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Join a Course in Italy
Overview of upcoming thangka classes, workshops and retreats in Italy. Sign up for the Newsletter to stay posted on all future courses.
Note that all classes in Italy are offered in clear English but if you need translations in Italian (or another language) we are happy to provide this for you. Please let us know upon registration.
Testimonials and Artworks
by the students of Carmen Mensink
An overview of the drawings and paintings created by Carmen’s students during the classes, courses and retreats in Italy. Courses are offered in Italy several times each year, in Tuscany (usually in April, May or June) and in Venice (usually in October or November). During her stay in Italy, Carmen can also offer private thangka teachings, when booked in advance. Sign up for the Newsletter to stay posted on all classes, lectures and events in the Italy.
Check out the artworks and testimonials of students from Italy who have taken in-person classes with Carmen:
“The impossible became possible.I feel gratitude to the great harmony en serenity that I experienced in the classroom and throughout the stay; gratitude to the kindness and great professionalism of Carmen; gratitude to the wonderful nature around us… the hours flew by, and step by step, despite my initial fears en insecurities (I can’t draw!), on my paper something amazing materialized, as well as in my heart.
I hope I can soon relive the experience, and like all things that are true and deep there’s not much to understand but simply to try!!”
Elena A., Genova, Italy
Weekend Courses in Venice & the Thangka Painting Retreat Weeks in Northern Italy
“Hello everybody, I’m not a drawer and I don’t have previous drawing experiences, but working with Carmen is more involved with meditation than drawing. The result is something unexpected and beautiful, in its deepest meaning.”
Giorgio Cotto, Bologna, Italy
Weekend courses in Venice and Bologna, and the Thangka Painting Retreats in Northern Italy
“I feel this work as a very complete and clear meditation where we can observe the mind, the sight (seeing) and our hand (as expression). And the connection between them.
It was a very good experience, that I recommend very much.”
Maria José Moura, Porto, Portugal
Annual Thangka Painting Retreat in Northern Italy
Ana Tagliaferro
Your teaching not only honed my artistic skills but also guided me into the spiritual depths of Thangka art
A Heartfelt Thank You for an Inspirational Thangka Art Course
Dear Carmen Menssik,
I want to express my deepest gratitude for your Thangka Art Course....
Your teaching not only honed my artistic skills but also guided me into the spiritual depths of Thangka art
A Heartfelt Thank You for an Inspirational Thangka Art Course
Dear Carmen Menssik,
I want to express my deepest gratitude for your Thangka Art Course. Your dedication to preserving tradition while infusing contemporary insights has created a transformative and enriching experience. Your teaching not only honed my artistic skills but also guided me into the spiritual depths of Thangka art. Each lesson was a journey, and your unwavering support fostered a beautiful sense of community. Thank you for sharing your expertise and passion, making this course an unforgettable exploration into timeless beauty.
Sincerely,
Ana Tagliaferro
Ana Tagliaferro
Tansy
I am so inspired by your talks and the examples you share
Thank-you Carmen for another wonderful class. I am so inspired by your talks and the examples you share. I feel grateful to have a beautiful Buddha dr...
I am so inspired by your talks and the examples you share
Thank-you Carmen for another wonderful class. I am so inspired by your talks and the examples you share. I feel grateful to have a beautiful Buddha drawing at the end of yet another excellent course with you!
Tansy
Natasha
This was the first time I had ever painted
This is the third course I have done with Carmen and I have really enjoyed it. I was able to relax more knowing more about the techniques of grids and...
This was the first time I had ever painted
This is the third course I have done with Carmen and I have really enjoyed it. I was able to relax more knowing more about the techniques of grids and of drawing the Buddha. I found the whole experience very soothing and meditative. I applied the colouring techniques from the Colour course and this time instead of using pencils, I used acrylic paints which was very different yet it was easy to apply the teaching from the Colour Techniques Course to both pencils and paint. As this was the first time I had ever painted anything it was good to have that guidance. Thank you Carmen, for the whole course, the lectures, meditations and of course the actual drawing teaching.
Natasha
Join an Online Course
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. The videos can have subtitles in Italian, or in any other language.
Can’t wait to start your thangka journey?
Join the Buddha Face Thangka Art Course or the Tara’s Mudra Thangka Art Course today!
Types of Classes
Overview of the different kinds of Buddhist Art Courses that are offered in Italy:
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.Similar Online Workshops:
In a Weekend Course (starting Fri evening) you can learn to draw a Buddha, Mandala or Tibetan Symbols, but -depending on how fast you are- you may 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 (at least in black and white).
Besides the drawing sessions in these multi-day courses, you will be also receive guided meditations, presentations and lectures about the meaning, symbolism and mantra of the particular subject, offering you a complete picture of the philosophy and practice that is connected to your Buddha or Mandala.
Similar Online Courses:
- The Buddha (Shakyamuni) Thangka Art Course
- Medicine Buddha Thangka Art Course
- White Tara Thangka Art Course
- Eight Auspicious Symbols Online Thangka Art Course
- Colouring Techniques Course (only to be purchased in addition to another online course)
The longer courses are suitable for both drawing & painting, such as the annual 7/10-Day Retreats in the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, the US and sometimes Asia (see upcoming courses and retreats).
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 in these multi-day courses, you will be also receive guided meditations, presentations and lectures about the meaning, symbolism and mantra of the particular subject, offering you a complete picture of the philosophy and practice that is connected to your Buddha or Mandala.
Similar Online Courses:
- The Buddha (Shakyamuni) Thangka Art Course
- Medicine Buddha Thangka Art Course
- White Tara Thangka Art Course
- Eight Auspicious Symbols Online Thangka Art Course
- Colouring Techniques Course (only to be purchased in addition to another online course)
For those who want to treat themselves to the luxury of a Private Thangka Course.Individual teachings can be offered at Carmen’s studio in Amsterdam (the Netherlands), for 1 to 4 persons.
It’s also possible for Carmen to offer a Private Thangka Course on location, for 1 to 25 persons.
Also, when she’s touring in Italy, Portugal, Austria, US East Coast, or Asia, Carmen can be hired to offer individual thangka teachings. Check out the upcoming courses and retreats for the schedule.
Pictures of Thangka Classes in Italy
After a thangka course, Carmen posts pictures of it on on this website, at the Photos of Thangka Art Retreats section.
Pictures can also be found on her Instagram and FaceBook pages (such as this Tibetan Painting Retreat Week and this Tibetan Art Retreat week).
Add this page to your bookmarks
Sign up for the Newsletter and stay updated on all upcoming Tibetan art classes, lectures and events in Italy:
