This course is suitable for students on all levels:

New Thangka Students (also those without drawing experience):
Those who are completely new to the art of thangka will first learn the basics and how to draw the Face of the Buddha. After that you can choose to draw The Buddha (Buddha Shakyamuni), the Historical Buddha of our time, or the Medicine Buddha, the Buddha of Healing

Beginner / Intermediate Thangka Students
Those who have already done one or a few courses with Carmen may choose to draw The Buddha (Buddha Shakyamuni), the Historical Buddha of our time, or the Medicine Buddha, the Buddha of Healing, and/or continue to work on their other drawings.

Advanced Thangka Students
The subject for students who have been studying with Carmen for years is the tantric female Buddha Vajrayogini, transforming Passion into Compassion.

Carmen Mensink will guide students through the cultural/historical context of thangkas and symbolism within Tibetan-Buddhist art through the combination of art, slide shows and meditations. She will offer individual guidance where needed.

On Thursday evening after the lecture there will be drinks and snacks and time to get to know each other, and on Saturday evening a dinner party (optional) will be organized.

Drawing a Buddha is a meditation in itself and creates inner peace and joy. When you’re a Buddhist practitioner, the drawing of the Buddha can improve your visualization meditation on a great scale. Buddhist lamas say: “When you draw a Buddha, you are drawing your own mind.”

The course will be given in English. Please let us know in the registration form if you need translation and we’ll provide the texts for the lectures and meditations in your preferred language.