MAKING MANDALAS
ART KIT + GUIDEBOOK
By Asha Singh
MANDALA ART KIT by Asha Singh
Our Mission
Path with Art fosters the restoration of individuals, groups, and society from the effects of
trauma through arts engagement and community-building. Path with Art is driven by our
vision: A world where arts engagement is recognized as transformative––connecting the
individual with self, the self with community, and communities with society. In this world, the
power of arts engagement is available for all. Welcome to our creative community!
What is this kit about?
In this art kit, we create a co-centric abstract design called Mandala with an array of symbols,
shapes and forms. We will start by practicing different patterns, shapes, and then create
mandala designs from scratch. This process is extremely satisfying, meditative, and
therapeutic in nature. Once you learn the basics, you can create your very own design with
more details as you embrace the benefits of mandala drawing. Additional mandala designs
are added in the guidebook to help you practice more.
What’s in this kit?
● (1 of each) a pencil, eraser, ruler, compass, and protractor
● (1) Micron fineliner pen
● (1 set) Coloring markers
● (8 sheets) Drawing paper (120gsm)
● (4 sheets) Grid paper
● (2 sheets) Mandala coloring sheets
Additional supplies that are helpful:
● Reference video on how to draw a mandala - https://tinyurl.com/Ashamandala
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MANDALA ART EXAMPLES
These are some examples of mandala art that I’ve made over the years as I created simple and intricate
designs adding a tinge of color to it.
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STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS / Project How-To
Step 1 - Pattern practice
Let us practice some patterns which we will use
later to fill in the mandala. Use your grid paper for
practicing patterns as it will help practice symmetry
and hand movement.
Start with a simple shape like a “V” or a “U” and
then repeat across the page. Make your own
patterns or use common shapes found in mandala
art. You can see more examples of shapes on
page 10.
Step 2 – Find the center
You will need your drawing sheet, pencil & ruler to
start creating a mandala base. Draw a line
horizontally dividing the paper in half. Then find the
midpoint of this line and mark it. This point serves
as the center for our mandala.
Step 3 – Drawing circles
Using your compass with a pencil and marked
center, draw circles of radius (distance between the
2 points of compass) 0.5cm, 1.3cm, 1.5cm, 2.5cm,
4 cm, 5.5cm, 6cm and 8cm.
(It is fine if you can’t get the exact dimensions)
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Step 4 (Optional) – Creating Grid
We can create a grid using a protractor so that our
patterns are symmetrical. Take your protractor,
align it with the horizontal line and center. Start
marking from 0° at an interval of 10°(10°, 20°, 30°
and so on till 180°). Move the protractor to the
other side of the line and repeat the step of
marking for an interval of 10°.
Now join the angle marking with the center of the
circle using your ruler. Finish joining all points to the
center and your grid is ready.
(This is optional so you can skip this step and start
drawing on the circles directly. A Grid provides
guidance to ensure our design is symmetrical)
Step 5 – Drawing the patterns
We start drawing a pattern from the first circle from
the center with our pencil aligning within the grid
lines to achieve symmetry. We fill the first circle
completely with lines and the next circle with the
petal pattern.
(Pro tip - I keep a tissue under my palm throughout the
drawing to avoid smudging my design)
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Step 6 – Drawing more patterns
We move on to the next circle and start creating the
pattern shown on the left side with pencil. Again,
utilize the grid lines while drawing patterns to keep
them symmetric and consistent. Keep adding
patterns to each circle till you finish adding patterns
up to the last circle.The images on the left display
the designs in order of their making.
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Image 1:
Correct any pattern you need to by using the
eraser. Our mandala sketch is ready as per Image 1
and we can now go over it with a pen.
Step 7 – Drawing over with pen
I like to go over the pencil drawing with the
Fineliner pen provided in the kit. For drawing
circles, you may insert the fineliner pen in the
compass and draw the required circle.
Once you have finished drawing with the pen, leave
it for ~10 minutes for the ink to dry completely.
After that, erase all the pencil marks. The final
drawing is ready!
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Image 2:
Step 8 – Mandala complete
Congratulations! You have created your very own
mandala. (Image 2)
At this step, you may either fill the design with more
patterns as shown in Image 3 or you can fill in your
favorite colors in the design.
Image 3
Keep practicing mandalas by incorporating variety in sizes, patterns, and colors. I
have shared some sample mandalas to practice.
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Mandala patterns:
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OPEN STUDIO
Weekly on Zoom
Mondays, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Zoom information:
Meeting ID: 948 7272 9885
Passcode: path
Call in by phone: +1-253-215-8782, 948 7272
9885#
This is a Drop In class, no prior registration is
necessary
Open Studio is a supportive space to work on individual creative projects, share artwork,
and connect with peers. Creative Mentors are available for one-on-one support. Bring out
your paints, pencils, art kits, or whatever supplies you have on hand and let's make some
art together!
ART TRANSFORMS
COMMUNITY BLOG
We would love to see what you have
created! You can take a picture of your
artwork and submit it to our community
blog, Art Transforms.
All who are part of the Path with Art
community are welcome and invited to
contribute to the Art Transforms community
blog! Check it out: https://arttransforms.blog
For instructions on how to contribute and submission guidelines, visit
https://arttransforms.blog/submissions/
If you don’t have access to the internet, contact [email protected] or call 206-601-7112
to arrange another submission option.
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Seattle Area Resources for Food, Clothing, Shelter + Services
https://www.emeraldcityresourceguide.org/
Crisis Resources
24 Hour Crisis Line: 866-4-CRISIS (866-427-4747)
King County 2-1-1: 2-1-1
WA Recovery Helpline: 866-789-1511
Mobile Crisis Team: 206-245-3073
SPD Crisis Intervention Team (CIT): 911 (Ask for CIT trained officer)
AA 24 Hour Helpline: 206-587-2838
Seattle Metro Trip Planning: 206-553-3000
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1–800–273–TALK (1-800-273-8255)
This is a crisis hotline that can help with many issues, not just suicide. For example,
anyone who feels sad, hopeless, or suicidal; family and friends who are concerned
about a loved one; or anyone interested in mental health treatment referrals can call
the Lifeline. Callers are connected with a professional nearby who will talk with them
about what they are feeling or concerns for other family and friends. Call the toll-free
Lifeline, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
Crisis Text Line Text “MHFA” to 741741
Available 24/7, 365 days a year, this organization helps people with mental health
challenges by connecting callers with trained crisis volunteers who will provide
confidential advice, support, and referrals if needed. Lifeline Crisis Chat
www.crisischat.org Visit www.crisischat.org to chat online with crisis centers around
the United States.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA)
Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling
and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or
human-caused disasters:
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
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