This was my first painting project, from December. A local arts center gave out 6×6 canvases for people to paint and return for a fundraising sale. I didn’t think highly enough of my result to submit it and once I saw the caliber of art that was offered, I was humbled even further. Anyway, that’s why I had a 6×6.

I asked Photoshop AI to generate some mandalas. Sometimes Photoshop AI fails miserably at what you would think would be easy to understand. After some tinkering, specifying a central sun with a face and some flowers, this was the result I liked best.

Next came a thick layer of paint, for full color and a bit of texture. Then, carbon paper to apply the design.

Because I don’t draw well yet, I am a big fan of carbon paper. I also have transfer paper in white, which I like for dark backgrounds.

Finally – ta-dah! – the finished painting: