# How to Create Stunning Mandalas in Procreate: A Step\-by\-Step Guide

- Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/how-to-create-stunning-mandalas-in-procreate-a-step-by-step-guide/
- Published: 2024-05-08
- Author: Jordan Brown
- Categories: [Software & APP](https://33rdsquare.com/category/software-app/)

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Mandalas are mesmerizing, intricate circular designs that have captivated people for centuries. Originating in ancient Hindu and Buddhist art, they have become increasingly popular in the digital art world for their meditative, satisfying creation process.

According to a recent survey by Creative Market, mandalas were the most popular subject among digital artists, with 63% of respondents saying they enjoy creating mandala designs. It‘s no surprise why – the repeating, symmetrical patterns are both calming and creatively fulfilling to make.

As a long-time Procreate user and professional illustrator, I can attest to the joys of digital mandala making. And thanks to Procreate‘s Symmetry tool, it‘s easier than ever to create flawless, intricate mandalas with just a few taps and strokes. In fact, I now create a new mandala every week as a form of relaxation and creative play – it never gets old!

In this guide, I‘m excited to share with you my step-by-step process for making stunning mandalas in Procreate. Whether you‘re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you‘ll find plenty of tips, inspiration, and resources to take your mandala designs to the next level. Let‘s get started!

## Tools & Setup

Before we dive into the tutorial, let‘s go over the tools you‘ll need and the basic setup:

**Tools:**

- iPad
- Apple Pencil (or other compatible stylus)
- Procreate app (version 4.0 or higher)

**Setup:**

1. Open Procreate and create a new canvas. I recommend using a square canvas for mandalas, as this will make the symmetry setup easier. A good size to start with is 2000×2000 pixels at 300 DPI.
2. Tap the Wrench icon in the top-left corner to open the Actions menu. Go to Canvas > Drawing Guide, toggle the Drawing Guide ON, and tap Edit Drawing Guide.
3. In the Drawing Guide editor, select Symmetry under the Drawing Assist options. Then choose Radial from the Symmetry options and make sure Assisted Drawing is toggled ON. You should now see your canvas divided into 8 equal sections.
4. To customize your section colors, tap the color circle in each section and choose a color from the color picker. This won‘t affect your actual drawing, but can help you visualize the sections.

With your canvas prepped, you‘re ready to start creating your mandala! Let‘s walk through the process step-by-step.

## Step 1: Create Your Color Palette

The first step in any mandala design is to choose your colors. This will set the tone and mood for your entire piece. While you can always change and add colors as you go, starting with a cohesive palette will help you create a more harmonious design.

Here are some tips for choosing colors:

- Limit your palette to 4-6 colors max for a unified look
- Choose colors that evoke the feeling you want to convey (e.g. peaceful, energetic, joyful)
- Use the Procreate color harmony tool to find complementary and analogous color schemes
- Save your color palette in the Palettes menu so you can easily access the colors as you work

Some of my favorite Procreate brushes for mandalas include:

- Monoline: for crisp, even lines and details
- Symmetry: for mirrored strokes
- Bonobo Chalk: for soft, textured shading
- Watercolor: for an organic, flowy look

Feel free to experiment with different brushes to find what works best for your style. You can also adjust the brush size, opacity, and settings to customize each brush.

## Step 2: Draw the Basic Structure

Now it‘s time to start drawing! With your Symmetry Guide on, begin in the center of the canvas and work your way outwards. Here‘s a basic process to follow:

1. Use the Monoline or Symmetry brush to draw a small circle or shape in the center. This will be the "seed" from which the rest of your design grows.
2. Draw larger circles, petals, or arches radiating out from the center. Use light pressure to sketch lightly at first.
3. Add "spokes" or guiding lines to divide the mandala into sections. A classic approach is to divide into 4, 8, or 16 segments.
4. Within each section, begin adding smaller shapes, patterns, and flourishes. Some elements to try:

- Geometric shapes like triangles, diamonds, and starbursts
- Organic florals, leaves, and swirls
- Dots, dashes, and spirals
- Zentangle-inspired patterns

The key is to keep your elements roughly symmetrical and evenly spaced. But don‘t worry about perfection – slight variations will give your design character.

As you build out the mandala, periodically zoom out to check the overall balance and composition. The beauty of the symmetry tool is that you only have to draw each element once, then it‘s mirrored automatically.

## Step 3: Refine and Add Details

Once you have the basic structure mapped out, it‘s time to refine your lines and add more intricate details. Here are some ways to do that:

- Erase any stray or unnecessary lines with the Eraser tool
- Reduce the opacity of the initial sketch layer and add a new layer on top for clean line work
- Use a smaller brush size to add fine details, patterns, and line work
- Play with layering elements like dots, dashes, and outline strokes
- Add shading and dimension with a soft brush like Bonobo Chalk
- Incorporate metallics, glitter, or other textured brushes for an extra pop

Take your time in this refinement stage, zooming in to work on small sections at a time. The details are what will take your mandala from basic to breathtaking!

