I appreciated Carmens knowledge of tibetan history and iconology as an essential part of the workshop, besides the technical aspects, which were also very clear.
Oh, and I do like her shop!

Drawing is still new to me but under Carmen’s guidance I’ve gained confidence and enjoyment.
The class is not only a drawing class but an exciting journey into learning a great deal about Tibetan Buddhism.

After studying with Carmen in person on several occasions, I had little idea of what she was going to be able to do to offer her wonderful courses in Tibetan sacred art. This course on White Tara was so well designed and presented that it was almost like being with Carmen in person. As good as it gets in this year of pandemic.

I have been through some sort of crisis but this course was extremely useful! It helped me to ground myself.. made me feel calm and centred which was very needed indeed! The course structure was very clear and was beyond my expectations! I got so much out of it. I loved the combination of all the elements you put in. I really appreciate that you decided to have online course! I live in Australia so far away to attend these classes in person. I didn’t have any drawing experience. I only draw Buddha face once but would like to draw more Buddha face before even starting on colouring (bought the Colouring bundle). Many thanks again for all the effort you put in to create this amazing course for us!

I really enjoyed doing the course, especially that the exercises you made were used to the end to practice all the techniques. By taking pictures in the meantime, you can see step by step what the exercises change in the drawing.
I found the connection with the Dutch Masters very interesting and as a result of that the first exercise also, only this way of shading I have not encountered further in the course and I have not applied this way.
The course will certainly help me with coloring the White Tara; I did not use the course on the Face of the Buddha, because I had not fully worked through the course then. The course has more than lived up to my expectations.

I enjoyed the modules over 10 weeks. I was able to complete more work over an extended period of time. Each week I looked forward to the next module. The weekly assignments helped to stay connected with the other students and Carmen. I would love to do a similar course in the future.

My expectations for the course were exceeded! I hoped to experience the meditative aspect of drawing sacred art, which I certainly did. I didn’t expect to learn so much about the history and use of thangkas, which I loved, and definitely didn’t expect to be so happy with my drawing, which I am!

This session was structured very well to understand the iconography and how to draw the full Buddha body. I really enjoyed the transformation of grid to the full body figure as we go on the course step by step.

I reall liked the way Carmen explained drawing feet and hands in this course.
I also liked the special zoom session she took to help me understand the colouring techniques.

Truly loved doing it, it was very relaxing to do and I enjoyed the background information.
I hope to use it more often while the response of my loved ones said enough – they loved the outcomes as well.
The extra Colouring Course with background of the Dutch masters felt as a true ‘gift to myself’.

Thank you very much dear Carmen, for guide us, for great moments while studying and drawing, for meditations and support inner learning.
Om Mani Padme Hung

I loved this class. I used to draw all the time, and then as I got older did it less and less, feeling I had plenty of time to draw between doing other things I wanted to do, particularly as a writer. But something always felt like it was missing. After I began practicing Buddhism in 1997, I started to translate the Kangyur into English with 84000, but continued to think of that something missing from my childhood. I made friends through drawing and writing. 

Carmen’s course tied in my Buddhist practice to my current state of mind, as well as how I was as a child, but in a new way, that all was well at whatever age I have reached. When I was drawing my first Buddha’s face, there was something exciting, surprising, and comforting doing so, knowing that I was revealing my mind. Thank you so much for this class.

This was an amazing course. I loved that I can draw on a smaller size of paper (A4). It was easier to handle. I wasn’t familiar with these symbols, I enjoyed getting to know them.

This course was a Devine gift for me. I couldn’t believe that I am capable of drawing Buddha face by myself. Especially in Tibetan Thangka Tradition. I have zero of experience and didn’t draw since school. In the end I have a beautiful Buddha Face in front of me and I’m a little bit sad it’s over. But I am planning on doing another bigger one! I am staying at school to develop my skills on coloring techniques. I am so grateful for this opportunity to discover my new creative side.

Thank you Carmen – your Buddha Face Course was so informative, easy to follow, a joy to do! I loved that in the Colouring Techniques Course you made a connection with the Dutch Masters – this was an unexpected surprise! I will continue to look at paintings of Old Masters to get inspired as I practice these colouring/shading techniques. I finished my Buddha Face before I learned about blending so look forward to drawing a Buddha face in blended colours. Thanks again for creating this wonderful course.

