Learn how to draw paisley mandala designs using curves, dots, flowers and nested patterns. Start Lesson 12 and create your own artwork.
Course: Mandala Art Academy
Module: Intermediate Designs
Lesson: 12
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
Practice time: 40 to 55 minutes
Welcome to Lesson 12
Paisley is one of the most versatile shapes used in mandala art. Its curved teardrop form can be drawn as a single decorative element, repeated around a circle or combined with petals, leaves, dots and borders.
At first glance, a paisley mandala may appear complicated because every shape contains several smaller details. However, the complete design begins with one simple curved outline.
In this lesson, you will learn how to draw the basic paisley shape, create inward and outward-facing variations, add smaller nested paisleys and arrange the motifs evenly around a mandala grid.
You will also discover how to decorate paisley shapes with dots, flowers, leaves, lines and spirals without making the design feel crowded.
What is a paisley shape?
A paisley is a curved teardrop-shaped motif with a narrow tip that bends gently to one side.
The lower part is usually rounded and wide. The upper section becomes narrower before curving inward or outward.
Paisley shapes may be simple and empty, or they may contain flowers, leaves, dots, spirals and smaller paisley forms.
In mandala art, paisleys are commonly repeated around a central circle to create movement and rhythm.
Why are paisley patterns useful in mandala art?
Paisley shapes help introduce flow into circular designs.
Petals usually point directly outward from the centre, while paisleys can curve clockwise or anticlockwise. This curved direction creates visual movement.
Paisleys are also useful because they can fill both large and narrow spaces.
A large paisley may become the main element of a mandala layer. A small paisley can fit between petals, inside arches or along an outer border.
Learning this shape will help you create more detailed and expressive mandalas.
What will you learn in this lesson?
By the end of Lesson 12, you will understand how to draw a basic paisley outline, control the direction of its curved tip and create matching paisley shapes.
You will also learn how to nest one paisley inside another, decorate paisleys with simple patterns and arrange them evenly around a circular grid.
The final exercise will guide you through the creation of a complete eight-paisley mandala.
Materials needed
Use drawing paper, a pencil, an eraser, a compass, a ruler and a black fineliner or gel pen.
A protractor can help you divide the mandala grid evenly, but it is optional.
You may also use coloured pencils, sketch pens, brush pens or markers after finishing the outline.
Keep a separate sheet nearby for practising the paisley shape in both directions.
Step 1: Draw the basic paisley outline
Begin by drawing a rounded teardrop shape.
Instead of bringing the tip straight upwards, curve it gently towards one side.
The lower section should remain wide and rounded. The upper section should gradually become narrow before ending in a curved point.
Practise the shape several times before adding details.
Try drawing some paisleys curving towards the right and others curving towards the left.
The two directions should feel like mirror images.
Step 2: Practise clockwise and anticlockwise paisleys
Draw one paisley with its tip bending towards the right.
Beside it, draw another paisley with its tip bending towards the left.
These two shapes are useful when creating symmetrical arrangements.
A mandala can contain only clockwise paisleys, only anticlockwise paisleys or alternating directions.
Using one direction throughout the design creates a strong circular flow.
Alternating the direction can create a more balanced and decorative appearance.
Step 3: Add an inner paisley line
Draw one smaller paisley inside the larger outline.
Follow the same curve and maintain an even space between the two lines.
This creates a double-layer paisley.
You may leave the space between the outlines empty or decorate it with dots, short lines or small scallops.
Nested paisley lines are one of the easiest ways to make the shape look more detailed.
Step 4: Draw a spiral inside the paisley
Begin near the wide lower section of the paisley.
Draw a curved line that gradually turns inward to form a spiral.
Keep the spiral open enough to remain visible.
Avoid making the centre too tight because the ink may merge.
A spiral can become the main feature inside a simple paisley and create a flowing appearance.
Step 5: Decorate the paisley with dots
Place one medium-sized dot near the rounded base.
Add smaller dots that follow the curve towards the narrow tip.
Gradually reduce the size of the dots as they move upwards.
You may also place dots along the inner outline or around the outer edge.
Repeat the same arrangement inside every matching paisley.
Step 6: Add a floral pattern inside the paisley
Draw one small flower near the rounded base.
Use five or six simple petals around a small circular centre.
