Lippan Art Design Gallery: Circles, Lotus, Birds and Borders
18 designs Lippan art Updated 9 Oct 2026
A good lippan art design starts with a clear shape: a circle, a lotus, a bird or a simple grid, with mirrors placed where the light will catch them. This page collects 18 original patterns that you can copy onto MDF, a wall or a frame.
Use these lippan art photos as a starting point, then change colours and mirror shapes to suit your room. If you are new to the craft, first read what it is on our main lippan art page. For painted and colourful versions, see modern lippan art.
Circle and Mandala Lippan Art Design
Circles are the easiest way to keep a design balanced. Divide the board with a compass and protractor before any clay goes on.
Sixteen white petals ring one big centre mirror, with a dot border at the rim. Calm colours make it a favourite for bedrooms.
Artist tip Mark sixteen lines with a protractor, one every 22.5 degrees, before shaping petals.
Five rings of coils painted gold on a black base give a rich, festive look. Works well in a dining area.
Artist tip Paint the gold only after the clay is bone dry, or it will look patchy.
A half circle fits neatly into a corner or above a doorway. Good for walls where a full round will not fit.
Artist tip Cut the MDF half circle with a jigsaw and sand the straight edge smooth.
Lotus Lippan Designs
The lotus is simple to shape and looks graceful in relief. Pink, white and gold are the usual colour choices.
A single open lotus with layered petals in two shades of pink. Simple enough for a first lotus attempt.
Artist tip Shape each petal as a flat teardrop, then pinch the tip upward slightly.
Our pichwai painting lippan art lotus design: a painted pond background with clay lotuses and mirrors on top. It mixes two Indian crafts on one board.
Artist tip Paint the pond and leaves first, then add clay only to the flowers.
Three lotuses in a row with mirror buds between them. The long shape suits the space above a bed or console.
Artist tip Trace one lotus on butter paper and reuse it so all three match.
How to Plan a Lippan Art Design
- Pick one main shape: circle, lotus, bird or grid.
- Draw it to size on paper, then transfer it to the board with carbon paper.
- Mark mirror spots with small circles. Leave at least 5 mm between mirrors so coils can fit around them.
- Choose two or three mirror shapes only, such as round and diamond, so the piece does not look busy.
- Plan your colours: base, clay and any paint on the coils.
Need clay, glue or mirrors? See lippan art materials. If you like the lotus pond look, our pichwai painting gallery has more ideas.
Peacock and Bird Lippan Work Designs
Birds give a design movement. Keep wings and tails as broad shapes, then add mirrors for the eyes and feathers.
One long feather with a large mirror eye fills a narrow board. Lovely beside a door frame or a tall window.
Artist tip Use a comb to press fine lines into the soft clay for feather texture.
Green parrots sit on a curving branch with mirror fruit. Bright and friendly for a play room or study.
Artist tip Paint the parrots after drying and leave the coil edges white for contrast.
Six small tiles, each with one bird in a different pose. Hang them in a row or scatter them on a wall.
Artist tip Use one triangle mirror per bird as a wing so the set looks unified.
Geometric Lippan Kaam Designs
Grids, diamonds and chevrons are the oldest lippan kaam designs. They are forgiving, since small errors hide in the repeat.
A honeycomb of hexagons, each holding one round mirror. Clean and modern for an office or a study wall.
Artist tip Make a cardboard hexagon stencil and trace the whole grid before sticking mirrors.
Diagonal coils form a lattice, with diamond mirrors where lines meet. Maroon and white feel classic and warm.
Artist tip Use a long ruler and draw all lines in one direction before the other.
Bold zigzag stripes with triangle mirrors along each point. A strong graphic piece for a modern flat.
Artist tip Mask each stripe with tape when painting so the edges stay sharp.
Door and Name-Frame Lippan Designs
Entrances are a lovely place for mirror work. Keep the name area blank on the board and add your own lettering later.
A long strip with arches and drop shapes runs above the main door, like a fixed toran. It greets guests every day.
Artist tip Fix the strip with screws at both ends, not just glue, over a doorway.
A mirror and coil border surrounds a plain wooden space left free for a family name. Ideal as a housewarming gift.
Artist tip Seal the wooden centre with varnish first so paint for the name sits cleanly.
Two matching panels with climbing vines frame a door. They also work on either side of a wardrobe or mirror.
Artist tip Make the two panels mirror images by flipping your paper tracing for the second.
Lippan Art Border Designs
Borders finish a piece and are the best place to practise. Try a few on spare board before you start a big project.
Scallops with a mirror in each curve, made on a spare strip of board. Repeat it until the curves look even.
Artist tip Use a bottle cap to press the curve shape so every scallop matches.
Five border rows on one board: waves, dots, ladders, zigzags and mirror chains. Keep it as your own pattern library.
Artist tip Label each row on the back of the board so you remember the coil sizes.
A wide zigzag border with triangle mirrors frames a plain centre. Use it around a photo or a small painting.
Artist tip Keep the inner edge of the frame clay-free so the picture slides in easily.
Choosing Lippan Work Designs by Skill and Room
| Design | Skill level | Good board size | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Border strip | Beginner | 10 x 45 cm | Practice, shelves |
| Simple circle | Beginner | 30 cm round | Bedroom, study |
| Lotus | Easy to medium | 30 to 45 cm | Living room |
| Birds and peacocks | Medium | 45 cm or more | Living, play room |
| Door and name frames | Medium | Made to fit | Entrance |
For more round patterns you can borrow, look at our mandala art designs.
Questions about these designs
Where can I find lippan art images to copy?
Every design on this page is original and free to use as a reference for your own work. Change the colours, sizes or mirror shapes to make it yours.
What are the easiest lippan work designs for beginners?
Border strips and simple circles. They use short, even coils and only one or two mirror shapes, so you learn the basics quickly.
How do I transfer a lippan art design onto MDF?
Draw it on paper, place carbon paper under it and trace with a ballpoint pen. For circles, use a compass straight on the board.
Can I make a lotus design like a pichwai painting in lippan?
Yes. Paint the water and leaves flat in acrylic, then build only the lotus flowers in clay with a mirror in each centre. Gold dots add the pichwai feel.
What size board suits lippan kaam designs?
A 30 cm round or square is enough for a first piece. For peacocks, trees or wall statements, go for 45 to 60 cm, on 6 or 9 mm MDF.