This was (is) a beautiful, meditative experience which is helping me get through this difficult time. I look forward to taking another class in the future.

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.

When I enrolled in this course I had little to none experience in drawing. Still I wanted to try it and I do not regret my decision. This course is not just about learning to draw the 8 symbols. It is also about reflecting and meditating on what you are doing, and learning the origins of the symbols. Even when I didn’t complete the drawings I feel that I gained a deep understanding of the symbols by watching and taking notes of the the teachings, lectures and complementary materials. What I enjoyed the most of the course were the lectures, the meditations, learning the mudras os each symbol and drawing the grids for each symbols.

It was a special experience for me to participate with an online course from Carmen instead of an course on location. The films, information and bonus material that came with it was a pleasant surprise.🌟

It was an enriching experience to learn more about the 8 Auspicious Symbols that gave me a lot of inner peace in a challenging period for me.🙏🏽

I haven’t finished my mandala with the symbols yet, but I have enough information with me to continue and create moments for myself to continue working on this.🌟

Thank you Carmen for all your efforts and your valuable enriching lessons!🙏🏽❤

I was so happy to find this course and this teacher especially at this moment. This is something I’ve wanted to study for most of my life. To have the opportunity to do this with such an excellent teacher, in a way that I could afford, and not have to travel made it all possible. I am currently unemployed and so the finances are difficult but this was a reasonable cost, so I am grateful.
I loved learning the history and the context and the symbolism, and how to meditate with the thangka. I loved seeing other’s creations.

Tashi delek, Carmen, it’s so nice that at the start of the Colouring Techniques Course you indicate to be especially ‘playful’. I find that I did quite well during this course. I really enjoyed ‘silent drawing & coloring like a child’. I completely agree with your vision of ‘bending the rules of color theory’ BUT ‘to be respectful to the tradition and lineage of Tibetan Buddhist Thangka Art’. I hope to learn even more from the lineage and tradition at the White Tara Thangka Course. An eye opener for me was ‘imagine the light coming from within’. It has already helped me and will continue to help me. Thanks for these valuable ‘preliminaries’, Annette

I loved taking this course so much! I particularly enjoyed the explanation of the history of Thang Ka paintings and buddhist philosophy. Carmen, thank you for your detailed and easy to understand explanations. This has been an incredible experience.

Carmen, I am so grateful for this wonderful online experience you have created. I love the Buddhist meditations and information that deepens my commitment and understanding.
For me the combination of my love of art and Buddhist practice coming together in one class is so precious!!
Much appreciation for your generosity in sharing your passions so clearly with deep respect for the tradition.
Namaste,
Valeria

It was great, and I learned a lot, Thank you Carmen! The most difficult part was seeing/ understanding how the Buddha’s eyes are not as open as depicted, so more practice Needed! Very clear instructions and the supporting info very helpful.

I took a class last summer, live, in Italy, and have wanted to paint the Medicine Buddha for years. I am not comfortable with computers, but this class worked out well. Thanks. It is clear, nicely divided up into sections, so you can do as much or as little as you have time for, and come back, know where you are and continue. Recording these classes is a work of love, now they will be accessible to more people who can’t travel. Grazie Carmen. Tanti grazie.

About the Colouring Techniques Course:
Wow. Yes, Carmen, what a fabulous course. I didn’t really know what you would present. It is a very comprehensive drawing course, introducing pencil and shading and blending and color and how to use it. I love all the examples of students work. Seeing the variety and different personal styles gave me the courage and inspiration to keep going. It was also very nice, not being in a classroom with other students, being able to see other people’s work, and some other faces. I loved, loved, loved the supplementary bonus links to Rembrandt and Vermeer and Van Gogh, I spent hours in the museums drinking in your rich heritage. Thank you.

I’ve never really used colored pencil formally before and I am grateful to learn new techniques. Who knew how many values you can get with one color pencil? And with the instruction on blending I now know how others achieved the softness in their Thangkas. I didn’t know you could use Q-tips, or paint thinner to blend and extend the color. I very much like the water color effect you can get with the solvents.

If I had taken this color class first, my Medicine Buddha would have been very different. I won’t struggle so much with my next one, having learned so much in this course. I missed the comradery of the classroom, but I loved being able to pause and rewind and practice and re-listen to the different lessons.

