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 2026. 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?
Rene Vos
This thangka retreat was absolutely fantastic
What a wonderful time I had. I’d never drawn or colored before, but thanks to the passionate, patient Carmen, something came into being. Combined with ...
This thangka retreat was absolutely fantastic
What a wonderful time I had. I’d never drawn or colored before, but thanks to the passionate, patient Carmen, something came into being. Combined with the peaceful, meditative moments, this thangka retreat was absolutely fantastic. Highly recommended. Carmen is a star.
Rene Vos
Sally
The step by step guidance made it possible to create this Buddha
I had colouring experience but no drawing experience. The step by step guidance made it possible to create this Buddha. Also the extra information was...
The step by step guidance made it possible to create this Buddha
I had colouring experience but no drawing experience. The step by step guidance made it possible to create this Buddha. Also the extra information was very interesting. Thank you very much. Kind regards Sally (Belgium)
Sally
Kirsten Karacan
Especially enjoyed how the creative process was combined with the depth of symbolism
The course was a wonderful experience – I learned soo much.
And especially enjoyed how the creative process was combined with the depth of symbolism. T...
Especially enjoyed how the creative process was combined with the depth of symbolism
The course was a wonderful experience – I learned soo much.
And especially enjoyed how the creative process was combined with the depth of symbolism. The presentation of the background knowledge was clear, thorough, and very inspiring – you could feel how much passion and experience Carmen put into the course.
Thank you for this journey!
Kirsten Karacan
Irma
For me drawing is completely new, but I enjoyed the course very much
For me drawing is completely new, but I enjoyed the course very much. Doing this at home on my own, it was a real meditative experience. I also enjoye...
For me drawing is completely new, but I enjoyed the course very much
For me drawing is completely new, but I enjoyed the course very much. Doing this at home on my own, it was a real meditative experience. I also enjoyed the meditation, mantra’s and lectures on Tara’s Mudra. Thanks!
Irma
Do
The teachings not only lead to personal growth, it also brought me a peaceful mind and many hours of the joy of drawing
With no drawing experience except two precious online courses (Buddha face and Medicine Buddha) – also at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art of founde...
The teachings not only lead to personal growth, it also brought me a peaceful mind and many hours of the joy of drawing
With no drawing experience except two precious online courses (Buddha face and Medicine Buddha) – also at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art of founder and teacher Carmen Mensink – I consider myself very privileged that I could join the course for drawing The Eight Auspicious Symbols! This again was a wonderful experience. The teachings, with explanations about symbolism, philosophy, drawing instructions and much more, not only leads to personal growth, it also brought me a peaceful mind and many hours of the joy of drawing these beautiful Symbols.
Do
Gabriele Ott
I really love the warm, motivating and talented way you created this Thangka course for us
Dear Carmen, it was a beautiful journey 🙂
I loved the reflecions on each symbol and to dive deeper into their meanings. The Bonus tracks – especially V...
I really love the warm, motivating and talented way you created this Thangka course for us
Dear Carmen, it was a beautiful journey 🙂
I loved the reflecions on each symbol and to dive deeper into their meanings. The Bonus tracks – especially V. Robina Courtin with her clear and profund teaching.
I really enjoyed the Colouring course and the bonus tracks “Chinas Van Goghs” and the BBC doku about the Three Colours – so inspiring. And above all, I really love the warm, motivating and talented way you created this Thangka course for us. Thank you so much 🙂
Gabriele Ott
Sophia
It was definitely a spiritual as well as artistic retreat
Carmen’s class was a wonderful experience. I learned a lot about drawing and coloring and about Tara. It was definitely a spiritual as well as artistic...
It was definitely a spiritual as well as artistic retreat
Carmen’s class was a wonderful experience. I learned a lot about drawing and coloring and about Tara. It was definitely a spiritual as well as artistic retreat. Although it’s probably easier to do in person on a weekend, I think the online course was amazing and offered many of it’s own unique benefits (the ability to replay instruction!) for people who can’t do a weekend away.
Sophia
Maria Elmazi
It was so much more than anything I could have thought it would be!
I loved the White Tara course. It totally exceeded all my expectations! It was so much more than anything I could have thought it would be! I loved th...
It was so much more than anything I could have thought it would be!
I loved the White Tara course. It totally exceeded all my expectations! It was so much more than anything I could have thought it would be! I loved the extra information on the history, the iconography and the mantra!
