Drawing & Painting:

MandalasWhat is a Mandala?

The mandala (Sanskrit for circle) is an important mystical visual metaphor

for the universe and can be associated with meditation in Buddhism and Hinduism. The mandala is a geometric cosmogram whose design can vary, but is generally based on a circle, whose center symbolized perfection. Sometimes the circle may enclose a square (representing the earth), which sometimes has four entrances to the cardinal points. Whichever combination of shapes is used, each symbolizes different aspects of matter and energy. The mandala is believed to concentrate creative energy with in its form. The mandala and circular forms of art can be found in cultures all around the world. Carl Jung identified the mandala as archetypal symbol of the human quest for perfection.

Why a circle? The circle, which has neither beginning not end, represents a never-ending cycle and is thus the primary symbol of eternity. It can also signify the cosmos, divinity, unity, perfection and life. In ancient Egyptian culture, as well as many other cultures, the circle, which echoes the solar disk in shape, represented the sun god and was a sign of divine presence. In some interpretations, the central point in a circle represents the center of infinity or the cosmic origin. The circle’s similarity with the sun also makes it a sign of life. Inherent in its shape is an implication of a dynamic, endlessly turning motion, which equates the circle with time and the relentless rules of cosmic law. In many Eastern traditions, including Islam, the circles symbolize perfection. In psychological interpretation, the circle represents the ideal self, which has achieved the perfect balance.

From micro to macroThe “circle with a center” pattern is the basic struc-ture of creation that is reflected from the micro to the macro in the world as we know it. It is a pattern found in nature and is seen in biology, geology, chemistry, physics and astronomy. On our planet, living things are made of cells and each cell has a nucleus -- all display circles with cen-ters. The crystals that form ice, rocks, and mountains are made of atoms. Each atom is a mandala.Within the Milky Way galaxy is our solar system and within our solar system, is Earth. Each is a mandala that is part of a larger mandala. Flowers, the rings found in tree trunks and the spiraling outward and inward of a snail’s shell all reflect the primal mandala pattern. Wherever a center is found radiating outward and inward, there is whole-ness--a mandala.

Creating a Design for your MandalaThe purpose of this process is to select an effective design and color application guide to your color wheel Mandela. The color wheel mandala is a labor-intensive project and to make your effort worthwhile it is important to take the time to plan out a design and color scheme are worthy of your effort. You will be spending the next two to three classes to plan out your design

DIRECTIONS:

Drawing out the pie1. Take a compass (and using a ruler to measure)

stretch the points so that they are exactly 6 inches apart. Accuracy is very important to prevent frustration later on.

2. In the center of your paper lightly make an X. This is where you will stick the pointed end of the compass when drawing your circle.

3. Use your compass to draw a circle. It is usually easier to hold your compass in place and spin your paper around underneath it.

4. You will now need to divide your circle in half. Put a sharpened pencil directly in the center of the X, and then carefully pull your ruler up to your pencil. Finally draw a line all the way across your circle. This method will allow you to draw a line through the exact center of your circle.

5. Align the bottom line of your compass on the line you have just drawn. Make sure that you line up the bulls eye on the compass with the X in the middle of your circle. Starting at 30 degrees make a tick make every thirty degrees (you will have a make at 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 degrees.) Again accuracy is very important.

6. Using the marks you have made with the compass you will now divide your circle into 12 equal parts. Place your pencil in the center of your X. Bring the ruler up to your pencil and line the ruler up with the first 30-degree mark, draw a line all the way across your circle. Repeat this process for the remaining four marks on your paper. Please see figure 1 to see what your images should look like now.

Brainstorming a Design1. Your next task is to begin to develop a design.

Before you begin think about what kind of affect you want to create. Is there a certain mood you want to create? Do you want to create a composition that is dynamic or something that is mellow and relaxing? The type of mood or impression you want to create will determine the type of lines you will use to create your design. Organic flowing lines tend to create a mellow mood while geometric lines tend to create a more dynamic mood. If you want to work with a more representational or realistic shape like a feather, flower, car, or animal you can.

2. Whatever route you decide to take you will want to keep these ideas in mind: Keep it simple, as you paint in tints, shades and intensity into your composition your design will quickly become more complex. You will need to develop a design that has a least 3 distinctly different areas where you can work with different colors. You will be creating your design within one wedge of your circle, it will be repeated over 12 times. You may want to consider how the lines within one wedge will meet up with the lines in the next wedge. Stay away from letters and cliché images like hearts and stars.

Figure 1

3. Time to start brainstorming on your paper. You will need to try and draw out at least three different designs into three different wedges on your paper. Remember that this first mandala is just a brainstorming tool. Don’t be afraid to try something new and different. If it doesn’t turn out, no big deal. Take up as many wedges as you need to develop an idea that you like. See figure 2.

4. Once you have tried at least three different designs and you have something you are satisfied with you will need to copy that design over in three consecutive wedges to see what it looks like when its repeated and to create a space to try out different color plans. Please see figure 3.

figure 2

figure 3

5. To copy your design lay a piece of tracing paper over your original designs and trace all the lines. Don’t forget the outer edges of the wedge.

6. Flip you tracing paper over and again trace over all the line in pencil.

7. On your mandala lay your tracing paper neatly into a wedge; make sure to carefully line up the outlines of the wedges. Carefully hold the tracing paper in place and with a medium to heavy pressure trace over your lines. The pressure from your pencil will transfer the

graphite on the bottom of your tracing paper to the mandala.

8. You may want to consider reversing your image for the next wedge. It will create a very different design than simply repeating the design all the same direction. Please see the difference between figure 4 and figure 5. Whether you decide to alternate reversing your image is up to you and how you want your final piece to look, but now is the time to decide. Whatever you decide you will need to transfer your design image to the paper two more times before moving on to the next step.

Planning Color1. Pick three hues to work with: blue, red, yellow,

green, purple, or orange. Within each of the three wedges with the final design you will need to plan our how you will break up and paint each of the different sections or shapes.

2. Each wedge should demonstrate a different possibility for painting your final mandala, and show different combinations of the three colors.

3. Experiment with your colors in the design until you find one that catches your interest. This is a good opportunity to fine tune color mixing skills and improving your fine motor skills with a paintbrush, you will need them in the next step of the mandala project.

figure 4

figure 5