What’s Deepavali without Henna Art! Artist Celine Chia brings us on her journey to create her own variations of easy Henna designs, which are perfect for beginners, alongside a step-by-step guide to recreating our own designs (variations) that are definitely bound to impress!
Table of Contents:
- Materials Needed
- 5 Easy Henna Designs for Beginners
- Lotus Inspired Henna Design
- Peacock Inspired Henna Design
- Scarab-Bracelet Inspired Henna Design
- Payal Inspired Henna Design
- Floral Mandala Inspired Henna Design
Materials Needed:
- Henna (tube can be purchased from Indian Minimarts)
- Tissue
Optional (for beginners):
- Paper
- Pencil
- Pen
The above is a quick time lapse on how to design some beautiful and arabic themed henna art. It might take a little control and steady hands to start off initially, so it’ll be good to practice on paper or drawing blocks before starting on your hands.
Trace out the outline of your hand onto paper and practice drawing and inking your intricate design before testing it on yourself.
When you’re comfortable and ready with your design, let’s get started on some easy henna designs for beginners!
Here, we Showcase 5 Easy Henna Designs for Beginners (suitable for both the left and right hand).
Lotus Inspired Henna Design
To start off, we first start with the bulb of the lotus (centre).
Draw a circle with a slight protrusion at the tip of the circle, before drawing ovals extending in an outwards arc.
Thereafter, we follow up with 5 big petals that represent the petals of the lotus flower. You may add some shading at the base of the petal by using the tip of the henna tube to scrape some ink outwards towards the tip of the petal.
Following that, we proceed with 2 semi circles to connect the petals and 3 lines (on both sides) connecting the flower to the end of your wrist.
Next, follow up with adding dots along the outer layer of the petals and 3 strokes within each petal to add more details to the lotus flower.
After we’re done with the finer details, we follow up with adding minor arcs along the connecting lines that extend outwards to the wrist.
To add further appeal to your symmetrical henna tattoo, add in dots to form 3 arcs and 2 connecting strands, before ending off with adding an exclamation mark ‘!’
This represents the hanging lights depicted in many movies.
We then proceed with adding in finer details for the fingers. From the tip of the lotus petal, extend a dotted line upwards to your middle finger.
Add in 2 horizontal arcs across your middle finger and add ovals along the two arcs.
Extend the dotted line upwards and end with a sharp tip.
Repeat this process for the other fingers and feel free to add your own variation and design.
For the ring finger, we used the same pattern as the middle finger, in reverse.
As for the pinky, we used an arrowhead variation for the arc whereas for the thumb, we removed the tip instead.
Last but not least, for the index finger, we draw two arcs across the index finger, followed by dots along the arcs.
Once you are done with your henna, leave the drawn ink to dry for about 30-45min.
This is to allow the ink to seep into the skin to give a temporary tattoo.
Be careful not to smudge the ink/wipe it against other things, as stains of the ink might be a hassle to get rid of.
The following is a timelapse compiled with procreate, should you need a visual guide.
Pro tip: If you made a mistake with your Henna, use a piece of tissue to remove it immediately before it smudges your beautiful artwork.
Here are a few more variations of Easy Henna Designs for Beginners that you can consider if you have Henna to spare.
Peacock Inspired Henna Design
Start off with 2 ascending diagonal lines across your middle finger and 3 descending diagonal lines across the index finger.
For the index finger, follow up with a row of minor arcs, followed by a row of Roman-shaped arcs.
Fill up the Roman-shaped arcs with henna. (in the semi-circle empty space)
Connect an outward spiral from the row of Roman-shaped arcs and follow up with a row of minor arcs and Roman-shaped arcs.
Repeat this pattern twice at varying distances and end off with 5 henna droplets extending outwards. Include a dot above each droplet for extra appeal.
For the middle finger, we continue with 2 dotted lines, each parallel to the ends of the previously drawn ascending diagonal lines.
Repeat this pattern along the middle finger (upwards), but replace the dotted lines with minor arcs instead.
As for the pinky, we start with two ascending diagonal lines and follow up with a dotted line underneath it.
Proceed by adding in another ascending diagonal line parallel to the dotted line and follow up with circular arcs (onion bulb shaped).
Repeat the set of onion bulb shaped circular arcs twice at varying distance from one another and add in leaves for more aesthetics.
For the back of the hand, the pattern is inspired by the eye of a peacock feather.
We first start with a water droplet shaped symbol and add in additional layers as you desire.
Vary the thickness accordingly by controlling the amount of Henna you squeeze out of the tube.
Repeat this water droplet pattern but replace the inner layers with outward spiral and Roman-shaped arcs.
Feel free to let your imagination run wild and create your own variations.
We follow up with a dotted arc and add in leaves for extra aesthetic appeal.
Scarab-Bracelet Inspired Henna Design
Firstly, start with 2 arrowheads, leading from both ends of the wrist and connect along the middle metacarpal (middle finger bone). Populate the top arrowhead with Roman-shaped arcs (along its length).
