Lord Raama's Lotus Feet

Here is a very simple outline of Lord Raama's feet for the children to do their creative likhita japa with. All you need are a few colored writing pens and a copy of the image below. Have fun!

Click on the image and then print. 

Peacock Feather Drawing

The peacock feather is a fun image to do creative likhita japa with — the lines are extremely easy to follow. A good writing strategy is to start at the base of a line and work upwards. Make sure to finish one full line of the feather before moving on to the next.

Because older children are able to write smaller (and have greater focus), they might want to try a full mantra such as ऊँ श्री कृष्ण शरणं मम (om shree krishna sharanam mama). Younger children will probably fare better with filling the picture with ऊँ, aum or OM and using colors. What is important for us to remember is that the objective with these art exercises is that the child experiences joy while chanting the Lord's name — how "well or proper" they do it is secondary :-)

Happy Likhita Japa!!!

Materials:
• Good writing pens

Black artist pens, with different sized nibs, create beautiful tones. An excellent pen to look for is Prisma Color. You can find them at any quality craft or art store. A complete set comes in sizes .005, 01, 03, 05 and 08 — which is a perfect range of line widths. Other good pens are Micron (by Sakura) and Staedtler Triplus Fine liner.

Click on the image and print. If you want lighter lines, adjust your printer contrast setting.

Lotus Mandala

This Lotus Mandala was designed for creative likhita japa. With the first image, the child can write their mantra tracing the lines and then color it in with crayons — or better yet, design and color it with likhita japa! (The second image was drawn with ऊँ and OM.) 

For a finishing touch — don't forget to add sequins and gems for decorations.

This lotus is abstract enough that it can also be used as a Sun.

Another idea for an art project, is to print this on card stock paper. Once the lotus is completely decorated and colored in, cut around the circle and glue onto a greeting card. Make sure you reduce the image to your desired size before printing.

Tip: If you want the outlines to be extremely faded, just adjust the lightness on your printer and then print.

Ganesha Mandala

This page was designed for creative likhita japa. With the first image, the child can write their mantra tracing the lines and then color it in with crayons — or better yet, color with likhita japa! (The second image was drawn with ऊँ गं गणपतये नमो नमः OM gam gaNapataye namo namaH.)

For a finishing touch — don't forget to add sequins and gems for decorations.

Another idea for an art project, is to print this on card stock paper. Once Lord Ganesha is completely decorated and colored in, cut around the circle and glue onto a greeting card. Make sure you reduce the image to your desired size before printing.

Tip: If you want the outlines to be extremely faded, just adjust the lightness on your printer and then print. 

To print the page below, click on the image and then print.

Likhita Japa Mandala (2)

This is an outline for making a creative likhita japa mandala. The child can write around the mandala or make abstract designs inside the boundary — whatever they choose! Color pens are more fun and promote creativity with younger children, so we recommend having at least 4 or 5 different colors available.

Have fun!!

For some pattern ideas go to the label "Lihita Japa" (on the right side of this page.)

To print the mandala outline below, click on the image and then print.

Likhita Japa Mandala 1

This is an outline for making a creative likhita japa mandala. The child can write around the mandala or make abstract designs inside the boundary — whatever they choose! Color pens are more fun and promote creativity with younger children, so we recommend having at least 4 or 5 different colors available.

Have fun!!

For some pattern ideas go to the label "Lihita Japa" (on the right side of this page.)

To print the mandala outline click on the image and then print.

Rangoli (Drawn in OM)

The Rangoli pattern was created with likhita japa (ऊँ and OM). This page is for children to practice their creative likhita japa with. If the child is going to write in colors, it is suggested that they have at least 4 colors to start with. For black and white likhita japa, we suggest having different sized Black pen widths available to create tones.

Another idea for an art project, is to print this on card stock paper. Once the Rangoli is completely decorated and colored in, cut around the pattern and glue onto a greeting card. Make sure you reduce the image to your desired size before printing.

Materials
• Writing pens in different colors (or black) and sizes. (005, 01, 03 and 05 are recommended sizes to begin with. Most of these pens can be found in a good quality stationary or art store. We use Prisma Color, Staedler and Sakura brands.)

The colored image below was done with Prisma Color pens (size 005).

For ideas on different pattern techniques, visit the label "Likhita Japa" (on the right side of this page.)

 To print the page below: Click on the image and print.

Diya (Drawn in OM)

This diya coloring page was created by OM likhita japa. This is a perfect page for young ones to practice their creative likhita japa with. They can color and decorate this page by writing ऊँ in many different colors and sizes — or they can just plain color.

