Trying a New Tool for My Mandalas: Is It Worth It?

One thing I like about creating mandalas is that I'm always looking for small ways to improve my process. Most of the time, I stick withwhat I know well, but sometimes something catches my eye that I want to try.

*Note: want to watch me draw the base with both? Click for the video.

Recently, I picked up a mandala ruler hoping it will save me time and help the lines be even more accurate.

Until now, I have always laid out the foundation of my mandalas using a compass & protractor. It works well, but lines can be "off" causing me to need to redo areas.

Drawing the base of my designs takes time and patience That's simply part of creating balanced pieces.

So, how did the new tool do?

What I Really Like

The biggest advantage is how quickly it creates consistent and evenly spaced circles.

Because the ruler has so many guide holes, it's easy to choose exactly how close together I want each them to be. If I decide later that I need another circle between two existing ones, adding it is simple.

With my traditional compass, it's easy for the point to shift slightly if I'm not careful. Even a small wiggle can throw off the layout, leading to extra erasing or starting over. The mandala ruler removes that, making that part and more consistent.

Where I'm Still Learning

The angle guides haven't been quite as straightforward.

The built in angle marks work well when I am not completing a full circle. When I am it doesn't line up right (see top pic on right) so there is an extra step I need to take but using the new tool does save me about 1/3rd of my time to create the base structure, so I count that as a plus.

But happily not all of my mandalas are centered, and when the design extends off the edge, and I don't need to create a full circle, the angle guides work well.

For the video of me trying them out, click here.

This may be the most meditative (reality: some days it is monotonous) part of the design process, but it is always a great way for me to slow down, focus and get in the right mindset to create the rest. ✨