I really liked the meditations and background stories. They put me so well in a concentrated and restful mood. It made it easier to remember all the tips and tricks also! My mind worked better! I enjoyed the pencil drawing, and precision, but had some troubles with the paint and size. Eveness of this paint (cobra, oil/watermixable) was not so easy.. I really liked being able to keep editing the final, with the same paint as well as with acryl and acrylic ink (liquitex). I also liked staying long with the basic colors green, red, yellow and blue, which resemble for me Maitri, Karuna, Mudita and Upekkha.

I noticed it is challenging to make all the lines symetrical and positioned so that I liked the expression of the smile. Also the painting was challenging, to get an even, or shaded layer. I felt good about learning to concentrate on smaller brushstrokes, and keep the rest in breathing as well. I notice when I stop breathing at particular difficult lines. It was a lot of fun touching up at the end, small lines, small corrections. polishing.

Hi Carmen,
Attached is my Medicine Buddha with the beginnings of color. I love how you say how the Buddhas emerge from the paper, that is really how it feels for me. I’m still getting used to colored pencils but will continue, it is enjoyable and very different from my other illustration.

I really enjoyed speaking with you on our Zoom meeting Sunday and was very cheered and inspired by our conversation. It feels great to have started on this path of learning about thangka, many thanks again for sharing your knowledge and experience!

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

Good course, with clear instructions. The online course turned out better than expected for me. I already had drawing experience though Carmen’s onsite courses.

Wonderful it couldn’t be better ! A perfect timing where the energy of each symbol matched with my daily experiences in a incredible positive interdependence!
I didn’t have drawing experiences before and to take this course as a retreat naturally brought me to enjoy drawing and relax painting!
Great dynamic of a excellent warm hearted teacher.

Loved the course. As a lover of eastern esoteric spirituality, Buddhist art has great symbology and of course the 8 auspicious symbols epitomise this. Learning to draw Tibetan artwork is rewarding and somewhat fulfilling. Carmen’s classes are a wonderful route to this learning with a strong foundation in spiritual perspective.

Thank you for your precise instructions as well as perspective and access to you directly. Being a complete amateur in all things art, the Coloring Techniques Course was so valuable to me. I think I enjoyed the shading and blending the best, although I find I am quite timid about shading. I am getting bolder. Here is a coloring of the lotus where one has no blending and the other I used water color pencils and blending.

This course was so much more than I ever expected, Carmen. Thank you for your guidance and for sharing your energy and enthusiasm. This was a spiritual journey too, and it brought peace and quiet during a time when our world had changed so much and we all struggled to cope with the ‘new normal’.

I really enjoyed this class. It was fun to draw and color the 8 auspicious symbols but it was so inspiring to learn about Tibetan Buddhism and to listen to the dharma talks. Thank you, Carmen!

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!

I loved this course. I approached it with a degree of skepticism thinking colouring pencils could only ever achieve a matte and flat finish but the shine achievable using Carmen’s techniques even for a beginner like me is amazing. Carmen has kept up her usual very high standard with this course. I loved the extra bits like learning from the Dutch Masters and all the links to documentaries on colour. The most important thing for me though was that in this course I gained confidence in colouring my Buddhist drawings which I never had before thanks to the way Carmen gently and methodically guides from the simple to more complex Buddhist symbols in her very quiet relaxed approach. I was colouring in confidently before I realised it. Thank you very much Carmen. I hope to do many more courses with you.

I loved the course and in fact it far exceeded my expectations.
Having done the Buddha face and Medicine Buddha courses I was really looking forward to this. A request to return to work full time put a spanner in the works for my time planning but I eventually managed to dedicate a few days.

It was difficult if Im being honest. Im still getting used to drawing and erasing the grid lines is quite a big deal. Especially with the face where I was happy with it at first but having to go over small details after erasing the face changed quite considerably. I’m glad I got it done in time though as trying to do this without the videos would be really tough and Im not sure how it might turn out.

The tutorial videos are so helpful and the background info and practices are excellent. I loved the little touches like getting a gift of bookmarks – they’re fabulous ! and learned just how valuable a mono zero eraser is !! Looking forward to finding time now to learn to colour. Thank you so much. Its been a fantastic course.

