Mandalas & Knotwork

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The evolution of a sketch into something more polished is one of my favourite parts of the drawing process. I often start with rough or thumbnail sketches on graph paper, then use my lightboard to carry the base lines over to bristol board or heavier paper. Once I'm happy with the overall concept, I use Copic inking pens in a range of sizes to do a general outline, then add increasingly fine layers of detail and texture depending on what I have in mind for the finished piece. After the ink is dry, it's time for the great reveal: erasing the pencil lines to see the cleaned-up final image.