Home > Courses > Thangka Drawing Course ‘Guan Yin’, June 22+23 2024, Tibet House US

At Tibet House NYC, co-hosted by the Shantideva Center

Guan Yin
The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion
A special transformation from male to female over the centuries

Thangka Drawing Course
June 22 + 23, 2024 | Tibet House | NYC

During this weekend workshop in Manhattan -with renowned thangka painter Carmen Mensink from The Netherlands- you will learn to draw (and perhaps later paint) this beautiful Buddha according to the tradition of thangka (Tibetan scroll paintings).

Guan Yin (also written as Kwan Yin, Kuan Yin, Kannon or Kwannon) occurs in the various Buddhist traditions of China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. She is a form of Avalokitesvara (Tib. Chenrezig) the male bodhisattva of compassion.

The name Guan Yin is the shortened name of Guan Shi Yin, which means ‘Observing the Sounds of the World’, signifying her compassionate ability to listen to the pleas of anyone who needs her help.
Because she is the symbol of compassion, not only to human beings but also towards animals, Guan Yin is also associated with vegetarianism in East Asia.

The story of how Guan Yin transformed from a male into a female form over the centuries is a very interesting one, and of course you will learn all about this this weekend, while we’ll be drawing the female form of Guan Yin.
You will also learn about Guan Yin’s mantra and how to work with it.

For the drawing part you can choose between two different forms of Guan Yin -standing and sitting, see images. Of course you are also welcome to just focus on drawing her face.

For whom?
This workshop is suitable from beginner to advanced thangka students.
If you are new, you will get even more out of this weekend when beforehand you’ve learned how to draw the Face of the Buddha, this can be done either online at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art: Buddha Face / Online Workshop, or onsite at Tibet House on the evening before this weekend: Introduction to Thangka Art / June 21

More Info & Registration

SCHEDULE / COST / MATERIALS

Date & Time:
Sat June 22, 2024
10AM-6PM (with 1hr lunch break)

Sun June 23, 2024
10AM-3PM (with 1hr lunch break)

Workshop Fee:
Tiered pricing $180 / $230 / $300 (see registration link) including the use of materials*

*We have drawing paper, pencils, erasers and rulers for you to use. If you prefer to bring your own materials in addition, as well as colored pencils for example, please do so. You may also want to bring a notebook and pen to make notes during this class.