HENNA HISTORY HAND DESIGNING

ORIGIN This artform of using henna is sometimes referred to as Mehndi, in India.

ORIGIN The henna plant is thought to come from Egypt over 5000 years ago. Later henna was brought to India as a state gift from the Egyptians. ◦ Queen Mumtaz who ruled in the 1600's was the first Indian queen to be decorated with henna. ◦ Today, it is common to find artists practicing their henna crafts outside the Taj Mahal, which was built to honor Queen Mumtaz. ◦ Traces of henna have been found on mummies from 1200 BC. It is also known that Pharoahs hands and feet were first dipped in henna prior to mummification.

MODERN HISTORY Traditionally, henna and the Mehndi artform is an important part of wedding ceremonies. ◦ Intricate and beautiful designs cover her hands and feet in a lacy manner. ◦ It is common belief that henna brings good luck.

DECORATING FOLDER On the back of your folder place your hand flat with fingers spread apart. Carefully trace the silhouette of your hand with your pencil ◦ Keep your pencil perpendicular to the paper. Clean up any bumps or dents from the outline afterwards.

DESIGNING Decide where to start. ◦ Begin with a design in the palm and work outwards. ◦ Begin with designing on the wrist and work upwards. ◦ Begin at the fingertips and work towards the center.

DESIGNS & VALUES Designs can consist of all the elements of art: ◦ Line, color, shape, value, form, texture, space Create contrast with value ◦ Make your design work stand out.

MATERIALS Use pencil, sharpie, markers, and/or colored pencils. ◦ Keep values and/or colors intense.

COMPLETE If you have used all pencil, have it sprayed with fixative to avoid smudging. You can fill the negative space around the hand with color or design, but don’t distract from the hand as the point of interest.