Welcome to the Inspiration Gallery!
Here displayed are the artworks that were created by students during the Onsite Thangka Classes and Retreats in Europe, USA and Asia, or during the Online Thangka Art Courses at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art with Carmen Mensink in 2025. You can sign up for the Newsletter if you haven’t yet.
These traditional (but personal) Tibetan artworks were made by people from all over the world, both with and without any drawing experience. Not only express these images the enlightened Buddha mind, they also convey the beauty, love and dedication of the maker. 🙏🏼
Isn’t each and every one of them amazing?
Mabel
Painting this brings me great joy and comfort
I started drawing the White Tara after my surgery and the actual painting started on day one of the Lunar New Year. Completed today on Day 15, which i...
Painting this brings me great joy and comfort
I started drawing the White Tara after my surgery and the actual painting started on day one of the Lunar New Year. Completed today on Day 15, which is also full moon day. Painting this brings me great joy and comfort during this period of convalescence and I’m so grateful to Carmen for her teaching and generosity.
Mabel
Shirley Collins
I immerse myself into it
There were so many things that I enjoyed about this course. I immerse myself into it. An hours went by. It was such a good feeling to be able to commi...
I immerse myself into it
There were so many things that I enjoyed about this course. I immerse myself into it. An hours went by. It was such a good feeling to be able to commit to creating this beautiful Buddha face.
Shirley Collins
Heidi
Stepping into a new world of Tibetan Buddhism released a lot in me
‘Selfie of me and my Bestie-Buddha’
This week I continued coloring, the coat got a new color, he got hair and the lotus flowers are also just finished.
...
Stepping into a new world of Tibetan Buddhism released a lot in me
‘Selfie of me and my Bestie-Buddha’
This week I continued coloring, the coat got a new color, he got hair and the lotus flowers are also just finished.
I really enjoyed this course…
Being allowed to step into a new world of Tibetan Buddhism released a lot in me.
It was very intensive, very educational, but also very beautiful and fun to do this in a group.
Thank you Carmen because this is really your mission!
Heidi
Annemiek Markus
Here’s my Buddha!
Here’s my Buddha!
Here’s my Buddha!
Here’s my Buddha!
Annemiek Markus
Marie-Francoise Louyat-Provot
Inspiring and meditative!
I loved drawing the white Tara, it is so inspiring and meditative !
Inspiring and meditative!
I loved drawing the white Tara, it is so inspiring and meditative !
Marie-Francoise Louyat-Provot
Lynn B.
Carmen’s advice was clear and “right on”
I always looked forward to the hours when I could work on my White Tara painting. It felt like White Tara wanted to be created. Carmen with her expert...
Carmen’s advice was clear and “right on”
I always looked forward to the hours when I could work on my White Tara painting. It felt like White Tara wanted to be created. Carmen with her expertise and patience cheered me on past the various problems I encountered. Her advice was clear and “right on”. I can say this humbly and confidently as a retired high school art teacher.
Once again I offer gratitude to Carmen for creating beautiful, thorough online programs.
I wish you all well!
Lynn B.
Anjo Abbink
I drew the Buddha in one day on a Sunday
I really liked the course. I drew the Buddha in one day on a Sunday. Just treated myself to the whole day.
I drew the Buddha in one day on a Sunday
I really liked the course. I drew the Buddha in one day on a Sunday. Just treated myself to the whole day.
Anjo Abbink
Victoria
Something happened Inside of me
Since I am drawing, something happened Inside of me and I am looking forward to find out what it is.
Carmen, thank you for creating a path to thangka ...
Something happened Inside of me
Since I am drawing, something happened Inside of me and I am looking forward to find out what it is.
Carmen, thank you for creating a path to thangka drawing, I am able to follow.
Victoria
Nel Bartlema
I could choose my own time and speed
This colouring techniques course met my expectations, and very more than that. The course is a very handsome and espially well thought out lesson mate...
I could choose my own time and speed
This colouring techniques course met my expectations, and very more than that. The course is a very handsome and espially well thought out lesson material and exercises. It took more time than I expected, and it felt I had a real job to do. And so I did!
I loved the instruction video’s, where you show us a proces of colouring and shading;
I could choose my own time and speed to exercise
The video’s and bonusses at the end of almost every chapter
Your kindly and courageous comment
Playing with and looking to colours.
Thank you very very much, Carmen!
Nel Bartlema
Joke
My drawing is not finished yet but I am already very happy with it!
What a special course this has been. So nice to also experience the meditations and the mantra. This way you come into a wonderful energy of the White...
My drawing is not finished yet but I am already very happy with it!
What a special course this has been. So nice to also experience the meditations and the mantra. This way you come into a wonderful energy of the White Tara. My drawing is not finished yet but I am already very happy with it! Thank you Carmen for the great guidance
Joke
Laura
Every time I draw it I am drawing my own mind
Drawing Buddha was a meditative experience. I really liked learning about its iconography and knowing that every time I draw it I am drawing my own mi...