For the bottom arrowhead, use curly lines to pull off the symmetrical intricate design and end with 3 droplets arcing in various directions at the base.
Next, connect 2 swirls in opposite directions from the tip of the top arrowhead, followed by adding in an inverted droplet above the swirl. Include 2 dots of varying thickness in the center, and follow up with a water droplet shaped symbol on top of this pattern.
For the droplet on top, we replace the dots with a mini droplet instead.
Following that, we added 2 dots at the side and darkened the inner water droplet.
Thereafter, we included 3 water droplets spaced out in varying directions, arching out from between the middle water droplet and the swirl.
Repeat this process for both sides, while doing your best to maintain the symmetrical feel.
For the index finger, we use the finger nail as a reference point.
Draw four dots in a diamond shape, in between 2 water droplets (both in different directions).
Next, for the ring finger (using the same reference point), we added an inverted water droplet, followed by three descending dots.
As for the middle finger, we start with 2 dots at the Distal Phalanx (area below the fingernail), followed by 4 dots in a diamond shaped at the Intermediate Phalanx (area above the finger joint) and end off with an inverted arrowhead at the Proximal Phalanx. (area between the knuckle and the finger joint)
Add in Roman-shaped arcs for the base of the arrowhead and 2 swirls connecting towards the center.
End off with an inverted water droplet leading to the knuckle.
Payal Inspired Henna Design
The idea behind this inspiration is that of a Payal, or an anklet worn by females, across different social statuses.
To get started with this design, we first start with the ring finger. Draw 2 arcs below the finger joint and follow up with inverted Roman-shaped arcs along the length of the lower arc.
From the utmost left of the Roman-shaped arc, draw 3 different designs leading to the ring finger bone.
In this case, we draw a swirl, a line and a wave shaped arc.
Connect a dotted line that extends from the middle design towards the knuckle and end with a diamond nicely located on top of the knuckle.
Add in a dot in the middle of the diamond, and extend a leaf shaped pattern below the diamond.
Include another leaf shaped symbol on the inside and vary the thickness accordingly.
Next, for the innermost layer, we included droplet shaped arcs to give it an abstract outlook.
After you’re done with the leaf shaped symbols, we proceed with the thumb.
The design is similar to the ring finger, with the difference being the adding of a dotted layer above.
At the center of the Roman arcs, extend an ‘!’ downwards, followed by adding 2 connecting dotted lines that extend from the ends of the arcs towards the connecting dot.
Using the dot and the base of the leaf as reference points, connect the 2 points together with drooping arcs of varying thickness. This gives the design a chain effect, just like that of a jewellery.
From the base of the leaf, we extend another drooping arc towards the left to complement the design.
Do take note to avoid symmetry when drawing the chains as we want to give it a natural flow.
Next, to add an extra hint of abstract realism, we add in dots of varying thickness across all 3 chains and end with a line extending from the leftmost chain downwards, towards the wrist. Do remember to stagger the dots accordingly.
Floral Mandala Inspired Henna Design
Every Mandala has a center point from which the design expands out in a radial symmetry. Many Henna artists believe that drawing a Mandala connects them spiritually to the universe and brings inner peace and balance to their lives.
This design was inspired by flowers and floral art, blossoming in a symmetrical pattern.
To start off with the Floral Henna Mandala, we first draw an outward spiral at the back of the hand. We then follow up with parabolic arcs around the circumference of the spiral.
Next, choose one arc as a reference point and place a dot on it. (at the highest point)
Repeat this process at equi-distant across the parabolic arcs. In our case, our equidistant point is approximately 2 arcs.
Next, using the dots as reference points, draw Roman-shaped arcs the circumference of the previous parabolic arcs. These Roman-shaped arcs represent the petals of the flower. (8 in our case)
Repeat the dotting process, this time at the area in between the exterior of the Roman-shaped arcs.
Using the tip of the Roman-shaped arcs as reference, start plotting out Oriental-shaped arcs.
Repeat this process around the circumference of the whole flower. These represent the leaves of the flower.
Remember the dots at the exterior of the Roman-shaped arcs? Let’s put those to good use and extend lines from them and branch out towards the tip of the Oriental-shaped arcs.
These lines represent the leaf veins, and we repeat this process across the other arcs.
And we are done with your first Floral Henna Mandala!
Repeat this whole process 2 more times, with one Floral Mandala connecting at the base (near the wrist) and another extending outwards. (near the knuckles)
To add additional effects to your Floral Mandala, we extend a wavy line from the bottom mandala, towards your wrist.
Use varying droplets and swirl for an additional aesthetic. If there’s too much excess space at the back, you can consider adding in splashing effects using droplets and dots.
Last but not least, repeat this process for the topmost mandala, extending outwards towards the ring finger joint.
If you enjoy our article on easy Henna designs for beginners, be sure to check out our previous article on Deepavali Crafts and stay tuned to our socials for the latest updates!
