28 May 2015

How to Draw a Mandala: Tips and Tricks

Some of you have asked me how do I get my mandalas to be so 'perfect' and 'symmetrical',  if I trace them in pencil first or if I use any template.

The answers:

They are not perfect or perfectly symmetrical.
I don't draw them with pencil first, I trace them directly with ink, freehand.
 I don't use any template or compass, unless I'm working on a geometric pattern rosette.

How do I do it?

I start in the center and work outwards, 
I try to compensate uneven areas by slightly varying the size of the elements.
 I try not to leave big empty spaces so I fill them with little details... 
When tracing the circles I pay attention to the distance between the curved line I'm drawing and what's already drawn. 

The most important thing to get almost 'perfect' and 'symmetrical' mandalas is  PRACTICE!
Lots of practice!


This is not symmetric and is not a true circle.

The petal / leaves are all different!

This is one looks more like a circle ;)

As I fill in with little details it starts to look more even.

Getting better...

...And he finished mandala looks almost 'perfect'
 

If you want to try this tips and tricks but you don't know where to start have a look at this tutorial.

Watch me drawing a mandala on a pebble on this video.

Last words, I encourage you to make your own personal mandalas not just copy, it's more fun to create your own designs, trust me!