Doodles Within A Framework Part 1 - Paper and Pen

One of the easiest ways to draw a symmetrical design is to start with a symmetrical framework. By using a simple circular framework, all I have to do is fill in one pie shaped segment with some simple and fun doodles. By repeating this small section multiple times around my framework, I end up with a beautiful symmetrical design. In this post, part 1 of 2, I will share my technique using good old pen and paper. I will follow up with part 2 in next weeks post, where I will be sharing the same framework technique using the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil.

Create A Simple Framework for Your Doodles

To achieve a simple symmetrical design on paper with pencil and pens, I use a compass. I draw a basic 8″ circle on my 8 1/2″ by 11″ page. The circle can then be divided up into either 6, 8 or 12 sections. I then use the compass to draw a combination of smaller circles worked onto this basic grid. The overlapping circles create many small sections which I use to draw simple doodles within.

DRAWING FREEBIES

Create A Simple Framework

Repeat These Simple Ideas To Fill Your Framework

Use your pencil to sketch them in and then you can start to ink your design. Start with some basic shapes and then add more detail in later.

It is so much fun to watch your design come to life as you fill up the framework.

Repeat These Simple Ideas To Fill Your Framework

Use your pencil to sketch them in and then you can start to ink your design. Start with some basic shapes and then add more detail in later.

It is so much fun to watch your design come to life as you fill up the framework.

Once you have your entire design inked, as we have in the image below, you can either use it as a colouring page, or you can start adding in even more detail. You can see how the shapes fit into the framework, but also work together to create their own design.

And There You Have A Beautiful Symmetrical Design

Now you can remove the framework from the back of your page, or if you penciled it in, you can erase out the lines. You have created a beautiful symmetrical design from only a few simple doodled shapes.

You can reuse the printable framework and create new designs. There are an unlimited variety of ideas you can create from only one framework.

In my full class Simple Steps to More Stunning Mandalas, I walk you through my method, step by step, in creating three different frameworks. I then show you how I fill these frameworks with lots of simple doodle ideas.