Flower of Life Drawing Steps

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Rangoli is a traditional Indian sand-painted design often seen during Diwali, the Indian festival of lights. Historically created on floors inside and outside of homes, Rangoli can be made in a wide variety of designs, sizes, and materials. Whether you're looking for a fun activity to do with the kids or making decorations to celebrate Diwali, Rangoli can be enjoyed by beginners and experienced artists alike.

1. 1

   Choose the design you want to use. Rangoli can be made in any number of designs, but whether you choose a simple or complex design, most are symmetrical. You can use a plant or animal for inspiration, or you can create your own geometric design.

   • Depending on your skill level as an artist, you can choose small, basic geometric or floral designs, or venture into designing larger, more complex animals, gods, or goddesses (like the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, who is traditionally honored during Diwali).^[1]
   • Flowers such as the lotus are very popular for Rangoli. Some other traditional designs are fish, snakes, tridents, and the peacock - India's national bird.
   • You can also buy ready-made stencils to make the application even easier, or you can make your own. Stencils are easy to use and offer a variety of designs.

2. 2

   Decide where to draw your Rangoli. You can draw it on a flat, dry floor inside or outside of your home, or you can draw it on paper to display anywhere.

   • The earliest Rangoli were created in small 2x2 patterns, but can now be any size, even covering entire floors. The size of your design can help determine where you should draw your Rangoli.^[2]
   • If you're just starting out, it is best to create your Rangoli on black paper, since there is more room for error on an erasable surface. The bright colors of your design will stand out beautifully against the black background. If you go this route, glue the paper to a piece of cardboard to give it some backing and structure.
   • If you decide to make your Rangoli on the floor, be sure to do it in a place that won't disturb normal walking routes.

3. 3

   Sketch the design outline on paper. Use a pencil and eraser to practice drawing the outline of your Rangoli on black or white paper. Keep practicing until you are happy with your design.

   • If you are creating the Rangoli on black paper, feel free to practice the design on the black paper you're using for the finished piece. Just make sure to sketch lightly so you can easily erase any lines if needed.

4. 4

   Draw your design outline in chalk on the floor. If you are not making your Rangoli on black paper, you will need to draw a basic outline on the floor, or wherever you are creating your Rangoli. Draw the outline in thin, light chalk lines.

   • Draw the chalk outline lightly just in case you need to erase any mistakes.

1. 1

   Thicken the outline of your design with white chalk. This is good for beginners, as the white chalk helps cleanly and clearly define the borders of the design. Experienced Rangoli artists can skip this step.

   • If you've already drawn a thin outline on the ground, darken it with one more layer of chalk.
   • Using white for the outline is traditional in India. White is a sign of peace and purity, and it will also make the finished Rangoli look brighter and more polished.

2. 2

   Create an adhesive surface if you are using black paper. If you're creating a Rangoli on black paper, you'll need a surface that the textured materials can stick to. Add a small amount of any cooking oil to your entire design to help the materials stick.^[3]

   • Don't douse the paper in cooking oil. Just apply a little oil to the tip of a finger and follow the chalk outlines of your design. Then, use the same method to apply a little more oil to the inside of your chalk outline.

3. 3

   Give dimension to your outline with a white, textured material. It is customary to use natural substances like semolina, rice, or sand.

   • To easily and cleanly pour the textured material onto your chalk outline, roll a piece of newspaper into a cone, snip a hole in the narrow end, and fill the hole with the material. Using your finger as a stopper with which to control the flow, follow the borders you've drawn to outline your design.
   • Experts can add dimension by hand, rubbing the material between the thumb and forefingers and following the lines of the design.^[4]

4. 4

   Choose the materials you will use to fill in your design. Rangoli can be filled in with any number of colorful household materials like spices and grains, or with store-bought materials like pre-colored Rangoli powder.

   • It is traditional to use colorful, natural items like turmeric, chilis, grains, and even pasta.
   • You can also use natural materials found outside, like flower petals and dried leaves.^[5]
   • Another option is to use ground up chalk, or even colorful powders specifically designed for making Rangoli (often mixed with white powder for a better consistency).

