Mandala Magic & Meditation:
a Monthly Online Retreat
2 pm – 4 pm Eastern
This retreat is especially good for students who have attended at least one of my Prismacolor drawing experiences, however, beginners are very welcome! (I will help you work on some introductory projects during the session.).
However, if you have not yet attended one of my mandala or Prismacolor workshops, if you would like to get the most out of this retreat session, consider reviewing one of the self-guided classes here or here .
(NOTE: Black Canson paper is recommended, however you can draw on other colors or on white vellum finish card stock in this Meditation Retreat session.)
If you have started projects in any of my Prismacolor or mandala workshops in the past or in the online Artsy Coloring for Fun and Relaxation or Introduction to Colors Chakras and Healing workshops,this is the perfect time to continue working on them!
Upcoming Dates:
SEPTEMBER: Sunday, September 29, 2024
JANUARY: Sunday, January 26, 2025
Many of these meditative drawing techniques are based on the methods of the late Dr. Judith Cornell, with whom I studied.
Registration
Mandala Magic & Meditation Retreat will resume on January 26, 2025.
On Sunday October 27 we have our annual Day of the Dead Shrine-Making workshop, then we break for the winter holidays until January.
Supply List
Note: if you don’t have black Canson paper, you may use another color, or Neenah Exact Vellum Bristol, (8.5″ x 11,” 67 lb/147 gsm, White, 94 Brightness, which is a supply used in my other Prismacolor drawing classes, it is available on Amazon.) There are no downloads of templates or handouts for this event, however feel free to use any of the templates you have gotten in previous classes.
1. Canson Mi-Tientes paper, BLACK is recommended.
(First time students: Several pieces, scraps are ok, about 4” x 4” to 7” x 7”, or larger and one larger square at least 11.5 x 11.5” up to 13” x 13” square.
Intermediate/Advanced students: Larger pieces of Canson paper. You may want to experiment with other dark colors.
Mi-Tientes is available by the 19” x 25” individual sheet, which can be cut. It is also available (but sometimes hard to find) in 9” x 12” pads. I love the pads because they are so portable and provide a nice firm surface for drawing, but if ordering online, be careful to make sure that the paper is BLACK. Black construction paper is not suitable. Other good quality, rag content, black pastel papers may work, such as Strathmore, but none are as good as Mi-Tientes. A clipboard is useful as a hard surface to draw on. The darker, more textured side is generally used as the “right” side. Marking the back when the paper is cut can be useful.
2. Prismacolor pencils: (Prismacolor Scholar pencils are lesser quality and not recommended.)
First time students: White (3-4, they will get dull quickly!) Optional: Magenta, Aquamarine, Canary, Black (one each)
Intermediate/Advanced students: above colors plus Orange, Violet, Spring Green, Ultramarine, Mulberry, (or any large Prismacolor set, the set of 48 (or larger) is recommended.)
3. Electric pencil sharpener that sharpens to a long, tapered point.
Note: the battery-operated ones typically make a shorter, stubbier point that is not as useful for subtle blending. Electric is recommended because there will be frequent sharpening, but the most important thing for this technique is the tapered point.
4. OPTIONAL: Stencils, templates, compass, scissors, tape, tracing paper, ruler, and/or the book, Mandala: Luminous Symbols for Healing by Dr. Judith Cornell.
Optional for Intermediate/Advanced students: reference material, templates or stencils as desired. Making your own stencils from downloaded images printed on card stock will be demonstrated, if you want to try this, you may want to have on hand: card stock, craft knife, surface to cut on with the craft knife.
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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS:
Upcoming Workshops: Times and Dates TBA
Learn by copying: Georgia O’Keeffe’s Poppies
You’ll learn Meryl Ann’s valuable methods as you paint a copy of Oriental Poppies, 18” x 24.”
The initial underpainting is done in acrylics in order to create depth of color, the top painting is done in oils for ease in blending. Copying from the Old Masters is one of the most basic traditional learning methods – in fact, the reason art museums were founded was in order to provide great works for art students to copy!
Art Appreciation Presentations
Various upcoming
Elements of Art: Keys of Color
Students receive a pdf of Meryl Ann’s 30-page workbook, Elements of Art: Keys of Color, and during workshop times, will complete the color charts that accompany the workbook. Students go at their own pace. Supplies: a set of gouache (not acrylic gouache) and brushes.
Drawing Tips and Secrets
Demos and hands on activities to train you eye and hand, and a peek into some of the secrets the Masters used for accuracy in drawing.
