Louise Gale - Mandala for the Inspired Artist: Working with Paint, Paper, and Texture to Create Expressive Mandala Art

FOR THE INSPIRED ARTIST

2016 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

Published by Walter Foster Publishing,

a division of Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

All rights reserved. Walter Foster is a registered trademark.

Acquiring & Project Editor: Stephanie Carbajal

Page Layout: Andrea Miller

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the copyright owners. All images in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the artists concerned, and no responsibility is accepted by producer, publisher, or printer for any infringement of copyright or otherwise, arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort has been made to ensure that credits accurately comply with information supplied. We apologize for any inaccuracies that may have occurred and will resolve inaccurate or missing information in a subsequent reprinting of the book.

Digital edition: 978-1-63322-915-0

Softcover edition: 978-1-63322-072-0

Artwork and photographs on 127 2016 Louise Gale.

Artwork and photographs on 97 2016 Alyssa Stokes.

6 Orchard Road, Suite 100

Lake Forest, CA 92630

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This book has been produced to aid the aspiring artist. Reproduction of work for study or finished art is permissible. Any art produced or photomechanically reproduced from this publication for commercial purposes is forbidden without written consent from the publisher, Walter Foster Publishing.

Mandala Basics

HAND-DRAWN MANDALA USING THE 8-POINT STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPING INTO 12 MOTIFS AROUND THE EDGE

Mandala comes from the Sanskrit language, loosely meaning circle. Mandalas represent more than just a shape, however; they can be seen as a cosmic diagram that signifies the wholeness of the universe.

Most mandalas are circular, with a central point from which various motifs and patterns radiate outward. Mandalas usually contain 8 or 12 sections, which are symmetrical in design.

The purpose and design of any mandala is defined by its creator. It may be just a simple circle, or perhaps a spiral; it might be very detailed and complex, filled with layers of motifs; or it might be an intricate creation of colored sand.

I like to think of a mandala as a sacred spacea circle that tells a story about who we are or represents the world around us. Mandalas are a personal and unique experience that can be both inspirational and therapeutic. In creating them, we open ourselves to all the possibilities that exist inside and outside of ourselves.

WHERE DO MANDALAS COME FROM?

The circle is the most natural form known to mankind, and mandalas reveal themselves to us in all aspects of lifethe Earth, the moon, and the sun, as well as through circles of friends, family, and communities. Mandalas are found in the macrocosm and microcosm of nature, from the rotational patterns of planets to the intricate, sacred, geometric pattern of a flower.

MANDALA PATTERNS ON A CHURCH IN JEREZ, SPAIN

Mandalas are specifically associated with traditional Hindu, Tibetan, and Buddhist artwork, but they are also found in other world traditionsthe rose windows of Gothic cathedrals, Native American dream catchers and labyrinths, Aboriginal art, and Aztec sunstones, among many others.

Many buildings have also been built using mandalic patterns, often for spiritual purposes, but also as a geometric way to ensure balance and harmony in the architecture or design.

HOW ARE MANDALAS STRUCTURED?

Mandalas have one identifiable center point, from which an assortment of symbols, shapes, and patterns radiatethese vary from culture to culture.

The basic form of a traditional mandala is a square with four gates containing a circle. Each gate is in the general shape of a T. Traditional mandalas may also contain a yantra, which is a geometric diagram or object. The Sri Yantra is a geometric symbol that is recognizable and thought to be the mother of all yantras. It is also a visible representation of the vibrational sound of OM.

SRI YANTRA MANDALA

Some traditions portray images of gods and goddesses, some use color and shape, and others use natural objects. Although each culture may use different symbols, all mandalas describe the same cosmos, which symbolizes unity and harmony for all.

Mandalas can be created with a 4-point, 8-point or 12-point structure using spirals, concentric circles, and other recognizable formations. You can draw them freehand or use a ruler, protractor, and compass to measure sections and create concentric circles. Each mandala design can be structured in a different way, and many consist of various mathematical combinations, themes, or patterns. (See 18 for more details on drawing your own mandalas.)

HOW DO I CREATE A MANDALA?

PRESSED FLOWER MANDALA

You can use a variety of materials to create mandalas, such as a black pen, paint, collage, pressed flowers, and more! Mandalas can be doodled in your sketchbook, painted on paper, or created as detailed, mixed media masterpieces. You can even create them digitally on the computer or paint on stones and other circular objects, such as old CDs or vinyl records.

Creating temporary mandalas is also a wonderful way to create with and connect to nature. You can use found objects from nature, such as petals and leaves, colored sand, or shells.

HOW ARE MANDALAS USED?

Mandalas have traditionally been used by Buddhists, Hindus, Tibetans, and Native Americans in prayer, meditation, and healing. For example, Tibetan monks use mandalas as a form of meditationthe observer focuses and meditates on the special symbolic meaning within the mandala, considering the entire world through it.