Create your calm

The word Mandala comes from the ancient Sanskrit language and is often translated as “circle” or “centre”. It can also be interpreted as representing the universe itself.

Mandalas are found across many cultures throughout history and have been used for centuries as tools for meditation, mindfulness, prayer, and focused intention. In Buddhist and Hindu traditions, they are created as sacred symbolic designs that support concentration and spiritual connection.

Traditional mandalas are often structured around a central point within a square, divided into four gateways. These intricate designs, sometimes known as yantras, are created by monks using coloured sand or crushed stone. The process can take days or even weeks, with each piece made in a meditative state. Once complete, the mandala is ceremonially swept away, symbolising impermanence and the understanding that everything is constantly changing.

In my mandala classes and workshops, we explore this same sense of focus and flow through hand-drawn designs. Using fineliner pens and pencils, you will create your own mandala on card, beginning with a central point and building outward through repeating patterns and shapes.

Working with concentric circles and equal segments, each mandala can be simple or highly detailed depending on your style. The process is calming, immersive, and a beautiful way to slow down, focus the mind, and reconnect with creativity.

As there is no right or wrong way to create a mandala, it makes them accessible, creative and calming to all ages and abilities. With no previous experience, technical skill, or specialist tools are needed to begin.

Mandalas can be drawn in any size or style. I often use A4 white card, but sometimes create smaller, more focused designs on 10cm square cards when time is limited. They can be simple or highly detailed, depending entirely on your preference.

At its simplest, if you can draw basic shapes such as circles, lines, triangles and squares, you can create a mandala.

I am a self-taught mandala artist and have been creating mandalas for over 15 years, developing a range of techniques and styles along the way. For me, the process is a form of creative grounding — a way to slow down, focus, and unwind during busy or stressful times.

Over the years, I have taught many students of all ages and abilities, from complete beginners to those developing their existing creative practice. A consistent piece of feedback is how calming, accessible and restorative the sessions feel.

Workshops & Wellbeing Benefits

Mandalas work beautifully in a wide range of settings, including individual learning, group workshops, and creative wellbeing sessions.

For businesses, schools, and organisations, mandala drawing can support team-building, creativity, focus, and collaboration. It offers a shared activity that encourages calm thinking, problem-solving, and connection within groups.

Charities, care settings, retirement communities, schools and health services also use mandala-based activities as a mindful creative practice. These sessions can support relaxation, wellbeing, focus, and stress reduction, while also encouraging social interaction in a gentle and inclusive way.

When I first started creating mandalas, my drawings were simple and exploratory. Looking at them now compared to the work I create today, I can see how much my practice has evolved — not just creatively, but personally.

Over the years, mandala drawing has become a supportive tool in helping me navigate stressful and challenging periods. It gives me space to slow down, reset, and restore balance between work and rest. Knowing I have this creative practice to return to has become an important part of how I manage wellbeing in daily life.

Each person’s experience with mandala drawing is unique, but many people find that regular creative practice can support relaxation, focus, and a sense of calm.

What Students Often Experience

From feedback shared in my workshops, students often describe a range of personal benefits, including:

• Supporting mindfulness and general wellbeing
• Encouraging relaxation and a meditative state
• Improving focus, creativity and fine motor skills
• Helping to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety
• Encouraging a sense of letting go of perfection and expectations
• Supporting personal reflection, healing and growth
• Providing a shared, social and engaging creative experience
• Offering a calming group activity for team building and connection

Drawing Mandalas can be therapeutic, magical and fun so pick up a pen and paper and join me for a class or workshop and we’ll get started!

For more information and to arrange classes, workshops or bespoke sessions please email me