Mandalatober Mandala Drawing Challenge Roundup

You may recall least year I created my own Mandalatober challenge inspired by Inktober and the many other October art challenges that have popped up in the last few years.

I thought I was super unique and creative to come up with this, but apparently some other people had already beat me to it. So this year I decided to just follow along with the already established Mandalatober challenge on Instagram.

I only managed to get 8 of the 15 prompts done, but I’m still pretty proud of what I accomplished!

Check out all of my Mandalatober mandala drawings below. And let me know in the comments which one is your favourite!

*Please note: Some of the supplies and tools listed include an affiliate link (at no additional cost to you). When you make a purchase through the links I may earn a commission, which helps me create more content ?. I sincerely appreciate it!

Prompt: Radio

For the first Mandalatober prompt I decided to use my Chalkola chalk board and chalk pens! Which was a good idea since I had to re-draw it a few times before it looked right.

Prompt: Fish

For this prompt I was inspired to draw a Veiltail goldfish due to their beautiful looking fins. I digitized my drawing to colour it in. You can see the before and after of the original drawing vs. digital artwork below (slide the arrows).

Prompt: Polaroid

The inspiration for this piece was pretty obviously a polaroid picture. I even cut it out so I could hold and “shake it” like a polariod.

Prompt: Succulents

Succulents are so pretty! For this mandala I used my Sakura Gelly Roll gel pens which almost give it a 3d texture and luscious pastel colours.

Prompt: Hot Air Balloon

The idea of riding in a hot air balloon is so whimsical, but also a bit scary if you’re not a fan of heights. I’d love to see one decorated like this one in real life!

hot air balloon mandala mandalatober 2020

Prompt: Greek Eye

This one was simple but I like how it turned out contrasted against the black paper in my black paper sketchbook.

Prompt: Ladybug

This one wound up being my favourite. It also seemed to be my followers’ favourite seeing how it got over 700 likes! I used my gel pens again for the white part on the wings.

I took a walk around my neighbourhood and stumbled upon these bright red flowers which worked perfectly in this photo.

Prompt: Halloween

The final Mandalatober prompt was Halloween. I decided to take it off the page and decorated an actual pumpkin, using regular acrylic paint for the base and my Aroic Acrylic Paint Pens for the mandala and doodle part.

It turned out pretty good! Plus I can keep it for a bit longer than a traditional carved pumpkin, and probably even cut it up and eat it afterwards!

Mandalatober Conclusion and Takeaways

Since I didn’t create this challenge myself I wasn’t as invested and therefore did not complete the entire challenge. I also decided not to participate in some prompts that didn’t resonate with me as much.

A few of these designs have been turned into products for sale in my Redbubble store, while others will remain as mandalas in my sketchbook for all eternity!

I hope you enjoyed seeing my Mandalatober drawings this year. Now on to the holiday season prep!

Cheers,

Redbubble Travel Mug Review

~ Julie ~ 6 Comments

Are you considering getting a travel mug from Redbubble? Read this review of my new Redbubble travel mug first!

Since my work place is transitioning to having people back in the office a few days a week I wanted to get a travel mug that I could fill up at home to help cut down on the use of common areas.

So I thought, why not get one with my own artwork on it from my Redbubble store!

I chose my Pink and Gold Mandala Pattern design because I love pink and wanted to see how the artwork would turn out on a real life product.

I must say I’m impressed and pleased with how the design turned out! And I actually really like the mug itself. I’ve received several compliments on it since I started bringing it to work.

Redbubble Travel Mug Review

Dishwasher safe (top rack), which is great because I hate doing dishes by hand.
No scratching or fading after several washes.
Very light when empty, making it easy to throw into a purse or backpack.
Colour is vibrant and my artwork looks crisp and true to the original.
Nice mouthfeel, the little indent for the bottom lip is nicely engineered for drinking.
Good insulation. Keeps my coffee warm for a long time.

Travel mug features as per Redbubble’s website

Features wraparound prints
Top rack dishwasher safe
Insulated stainless steel with removable lid
Mug holds 15oz (443ml)

Overall, I am very happy with my decision to purchase this travel mug from Redbubble. I recommend to those looking for a nice mug featuring unique designs to stand out from the crowd. These mugs would make a great gift for friends, family, or coworkers who love to drink hot coffee or tea.

Shop my full line of travel mugs on Redbubble

I hope you’ve found this Redbubble travel mug review helpful in deciding whether or not to buy one.

Cheers,

Other product reviews you may be interested in:

How to Draw a Mandala Quick and Easy

~ Julie ~ 1 Comment

Introducing my fool-proof technique for effortlessly creating beautiful mandala art with my specially designed mandala drawing templates! I’m excited to share this simple yet effective hack that will revolutionize your mandala drawing experience.

In the video below, I demonstrate my step-by-step process for using these templates to effortlessly create stunning mandalas in your sketchbook.

