An overview of the drawings and paintings created by Carmen Mensink’s students during the classes, courses and retreats in Asia. She taught there in different countries such as Singapore, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. She offers classes and retreats of all different lengths, from 1,5hr lectures to short 3hr workshops, day classes, weekend courses and thangka painting retreat weeks.
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Shashi Rekha, India
Liked the meditation
I liked the course and the meditation before starting the course.
Namita Pal
A spiritual journey of growth and deeper understanding
Loved the course
Was a spiritual journey of growth and deeper understanding
Made me introspect a lot without realising it
Thank you carmen
God bless
Yong Shou Ying
I never imagine I could draw a Buddha
I came with an open mind and did not have any expectation. I just want to learn some thing new and enjoy the process. I started with meditation before...
I never imagine I could draw a Buddha
I came with an open mind and did not have any expectation. I just want to learn some thing new and enjoy the process. I started with meditation before I drew the gridlines and Buddha face in pencil. It helped to keep my mood calm and balance. I never imagine I could draw a Buddha and it is close to symmetrical. I enjoy the process and it freed my mind and I am totally immersed in drawing. Every little step completed is a triumph for me and some times I would admire it before I progress the next step. The lectures give me insight and understanding in the art and buddhist tradition. The videos in showing how to draw were really good as gives me a good guide to follow.
I wish this tradition continues to flourish and more get to appreciate the tradition and this course.
It is so helpful especially in such time where technology is overwhelming and simple things can be taken for granted. Thank you for having this online course!
Yong Shou Ying
Wai Fong
One of the greatest experiences I have ever had
It was my first time attending Carmen’s Thangka painting retreat and it turned out to be one of the greatest experiences I have ever had. Carmen was ab...
One of the greatest experiences I have ever had
It was my first time attending Carmen’s Thangka painting retreat and it turned out to be one of the greatest experiences I have ever had. Carmen was able to attend to individual’s needs although it was a big class of participants with mixed experiences. I also loved it that Carmen not only taught us how to do Thangka painting, she made sure that we understood the symbolism of the deities that we were painting through the daily morning meditation and evening lectures. She also made special efforts to introduce Sri Lankan Buddhism art history to us to prepare us for our tour after the painting retreat. It was a great 10 days with an inspiring teacher, great company, wonderful accommodation at a meditation centre with delicious meals. Can’t ask for more!
Wai Fong
Anjana
Initially was apprehensive about drawing such a figure with so many intricate details
Thank you Carmen for providing this amazing and enriching experience of drawing the White Tara. The course was both informative and detailed. Initiall...
Initially was apprehensive about drawing such a figure with so many intricate details
Thank you Carmen for providing this amazing and enriching experience of drawing the White Tara. The course was both informative and detailed. Initially was apprehensive about drawing such a figure with so many intricate details but the energy of Tara was such that I could complete the entire drawing with focus and calmness never experienced before. Loved every bit of if.
Anjana
Kanika Mehra
This course was much more than I had hoped for and look forward to many more!
Dear Carmen, it was a wonderful course. I have not managed to finish all the art works, but I plan to complete them . The meditations, symbolism behin...
This course was much more than I had hoped for and look forward to many more!
Dear Carmen, it was a wonderful course. I have not managed to finish all the art works, but I plan to complete them . The meditations, symbolism behind each symbol and reflection was so enriching! This course was much more than I had hoped for and look forward to many more! thank you so much for all the effort you have put in creating these courses for us!
Kanika Mehra
Tenzin Nyidron, Vietnam
For all sentient beings to be happy and free of suffering
I’m so happy to attend this class and thanks for the teacher, Carmen, who is so kind and experience. I’m not good in drawing but realised what I dream...
For all sentient beings to be happy and free of suffering
I’m so happy to attend this class and thanks for the teacher, Carmen, who is so kind and experience. I’m not good in drawing but realised what I dream. When I draw Buddha face, I think of all Buddha’s quality, visualise Buddha, then the grid then draw it. I read sometimes the mantra of Buddha Shakya Muni. When coloring, I can see better the independent origination, all the draw, color, one by one to make his appearance. Just relax the mind, think of Buddha’s quality, continue to color. The most dificult is how to show via the drawing Budha’s compassion and wisdom. Compassion I try to make his eyes, look upon beings with loving, kindness “I show you the path, it’s your choice to follow”. Then the wisdom, I try to make via the hallow, blue circle by making the following one zen tradition of painting circle, just draw circle, visualise of his wisdom raise. And Buddha has the 3 kayas, then the Nirmakaya, his appearance, Sambogakaya, his smile and the light, Dharmakaya in his wisdom appeare.
That is my way to complete the Buddha’s face.
