Drawing Mandalas on my iPad

When does a series become an obsession? I have discovered the symmetry tools available in Procreate for the iPad, and can’t quit playing with them! This “drawing assist” repeats the line as you draw, allowing you to immediately see the shapes and patterns formed by the symmetrical option chosen. Most of these were drawn using radial symmetry, though a few …

Combining Zentangle Drawing with Watercolor Layers

First piece drawn in a while, in the post-holiday quiet. I finally took the plunge with a Skillshare trial in order to learn more about using Procreate on the iPad. After just a few hours last night, I’m sold. I’m only half-way through a short class and have already picked up enough new tips to keep me drawing and exploring …

New Symmetrical element

Last night’s iPad drawing, just black and white this time. Everything is on one layer. It was easily vectorized in Illustrator, so now on to the next step…which direction? Color Ribbon border White tangles in the black border? Scarf design? The time-lapse video of this drawing is extra fun when all those little stripes come in:         …

Symmetrical, but not really a mandala

This digital drawing was an experiment in switching between symmetry grids in Procreate throughout the drawing. I used both Quadrant Symmetry and Rotational Symmetry. The switching had to be done carefully, because elements didn’t automatically line up as easily when using a different grid. Black, white and two colors of green, no shading    

Mookah Mandala

Here’s a mandala drawn with Procreate, using the software’s Quadrant Symmetry drawing assist enabled. The shading learned through Zentangle really brings it alive – and Zentangle people will recognize the Mookah tangle. I think I’d like to see a variation with a tighter crop so the detail in the middle is more visible. This time-lapse video shows my steps (and …

Drawing on the iPad, Exploring Procreate

The Procreate app on my iPad continues to amaze me! I’m working on an older iPad with a generic stylus, and my fingers. I can only imagine how great this must be when using a top-of-the-line iPad with the Apple Pen – I understand that gives you pressure sensitivity, so you can make larger lines by pressing harder, lighter strokes …