Lion Mandala

A calm lion faces you, its almond eyes and dotted whisker pads framed by a mane that opens like a huge flower: layer after layer of pointed petals filled with spirals and teardrops. A small leafy beard sits under the chin. With around 800 areas, it suits adults and patient colorists from age 10.

Level

Detailed

Areas to color

820

Ages

Ages 10+ & adults

Time to color (estimate)

2 hours or more

Paper

A4 or US Letter, standard printer paper

Shade each mane petal from deep at its base to light at its tip, using one pencil with more or less pressure. Then move across the whole mane from golden yellow near the face to burnt orange and rust on the outer points. A sandy beige keeps the face soft.

Color from the center outward so your hand doesn't smudge finished areas.

Choose a palette before starting: analogous colors (blue, teal, green) feel calm; complementary ones (blue and orange) feel lively.