Art Supplies and Tools I Use and Recommend

2:32 PM , , , , , , 1 comment

I've put together a list of the tools I use in my art. I've listed what they are and included my Amazon affiliate link. You don't have to use my link, but I'd appreciate it if you did. I get a few cents for your purchase and it costs you nothing extra. Thanks so much! :) Check out some general info on tools at the end of the list.

Pens & Pencils:

Micron Pigma black assorted size drawing pens
Micron Pigma colored pens
Generic colored drawing pens
Crayola dual tip markers
https://amzn.to/2OlOAYR
Prismacolor markers
https://amzn.to/2IkFxSv
Crayola vibrant colored pencils
https://amzn.to/2Ihs3ql
Prismacolor colored pencils
https://amzn.to/2DvuAP7
Sakura White gel pens
https://amzn.to/2Oige8M
Pentel Metallic Gel Pens - Gold & Silver
https://amzn.to/2xPyHPX
Drawing pencil set for shading
https://amzn.to/2R0oGrZ
Pencil blenders set
https://amzn.to/2OlImbr

 Markers:
Uni Posca Acrylic Paint Markers (inexpensive, opaque, long lasting but not refillable)
Uni Posca Black & White - Fine to Medium Set of 8 Pens
https://amzn.to/2QYfIeV
Uni Posca Paint Marker PC-1M White, 3 pens
https://amzn.to/2R0BH4I
Uni Posca Paint Marker PC-1M Black, 3 pens
https://amzn.to/2ImYqnO
Uni Posca Paint Marker Extra Fine set - WHITE/GOLD/SILVER/BLACK
https://amzn.to/2QZvhCZ
Uni POSCA Paint Marker Pen - Extra Fine Point - set of 12 Colors
https://amzn.to/2QZnG7n

Montana Acrylic Paint Markers (more expensive, but refillable)
Montana Acrylic Paint Marker 2mm
https://goo.gl/5ULm8A
Montana Acrylic Paint Marker 15mm
https://goo.gl/5m1fHr
Drawing Tools:
Circle templates for Quilters
Small Circle Templates
Large Circle Templates
9” diameter compass
Protractor - 4” & 6” set
https://amzn.to/2Ihs8KJ
12” clear ruler
https://amzn.to/2OkcELG

Paper:
8x8 black cardstock
https://amzn.to/2Of4Dav
Strathmore 9x12 smooth Bristol Paper pad
https://amzn.to/2Dy4kni
Canson 7x10 sketch paper pad
https://amzn.to/2IhJxCY
8x8 asst color cardstock
https://amzn.to/2Dy40oA
circle grid sketchbook
https://amzn.to/2Oa3fpR

Misc:
Ultra-thin USB powered tracing lightbox
https://amzn.to/2xEJZXN
I use a bendable arm holder for my camera (iPhone) to record my videos. This one:
https://goo.gl/Vi78eV


General thoughts on tools:
Paper
Any paper will do to sketch and practice, you can use nicer paper for final mandalas. Handmade papers are great, patterned paper, water color paper or artist cardstock. You can paint or color your paper before or after you make your mandala or leave them on plain paper. A heavier weight artist paper works well to prevent pen marks from bleeding through.

A sketchbook is a great thing to keep all of your mandalas and mandala inspired sketches. It’s not only beautiful but acts as sort of a history of your art and progress.

Pens
Any pen will work for making mandalas. Don’t let not having the “right” pen stop you from creating.

Fine point pens are a must to create detailed patterns. Pigma Micron 01 pens are great for details, they are very fine, write well, last a long time, dry fast, and are permanent. There are many fine tip pens available though.

A medium point or thicker point marker is also nice for bolder lines and filling in spaces. Micron 05 pens are great. A lot of people use sharpies, but be careful, they can bleed through paper easily.

Colored pens are great for easily adding color to your mandala. It also looks great to use white, or metallic pens on black or dark paper.

Pencils
A #2 or HB pencil is the best all around pencil for drawing out your mandala sketch. It’s a medium lead pencil and draws a lighter, fine line.

Shading Pencils
Softer lead pencils are great to have if you like to shade your mandalas. #2 or HB pencils are soft enough to use for some shading, but I’d recommend at least a 2B and a 4B if you like to have a lot of contrast in your art. The softer the lead, the darker the mark it will make and the easier it is to blend out.

Erasers
Erasers should be used minimally, if at all.Try to go with the flow of your marks, even if they’re not what you planned or you don’t think they are perfect. There’s a certain freedom in not worrying about “mistakes” and just going with the flow, sometimes you’ll be surprised at how awesome your “mistake” turns out.

Blending sticks or Tortillions
Tightly wound paper in a stick form with a pointed end. Great for blending out your pencil shading. You can just use your finger to blend though, so this is not a must have item. …just really helpful ;)

Happy Drawing -xo

How to Make a Tote Bag with Your Pareo or Shawl

7:51 AM , , , , Leave a Comment

So, we made a spontaneous side trip to the beach while in Portugal and I didn't want to carry my book, sketchbook, pencil case, glasses, wallet, etc. etc. loose in my hands so I came up with a quick way to make a tote bag using my pareo. Super easy and super useful... even pretty darn cute. :D

Let me know if you have questions. Enjoy! :D

-xo Deb.

Tutorial : How to Evenly Divide a Circle with a Compass

9:31 AM , , , , , 1 comment
Hey there!

I made a quick video on how to evenly divide up a circle using a compass! ...for when you want more precise mandalas :)

Hope this helps you and if you have any questions just let me know.

I'm also thinking about doing one for dividing a circle easily into 12 sections, like for a clock, would anyone be interested in that?


Templates to Print for Mandalas, Doodling, Drawing, and Tangling

6:45 AM , , , , , , , 1 comment

Mandala Templates


Simple Circles - for freeform mandalas 
(click on the image to open full size, then right click to save and print 8.5"x11")



Divided Circles - for more structured mandalas
(click on the image to open full size, then right click to save and print 8.5"x11")



Complex Circles - for detailed mandalas
(click on the image to open full size, then right click to save and print 8.5"x11")


Just let me know if you have any issues saving the templates! Happy drawing. :D ~deb


Heart Shape Template

Hey there! I was asked to put up the heart templates I used for my Valentine heart Zentangles so here they are! Should have done it a long time ago, thanks Beate for asking. :)

They are .pdf files, just click on the image or the title text to download them. They are scaled for a standard letter size page (8.5 x 11) so you should be able to print as is. If you have any issues, just let me know. 

Learn to Draw a Mandala! My New Follow-Along Tutorial for the Very Beginner.

1:40 PM , , 1 comment

I had this idea to make a tutorial video that you could easily follow along to.

It's so annoying when you're trying to follow a video tutorial and you keep getting behind the instructor and you have to pause and then find your place where you left off, over and over again. Then you miss half of the instruction because you're trying to do the thing instead of watching, and so you have to go back and watch again. grrrrr....

So in this video I explain what I'm doing as I do it and then pause for a bit, 5 to 30 seconds, so that you can do it too. Se each section has it's own pause at the end so you can easily watch what I'm doing fully and then have time to do it yourself during the pause. No more trying to quickly pause and then rewind to where you left off, then rewatch, etc. etc.

Please give it a try and let me know what you think. Like I said, this is a new format I tried and would love feedback. What can I do different? Is there enough time during the pauses? Any other suggestions?

Thanks so much. I hope you like it, remember to post pics of your finished mandala here or on my FB page MindfulDoodling on Facebook, I'd love to see them.


Happy Doodling!
-deb.

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