Maria Elmazi
Allison
The 10-day format was a good balance between fitting the course into my schedule and pushing me to complete drawing
I loved learning about the traditional proportions and colors used in Thangka painting to draw the Buddha’s face. The 10-day format was a good balance...
The 10-day format was a good balance between fitting the course into my schedule and pushing me to complete drawing
I loved learning about the traditional proportions and colors used in Thangka painting to draw the Buddha’s face. The 10-day format was a good balance between fitting the course into my schedule and pushing me to complete drawing. Thank you for offering this class!
Allison
Mary E L Shepherd
You do a beautiful job teaching online, truly capturing your in-person style
Carmen, you do a beautiful job teaching online, truly capturing your in-person style. Your devotion to your lineage and your commitment to transmittin...
You do a beautiful job teaching online, truly capturing your in-person style
Carmen, you do a beautiful job teaching online, truly capturing your in-person style. Your devotion to your lineage and your commitment to transmitting Thangka knowledge authentically fill my soul and offer a deep sense of belonging. Good art takes time, and the mantra carries you away as you create. I look forward to completing the coloring and a few drawing details next week while I’m on vacation.
Mary E L Shepherd
Sophia
Just the right amount of instruction, demonstration, and handy off references
Finished at last. Fabulous experience. Just the right amount of instruction , demonstration, and handy off references. Really built my mediation pract...
Just the right amount of instruction, demonstration, and handy off references
Finished at last. Fabulous experience. Just the right amount of instruction , demonstration, and handy off references. Really built my mediation practice and my art skills. This was a great course that exceeded all my expectations.
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.
I look forward to doing in the colouring course to learn more.
Sophia
Paula Palermo
I can’t wait to explore more!
I loved the course! Creating this beautiful Buddha face was simply satisfying and left me feeling a sense of calm and curiosity that I can’t wait to e...
I can’t wait to explore more!
I loved the course! Creating this beautiful Buddha face was simply satisfying and left me feeling a sense of calm and curiosity that I can’t wait to explore more when I start the Buddha class. Thank you Carmen!
Paula Palermo
Gabriele Ott
I really learned a lot about Thangkas, Colouring and about myself
Dear Carmen, I send you an image of the Mandala. I want to keep it as a Duplex with no additional colours. I really loved the monochrome picture of th...
I really learned a lot about Thangkas, Colouring and about myself
Dear Carmen, I send you an image of the Mandala. I want to keep it as a Duplex with no additional colours. I really loved the monochrome picture of the Dharma wheel which you added in the colouring examples. And i wanted to add the words which ment a lot to me in the reflections. Thank you for this great workshop. I really learned a lot about Thangkas, Colouring and about myself. Wish you all the best. Gabi
Gabriele Ott
Laura
This course created with so much love and respect for the Dharma
This course was incredibly valuable to me, created with so much love and respect for the Dharma. I felt very stimulated in my experimentation, with Ca...
This course created with so much love and respect for the Dharma
This course was incredibly valuable to me, created with so much love and respect for the Dharma. I felt very stimulated in my experimentation, with Carmen always encouraging me and giving insightful guidance. I also appreciated the lectures, which were so informative and beautifully illustrated. I am so grateful to have participated! Thank you, Carmen!
Este curso me resultó muy valioso, hecho con tanto amor y respeto por el Dharma. Me sentí muy estimulada en mi experimentación, con Carmen siempre alentando y dando acertadas indicaciones. Valoré también las conferencias con tanta información ilustrada con preciosas imágenes. Estoy muy agradecida de haber participado! Gracias Carmen!
Laura
Francisca
I have learned a lot
I have followed a few thangka art classes with Carmen over de last 10 years. Twice a private course in Amsterdam and more recently twice in Venice (20...
I have learned a lot
I have followed a few thangka art classes with Carmen over de last 10 years. Twice a private course in Amsterdam and more recently twice in Venice (2023 & 2025). Both options are very nice and I have learned a lot. The subject of the course is taught by lecture, meditation and drawing. Carmen is a very gifted artist and teacher.
Francisca
Sophia
Even if you don’t think that you have any artistic ability, Carmen can get those latent seeds of talent blooming in no time
I enjoyed the course’s step by step approach. Starting with foundational drawing skills and shading techniques, to 3-d modeling then on to color theory...
