It’s back! The 5 Days of Mandala Magic has returned with brand new content. This free online workshop explores art journaling with circles, cycles and symbols.
This year we begin on Wednesday 20th November. It’s online, available world-wide – and you’re invited!
Around 5000 folk have participated in the 5 Days in the past and all you have to do to join is enter your email address over at the sign up page.
Over 5 days you’ll receive access to video demonstrations and supporting content to help you create, design and interpret symbolic art journal pages for these times.
Here, I’ll answer some of the common questions I receive each year I run this event – click on the question to reveal each answer:
Answering Your Questions
Who is this class designed for?
Do I need to be able to draw to complete this class?
If you are an artist who wishes to explore the basics of mandala construction and learn more about different theories and the symbolism behind the form, then you’ll be off to a head start and will romp through the content!
What supplies do I need to participate?
You will definitely need a journal, sketchbook or other paper upon which to create your mandalas.
You can make it as fancy or ordinary as you like – this is your mandala experience. I prefer to use sketchbooks designed for art, rather than journals designed for writing. These come in a variety of types and sizes – I like using UK size A4 or US size 12×9” and I like the books made by Stillman & Birn (Zeta series) and Strathmore Mixed Media. For this workshop I’m creating in my Moleskine A4 landscape watercolour journal. You can use a smaller book or paper, but you’ll find it quite limiting and soon feel the need to expand!
You will definitely need a compass, a pencil, a ruler and an eraser.
Additionally, you’ll need something to colour in your work. That can be as simple as some basic children’s art supplies – like coloured pencils or felt pens.
Although it’s tempting to go out and collect a whole boatload of new shiny supplies, it’s always best to interpret the lessons to make use of the supplies you already have, before you discover what supplies you actually want to work with.
During the five days, I’ll demonstrate primarily using inks and gouache paints. I will also use collage and alcohol markers. I prefer to use a dip pen with calligraphy ink for my text, but this is not at all necessary.
In my demonstrations I also use some drawing templates – a template with different sizes of circles, a template with pentagons and a circle radius template. These are not necessary, and you can trace around household objects or work freehand to achieve the same effect.
How long will each lesson take?
Typically, you can allocate about an hour to watch the videos and get started on your own mandala, depending on your style + experience. More likely up to two hours if you want to produce a more detailed page.
Can I join in from my city?
This workshop is delivered to you online, so as long as you have a valid email address and are able to access a computer with internet access, you are able to participate from anywhere in the world.
The content will be delivered on my website with a mix of writing and some video, so you will additionally need to be able to stream video and audio. I use Vimeo to host videos the videos and these are supported by closed captions in English.
Do I need to attend classes in real time?
The content is hosted on the website for you to access at your own pace for the duration of the workshop. There’s no need to show up at a specific time, so you won’t miss out if you’re in a different time zone, or need to login after your day’s work.
I’m busy and won’t be able to complete all five lessons by 24th November - can I still join in?
Absolutely! Access to the content will be delivered to you between 20th and 24th November, but there’s no requirement for you to complete all the exercises during that time.
You will have access to the lesson content until 30th November.
I took part in the Five Days previously - is there anything new for me this time around?
This edition of the 5 Days of Mandala Magic is called Circles, Cycles + Symbols and contains brand new content!
Even if you are familiar with my workshops, it’s worth refreshing your mandala practice and joining in with this exciting event along with hundreds of other art journalers across the world.
Will it cost me anything to participate in the Five Days of Mandala Magic?
This is a free workshop. The entire five days will be delivered to you free of charge. You will not be asked to pay anything.
At the end of the 5 Days you will be invited to attend the next edition of Mandala Magic : Alignment, a year-long mandala art journal program. There’s no obligation to take part, ever.
What happens when I register?
- Enter your name + email address – you’ll be redirected to a thank you page!
- On Monday 20th November, I’ll send you an email with a link to your first lesson.
- You’ll receive an email with a link to content each day it becomes available.
What will you do with my email address when I register?
I respect your right to privacy! Once registered, your email address will be securely stored in my classroom mailing list, serviced by Mailchimp. This is the email I’ll use to send you workshop information.
Your data is never shared or sold with any other person or business, I promise. You can read my Privacy guarantee here.
You will also automagically join the Solar Circular, my newsletter sent out on the 8 solar festivals of the Scottish year, with a few additions to let you know of special events/offers in between. You are free to unsubscribe from the mailing list once you’ve completed the program.
I Still Have A Question - Can I Contact You?
Yes, drop me an email and I’ll answer just as soon as I’m able. I’m located in Scotland so keep a GMT-related schedule.
I would like to sign up for this class
Great Sharon! I’ll add this morning and send you a confirmation 🙂
Is there a Facebook group for 5 days of mandala magic?
I am working on day one. I absolutely love your storytelling about the moon. Thank you so much for sharing it. I played it several times while I worked on my mandala.
Maureen – I’m sorry for the delay in reply. Somehow I missed your comment here and hope you found the links to the posts on the Facebook page to share your work during the workshop? Glad you enjoyed the moon story 🙂
Hi Julie will there be another free 5 day workshop in 2020, would love to participate Raewyn
Hi Raewyn – I’m not sure if there will be another 5 Days workshop this year as I’m concentrating on delivering the Mandala Magic : ALIGNMENT program and managing my Patreon. The 2019 5 Days workshop, Circles, Cycles + Symbols is available (alongside others) in the Patreon classroom : https://www.juliegibbons.com/patreon/ Patrons are able to access the classroom and many other events, workshops, studio vlogs and more depending on which tier they join. You can find out more here: https://www.patreon.com/juliegibbons