1. 1

   Fill the inside of your Rangoli with your chosen materials. Use the paper cone or your fingers to completely fill your Rangoli with the chosen materials. This is the most interesting step, and usually the most fun.

   • To fill in your Rangoli, you may utilize the same paper cone you used to add texture to your outline, or you can use the thumb and forefinger to manually add the materials.
   • In Indian culture, it is important to completely fill in your Rangoli, leaving no open spaces.

2. 2

   Mix different textures and colors in your design. Using a variety of colors and dimensions will enhance the artistic nature of the final design. The variety is what gives the Rangoli its wow factor.

   • This is where you can get really creative with your Rangoli design. Mix and match different materials until your Rangoli is full and you are pleased with the colors in your design.

3. 3

   Add the final touches. Place some candles and clay pot-lanterns around your finished Rangoli to light up your design.

   • If you've created your Rangoli on black paper, move it outside or to the desired display area. Then you can surround it with any candles or final touches.
   • Use chalk to write in a few wishes if you want to make your Rangoli extra special.

Add New Question

• Question

  How do I get the texture?

  

  You can get the texture by adding extra elements to the rangoli powder, such as rock salt.

• Question

  Is it important to use oil?

  

  No, it is not. It only acts as an adhesive, so your design will last longer. If you're decorating Rangoli on the floor, you can just dump some water on the surface before you draw the design.

• Question

  Can I use normal paper any pencil or pen and can I use rice?

  

  You can use rice, too, but you may need to have a basic structure outlined with chalk for beginners.

• Question

  Is there any way to make this permanent if I love it?

  

  You could try using paint or colored stones, as the the powder will not last forever.

• Question

  Are these drawn in the morning or in the evening?

  

  It's traditional to draw them in the evening, but you can always draw them around the morning if you want to.

• Question

  Can I make it on the floor?

  

  Yes, you can make it on the floor if you so choose.

• Question

  What if i don't like to use sand? Is there an alternative?

  

  You may use thin wood shavings instead of sand.

• Question

  How long should rangoli be left on the floor? Do they only last for a day? What is the best way to clean up?

  

  According to Hinduism, rangoli should be left for minimum a day. Then, clean rangoli in the early morning of next day. Wash and broom rangoli to remove.

• Question

  Can I do this using watercolor paint?

  

  No, in Hinduism, rangoli must be made by only dry rangoli, because that makes them easy to use and clean.

• Question

  What are some ideas to keep this away from my dog?

  

  Manya Dubey

  Community Answer

  You can make a border of something dog hates. For example, my dog hates neem plant, so I plucked 15-20 bundles of neem leaves and kept it beside the rangoli. Dogs usually hate neem, or something making noise or a small toy pup.

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• Before sketching your design, you may wish to draw a grid to help ensure symmetry.

• If making Rangoli with children, cut down on the mess by omitting any textured materials. Have them draw and color in their Rangoli with chalk, crayons, or markers.

• Practice some chalk Rangoli on a sidewalk or other piece of outdoor pavement if you wish.

• Be patient. Making a beautiful Rangoli takes time and focus.

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Things You'll Need

• Black paper
• White paper
• Glue
• Cardboard
• Pencils with erasers
• White chalk
• Vegetable oil
• White textured material like semolina or white Rangoli powder
• Additional colorful materials like leaves, flower petals, colored powders
• Candles or clay pots (optional)

About This Article

Article Summary X

To make Rangoli, start by choosing your design and picking a flat, quiet place to work. Next, practice sketching your design outline a few times before drawing the final version. After you create your final design, dab it with a little cooking oil to make the surface adhesive. Carefully retrace your outline with a white textured material like rice, which you can pour onto the surface with a rolled up newspaper cone. Then use colorful, natural items like petals or spices to fill in the outline. If you want to learn how to incorporate different textures and colors into your rangoli's design, keep reading the article!

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Flower of Life Drawing Steps

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Rangoli

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