

First, using a compass, draw all your circles in pencil.

Next, I sketched out my design idea in one section of the Mandala. Then, repeated it in each section. This helps me stay on track with each piece. Then I use a pen or marker to freehand the whole thing.

Once finished, erase the pencil…and, viola! You have a beautiful Mandala art that will impress your friends! What are you waiting for? Go create something!

And, speaking of creating something…I am linking up this week with Just Us Four Blog.