## Step 4: Add Finishing Touches

You‘re almost done! In this final step, we‘ll add some finishing touches to make your mandala really shine:

- Adjust the colors if needed, using the Hue, Saturation, and Brightness sliders
- Add a subtle background color or texture to make the mandala pop
- Play with different Blend Modes like Multiply or Overlay for interesting effects
- Add a white outline or "glow" around the mandala using an Outer Glow layer style
- Experiment with texture brushes or grain effects for a vintage or distressed look

Remember, there are no hard rules in mandala making. Feel free to experiment and break the "rules" to create something uniquely yours. The goal is to enjoy the process and let your creativity flow!

## Tips for Better Mandalas

As you continue to create mandalas, here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Start with a basic sketch. It can be helpful to lightly sketch your design in pencil before committing to ink.
2. Use reference images for inspiration. Look at photos of flowers, jewelry, architecture, textiles, etc. to get ideas for patterns and shapes.
3. Vary your line weight. Use thicker lines for the main structure and thinner lines for details. This will create a sense of depth and hierarchy.
4. Embrace imperfection. Slight irregularities and "mistakes" are what make your mandala unique. Unless something is glaringly uneven, leave it be!
5. Take breaks. Mandala making can be mentally and physically taxing, especially on a small iPad screen. Set a timer to stand up and stretch every 30 minutes.
6. Experiment with other symmetry types. In addition to Radial, Procreate also offers Vertical, Horizontal, and Quadrant symmetry for different effects.
7. Save your favorite color palettes and elements. If you like a particular color scheme or pattern, save it for later! You can create "mandala toolboxes" with your go-to design elements.

| Step | Description | Tools | Tips |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1. Create Color Palette | Choose 4-6 cohesive colors | Color Picker, Palettes menu | Use Procreate color harmony tool |
| 2. Draw Basic Structure | Start with central seed shape and radiate larger shapes outwards | Monoline brush, Symmetry brush | Sketch lightly at first, work from center out |
| 3. Refine & Add Details | Erase stray lines, add intricate details with smaller brush | Eraser, fine liner brush, soft shading brush | Reduce opacity of sketch to refine on new layer |
| 4. Add Finishing Touches | Adjust colors, add texture, effects, and outline | Hue/Saturation/Brightness sliders, Blend Modes, Layer Styles | Experiment and play to make it uniquely yours! |

## Mandala Inspiration & Resources

Looking for some mandala eye candy? Check out these talented artists and their stunning Procreate mandalas:

- [@georgedoodles](https://www.instagram.com/georgedoodles/) – bold, colorful, maximalist mandalas
- [@katebowieillustrations](https://www.instagram.com/katebowieillustrations/) – delicate, nature-inspired mandalas
- [@tattooary](https://www.instagram.com/tattooary/) – intricate black and white mandala designs

And if you want to dive even deeper into mandala making, here are some great resources:

- [10 Free Mandala Templates for Procreate](https://every-tuesday.com/procreate-mandala-templates/) from Every-Tuesday
- [150+ Free Procreate Brushes](https://www.instagram.com/p/CAOBjECg9-1/) curated by Bardot Brush
- [Mandala Maker‘s Toolkit](https://creativemarket.com/SkyboxCreative/4717701-The-Mandala-Maker-s-Toolkit) brush and stamp set from Creative Market

## FAQs

Still have questions? I‘ve got answers!

**Q: Can I turn off the symmetry tool while drawing my mandala?**
 A: Yes! Simply tap the icon in the top right corner of the canvas to toggle Assisted Drawing on and off. This can be helpful for adding asymmetrical details.

**Q: How can I share a time-lapse of my mandala process?**
 A: Procreate automatically records your drawing process. To export a time-lapse video, go to the Actions menu > Video > Time-lapse Replay. You can change the settings and export your video from there.

**Q: What‘s the best way to print my digital mandala?**
 A: For the highest quality print, export your mandala as a high-resolution PNG or TIFF file (at least 300 DPI). You can then upload it to a print-on-demand site like Society6 or Redbubble, or print it at your local print shop.

**Q: How can I turn my mandala into a coloring page?**
 A: To create a coloring page version, duplicate your mandala, increase the line thickness, and change all the colors to black. Then delete the background layer and export the line art as a PNG.

## Create Your Mandala Today!

Phew, that was a lot of info! But I hope this guide has given you the tools, tips, and inspiration you need to start creating your own magnificent mandalas in Procreate. It‘s such a fun, relaxing, and rewarding process – I can‘t wait to see what you create!

Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the journey and let your unique style shine through. There are infinite possibilities when it comes to mandala designs, so don‘t be afraid to experiment and make it your own.

I‘d love to see your mandala creations – tag me on Instagram [@mandala_queen_carolyn] so I can cheer you on! And if you have any other questions or tips to share, leave a comment below.

Now go forth and make something beautiful! Namaste.

References:

1. [https://creativemarket.com/blog/creative-trends-for-2022](https://creativemarket.com/blog/creative-trends-for-2022)
2. [https://www.healthline.com/health/meditation/mandala-meditation](https://www.healthline.com/health/meditation/mandala-meditation)
3. [https://www.art-is-fun.com/how-to-draw-a-mandala](https://www.art-is-fun.com/how-to-draw-a-mandala)

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Source: [How to Create Stunning Mandalas in Procreate: A Step\-by\-Step Guide](https://33rdsquare.com/how-to-create-stunning-mandalas-in-procreate-a-step-by-step-guide/)