What are mandalas & Dot Painting?

 Dot painting is a technique of using small, distinct dots of color applied in patterns to form a pattern or image.  Some call it "Pointillism".  This technique was developed in 1886 as a form of Impressionism, but there are also similarities to Australian Aboriginal art in which dots are used to create a design.  I like to call it my relaxation technique!

The tools used to create the various sizes of dots can be found in many different forms.  You can buy dotting tools online, but you can also find all the tools you need free by searching around your home.  Items such as toothpicks, cotton swabs, pencil tips, pencil eraser tops and basically anything else in your home that has a tip on it.  When I first started, I bought a drill bit set from the hardware store.  The set came in 16 different sizes and was perfect!  The problem was that the other end was a sharp drill bit and not very safe.  I dipped the sharp end into Flex Seal and that helped a lot.  I've since then progressed onto other items such as nail art tools and acrylic rods.

Dot painting is perfect for creating mandala designs.  The origin or meaning of mandala in Sanskrit is "circle", and by extension, sphere, community and world.  By carefully placing your dots in specific patterns, you can create a design that with symmetrical patterns, fractal patterns, as well as flowers and other designs.   Dot painting is one of the easier techniques to use in creating mandalas.