Learning how to draw a Mandala is so relaxing and beautiful and being creative makes you feel so good! My easy step-by-step guide has simple drawing tips to help you quickly create beautiful art. You’ll also find free Mandala coloring sheets, amazing sand circles on the beach and wonderful coloring books.

Mindfulness Mandalas

Mandalas are the most amazingly beautiful but simple symbols which are perfect for bringing calmness and peace.

For us Moms I think learning how to draw a mandala is a perfect way to keep in balance and I am delighted to be able to add this to our Happiness Challenge.

Unlocking your creativity has all sorts of benefits. When you are absorbed in the minutiae of picking which pen to use and which color goes best, your mind has a chance to unwind and relax. You get a break from the swirl of thoughts and finish feeling refreshed and energised.

I know many of us Moms block our creativity because we are too frightened to pick up a pen in case what we end up drawing looks too crude and …errr…childish.

So I signed up to an art workshop to find out how to do draw a Mandala.

What Is A Mandala?

If you’re wondering what exactly a Mandala is and what it means, I thought you might enjoy knowing that according to Wikipedia Mandalas originally represented a cosmic diagram that shows our relation to the infinite, the world that extends beyond and within our minds and bodies.

Here’s a sand mandala made for the Dalai Lama to inspire you to have a go at drawing one yourself:

And I want to prove to you in this simple tutorial that you can’t fail. Your Mandala will look fantastic I promise!

I am going to teach you how to draw the overall shape, which is very simple to do and you can’t go wrong. Then, however you decide to color it in, you will end up with a work of beauty.

It’s very important to keep in mind that there is no such thing as perfection because each Mandala is unique and reflects the person who is drawing it. That is one of the joys of drawing them.

How To Draw A Mandala

Drawing Equipment

Compass, ruler and eraser

Black pens with different nib widths like these:

Mandala pens

Please note that the product links on this page are affiliate links so if you buy I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Optional:

Colored pencils like these: (Mandalas often work best with more subtle colors and not too much color)

Colored pencils

Step-by-Step Mandala Drawing Instructions

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Place the compass on the edge of the circle at the exact point you started drawing the first arc.

Six

Repeat stage 5. Place the compass on the edge of the circle at the exact point you started drawing the second arc.

Seven

Keep drawing arcs across the circle. You will end up with a flower, like this:

Because I love floral Mandalas, that was enough of an outline for me to start coloring. But you can easily add more structure if you want.

Eight

Use your compass to draw circles inside the outside circle.

If you want even more structure, divide your Mandala into a pizza using a protractor and a ruler. Draw pencil lines from the circumference to the center of your circle, using the protractor to get the angles of the pizza wedge correct.

I think it’s important to remember you are NOT after perfection.

“We are all wonderful, beautiful wrecks. That’s what connects us – – that we’re all broken, all beautifully imperfect.”

~ Emilio Estevez

Drawing Tips: How To Color A Mandala

1. Start from the inside and work towards the outside.
2. Personally, I think they often look more beautiful with the shapes in them in black and then colored in fairly subtly.
3. You’ll see I have recommended some black pens with nibs of various sizes. Here are some ideas for shapes to try:

Other helpful shapes are swirls and loops. Have a look at the Mandala in the image and you can see the shapes in it are very simple.

Time to get your pens out and get started!

N.B. Please take a photo of your finished Mandala so I can post it here and we can all enjoy it. Because of spam I can’t give you my e-mail address directly, but when you contact me I will send you my e-mail.

Free Mandala Coloring Sheets

I have given you five black and white free Mandala coloring sheets so you can cheat.

But in my opinion, the nicest pictures are the ones you draw yourself!

Mandala Coloring Books

I have selected for you the best coloring books so you can see lots of different designs and also – if coloring is what makes you most happy – gives you plenty of time to enjoy it!

Please note that the product links on this page are affiliate links so if you buy I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Adult Coloring Book

The Art of Mandala

Adult Coloring Book Set

Mandalas And Relaxation

I color Mandalas because I find it very relaxing.

It’s also when I practice breathing techniques that help me get through the homeschooling day.

Nature Mandalas

If you want to be truly inspired, have a look at Marc Treanor’s Facebook page.

He creates the most amazing sand circles on the beach!

It isn’t only you who can relax and have fun!

Cathy shared this lovely activity making nature mandalas with flowers from her garden with her children.

So plenty of opportunities for you to find lots of ways to use your creativity when you are out and about.

Mandala Drawings

My friend Lisa Vaught at SnoopyGirl shows how beautiful and soothing to the eye drawing Mandalas can be.

Dreamcatchers

Mandalas and dreamcatchers often seem to go together in my mind.

I can show you something else magical – how to make a dreamcatcher.

It’s another very simple and relaxing activity. Making the dream web by winding wool or artificial sinew around a hoop creates a wonderful object where you can hang feathers and beads.

The Ojibw believe that the feathers act as a soft ladder allowing good dreams to slide down to the sleeper – and a good night’s rest is definitely part of our Happiness Challenge!

More Mindfulness Crafts

There are lots more creative handcrafts to enjoy on this page, like scrapbooking, furniture renovation, and pottery.

Relaxation

Learning how to draw a Mandala is really satisfying and – more importantly – absorbing. It is something beautiful you can add to your journey on the path to happiness.

Want to remember this? Post this How To Make A Mandala page to your favorite Pinterest board!