Add one curved stem extending towards the narrow tip.
Draw two or three small leaves along the stem.
This creates a complete floral paisley design using the petal and leaf techniques from Lesson 10.
Keep the flower small enough to leave white space around it.
Step 7: Create a leaf-filled paisley
Draw a curved centre line through the paisley.
Add small leaves on alternating sides of the line.
Allow the leaves to become smaller as they approach the tip.
You may place one dot at the end of the curved line.
This pattern works especially well inside long or narrow paisley shapes.
Step 8: Add short-line texture
Draw short lines from the outer edge towards the inner centre of the paisley.
Keep the lines separate and follow the direction of the curve.
Another option is to fill only one side of the paisley with short lines while leaving the other side empty.
This creates contrast without overcrowding the shape.
Step 9: Draw a paisley flower
Draw one large paisley in the centre.
Add several small rounded petals around its wide base.
Place one dot at the end of each petal.
The completed shape will resemble a floral paisley.
This design can be repeated around a circle or used as a central decorative motif.
Step 10: Prepare the paisley mandala grid
Mark the centre of the page.
Draw one small circle and three larger concentric circles.
Draw a vertical line and a horizontal line through the centre.
Add two diagonal lines to divide the circle into eight equal sections.
The inner circle will guide the starting points of the paisleys.
The middle circle will guide the widest part of each shape.
The outer circle will help align the curved tips.
Keep the guidelines light.
Step 11: Draw the first four paisleys
Begin with the top section.
Draw one paisley starting near the inner circle and extending towards the outer circle.
Curve the tip clockwise.
Draw the opposite paisley at the bottom using the same size and direction.
Next, draw the left and right paisleys.
Compare the four shapes and adjust the pencil lines until their height and width feel balanced.
Step 12: Add the four diagonal paisleys
Draw one paisley in each diagonal section.
Keep the starting points evenly positioned around the inner circle.
Follow the same clockwise direction used in the first four paisleys.
The tips should appear to move around the circle in one continuous direction.
Check whether the spaces between the paisleys are approximately equal.
Step 13: Create a nested paisley mandala
Draw one smaller paisley inside every large paisley.
Maintain a similar gap between the inner and outer outlines.
You may decorate the inner paisleys with dots and use short lines in the outer border.
Another option is to place a flower inside the inner paisley and leave the surrounding space empty.
Use one consistent pattern in all eight shapes.
Step 14: Fill the spaces between the paisleys
Observe the gaps between the large motifs.
Add one small pointed petal, leaf or teardrop shape in every gap.
Keep these filler elements smaller than the paisleys.
You may decorate each filler shape with a dot or centre line.
The fillers should connect the main elements without competing with them.
Step 15: Create the centre design
Draw a small flower inside the central circle.
Use eight rounded petals to match the eight paisleys.
You may add one inner line inside each petal or place dots around the centre.
Keep the central flower simple because the paisley layer will remain the main feature.
Step 16: Add an outer border
Draw one circle around the paisley layer.
Add another circle slightly outside it to create a narrow border.
Decorate the border with dots, short lines, arches or small scallops.
You may repeat a line-and-dot sequence around the complete circle.
A simple border will frame the paisley design and make the mandala feel complete.
How can you draw matching paisley shapes?
Draw one paisley carefully and use it as your reference.
Observe its height, width and the direction of the tip.
Draw the opposite paisley next rather than moving continuously around the circle.
Complete the top and bottom pair first, followed by the left and right pair.
Then add the diagonal paisleys.
Using circular guidelines helps align the tips and maintain consistent size.
How can you control the curve of a paisley?
Begin with a light pencil line showing the direction of the curve.
Draw the rounded lower section first.
Allow the outline to narrow gradually as it moves upwards.
Avoid bending the tip suddenly. The curve should feel smooth and continuous.
Practise the movement using your whole hand rather than only your fingers.
A relaxed grip will help you create cleaner curves.
How can you arrange paisleys in different directions?
A clockwise arrangement makes every paisley tip bend in the same direction around the circle.
An anticlockwise arrangement creates the opposite visual movement.
An alternating arrangement uses one clockwise paisley followed by one anticlockwise paisley.
You can also pair two paisleys facing each other to create a heart-like or leaf-like shape.