Another idea for an art project, is to print this on card stock paper. Once the diya is completely decorated and colored in, cut around the circle and glue onto a greeting card. Make sure you reduce the image to your desired size before printing.

Materials:

Colored writing pens in different nib widths. (Ultra Fine, Fine, and regular are good sizes to begin with.)

To Print the page below. Click on the image and print.

Shiva Lingam Mandala (Likhita Japa)

This mandala is dedicated to Guruji
Summer Camp 2010


Click on the image to view enlarged.

This mandala was created with likhita japa of "ऊँ नमः शिवाय" (OM namah Shivaaya.) Lightly trace the inner and outer circles with a pencil and bowl (or circle templates) . Once you are satisfied with the proportions, begin the likhita japa session with your writing pens. All pencil lines should be gently erased after the ink has thoroughly dried. The Shiva Lingam was painted (with gouache) in the center as a point of reflection after the japa session was completed.

Materials
• Good quality writing pens with different nib sizes
• Good quality Bristol paper (smooth vellum surface)
• Pencil
• Graphic eraser
• Gouache paints
• Paint brushes
• Gold metallic calligraphy pen/ink

OM Likhita Japa

Click on image to view enlarged

This likhita japa was created from doodling patterns (see previous posting in May archive.) The entire mandala was designed with variations on OM.

Materials Needed:
• A smooth surface paper
• Pens of different sizes
• Bowls (or compass) for tracing circle outline
• Pencil
• Quality graphic eraser

Lightly sketch the outline design with a pencil — your details will emerge from the japa. Do not sketch the writing in ... that should be performed in ink when you begin your session. Gently erase all pencil lines only when you are completely finished with the likhita.

Experiment with color, too!

Peacock Feather Likhita Japa

This likhita japa is dedicated to Swamiji
Summer Camp 2010

Click on the image to view enlarged.

The feather outline was lightly sketched in pencil before the japa began. With the outline in place, one can completely focus on writing the mantra without getting distracted by composition or placement. When the likhita japa session is completely finished (and the ink is dry), then the pencil lines can be gently erased.

For summer camp 2010 we will be encouraging the older children to perform likhita japa with their color and composition studies.

Paisley Flowers in Likhita Japa

This likhita japa is dedicated to Guruji.
Summer Camp 2010

Click on image to view enlarged.

These flowers were created solely from OM. The picture outline was lightly sketched in pencil before the japa began. With the outline in place, one can completely focus on writing the mantra without getting distracted by composition or placement. When the likhita japa session is completely finished (and the ink is dry), then the pencil lines can be gently erased.

For summer camp 2010 we will be encouraging the older children to perform likhita japa with their color and composition studies.

Likhita Japa Drawing (Lord Ganesha)

This drawing is dedicated to Guruji
Summer Camp 2010

Click on the image to view enlarged.

Here is a sample of a Likhita Japa Drawing. A very light pencil sketch was done outlining Lord Ganesha before the likhita japa session began. The outline was put in only to help guide the japa, so that focus would not be lost. Once the likhita was completely finished (and the ink was dry) the pencil lines were erased with a graphic eraser.

Materials
• bristol drawing paper
• black pens in different widths
• a pencil
• a good graphic eraser.

Some suggestions of images for the older children to try:

• a Shivalingam
• a diya
• a lotus flower
• a Rangoli pattern

Likhita Japa Doodling

Summer Camp 2010
Click on the image to view enlarged

Doodling is an all-time favorite calming activity — especially for older school children. Why not encourage them to doodle while doing likhita japa?

Here are two sample pages of "japa doodle drawing." The only materials necessary for doodling is a smooth piece of drawing paper, pencil, graphic eraser and a black pen in 3 different widths — thick, fine and super/extra fine. Tell the child to let their pen go where the japa takes them!

Likhita Japa Doodle Drawing

Summer Camp 2010
Click on the image to view enlarged.

These drawings are nothing more than big doodles. Once the older children are comfortable with the idea of writing in different directions you can guide them towards a larger doodle.

Directions
1. Take a bowl and lightly trace it (with a pencil) in the center of the page.
2. Have the child then take their pencil and divide up the circle, creating shapes. They can even extend the shape outside the circle.
3. Begin drawing with ink!

Materials
• smooth surface drawing paper (bristol is an excellent choice)
• pencil
• a good graphic eraser
• black pens in different widths (thick, medium, fine and extra fine)

When the drawing is complete and the ink is dry, then the child can carefully erase the pencil lines. Please encourage the child to not draw any details with the pencil — they should only make light outlines of general areas. The detail work should be done with the likhita japa.

Likhita Japa

Summer Camp 2010

Here are some samples of likhita japa that have been written in color ink. It is recommended that the children begin with simple shapes and just a few colors (no more than three.) All shapes and colors should be decided upon before likhita japa begins — they don't want to be making decisions while writing.