Every time I draw it I am drawing my own mind
Drawing Buddha was a meditative experience. I really liked learning about its iconography and knowing that every time I draw it I am drawing my own mind. The course was very clear, didactic and respectful. Thanks Carmen!
Laura
Ivy
The lessons were led expertly and were equally enjoyable and informative
I had no experience of drawing thangkas or Buddhist art, but found the process very eye opening. The symbols, despite looking very complex and strikin...
The lessons were led expertly and were equally enjoyable and informative
I had no experience of drawing thangkas or Buddhist art, but found the process very eye opening. The symbols, despite looking very complex and striking are quite easy to replicate which inspired me for starting future projects. The lessons were led expertly and were equally enjoyable and informative. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity, thank you Carmen.
Ivy
Snezana
Teaching transmitted in an intimate and professional way
As this is my second experience with you, I wanted to try some mixed media in the process. I have worked with acrylic and ink pencils, and I think tha...
Teaching transmitted in an intimate and professional way
As this is my second experience with you, I wanted to try some mixed media in the process. I have worked with acrylic and ink pencils, and I think that these mediums do not convey the delicacy to this kind of drawings. I am very eager to follow your training in Italy in order to better master this very delicate art.
Your explanations during the course are very clear. You were able to transmit the teaching in an intimate and professional way. I really enjoyed seeing your course again.
Snezana
Monique Kahman
I looked forward to the next symbol each Friday
This is my final drawing version of the mandala. After this I will work with fineliners and colored pencils.
I looked forward to the next symbol each ...
I looked forward to the next symbol each Friday
This is my final drawing version of the mandala. After this I will work with fineliners and colored pencils.
I looked forward to the next symbol each Friday.
Thank you.
Monique Kahman
Joke
Easy to do and at my own pace
I enjoyed the course on the eight auspicious symbols. Thanks to the clear explanation and guidance by Carmen it was very easy to do and at my own pace...
Easy to do and at my own pace
I enjoyed the course on the eight auspicious symbols. Thanks to the clear explanation and guidance by Carmen it was very easy to do and at my own pace. Really nice!
Joke
Laura
I live in Argentine Patagonia and that is why I drew Tara in a steppe landscape with steppe animals
Drawing Tara was a loving, meditative experience. I live in Argentine Patagonia and that is why I drew Tara in a steppe landscape with steppe animals....
I live in Argentine Patagonia and that is why I drew Tara in a steppe landscape with steppe animals
Drawing Tara was a loving, meditative experience. I live in Argentine Patagonia and that is why I drew Tara in a steppe landscape with steppe animals. I very much appreciate Carmen’s warm accompaniment. The classes were so clear, the possibility of sharing the process made me feel supported. Thank you!
Laura
Elana
I absolutely love it. Wonderful experience.
Thank you! I still need to touch it up, erase some grid lines, and attend your coloring course, but i absolutely love it. Wonderful experience.
I absolutely love it. Wonderful experience.
Thank you! I still need to touch it up, erase some grid lines, and attend your coloring course, but i absolutely love it. Wonderful experience.
Elana
Snezana
The presentation was exceptionally clear
Thank you very much for the wealth of information. The presentation was exceptionally clear and covered all the essential iconographic aspects of the ...
The presentation was exceptionally clear
Thank you very much for the wealth of information. The presentation was exceptionally clear and covered all the essential iconographic aspects of the White Tara.
So far I have only worked on the face, experimenting with different mixed techniques. I plan to finish the full drawing of Tara during the winter and bring it to Florence for the painting session.
I am really excited about this trip and looking forward to it.
Snezana
Alix
I felt very connected to my drawing
I really enjoyed this course, and I would definitely love to do some of the other courses and why not a retreat someday. This was the perfect introduc...
I felt very connected to my drawing
I really enjoyed this course, and I would definitely love to do some of the other courses and why not a retreat someday. This was the perfect introduction, and I felt very connected to my drawing. I was surprised at how meditative this practice is, and I loved the different recordings to connect even deeper to it. The guidance is very thorough and everything is very well thought. Thank you very much for offering this experience online.
Alix
Victoria
I loved the course and your explanations
Thanks you Carmen, I loved the course and your explanations how to draw the different parts and where to start helped me a lot. The Meditations and th...
I loved the course and your explanations
Thanks you Carmen, I loved the course and your explanations how to draw the different parts and where to start helped me a lot. The Meditations and the explanation of the symbolism I loved especially.
Best wishes, Victoria
Victoria
Anonymous
Lotus Flower
Lotus Flower
Anonymous
Emma Couperus
Combination of all the elements
Inspiring, the combination of all the elements. Still working on it sometimes.
Combination of all the elements
Inspiring, the combination of all the elements. Still working on it sometimes.
