Mandala Unit

Stage 1: Elements, Principles, and skills

Element Focus: Line (Create/turn in booklet)
Principle Focus: Balance (Create/turn in booklet)
​​Skill Focus: Ink and Colored Pencil (Create/turn in Colored Pencil Notes, Review Ink notes)

Stage 2: Creative Process

Developing more nuanced understanding of the Creative Process.
This project will focus on: ​How to take better notes.
Used what you learned about notes and apply them when reading the Mandala Research Article. ​(Create/turn in Article Notes)

Stage 3: Make Something!

Well crafted designs don't just happen, they are planed. Use the Mandala Packet to review and apply everything learned from  learned from Stages 1 and 2 to start crafting your design for your project.

The Project Requirements

The Project Requirements are important to keep in mind from the beginning so you know what to plan for as you go. Remember as long as you are meeting the requirements- yes, you can add your own ideas to as well.
  1. Visual Message (aka Big Idea): Create a Mandala that represents something you are passionate about.
  2. Media: Ink, Colored Pencil, graphite
  3. Dimensions: 18x24 inches (largest paper in your kit- you may chose white, black, or gray)
  4. Demonstrate improved mastery of the stuff listed in Stage 1.
  5. Demonstrate how you applied process modeled in Stage 2 for your project

Note about Mandala Packet

Parts 1-2: 15-30 minutes (combined)- keep this part simple!
Part 3: 10 minutes
Part 4: 30-40 minutes
Part 5: 30-45 minutes
  • If it takes longer than that, your design is too complicated for the time you're given for the project
  • If you spend less than that, it's too simple and need to challenge yourself more.
Parts 3-5 are all time based, not just answer the prompt or fill the space. 
  • Why? because this is about pushing yourself to find your best creative choices and move beyond just the obvious. 
  • How do you do this? Set timers and force yourself to keep working and thinking through the challenge. This is what a strong work ethic is built on- sticking with it even when you don't want to (Aka- adulting!)
  • What's the benefit? You will have a stronger idea for your project, you'll be happier with the end result, this process gets easier the more authentic effort you put into it. This is how you put yourself way ahead of other artists.