OBJECTIVES:
STUDENTS WILL UNDERSTAND AND USE RADIAL SYMMETRY TO CREATE A MANDALA.
STUDENTS WILL USE LAYERS, BLEND MODES AND TRANSFORM IN PHOTOSHOP TO CREATE A MANDALA.
WHAT IS A MANDALA?
Mandala is the Sanskrit (Ancient Indian) word for "circle." It is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the Universe.
Mandalas are usually circular with a center point and exhibit RADIAL BALANCE. Radial balance describes when all elements "radiate" out from a center point.
In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed as a spiritual teaching tool, for establishing a sacred space, and as an aid to meditation and trance induction.
Mandalas are usually circular with a center point and exhibit RADIAL BALANCE. Radial balance describes when all elements "radiate" out from a center point.
In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed as a spiritual teaching tool, for establishing a sacred space, and as an aid to meditation and trance induction.
YOUR ASSIGNMENT: You are going to use Photoshop to create a mandala with radial balance from a photograph you have taken. Then, you will take your final image and transfer it to a ceramic tile!
CHOSE A PHOTO THAT HAS... LOTS OF BRIGHT COLORS CONTRASTING COLORS BOLD LINES BOLD SHAPES
PHOTOSHOP INSTRUCTIONS
- Find your layers panel in the bottom, right-hand corner of your workspace.
- Double-click on the "background" layer to unlock it.
- Select your crop tool from the tool bar on the left-hand side of your screen (4th one down)
- At the top of your workspace, in the "tool options bar" type "3 in" for width and 3 in" for height.
- Type 300 for resolution.
Image > Canvas Size...
- Change the width and height to "6 inches"
- Where it says "Anchor" click the top-right corner box.
- Hit ok.
- Select your "Polygonal Lasso Tool"
- It is the 3rd tool down from the top, in your tools bar.
- You may have to click and hold the Lasso tool down, until menu pops up with more options, then choose "Polygonal Lasso Tool"
- You will use this tool to outline a triangular selection of your photograph.
- Start by clicking in one of the corners of your photograph. Use the rulers to help make sure you are aligned with the actual corner.
- Then, move your mouse to the adjacent corner and click again. (Again, check the measurement on the ruler to ensure that you are clicking on the actual corner)
- Then, move your mouse across the center of your photograph to the corner diagonally across from your last corner, click again. (Use ruler!)
- Finally, move your mouse back to your original corner and click where you started.
- If you messed up, hit Command D to deselect your selection and start over.
- Hit the delete key on your keyboard.
- You should be left with just the triangle you selected.
Hit Command J on your keyboard to duplicate your layer.
- Drag your triangle into place.
- You can also use the up, down, right and left arrow keys on your keyboard to make smaller, more precise movements.
- Make sure your triangles are perfectly lined up and there are no gaps or overlaps.
- Move it into place with move tool or arrow keys on keyboard.
- Make sure it is lined up perfectly, go gaps, no overlapping.
- If you like the look of your mandala as it is, then THAT'S IT! YOUR DONE!
- If you want to experiment more and push it a bit further... see below!
Now Click on your top layer, hold down shift on the keyboard and click on your bottom layer. they should all appear highlighted in blue!
all your layers are now one, next duplicate that layer using command J or the button next to the trash can.
- Now find your "Layer Blending Modes" at the top, left-hand corner of your layers panel. It usually says NORMAL, click on it and change it to anything you'd like!
continue the steps until you are finished with the entire document.
save your work.
- Remember to always save your photoshop work twice. SAVE AS YOUR NAME_MANDALA!
- Once as a .PSD (photoshop document)
- Once as a .JPEG.
- ONLY UPLOAD .JPEGs to Google Drive then share with me!