Mixed Media Mandalas
LOUISE GALE
Watercolor Bursts & Growing A Mandala Design
Watercolor bursts can be a beautiful and fun way to create interesting colored backgrounds for mandala artwork. You can use just one color, or you can draw concentric circles, bursts, and patterns within a circular space using many different colors.
MATERIALS
• Watercolor paper
• Watercolor paints
• Paintbrushes
• Fine-tipped black pen or marker
STEP 1
Load a medium flat brush with watercolor paint. Imagine a center point, and paint thick lines from the center outward, creating an eight-point star. I like to leave some white space so I can add another color, but you can paint as many lines as you like, depending on the size of your brush and number of colors you wish to use.
STEP 2
Choose another color and paint between the first lines, overlapping the colors. You will start to see interesting layers and pattern appear as you add more color.
STEP 3
While the paint is wet, dot a new color of paint over the bursts; this will create additional patterns as the paint sinks into the wet background.
ARTIST’S TIP 
Use a variety of brush sizes to create interesting patterns on your watercolor burst.
STEP 4
While the paint is wet, place another sheet of paper on it to blot the paint. This will create a mirrored “ghost print,” which you can use later for another mandala project.
STEP 5
Let dry. Then draw a dot or a small flower at the center. From here, you will grow your mandala using your favorite motifs and designs. See “My Motifs” for the designs I’m using in this mandala. Start with your favorite motif, and let your intuition guide you.
ARTIST’S TIP
Create a variety of watercolor bursts on separate sheets of paper, using an array of colors, for more mandala art using this technique.
STEP 6
For the next layer, draw petals or shapes using eight points. Draw four petals first (as in north, south, east, and west); then add the next four in between. The beauty of creating a mandala this way is that it is not perfectly symmetrical and is more organic in shapes and sizes.
STEP 7
Use the tips of the petals or your shape as a guide to draw and repeat your next motif in between the existing shapes, building the mandala outward. Fill in any spaces with little squiggles, leaves, or floral elements.
STEP 8
Keep growing your mandala, adding another layer around the outside of your existing drawing.
STEP 9
Add as many layers as you would like until you reach the edge of the watercolor burst or decide your mandala is finished.
FINISHED PIECE
Alcohol Inks on Wood
Create a beautiful background for your mandala artwork using alcohol inks on wood.
MATERIALS
• Plywood panel
• Alcohol inks* in various colors
• Water jar
• Water spray bottle (optional)
• Foam brush or regular wide brush
• Metallic acrylic paints and pens
• Compass and pencil
• Black pen
• White paint pen or gel pen
* Note: If you do not have alcohol inks, use regular ink or watercolor paints to stain the wood.
STEP 1
Wet the surface of a plywood panel with water, using a large foam or regular paintbrush.
STEP 2
Choose one ink for the base color, and gently squeeze drops of ink onto the wood. The wet surface immediately soaks up the ink and creates interesting patterns that burst outward across the panel.
STEP 3
Experiment with different levels of pressure as you squeeze the bottle, and move your hand around to create patterns. To spread the base color, use a spray bottle of water to spread the ink to cover all of the exposed wood.
ARTIST’S TIP
You may find that the vibrancy of color fades a little as the ink sinks into the wood and dries, so don’t be shy about using vibrant, deep colors.
STEP 4
While the ink is still wet, add more colors to the panel. With the wet surface, more interesting color mixtures and patterns will emerge. You can even try dripping or stroking the color on to create different shapes.
STEP 5
Use a rubber stamp or your fingers to create shapes and dots in areas that need more detail, letting your intuition guide you. Let the finished background dry. If the wood is thin, you may need to place it under a heavy book to prevent warping.
ARTIST’S TIP
To create patterns in the background, you can also use a cork, the end of your paintbrush, or the rim of a bottle top.
STEP 6
Now you’re ready to add your mandala. Get started using a compass and pencil to draw concentric circles to create a guide. If you want to create more emphasis, use a thicker pen to draw over the lines.
STEP 7
For this mandala, I started with four points in the center to create a lotus petal. Then I added another four points and drew the additional four petals overlapping in the center. Draw your motifs with a pencil if you are unsure what colors you want to add at this stage, or go for it with a black or colored pen.
STEP 8
Continue to draw your motifs around the next circle. Fill in the center. Here I have used gold acrylic paint and a white paint pen.
STEP 9
Continue to add detail, layering over the paint with a white paint pen, creating outlines, dots, and detail to help the design “pop.” Work all the way out to complete your mandala.
FINISHED PIECE
Henna-inspired Mandala
Henna body painting (also known as “Mehndi”) is an art form that has been practiced in India for many years. It comes from the henna plant and is traditionally used for weddings and other occasions. Many mandala artists use this art form as inspiration for motifs and mandala creation. In this project, you will be inspired to collect your own motifs to create a mandala wall hanging.