Emma Couperus
Diane Bruyere
I will never look at a Buddha Face the same way
I really appreciated the course. I will never look at a Buddha Face the same way. The lectures on background and symbolism were very interesting and a...
I will never look at a Buddha Face the same way
I really appreciated the course. I will never look at a Buddha Face the same way. The lectures on background and symbolism were very interesting and also the signification of the traditional colours. Congratulations for this course!
Diane Bruyere
Jean Choi
I learned so much
This course went beyond anything I could have imagined. I so appreciated your transmission and embodiment of what I know understand is actually a deep...
I learned so much
This course went beyond anything I could have imagined. I so appreciated your transmission and embodiment of what I know understand is actually a deep practice of thangka art. I learned so much and feel so much excitement for your other courses. I hope to join either your Italy or NY retreat later this year.
Jean Choi
Ineke
I have chosen to experiment with materials and colors
I have worked with great pleasure almost daily on the auspicious symbols. It gave me peace and beautiful insights. Because I have already drawn severa...
I have chosen to experiment with materials and colors
I have worked with great pleasure almost daily on the auspicious symbols. It gave me peace and beautiful insights. Because I have already drawn several Buddhas, I have now chosen to experiment with materials and colors. I want to color the mandala with watercolors. On vacation this week and my work is coming with me!
Thank you Carmen xx
Ineke
Sophia
I would recommend this course to anyone, including people with no drawing experience
This was a great course that exceeded all my expectations. I was able to easily finish my drawing but due to personal unforeseen events I could not co...
I would recommend this course to anyone, including people with no drawing experience
This was a great course that exceeded all my expectations. I was able to easily finish my drawing but due to personal unforeseen events I could not complete the painting. Despite that, I feel confident that Carmen has given me all the tools and training I need to finish on my own.
I would recommend this course to anyone, including people with no drawing experience. I have art and drawing experience, but this is a completely different art tradition so I felt like I learned from the ground up. Highly, highly recommend the course and Carmen as an instructor.
Course would be a great gift for a Buddhist friend or anyone interested in art, healing, or meditation. Carmen is also a very knowledgeable Buddhist and a great mediation teacher. Can’t say enough good things about her or the course, or Tara, who is a constant encouragement.
Sophia
Mabel
Also grateful for the background information
I really enjoyed the meditative process and the pace of the course. Also grateful for the background information which enhanced the understanding of T...
Also grateful for the background information
I really enjoyed the meditative process and the pace of the course. Also grateful for the background information which enhanced the understanding of Thangka painting and life of Buddha.
Mabel
Snezana
Enjoyed every step of the process
I enjoyed every step of the process and thank you.
I can’t wait to start painting it at the retreat.
Thank you so much
Snezana
Enjoyed every step of the process
I enjoyed every step of the process and thank you.
I can’t wait to start painting it at the retreat.
Thank you so much
Snezana
Snezana
Ineke
Working on the symbols gave me peace and beautiful insights
I have worked with great pleasure almost daily on the auspicious symbols. It gave me peace and beautiful insights. Because I have already drawn severa...
Working on the symbols gave me peace and beautiful insights
I have worked with great pleasure almost daily on the auspicious symbols. It gave me peace and beautiful insights. Because I have already drawn several Buddhas, I have now chosen to experiment with materials and colors. I want to color the mandala with watercolors. On vacation this week and my work is coming with me!
Thank you Carmen xx
Ineke
Benetta
Enjoyed the class and instruction
Thank you. Enjoyed the class and instruction.
Enjoyed the class and instruction
Thank you. Enjoyed the class and instruction.
Benetta
Ineke
Exciting how it will turn out
Beautiful how all the lucky symbols come together here. Exciting how it will turn out in the end.
Exciting how it will turn out
Beautiful how all the lucky symbols come together here. Exciting how it will turn out in the end.
Ineke
Sophia
I had a lot of drawing and art experience coming into the course, but I still learned a lot of new things and things that helped me as Buddhist practitioner
I enjoyed the easy step by step process interwoven with information about traditional thangka creation and practice. My expectations of this course we...
I had a lot of drawing and art experience coming into the course, but I still learned a lot of new things and things that helped me as Buddhist practitioner
I enjoyed the easy step by step process interwoven with information about traditional thangka creation and practice. My expectations of this course were more than met. The daily prompts from Tara and Carmen helped me stay on course despite my busy life. I had a lot of drawing and art experience coming into the course, but I still learned a lot of new things and things that helped me as Buddhist practitioner. The course was definitely worth the price. I also think the 10 day limit is a good thing as it pushes you to keep going and make time for this course/ practice. I really see thankga painting now as a way of deepening one’s practice. Highly recommend you try the Buddha face course if you’re on the fence about thangka painting or just need a way to make your practice fresh again. Carmen is an excellent teacher and guide and gives kind, thoughtful, constructive feedback.
Sophia