How to Draw a Mandala

We have a special treat for you today. Stacey Brown @thoselildetails was generous enough to share her step by step process of creating a mandala. Stacey tells us everything - which supplies she uses, the steps she takes,  her tips and her tricks. So grab your Compass Protractor, your Mandala Maker, a pencil, a pen and let's get started.

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Gather Your Supplies

Stacey uses the MoxieDori Compass Protractor, the Mandala Maker, Faber Castell pens and her bullet journal to make her mandalas. 

The Compass Protractor works in A5 Journals

The Mandala Maker makes larger circles and suits an A4 page.

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MoxieDori ships free within the US on orders over $35. The Compass Protractor and Mandala Maker are exclusive designs of MoxieDori and are only sold at MoxieDori.com and the MoxieDori Etsy Shop.

Both tools come with written directions and there are easy to follow how to tutorials on the listing pages. Amy and Kris at MoxieDori provide excellent customer service and are available for questions. 

Main Guidelines and Center

Stacey first marks the center of the mandala using the center hole of the MoxieDori Compass Protractor. She then uses the hash marks to divide the page into eight equal parts and connects opposing hash marks with a straight edge.  

Next, Stacey uses one of the circle cutouts on the compass protractor to create a design in the middle of the piece.

Supporting Guidelines and Concentric Circles

While mandalas are usually drawn using circles divided into 16 equal parts, Stacey's intricate creations have 32 equal parts. In doing this, she creates a complex structure to support her smaller elements and detailed shading. She uses the Compass Protractor to divide the circles in 32 pieces.

 Then she uses the Mandala Maker to draw 32 concentric circles

Pen to Paper

Once the framework is penciled in, Stacey took a fine nib pen, such as the one in this Faber-Castell Pitt Artist pen set, and made permanent the mandala elements on her grid. She starts from the center and works her way outward.

Keep on Going

Next, Stacey chose any elements she liked and placed them around the circle, using the guidelines to space them out equally. This Mandala Making Pinterest Board has a ton of gorgeous mandala elements for inspiration.

Shading, Outlining, Accentuating and Texturizing

Stacey explains that she turns away from the mandala and goes back to it so she can see where she needs to outline, accentuate, shade or texturize. While this isn't mandatory in the mandala making process, Stacey creates stunning mandalas using these techniques. 

Stay in the Moment

Stacey suggests that you don't become overwhelmed with the big picture. Don't fret about mistakes. Just concern yourself with the exact element and row that you are working on. The mandala will unfold itself to you. If you would like to learn more from Stacey, visit her YouTube channel or check out her lovely Instagram account @thoselildetails.