The Art of Mandala Drawing: Create Geometric Patterns
A course by Lizzie Snow, Visual Artist
Discover the meditative practice of mandala drawing by exploring ink techniques like hatching, line work, and stippling
Mandalas have a deep history connected to meditation and spirituality, dating back centuries throughout the world. They’ve been used as visual representations of energy, waves, or sound in science, and as a form of self-expression in art therapy. Over the last decade, visual artist Lizzie Snow has been using them as her way to convey her admiration of nature in her artwork.
Embark on a contemporary exploration of the mandala and discover the relaxing practices of its drawing techniques. In this course, Lizzie guides you to create striking mandalas through the use of ink, symmetry, and mindfulness.
What will you learn in this online course?
16 lessons & 19 downloads
What's included in this course?
Begin by getting to know Lizzie. Hear about her artistic journey and see some of her artwork. She shares her sources of inspiration, like nature, literature, and music, and how they manifest in her work.
Get a deeper understanding of mandalas by learning their history. Discover their various uses around the world, in nature, science and psychology. Explore the origins of mandalas and how they can be a guide for self-reflection.
Go through the materials needed before practicing different drawing methods and exercises. Lizzie shares a custom template to help you practice techniques like hatching, line work, stippling (dot work), and layering. Learn how to create patterns and see how to work with negative space in your drawing. Then, get inspired and create the concept for your mandala.
Dive into your artwork and start drawing your final piece. Learn how to draw a grid template as a foundation before sketching your design in pencil. Give your mandala shape by tracing over your sketch with ink. Once the line work is complete, add depth and detail with shading and balancing the negative space.
Wrap up the course by adding the final touches to your work. Hear Lizzie’s tips and tricks for photographing your work in the best light. She also shares her process when digitizing her work ready to print or share on social media.
- 99% positive reviews (515)
- 18,234 students
- 16 lessons (2h 6m)
- 19 additional resources (10 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English, Spanish (Latam), French, Italian, Portuguese, Turkish
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Create an original mandala with ink and drawing techniques.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone interested in mandala drawing or would like to improve their ink techniques.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is necessary.
To take this course, you need a surface to draw on, like an illustration board or thick paper; ink or paint, a pencil, ruler, eraser, and a protractor or drawing compass. Access to an iPad with Procreate is optional but helpful.
Reviews
Lizzie Snow
A course by Lizzie Snow
Lizzie Snow is a visual artist based in New Zealand and Canada. With a wide online following, Lizzie is known by her artist name, fortyonehundred. By the time she graduated from university, she had already become a full-time artist with a number of exhibitions, international commissions, collaborations, and set up her own online shop.
Her work is inspired by fractals and patterns found throughout nature. Lizzie has collaborated with brands like Apple, Lululemon, Converse, Peugeot, Topshop, Blunt Umbrellas, Roy Henry Vickers, AllBirds, Whittaker’s, and more. She has also done a number of solo and group exhibitions throughout New Zealand, Canada, and the UK.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
Background: Meanings and Definition of the Mandala
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Introduction to the Mandala
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Mandalas Around the World
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So, What is a Mandala?
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U3
Preparation
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Materials
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Drawing Exercises
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Concept and Inspiration
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U4
Creation of the Final Artwork
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Setting Up the Grid Template
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The Pencil Sketch
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Drawing With Ink
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Adding Detail & Depth with Shading 1
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Adding Detail & Depth with Shading 2
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U5
Final Touches and Digitalizing
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Final Touches
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Photographing Your Finished Artwork
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Digitizing Your Finished Artwork
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FP
Final project
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The Art of Mandala Drawing: Create Geometric Artwork
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Yes, this mandala drawing course is designed for beginners. You don't need any prior experience with drawing or mandalas to get started. All essential techniques and concepts are explained step by step.
Basic supplies include paper, a pencil, eraser, compass, protractor, ruler, archival ink pens, and masking tape. Optional tools include an iPad with Procreate or similar digital drawing app for digitizing and experimenting with your artwork.
You’ll learn to design and draw mandalas using geometric and nature-inspired patterns, master inking and shading techniques, digitize your artwork for print or web, and explore mindfulness practices through creative expression.
The course teaches you to photograph or scan your mandala, edit images for clarity and contrast, and prepare digital files suitable for prints, web use, or products like enamel pins and prints.
No prior knowledge of Procreate or digital apps is required. The course provides beginner-friendly instructions for using digital tools to enhance or digitize your mandala artwork.
Drawing mandalas encourages mindfulness by focusing your attention on repetitive patterns, which can help reduce stress, boost relaxation, and foster a sense of inner calm and mental clarity.
Yes, the course covers how to incorporate nature-inspired shapes, fractal patterns, and symmetry into your mandala designs for visually rich and meaningful artwork.
Me gustó mucho el curso Interesante y bien explicado! Ademas tiene mucha información adicional.
Lo recomiendo al 100%
Aunque tuve problemas con las hojas de práctica, y que debería tener un poco más de práctica para soltar la mano, me gustó el curso, muchas gracias
Ottimo corso per chi vuole avvicinarsi all'arte del mandala e provare a realizzarne uno.
Me ha encantado este curso de creación de mandalas de Lizzy Snow, explica de manera muy simple los conceptos básicos acerca de cómo crear tu propio mandala desde cero, pero a la vez.
Lo recomiendo para quienes deseen aprender a diseñar mandalas con criterio, estética y buen gusto.
Un curso muy bonito y con explicaciones muy detalladas.