(c) Paul Heussestamm www.mandalas.com Mandala Art is a recognised method of meditative creativity, which was one of my considerations in making space to include it in the summer term programme. Buddhists, for example, often create very large mandalas from sand or and take days of non stop work to complete. Prior to embarking on the project the participants would agree on a subject matter to focus on while working. This could be for example, world peace or it could be the healing of a colleague or world figure. Equally, it could be a practical matter such as raising funds for a local project. The process of creating the mandala allows the participants to focus and perhaps be a bit more creative in their solutions. When finished, the mandala is scattered to the wind as a reminder that all in life is transient, and quite temporary. When we are creating a mandala it is good to have a subject matter to focus on allowing our mind to move to an alpa state and for the right brain to kick in.
Those of you who were with me last term will recall our right brain studies and successful practical exercises. What we are looking to create here is an icon to reflect our inner self, hopes or ambitions. You should be inspired by your mandala so perhaps start by deciding on your palette. Then shape and form. Some mandalas depict a scene, or landscape. Religious scenes or characters are often used, as are Hindu Gods, and Christian figures. You may create your Mandala in any medium you choose. Ancient Mandalas were often worked in Egg Tempera and embellished with gold leaf. Since we worked in Egg Tempera last week and at the end of last term, you may now feel confident enough to move onto a bigger project. Pastels also work well. I would hesitate to use oils simply because of the drying time if you wished to layer up your design. However a simple 2d single layer design could be accomplished in one sitting. Tools that will be useful will be anything circular to draw around, such as coins, tubes, pill tubs and suchlike, geometrical items, and of course a compass, set square and bezier curve invaluable! Using a spiro designer or similar would also work well.
When complete, you may like to burnish with gold leaf, or set crystals into your painting using jewellery cement, or even use an iridescent or glittery finish. Invaluable websites to visit are www.mandalas.com for inspiration, and for free downloadable templates, visit www.mandala-4u.com
Those of you who were with me last term will recall our right brain studies and successful practical exercises. What we are looking to create here is an icon to reflect our inner self, hopes or ambitions. You should be inspired by your mandala so perhaps start by deciding on your palette. Then shape and form. Some mandalas depict a scene, or landscape. Religious scenes or characters are often used, as are Hindu Gods, and Christian figures. You may create your Mandala in any medium you choose. Ancient Mandalas were often worked in Egg Tempera and embellished with gold leaf. Since we worked in Egg Tempera last week and at the end of last term, you may now feel confident enough to move onto a bigger project. Pastels also work well. I would hesitate to use oils simply because of the drying time if you wished to layer up your design. However a simple 2d single layer design could be accomplished in one sitting. Tools that will be useful will be anything circular to draw around, such as coins, tubes, pill tubs and suchlike, geometrical items, and of course a compass, set square and bezier curve invaluable! Using a spiro designer or similar would also work well.
When complete, you may like to burnish with gold leaf, or set crystals into your painting using jewellery cement, or even use an iridescent or glittery finish. Invaluable websites to visit are www.mandalas.com for inspiration, and for free downloadable templates, visit www.mandala-4u.com
Do think about what you would like to create prior to starting to ensure you have the right equipment with you. Have fun and enjoy creating a wonderful conversation piece for your wall!
(c) Kate Lomax 2013 All Rights Reserved
(c) Kate Lomax 2013 All Rights Reserved
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