Thank you for Carmen to guide me and explain clearly.
I dedicate for Carmen’s work to help more people can draw their dream, for all sentient beings be happy and free of suffering.
Tenzin Nyidron, Vietnam
Ven. Karma Shan Tan, Singapore
Really enjoyed the lessons
Palms joined in Heartfelt gratitude to Teacher Carmen for the guidance via the video teachings. Had really enjoyed the lessons and really took time to...
Really enjoyed the lessons
Palms joined in Heartfelt gratitude to Teacher Carmen for the guidance via the video teachings. Had really enjoyed the lessons and really took time to meditate and chant before each drawing. Had also repeatedly observed in meditative concentration to finetune again and again. Thus, like to apologise for submitting an uncompleted draft as really taking time to repeat watching the lessons and repeat fine tuning for each part. Since I have zero background, would appreciate if Teacher Carmen could share more in detail from her wealth of experiences on how to attain the symmetry of both left and right sides especially with the eyes, mouth and nose.
Ven. Karma Shan Tan, Singapore
Sylvia Schmidt
Teacher with a lot of patience and devotion
I started drawing Vasudhara, Buddhist bodhisattva of wealth, prosperity, and abundance in November 2019 during a retreat at the Maitreya Institute in ...
Teacher with a lot of patience and devotion
I started drawing Vasudhara, Buddhist bodhisattva of wealth, prosperity, and abundance in November 2019 during a retreat at the Maitreya Institute in Loenen, the Netherlands. In February 2020 I did the Retreat at the Paramita Meditation Center in Sri Lanka and a 4 days round tour trip. The Paramita Meditation Center is the perfect place for meditation and Thangka Painting, a very quiet place with a beautiful garden and wonderful people. I started coloring my Vasudhara during this retreat. Carmen had made a perfect schedule with meditations, enough time to draw/ color and lectures. Her knowledge and devotion is outstanding. She is having a lot of patience and a teacher with a deep devotion of the topic. She provided me a lot of help to make a very nice drawing. I am very proud and happy that I decided to do this retreat. Next to it, the round tour trip was perfectly organised and Sri Lanka is such a beautiful country. If you love Buddhism and Buddhas that is the play to go. It was a wonderful time and perfect retreat. Thank you so much Carmen, I am a blessed person.
Sylvia Schmidt
On courses in Asia
Here’s an overview of previous hangka classes, workshops and retreats in Asia.
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Join a course Online
Online thangka courses are offered through the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art, where you can learn how to draw or paint a Tibetan Buddha, Mandala, or Symbol from your home, while personally being guided by Carmen.
Most classes are for students on all levels – yes, also those without any drawing experience whatsoever.
Can’t wait to start your thangka journey? Join the Buddha Face Thangka Art Course today!
Types of Classes
Overview of the different kinds of Buddhist Art Courses that are offered in The Netherlands:
In these short workshops you will get a glimpse of Tibetan Buddhist Art, and create a (small) drawing or Tibetan Amulet.
In a day workshop you can learn to draw a Buddha face, lotus flower or other Tibetan Buddhist symbols and color it by using the color pencil techniques, that will be explained as well.
The thangka day workshops offers you a good introduction in Tibetan Art.
In a weekend course (starting Fri evening) we will start to draw a Buddha, Mandala or Symbols, but -depending on how fast you are- you might have to finish your artwork at home.
In an extended weekend course (starting Thu evening) we can dive even deeper into the subject and you will most probably be able to finish your drawing.
Besides the drawing sessions, you will be guided through (short) meditations, slideshows and lectures about the meaning, symbolism and mantra of the particular subject, offering you a complete picture of the Buddhist philosophy that is connected to your Buddha or Mandala.
Coloring or painting your drawing can be done at home or during a thangka painting retreat.
The longer courses, such as the annual Retreat Week at Omega Institute (Rhinebeck, NY), are suitable for both drawing & painting.
For Thangka Painting Retreats that last 7 to 10 days and offer even more depth and practice, you can join the annual painting retreats in Italy or Sri Lanka.
A retreat gives you a true in-depth experience of the Tibetan Thangka art & philosophy, as there’s time to learn to work with the special thangka painting techniques and/or color pencil techniques.
Besides the drawing sessions, you will be guided through (short) meditations, slideshows and lectures about the meaning, symbolism and mantra of the particular subject, offering you a complete picture of the Buddhist philosophy that is connected to your Buddha or Mandala.
In the days before or after a course in the US, Carmen can be hired to offer individual thangka teachings.
For people who want to treat themselves to the luxury of a private course, for one person or with a few friends.
Pictures of Thangka Classes
After a thangka course, Carmen posts pictures of it on her FaceBook Page. You can also check her Instagram page for pictures.
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