Thank you so much Carmen for (again) this wonderful journey through Tibetan artwork en Buddhism. I enjoyed every step, each week another symbol and another aspect to explore in myself. What is the meaning for me, what can I improve. Some symbols were easy to draw, flowing, others were exciting or I noticed some resistance in myself. And that matched the way I felt about the meaning of the symbols at first. After drawing that changed for some symbols, others have a deeper meaning now.
The teachings, lectures and meditations are very supportive, give a wider perspective of the symbols.
Throughout the course I became more at home in myself, happier and happier.
THANK YOU!

This was my first Thangka drawing with Carmen and a first hand experience of drawing Buddha face using Iconography and grid technique. The meditations and mantras taught in the course made me very relaxed and helped me enjoy learning the art technique. It was overall a great experience.

I loved how organized the class was and how I was helped, step by step, in purchasing the necessary supplies and drawing the image. I have no drawing experience but with a little patience I was able to do much better than I thought possible. I also appreciate the background in Buddhism and meditation that Carmen supplied. I highly recommend this class to anyone who might be interested.

My expectations were more than met by this course. I especially loved the spiritual practices, which were so meaningfully integrated. The combination of all the elements was helpful and enjoyable. My coloring technique is at present in need of more practice – makes me want to try my hand at another course!
Thank you so much for doing this!

Everything was presented in a way that was clear and easy to understand. Thangka is something I had an interest in pursuing a few years ago but I ended up taking western art classes as that was much more accessible to me. I am very happy for this opportunity and I can see myself doing more.

I was a little stressed out about the time frame to complete it but I am glad for the deadline. If I didn’t have it, I would have procrastinated.

I’m looking forward to doing another Buddha face (this time with room for halo and robes) and colouring it properly, as this one seems to have been mostly an experiment. (I’m still not sure if I should do more in the background or just keep it simple…)

Dear Carmen and student’s,

The course was a wonderfull experience for me. It gave me a lot of inspiration and energy. From day one I was surprised by that energy that befell me.
I have been drawing different buddha’s before, but with White Tara there was a connection, I never had experienced before. Her mantra keeps coming in to my mind. Last night even, I dreamt that the buddha Amithabha, her companion above her in the drawing, presented to me the bowl he is holding in his hands. Now I probably have to figure out what it means for me 🙂
He is the buddha of meditation and maybe he says to me to take more time to meditate. I find this the most difficult exercise. It seems never to be the right moment to sit and meditate :).
I’ve enjoyed every aspect of this course including the lectures. I was very happy that I could go back each time to the information. It gave me a lot more time to take it all in, as English is not my native language.
I have dedicated the drawing to my oldest sister who is going through a difficult period after an open heart surgery on the 8th of October.
Hope to follow more of your courses in the future.
Thank you Carmen for your warm energy.

Love Gé

This was a wonderful course and surpassed my expectations! I really look forward to doing more work with Carmen. I was concerned about how well an online course would work, but all my fears were put to rest. Carmen gave great feedback and has developed a great way to present her information. Thank you so much!

I had a lot of pleasure to follow this classe online.
Thank you Carmen to teach us remotely, your teachings are top quality.
I would love to follow a painting class online if we can still not travel.

This course was “thangka healing” for me! I haven’t picked up a pencil in almost 3 decades until last year, starting with Drawing the Buddha Face. An epic self-critic and always behind, I just love these courses because they give such rich insight into the symbolism and even profound teachings. It is a pleasure/pain thing. I held off on registering for The 8 Auspicious Symbols – until I ‘received a symbol’ so to speak. A mention of the symbols in an unlikely circumstance. So I signed up.

The approach worked for me. “Many ‘little’ drawings, frequently” is what I call it. I contacted Carmen in a state of despair after the first symbol – the scarves were my obvious path (read: terror). But there they were again on Symbol 3, and 4, and after I realized it, I was drawing scarves without the enormous mental overlay! A personal breakthrough. Don’t ask me to get creative with them, I still go by the models. But one day…!

I’d say it got me used to “tackling the grid” right at the outset, and going right into drawing. I have a strange sense of time, like it’s infinite or something? This got my “hustle” on! It was exactly what Medicine Buddha ordered.

While I can’t profess confidence, I have a LOT less fear of that looming blank sheet of paper. Much like the Pair of Fishes, I just needed to go deeper into the water to get out of the choppy waves of my mind. And….practice practice practice! 💜🙏