After watching the tutorial part of the video, make sure to stick around for a time-lapse of me creating a mandala using the template to get a glimpse into the artistic process!

Whether you’re an experienced artist looking for a quick and easy solution or a beginner seeking a fun and relaxing artistic outlet, my mandala drawing templates are the ultimate tool for bringing your mandalas to life.

Download the easy mandala drawing templates here.

In case you don’t have a printer at hand, don’t worry! I’ve got you covered. You can find these templates conveniently available on Amazon in my Mandala Drawing Workbooks, linked below.

Alternatively, if you prefer to draw your mandalas digitally, you can use these templates on your iPad or desktop computer by simply importing them into your image editing program as a background layer. This way, you can easily create mandalas digitally with ease.

Here are some tips to help you draw mandalas with ease:

Start with a template: Use my pre-designed mandala templates or create your own basic structure to provide a starting point for your artwork.
Use simple shapes: Begin by incorporating basic shapes like circles, triangles, squares, or petals to build the foundation of your mandala.
Work from the center outward: Begin drawing your design from the center of the mandala and gradually expand outward, adding layers and details as you go.
Symmetry is key: Maintain symmetry by mirroring your designs and patterns on different sections of the mandala. This creates a harmonious and balanced composition.
Experiment with patterns: Explore various patterns such as dots, lines, spirals, or geometric shapes to add depth and intricacy to your mandala.
Embrace imperfections: Remember that mandalas are meant to be expressive and unique. Embrace any imperfections or asymmetry as part of the artistic process.
Play with shading and coloring: Use shading techniques to create depth and dimension in your mandala. Experiment with different color combinations to bring your artwork to life.
Practice mindfulness: Drawing mandalas can be a meditative experience. Stay present and focused on the process, allowing yourself to relax and enjoy the creative journey.

These tips will help you create beautiful mandalas quickly and easily. Remember, the key is to have fun and let your creativity flow!

Looking for a step by step guide on drawing mandalas? Check out my Skillshare class: Modern Mandala Art, Draw and Color 2 Unique Mandalas

If you’re hungry for more art videos, head over to my Youtube channel. There, you’ll find a collection of drawing and painting time-lapses, along with helpful tutorials. I have big plans to expand the content on my channel in the future, so stay tuned for even more artistic inspiration coming your way!

I hope you found my video enjoyable and learned some valuable tips for creating your own quick and easy mandala art.

I’m excited to see what you create using these techniques! Don’t forget to share your masterpieces on Instagram and tag me @julieerindesigns with your creations. I can’t wait to admire and celebrate your wonderful creations.

Motivational Mandala Coloring Pages

~ Julie ~ Leave a comment

We could all use a little pick me up right now and I hope these motivational mandala coloring pages will do just that!

I created these by combining my mandala drawings with inspirational phrases to give you something positive to reflect on while doing a relaxing activity. They can also be displayed afterwards as a nice reminder whenever you look at them.

Download my 3 free motivational mandala coloring pages here.

Simply print them out on paper or card stock and colour them in with whatever supplies you choose. Feel free to tag me @julieerindesigns on Instagram to share your finished piece with me!

Explore all of my free mandala coloring pages here.

motivational mandala free colouring pages

Love coloring? You may also enjoy my hand drawn Mandala Coloring Book, now available on Amazon!

If you enjoy content like this please share it, and follow my blog for more. Also, leave me a comment below to let me know if you’ll be using these!

Cheers,

P.S. – Please do not re-distribute these coloring pages as your own, and give me credit if you are posting your finished drawings online.

Society6 Yoga Mat Review

~ Julie ~ 9 Comments

I’ve been getting back into yoga lately with the whole lockdown thing going on, almost practicing every day! I know a lot of other people are too and might be looking into getting a new yoga mat. Especially from Society6 since they have so many cute and unique designs created by artists like myself.

So I bought a yoga mat from Society6 with one of my mandala designs on it and thought I’d share a review of it today for those on the fence about getting one.

What I love about my yoga mat from Society6:

The artwork is vivid, crisp, and makes me happy to look at (especially since it’s my own art).
It has a nice, grippy texture (see close-up below).
It’s not too thick but squishy enough to be comfortable while lying down on the ground.
It comes with a carrying strap for easy transportation to and from the yoga studio.
Very affordable for the quality.
The perfect length for yoga practice (70″ long by 24″ wide, 1/2″ thick).

Quick note: When I first unrolled the yoga mat it had a strong chemical smell.

I assume a combination of the yoga mat material with the printing process made it smell that way.

To remedy this, my yoga teacher recommended rubbing essential oil on it. After doing that and airing it out overnight the smell did go away. Apparently this is common with a lot of yoga mats.

Beyond this initial unpleasant experience, everything else about the mat has impressed me and I absolutely love using it. Back when I was still going to in person classes, I always received compliments on the mat and people asking me where I got it from.