Experimenting with direction can produce many different mandala layouts using the same basic motif.
Beginner practice exercise
Draw one central circle and divide the surrounding area into eight equal sections.
Create eight large clockwise paisleys around the centre.
Draw one smaller paisley inside each large shape.
Decorate the inner paisleys with a descending row of dots.
Add one small leaf between every two paisleys.
Draw an eight-petal flower in the centre.
Finish the design with a line-and-dot border around the outside.
This exercise will help you practise shape consistency, rotation, nesting and spacing.
Intermediate practice exercise
Divide the mandala into sixteen equal sections.
Alternate between one large paisley and one pointed petal.
Decorate the paisleys with small flowers and curved stems.
Decorate the pointed petals with radiating lines.
Add a ring of small arches around the completed pattern.
This arrangement combines curved and pointed shapes to create contrast.
Creative paisley variations to practise
Create one paisley with a spiral inside.
Create another with a flower and leaves.
Fill a third paisley with dots of decreasing size.
Decorate a fourth with a smaller nested paisley and short-line texture.
Use the same outer shape for every variation.
This exercise will show you how internal details can completely change the appearance of a familiar motif.
Common mistakes to avoid when drawing paisley mandalas
Avoid drawing the tip too sharply. A paisley should have a smooth curved transition.
Do not make the rounded base too narrow because the shape may begin to resemble a normal petal.
Avoid changing the direction of random paisleys unless the design intentionally uses alternating movement.
Do not decorate every paisley differently in the final mandala. Consistency helps the design remain balanced.
Avoid placing the paisleys too close together. Leave enough space for their outlines to remain clear.
Do not erase the pencil guidelines before the ink has dried completely.
How can you make a paisley mandala look more professional?
Keep every large paisley approximately the same size.
Align the curved tips using the outer circular guideline.
Repeat the same decoration inside each matching shape.
Use thicker lines for the outer paisley outlines and thinner lines for internal details.
Maintain enough white space between decorative elements.
Choose one main motif and use smaller patterns only to support it.
A clean and consistent paisley mandala will often look more refined than a design filled with too many unrelated details.
Colouring ideas for paisley mandala designs
Use one colour family and vary the shades from light to dark.
For example, combine light blue, turquoise and deep blue.
You may also alternate warm and cool colours around the circle.
Colour the paisley outlines in one shade and use a contrasting colour for the flowers or dots inside them.
For a traditional appearance, combine red, orange, gold, green and deep blue.
For a calm design, use lavender, pink, pale blue and soft green.
Detailed colouring techniques will be explored later in Module 4.
Homework for Lesson 12
Create one complete paisley mandala using eight large paisley shapes.
Use one consistent direction throughout the design.
Add one nested paisley inside each main shape.
Decorate the paisleys using flowers, dots, leaves or lines.
Add a central flower and one simple outer border.
You may complete the design in black and white or use a limited palette of three to five colours.
After finishing, compare the opposite paisleys and observe whether the curves, tips and spacing are balanced.
Creative challenge
Draw two mandalas using the same eight-section grid.
In the first mandala, curve every paisley clockwise.
In the second mandala, alternate between clockwise and anticlockwise paisleys.
Use the same decorations and colours in both designs.
Compare how changing only the direction of the paisleys affects the movement and overall appearance.
Key takeaways from Lesson 12
A paisley is a curved teardrop shape with a rounded base and bending tip.
Paisleys can face clockwise, anticlockwise or alternate directions.
Nested outlines add detail while preserving the main shape.
Dots, spirals, flowers, leaves and short lines can be used inside paisley motifs.
Circular guides help align the size, spacing and direction of repeated paisleys.
Consistent decoration creates visual harmony.
White space helps detailed paisley patterns remain clear.
Lesson summary
In Lesson 12, you learnt how to draw a basic paisley shape and control the direction of its curved tip.
You explored nested paisleys, spirals, dots, floral patterns, leaf arrangements and short-line textures.
You also learnt how to arrange eight paisleys around a circular grid, fill the spaces between them and complete the composition with a central flower and outer border.
Paisley shapes will become valuable building blocks as you create more complex floral and decorative mandalas in the next lessons.
Previous lesson: Lesson 11: Lotus Mandala Patterns
Next lesson: Lesson 13: Floral Mandala Designs
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