Henna Tattoos (aka Mehendi)
Assignment Description:
You will be using LINE, CONTRAST, REPETITION and PATTERN for the main elements and principles of your design. You will first draw your design on plan paper using a pencil and sharpies. Work out several ideas because when you actually apply the Henna you won't be able to trace your design. Before you begin we will talk about the history and culture Henna Tattoos and show you how this applies to more modern artwork. If you want to use more modern designs that are used in permanent tattoos in your drawing that will be fine, we will look at those ideas also (just be sure to still meet the project goals). Later I will show you how to mix and apply the Henna Tattoo (if you wish to watch the videos on these steps ahead of time just scroll down).
We are concentrating on LINE and will talk about CONTOUR LINES. Contour lines are the lines that make up the outline of an image or shape. During this project I also want you to think about how the lines should bend and flow with the Contour shape of the body the art would be applied to.
(See the rubric at the end of this page for specific project goals.)
History/Culture
Although Mehendi is generally used in many Hindu festivals and celebrations, there's no doubt that the Hindu wedding ceremony has become synonymous with this beautiful reddish dye.What is Mehendi?Mehendi (Lawsonia inermis) is a small tropical shrub, whose leaves when dried and ground into a paste, give out a rusty-red pigment, suitable for making intricate designs on the palms and feet. The dye has a cooling property, and no side effects on the skin.
.
Mehendi is extremely suitable for creating intricate patterns on various parts of the body, and a painless alternative to permanent tattoos.Mehendi HistoryThe Mughals brought Mehendi to India as lately as the 15th century AD. As the use of Mehendi spread, its application methods and designs became more sophisticated. The tradition of Henna or Mehendi originated in North Africa and the Middle East. It is believed to have been in use as a cosmetic for the last 5000 years. According to professional henna artist and researcher Catherine C Jones, the beautiful patterning prevalent in India today has emerged only in the 20th century. In 17th century India, the barber's wife was usually employed for applying henna on women. Most women from that time in India are depicted with their hands and feet hennaed, regardless of social class or marital status.
The introduction of Mehendi into Euro-American culture is a recent phenomenon. Today Mehendi, as trendy alternative to tattoos, is an in-thing in the West. Hollywood actors and celebrities have made this painless art of body painting famous. Actress Demi Moore, and 'No Doubt' crooner Gwen Stefani were among the first to sport Mehendi. Since then stars like Madonna, Drew Barrymore, Naomi Campbell, Liv Tyler, Nell McAndrew, Mira Sorvino, Daryl Hannah, Angela Bassett, Laura Dern, Laurence Fishburne, and Kathleen Robertson have all tried Henna tattoos, the great Indian way. Glossies, like Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, Wedding Bells, People and Cosmopolitan have spread the Mehendi trend even further.
Mehendi is very popular with both men and women also as a conditioner and dye for the hair. Mehendi is also applied during the various vratas or fasts, such as Karwa Chauth, observed by married women. Even gods and goddesses are seen to adorn Mehendi designs. A large dot in the centre of the hand, with four smaller dots at the sides is an oft seen Mehendi pattern on the palms of Ganesha and Lakshmi. However, its most important use comes in a Hindu Wedding.
Design Examples:
Henna designs consist of sweeping lines of various thickness, repetition of designs and patterns. Most traditional designs have flowers, but now that western cultures have adapted this as an art form other designs have merged the the traditional designs.
You will be using LINE, CONTRAST, REPETITION and PATTERN for the main elements and principles of your design. You will first draw your design on plan paper using a pencil and sharpies. Work out several ideas because when you actually apply the Henna you won't be able to trace your design. Before you begin we will talk about the history and culture Henna Tattoos and show you how this applies to more modern artwork. If you want to use more modern designs that are used in permanent tattoos in your drawing that will be fine, we will look at those ideas also (just be sure to still meet the project goals). Later I will show you how to mix and apply the Henna Tattoo (if you wish to watch the videos on these steps ahead of time just scroll down).
We are concentrating on LINE and will talk about CONTOUR LINES. Contour lines are the lines that make up the outline of an image or shape. During this project I also want you to think about how the lines should bend and flow with the Contour shape of the body the art would be applied to.
(See the rubric at the end of this page for specific project goals.)
History/Culture
Although Mehendi is generally used in many Hindu festivals and celebrations, there's no doubt that the Hindu wedding ceremony has become synonymous with this beautiful reddish dye.What is Mehendi?Mehendi (Lawsonia inermis) is a small tropical shrub, whose leaves when dried and ground into a paste, give out a rusty-red pigment, suitable for making intricate designs on the palms and feet. The dye has a cooling property, and no side effects on the skin.
.
Mehendi is extremely suitable for creating intricate patterns on various parts of the body, and a painless alternative to permanent tattoos.Mehendi HistoryThe Mughals brought Mehendi to India as lately as the 15th century AD. As the use of Mehendi spread, its application methods and designs became more sophisticated. The tradition of Henna or Mehendi originated in North Africa and the Middle East. It is believed to have been in use as a cosmetic for the last 5000 years. According to professional henna artist and researcher Catherine C Jones, the beautiful patterning prevalent in India today has emerged only in the 20th century. In 17th century India, the barber's wife was usually employed for applying henna on women. Most women from that time in India are depicted with their hands and feet hennaed, regardless of social class or marital status.
The introduction of Mehendi into Euro-American culture is a recent phenomenon. Today Mehendi, as trendy alternative to tattoos, is an in-thing in the West. Hollywood actors and celebrities have made this painless art of body painting famous. Actress Demi Moore, and 'No Doubt' crooner Gwen Stefani were among the first to sport Mehendi. Since then stars like Madonna, Drew Barrymore, Naomi Campbell, Liv Tyler, Nell McAndrew, Mira Sorvino, Daryl Hannah, Angela Bassett, Laura Dern, Laurence Fishburne, and Kathleen Robertson have all tried Henna tattoos, the great Indian way. Glossies, like Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, Wedding Bells, People and Cosmopolitan have spread the Mehendi trend even further.
Mehendi is very popular with both men and women also as a conditioner and dye for the hair. Mehendi is also applied during the various vratas or fasts, such as Karwa Chauth, observed by married women. Even gods and goddesses are seen to adorn Mehendi designs. A large dot in the centre of the hand, with four smaller dots at the sides is an oft seen Mehendi pattern on the palms of Ganesha and Lakshmi. However, its most important use comes in a Hindu Wedding.
Design Examples:
Henna designs consist of sweeping lines of various thickness, repetition of designs and patterns. Most traditional designs have flowers, but now that western cultures have adapted this as an art form other designs have merged the the traditional designs.
How to Mix the Henna Paste:
How to Apply the Henna:
TIPS:
Keep all clothing, hair, etc. away from your henna design for at least half an hour. Leave the henna on as long as possible! The longer you leave the henna on, the darker the color will be and the longer it will last. Leave it on a minimum of 1 hour; overnight is best.
Keep all clothing, hair, etc. away from your henna design for at least half an hour. Leave the henna on as long as possible! The longer you leave the henna on, the darker the color will be and the longer it will last. Leave it on a minimum of 1 hour; overnight is best.