MATERIALS
• Plaster of Paris® bandage roll
• Cardboard
• Compass and pencil
• Scissors
• Tape
• Plaster gauze strips
• Small bowl of warm water
• Ribbon
• Henna pen or brown felt-tip/paint pen
STEP 1
Before you get started, find henna and Mehndi art inspiration. Try designing your own motifs you can use in your mandala. Here are just a few motifs I found for inspiration.
STEP 2
Cut different sizes of circles out of cardboard.
STEP 3
Tape a piece of ribbon to one side of a circle to create the hanging element. Run a strip of plaster gauze through the bowl of warm water for a few seconds. Place it on the cardboard, and use your finger to flatten and smooth out the plaster; it will adhere itself to the cardboard. Then wrap the edges around to secure it to the back.
STEP 4
Continue to wet and add strips to the circle. Two layers should be enough. Then turn it over to cover the back. It doesn’t need to be perfectly flat; this adds to the plaster effect and handmade element of the mandala. Repeat this process with the other circles.
STEP 5
Once your plaster circles are dry, lightly pencil concentric circles on the plaster to use as a guide.
STEP 6
Refer back to your motifs for inspiration, and start in the center with one main motif, such as a lotus flower.
STEP 7
Continue working on the design of the first circle. This may include dots, a lined circle, and a repeated motif to frame the center.
STEP 8
Working your way out, add elements and motifs to grow the mandala design.
ARTIST’S TIP
Use real henna in a tube to create a more authentic, embossed look in your mandala design.
FINISHED PIECE
Mixed Media Mandala on Canvas
Mixed media mandalas are so much fun—you can use so many different materials, and the result is always stunning. Follow this step-by-step process to create one on canvas that you can hang on your wall and enjoy.
MATERIALS
• Square, stretched canvas (any size)
• Acrylic paint
• Spray paint (optional)
• India ink and water-soluble crayons (optional)
• Paintbrushes or roller
• Collage papers
• Stencils or doilies
• Compass and ruler
• Pens (including gel pens and ink pens)
STEP 1
Using the color of your choice, brush or roll acrylic paint onto the canvas to create a base color. Keep it uneven to create interesting texture.
STEP 2
Gather stencils and items you can use to create pattern, such as a doily. Create the first layer of pattern using spray paint or by dabbing on paint with a brush. Use a contrasting color—metallic paint works well. *Note: If using spray paint, work outdoors or in a well-ventilated room.
STEP 3
Repeat with a different stencil to create a second layer with another contrasting color. You can also try using small parts of the stencil rather than the whole stencil for different effects.
STEP 4
Continue building up the layers until you are happy with the background. I added an additional layer of white and purple spray paint to mine.
STEP 5
Add any additional elements to the background, such as collage or tissue paper. Then use a compass to draw concentric circles as guide for drawing your mandala. Outline the circles with a gel pen.
ARTIST’S TIP
Laying tissue paper over the background will let it show through, creating a transparent effect around the edges of the design.
STEP 6
Start at the center and use the 8-point method to draw petal shapes in the first circle. Work your way outward, connecting the tip of the previous petal with the new petal. (See sketch.) In this mandala, the lotus petal shape is repeated throughout the design; choose a motif to repeat, or use a variety of motifs.
STEP 7
Once you have completed the outlines, start to color in the petals using inks, acrylic paint, or other mediums. Work outward to avoid smudging.
STEP 8
If your background is very busy the mandala can become lost in it. To help the mandala “pop,” use a white water-soluble crayon or transparent paint to lightly fill in the other areas of the mandala, defining the mandala design but letting the background still peek through.
STEP 9
Outline the mandala by drawing around the outer circle with the crayon or gel pen. Then continue to fill in the other areas of the mandala to further define the design, still allowing some of the detail from the background to show through. Create a series of dots or arches around the outer circle to finish the mandala (see “FINISHED PIECE”).
FINISHED PIECE
Abstract Mandala Collages
Collage can be lots of fun, and creating basic mandalas is very calming as you allow your intuition to guide you with papers and glue.
MATERIALS
• Collage papers
• Paint
• Paintbrushes
• Jar of water
• Scissors
• Glue
STEP 1
Paint a circle on a piece of paper. While the paint is wet, gently press another piece of paper on top to create a “ghost print.”
STEP 2
Gather some collage materials—this can include other painted circles, tissue paper, collage paper, etc.
STEP 3
Cut out paper shapes to use for the collage, such as a circle for the center, leaf shapes, or curved paper pieces.
STEP 4
You can build your mandala around the painted circle or the ghost image. Begin to place and glue the collage pieces. I’ve used my curved paper shapes to create a swirling water effect.
STEP 5
Add additional elements with pen or paint, such as small doodles or motifs in the mandala or petals around the edges.
There are endless ways to build abstract collage mandalas. Try this technique, and then come up with some of your own.
Try painting your own papers to use as a background or as pieces in the collage.
Cut collage papers into pie-piece shapes and glue them to the base.
Add more layers in different textures and tones until you’re happy with the effect. Cover the center points with another circle, if you like.