Mandala

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Art 2

mixed media

WI State Standards:

AA Cr11h
Plan: Formulate original concepts by practice, experimentation, and revision. (planning/experimentation)
AA Cr12h
Make: Create works of art that introduce students to media, care of tools, and basic craftsmanship skills.
(skills)
AA Pr10h
Develop Meaning: Curate a body of work incorporating personal, historical and contemporary art to communicate one or more points of view.
(aesthetics / communication)

Learning targets:

Use planning (sketching) to develop a unique outcome
Create an original artwork
Combine multiple media to achieve an aesthetic effect.
Learn about mandala art form
Create a mandala and make it personal
Use shape contrast: organic shapes vs. geometric shapes
Line stylizing
Image transfer
Composition balance: circular design
Exercise and demonstrate use and mastery of the elements of art
Exercise and demonstrate use and mastery of colored pencil drawing and shading techniques
mixed media color application:
- colored pencils
- watercolor pencils
- watercolor
- concentrated watercolors and salt
- optional: gel pens
  .

About mandalas:

A mandala is a devotional, sacred sand painting done by Buddhist Monks of Tibet.

The monks use millions of grains of brightly colored sand to create the sand painting.

The ceremony of creating a mandala takes nine days.

The mandala represents the world in its divine form. It also represents a "map" by which the minds of people can be transformed from an ordinary mind into an enlightened mind.
After the mandala is completed the monks who created it, destroy it.

The destruction of the mandala is important to the ceremony because the destruction of the mandala symbolizes the temporariness of life.

The basic pattern of the circle with a center is found in nature and is seen in biology, geology, chemistry, physics, and astronomy.

Mandala is a graphic, mystic symbol of the universe.

It is typically in the shape of a circle enclosing a square or a square enclosing a circle.

A mandala often bears symmetrically arranged representations of gods or deities.

Many cultures embrace the mandala as a
“circle of life” symbol, but in many cases it is often merely decorative.

quick steps:

1. Research reference images (one organic (animal) and one geometric (mechanical))

2. Trace onto tracing paper

3. Divide illystration board

4. Divide both tracings using a mirror

5. Trace organic design with a reflection (4 times) using diagonal lines

6. Trace geometric design with a reflection (4 times) using vertical and horizontal lines

7. Outline with a marker

8. Stylize lines in the corners

9. Draw 4-5 circles

10. Fill in the center and the negative space

11. Color circles (colored pencils, watercolor pencils, watercolor paint, gel pens)

12. Complete the background

examples:

STEPS

1. find images

1. A picture of an animal – at least a size of your hand

2. A picture of a man-made object (mechanical part, clock, car parts, etc) – at least a size of your palm.

2. trace images

Trace your images on a piece of a tracing paper.

Include as many details as you can.

3. grid

You are going to use a square 15"x15" board to create a radial design.

Divide the board as shown.

Important: use a cold press, double thick (30-ply) board for better results with watercolor techniques.

4. divide images

Then use a mirror to find the most interesting reflective shape for this particular image.

The image should have as many details as possible.

Use the mirror to draw the axis.

Trace the image onto the board (only one side – the one you used to preview in the mirror).

5. transfer organic image

Align one of the diagonals on the board with the "cutting" line on the traced image.

Mark the center of the design on your tracing paper for a better alignment.

Flip the tracing paper and trace the mirror image.

Make sure center is aligned.

Repeat the steps 3 more times.

6. transfer geometric image

Trace your other image.

Position it to fill in the space around the animal.

Use a mirror to draw a cut off line

Mark the axis for alignment.

Trace the object carefully.

Do not trace over the animal – just the negative space – background.

7. outline

Trace with an extra fine point Sharpie

Repeat the steps.

8. stylize lines in the corners

Stylize each corner in the design by filling them in and rounding them up (like you did in a practice worksheet)

stylize

This will add a “stained-glass” effect to your design.

9. divide design with circles

Divide the board into 4-5 circular areas.

mandala

10. fill in negative space and the center

Fill in the negative space with designs/shapes between the circles.

Change the design as you reach the circle.

11. color

When it’s time for coloring – you will have to use at least three different coloring media:

colored pencils
watercolor pencils
watercolor paint

Once you cross the circle line you need to switch to a different media.

Use the variety of colors. If you have a large area of the same color – use different shades and tones of that color to make the design more interesting.

Watercolor pencils:

Shade lightly, use multiple colors, small strokes. Blend with a wet watercolor brush.

Colored pencils:

Blend colored pencils, create gradients.

Watercolor paint:

Mix and blend different colors within larger shapes.

Stay inside the outlines

Continue with coloring.

In my example (starting in the center section):

w/c pencils
colored pencils
w/c
colored pencils
w/c pencils

Remember, craftsmanship counts!

WI standards Grading Rubric
standard	no evidence	beginning	emerging	proficient	advanced
Cr.11 planning / experimentation	Assignment does not show enough evidence or is missing	No evidence of careful planning. Reference images we not carefully selected	Reference images were properly selected Tracing and transferring process was not accurate Does not demonstrate effort and attention to details. Line stylizing is limited	Artwork demonstrates accurate planning, effort, attention to details. Tracing and transferring process was accurate Student practiced line stylizing and coloring techniques	Student displayed an outstanding effort in regards to application and understanding of the content. Artwork shows individual style, careful planning, multiple revisions and attention to details. Design is intricate and creative
Cr.12 skills	Assignment does not show enough evidence or is missing	Student somewhat followed the process. Some steps are skipped or incomplete. Work requires major improvement.	Student mostly followed the process. Work shows some skills and basic/partial understanding of the process. Designs are colored with multiple media	Student followed the process exactly as the instructions specified. Work shows proper use of skills and techniques Every coloring and drawing step is carefully performed Shape alignment Lines are solid and stylized Coloring steps and coloring quality fit the requirements	Student followed the process exactly as the instructions specified and, in addition, the piece exhibits evidence of creative experimentation beyond the required task. Coloring skills show additional effort and creativity Craftsmanship and attention to details are flawless;
Pr.10h aesthetics / communication	Assignment does not show enough evidence or is missing	The artwork communicates little effort and personal emotional involvement in the process.	Student tried using elements and principles of art to solve the aesthetic task. Design is simple Some areas need improvement.	Artwork shows individuality and effort. Design details are complex, shapes are intricate The artwork displays a clear meaning and style of the assignment. Negative space is filled with patterns The center design communicates about artist’s personality	Student went above and beyond in the use of Art Elements and Principles to convey a clear message, showed understanding of the task, and solved the task in the most creative way. Artwork shows individuality and emotion involvement.