Even if you don’t think that you have any artistic ability, Carmen can get those latent seeds of talent blooming in no time
I enjoyed the course’s step by step approach. Starting with foundational drawing skills and shading techniques, to 3-d modeling then on to color theory and how to use the different mediums and tools to create the effects you would like. The videos of great artists and their works is also helpful and inspirational. Even if you don’t think that you have any artistic ability, Carmen can get those latent seeds of talent blooming in no time. Highly recommend even if you’re just interested in a basic art course and not Buddhist art.
Sophia
Helma
I plan to practice even more in the coming months
Hi Carmen, It is nice to be busy drawing (and coloring!) the image while listening to the Dharma Talk. I plan to practice even more in the coming mont...
I plan to practice even more in the coming months
Hi Carmen, It is nice to be busy drawing (and coloring!) the image while listening to the Dharma Talk. I plan to practice even more in the coming months. Erasing the Grid remains a challenge, I notice. I have always enjoyed coloring and started coloring mantras a while ago. That was until a friend drew my attention to your website and I started with great enthusiasm. Who knows, maybe until next time!
Helma
Martha Seif
Painting was pure meditation for me, being in the moment
Painting the White Tara was a very healing process for me.
The structure of the modules is very helpful, as you prepare us for the next step in a very...
Painting was pure meditation for me, being in the moment
Painting the White Tara was a very healing process for me.
The structure of the modules is very helpful, as you prepare us for the next step in a very gentle way.
For me, it was a development that allowed my consciousness to grow in a healing way.
Painting was pure meditation for me, being in the moment.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Martha Seif
Lynn B.
Attached is my 8 Auspicious Symbols in progress!
Attached is my 8 Auspicious Symbols in progress!
I sincerely enjoy Carmen’s courses. I’ve taken several of them. Once again with clear drawing and paint...
Attached is my 8 Auspicious Symbols in progress!
Attached is my 8 Auspicious Symbols in progress!
I sincerely enjoy Carmen’s courses. I’ve taken several of them. Once again with clear drawing and painting guidance and superb supplementary videos and written information, Carmen has created a unique learning experience for her participants.
Carmen’s obvious love and dedication to Buddhism and to this beautiful art form gives one the energy and the inspiration to pick up pencils and paints and allow the images to unfold on the paper and take on a life of their own. Just kind of fills you with joy and peace! It’s kind of like meeting old friends (and sometimes meeting new friends).
Grateful to you, Carmen, for the the amount of time and devotion it takes to create an online course of this caliber.
Thank you and love to you all my unseen classmates.
Lynn B.
Niki
I’ll continue working on my drawing over time and am looking forward to the peaceful feelings in doing so
I enjoyed the course, but unfortunately did not have as much time to devote to it as I had hoped. I’ll continue working on my drawing over time and am ...
I’ll continue working on my drawing over time and am looking forward to the peaceful feelings in doing so
I enjoyed the course, but unfortunately did not have as much time to devote to it as I had hoped. I’ll continue working on my drawing over time and am looking forward to the peaceful feelings in doing so. I’ll be happy to send you a photo with the finished artwork in the future. Thank you Carmen
Niki
Lee
Thank you for the teachings
Hi Carmen, I am moving through the course very slowly. It will probably take me about a year to do each symbol. Thank you for the teachings. (We met a...
Thank you for the teachings
Hi Carmen, I am moving through the course very slowly. It will probably take me about a year to do each symbol. Thank you for the teachings. (We met at Samye Ny last year.) 🙏
Lee
Jeffifer
I like that drawing a Buddha face is an expression of my mind
I liked the physical expression of practice.
I did have some very informal drawing experience.
I like that drawing a Buddha face is an expression of m...
I like that drawing a Buddha face is an expression of my mind
I liked the physical expression of practice.
I did have some very informal drawing experience.
I like that drawing a Buddha face is an expression of my mind. An immediate expression of this concept was that, although I carefully read the instructions on what materials to purchase, when i came to the purchasing, I bought things that didn’t work so well! (Paper much too light, and a pencil that was heavier than recommended; consequently, I had trouble erasing the lines.) Nevertheless, although disappointed, I was undaunted. I simply asked you for help, and took the recommendations, and kept going.
Jeffifer
Alison
So calming and absorbing
This is my 3rd course and I’m enjoying the process more each time as I’m getting familiar with the process. So calming and absorbing, I feel I am gettin...
So calming and absorbing
This is my 3rd course and I’m enjoying the process more each time as I’m getting familiar with the process. So calming and absorbing, I feel I am getting to White Tara!
Alison