So if you are on the fence about getting a yoga mat from Society6, I say go for it!

Check out my full line of yoga mats here.

And to go along with your new yoga mat, here’s one of my favourite yoga workout videos from Youtube!

Interested in more reviews of Print on Demand products?

See these posts:

Cheers,

Buddha Mandala Free Colouring Page

buddha mandala free download adult coloring page

~ Julie ~ Leave a comment

I decided to relieve some of my stress and anxiety by drawing another colouring page for you guys featuring a Buddha shape inside of a mandala.

As the days in quarantine drag on and on, I hope everyone is staying safe indoors and feeling well. I am on my 2nd week of working totally from home. It’s taking some time to get used to my changed routine.

I am going to continue creating content to share and provide some calm activities or beautiful art to look at and meditate on while we all get through this crazy time together.

Please let me know if you have any special requests for a colouring page or other content you’d find interesting or want to see from me in the next while.

Click here to download the free Buddha Mandala Colouring Page

I hope this colouring page brings you some peace and tranquillity as you colour and meditate on the shape of Buddha inside of a mandala.

Love colouring? You might also like my hand drawn Mandala Coloring Book now available on Amazon!

Also make sure to check out my other free colouring pages including:

Live Laugh Love Coloring Page
Be Kinda Butterfly Mandala

Feel free to tag me in your coloured creations on Instagram @julieerindesigns!

Take care my friends.

Cheers,

Be Kind Butterfly Mandala Colouring Page

butterfly adult coloring page free download

~ Julie ~ 1 Comment

My dear friends, I hope you are all taking care of yourselves and your loved ones during this crazy time. A lot of us are staying inside our homes to help stop the spread of the virus and so I wanted to offer one of the few things I am able to give to you and that is my art in the form of free colouring pages.

Today I am sharing with you this brand new colouring page I made just yesterday. It’s a mandala design with butterflies surrounding it and the words Be Kind underneath it.

Click here to download Be Kind Butterfly Mandala coloring page

There are no strings attached; simply download and print it it off, then colour it to your hearts delight.

I hope this free colouring page will give you a distraction, if even just for a short time. For even longer distractions make sure you check out my other free colouring pages linked below.

Love coloring? You may also enjoy my hand drawn Mandala Coloring Book, now available on Amazon!

I also plan to make more pages and resources like this in the coming weeks so make sure you subscribe to my blog for the latest updates.

Other free colouring pages on my blog include:

I also have a few other free art making resources like my Mandala Drawing Templates if you want to take your drawing to the next level.

Stay safe, stay inside, and keep on being creative my dear friends. Art in the form of visual art, music and video will help us get through this and hopefully keep us sane during this time.

I hope everything will get back to normal and be OK soon.

P.S. – If you’re on Instagram feel free to tag me in your coloured creations! @julieerindesigns

Cheers,

Mandalatober Week 4 Mandalas and Final Thoughts

~ Julie ~ 7 Comments

These are the final #mandalatober2019 mandala drawings. I made it to the end you guys! Thanks to everyone who participated, I’m so proud of you! And also thanks to everyone who supported us with likes, comments, dms etc.

It has been a long journey with ups and downs along the way, some days I felt like I wouldn’t finish and other days it felt so easy. But I’m glad I stuck it out and have this amazing body of work to draw from for future designs!

This was not my first time trying a month long challenge, but it is my first time finishing one!

Also, there were 17 other people who participated, for either some of the days or even the whole thing, which is amazing! I will be creating another blog post to show off some of my favourites by the other participants, so stay tuned for that ?.

Mandalas from Week 4 of #Mandalatober2019

Day 22: Cat Mandala

Day 23: Spider Mandala

Day 24: Nature Mandala

nature mandala seashell mandalatober2019

Day 25: 1/2 Mandala 1/2 Something Else

Day 26: Space or Galaxy Mandala

Day 27: Bee Mandala

Day 28: Ice Mandala

Day 29: Sky Mandala

Day 30: Mushroom Mandala

Day 31: Halloween Mandala

I hope you guys have enjoyed following along on this journey with me, thanks for sticking around! Let me know which mandala was your favourite in the comments below.

Next on my agenda is getting all of my print on demand shops ready for the Holiday season, and scanning some of these mandala drawings to my computer.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Cheers,

Check out the rest of my Mandalatober drawings below!

Mandalatober 2019 Challenge Week 2 Mandalas

~ Julie ~ 4 Comments

Mandalatober2019 is still going strong, although I’m starting to struggle to keep up with drawing mandalas every single day. That is the whole point of a challenge though isn’t it, to challenge yourself!

Some days I was feeling lazier than others so a few of my mandalas are simplistic while others are much more detailed.

You can still join in the challenge on Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about the Mandalatober challenge here and pick up a mandala drawing template to help you get started. Make sure to use #mandalatober2019 if you post!