Mandalas and Radial Symmetry
Mandalas are geometric designs that radiate from a central point, showing up in art and spiritual practices across many cultures. The word "mandala" comes from Sanskrit, meaning "circle," though these designs often incorporate squares, triangles, and other shapes arranged with radial symmetry.
What makes radial symmetry so appealing is how it creates complexity from simple gestures. A single stroke becomes many, reflecting and rotating around the center point. Even loose, casual drawing produces intricate, balanced patterns that feel intentional and complete.
This tool lets you paint with 2 to 32 axes of symmetry. Lower numbers like 2 or 4 create bold, graphic patterns. Higher numbers like 16 or 24 produce delicate, snowflake-like designs. Use the arrows at the bottom to cycle through options.
The Brush
The brush has a gentle lag that smooths out your strokes, and the line width changes with your speed. Draw slowly for thicker lines, fast for thin ones. It gives everything an organic, flowing quality without you having to think about it. The Tessellation toy uses this same eased drawing style, if you want to try it with repeating tile patterns instead of radial symmetry.
Tips for Drawing
Try starting from the center and working outward in circular motions. Or begin at the edges and let your strokes meet in the middle. Experiment with quick flicks versus slow, deliberate lines. The symmetry multiplies every movement, so small variations create surprising results.
Dark backgrounds with bright colors work particularly well, giving your patterns a stained-glass quality. But don't be afraid to experiment with any color combination that catches your eye.
Made as part of Paint Toys, a collection of creative canvas toys.