It is also important to tell the children that there are no mistakes in likhita japa. They are to forget all the rules they learned about writing on a straight line (or coloring inside the lines) — this is the child's personal journal and they should be free to explore this process any way they choose. If they decide to write in one corner of the page, leaving the rest of the page blank — that is perfectly fine! These pages are not being exhibited at a National Art Gallery, so please don't judge their work. The goal is to encourage the child to connect with their mantra and enjoy the process — it makes no difference whether they write in a linear mode or just plain doodle.

The erasers are to be put away before the writing session begins. No one should be allowed to touch an eraser during likhita japa. All pencil markings can be removed after the japa session has ended.

Here's a  good first exercise:  Try using color as a way to refocus the mind by having the children begin writing with one color. Tell them that once their mind begins to wander, they should put down their pen and pick up another color. Continue writing and repeat this process until the japa session is finished. When they are done, have the children spend a few minutes reflecting on their writing —making sure to count how many times their thoughts left the page. It's fun to try and do this regularly until everyone ends up with only one color. An agreed amount of time for the japa session should be decided on — you can set a timer to let everyone know when the session is over.  As the child's ability to focus strengthens, increase the time.

Materials Needed
• Regular color writing pens. (Fine and medium points are good.)
• Sketchbook or drawing paper with a smooth surface.
• A pencil and good eraser

Directions
1. If the child wants to do circular likhita japa, trace a bowl onto the center of the page. (He/she can also lightly sketch out any other geometric shapes to write into. Make sure, however, that the shapes are basic outlines — there should be no details drawn with the pencil.)

2. Have the child work from the outside of a shape (or the page) to the center.

To view any of the photographs enlarged, just click on the picture.

Summer Camp 2010 – Week 1
Photographs are copyrighted. 2010

Color Study

Summer Camp 2010

This is a very simple lesson in creating a color wheel using the three primaries: red, blue and yellow. Check out the following sites for some great information on the basics of primary, secondary, tertiary, complimentary and analogous colors:

Arty Factory (click here to view)
Middle School Color Theory Projects (click here to view)
Lesson Plans Page (click here to view)

To make an easy, no mess, color wheel you will need:

• Red, Blue and Yellow water-soluble color pencils (We used Caran'dache supracolor — carmine red, sapphire blue and yellow to make the samples shown.)
• a small dish of water
• a paintbrush
• water color paper

Orange = Equal portions of Red and Yellow

Purple = Equal portions of Red and Blue

Green = Equal portions of Blue and Yellow

Black (for our purposes)  = Equal portions of Red, Blue and Yellow

Helpful Hints:

• To create a consistent paint blending we laid down the lighter color first, with the darker on top.

• After all the colors have been drawn with the pencil, lightly brush water onto the circles. Like magic you will see a watercolor painting emerge.

• After completing a color wheel, have the children try sketching out a grid of squares. Then with their three pencils, create paintings incorporating all the color combinations they learned with their wheel. (Try some with only secondary colors, some with one primary and 2 secondary, 2 complimentaries, etc. There are many variations on this theme — let them have some fun exploring!)

• If you want the children to understand tints and shades of colors, you can give them a White pencil to mix with. (Tints are the hues (colors) with white added. Shades are the hues with black added.

Abstract Coloring Page

A Color by Number page in Sanskrit. This is designed to help children learn and identify numbers and color words.

This page is copyrighted and provided for personal or class use only.
Click on the image below and print.

Abstract Coloring Page

A Color by Number page in Sanskrit — designed to help children learn and identify numbers and color words.

This work is copyrighted and provided for personal or class use only.
Click on the image below and print.

Abstract Coloring Page

A Color by Number page in Sanskrit.


This work is copyrighted and provided for personal or class use only.
(Click on the image and print.)

Abstract Coloring Page

A color by number page in Sanskrit.

This work is copyrighted and provided for personal or class use only.

(Click on the image and print.)

Abstract Coloring Page

This is a color by number page in Sanskrit.


This work is copyrighted and provided for personal or class use only.
(Click on image and print.)

Flower Coloring Page

A Color By Number page in Sanskrit.


This work is copyrighted and provided for personal or class use only.
(Click on the image and print.)

Flower 2 Coloring Page

This is a Color by Number Page in Sanskrit. It is designed to help young children learn and identify numbers and color words.

This page is copyrighted and provided for personal or class use only.

Click on the image below and print.

Diya Coloring Page

This is a coloring by number page in Sanskrit.


This work is copyrighted and provided for personal or class use only.
(Click on the image and print.)