Home > Classes > Upcoming thangka courses > Extended Weekend Course, Venice, Italy, Nov. 8 – 11, 2018
Mandala of Green Tara
(Part 1/2)
or Green Tara instead of the mandala
Thu 8 to Sun 11 Nov. 2018
The course is offered in English and will be professionally translated in Italian
Because of Carmen’s three month stay in Venice we decided to offer an extra course in March 2019 and give you the opportunity to dive deeper into an amazing subject: the Mandala of Green Tara or Green Tara herself. In this first course (8-11 nov. 2018) you will learn how to draw this subject, and in the second course (21-24 March 2019) you will learn how to color or paint it with the right techniques. Note that this course can also be followed by itself, but priority will be given to people who sign up for both courses.
In this extended weekend course at a typical Venetian Palace on a canal in Venice’s historical center, you will learn how to draw the Mandala of Green Tara (or Green Tara) according to the tradition of Tibetan Buddhist thangkas (Tibetan scroll paintings).
Green Tara, the female manifestation of active compassion, reaches out her hand to grant all wishes and, with her right foot outstretched, is ready to step down and help all who call upon her.
Tara is one of the most revered deities of Tibetan Buddhism and there are numerous stories of people that were saved from fears and difficulties while calling her name.
Green Tara can be seen as one of the first emancipated women. When other -male- practitioners told her to pray for incarnation in a male body so she could reach enlightenment, she made an adamantine vow: “Until Samsara is empty, I shall work for the benefit of all sentient beings in a woman’s body.”
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.
There will also be a detailed explanation of the Green Tara Mantra.
Drawing a Mandala or 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 – with an Italian translation – and is suitable for beginners and advanced. It is not necessary to have drawing experience. Beginners will first draw a Buddha Face before moving on to drawing the complete figure or mandala.
Part 2:
Coloring/Painting your Mandala or Green Tara, 21-24 or 27 March 2019
Learn how to color or paint your Mandala or Green Tara with the special color pencil or thangka painting techniques that are offered in Part 2 of the course, from 21-24 March 2019. We will also offer an optional 3-day extension on March 25-26-27, where we will be painting in the morning and go for special non-touristy sightseeing places in Venice in the afternoon. More info will follow.
NOTE ABOUT REGISTRATION: As space is limited, priority will be given to students who join both courses.
More Info & Registration
For more information, cost and venue please check out the following:
Course 1 / Oct 8-11, 2018:
Thursday evening 8 Nov.: 20.00 – 21.30 (8-9.30pm) Introduction + Lecture about the subject, ending with drinks and snacks
Friday 9 Nov.: 10.00 – 18.00 (incl. lunch break)
Saturday 10 Nov.: 10.00 – 18.00 (incl. lunch break)
Sunday 11 Nov.: 10.00 – 17.00 (incl. lunch break)
Course 2 / March 21-24, 2019:
Thursday evening 21 March: 20.00 – 21.30 (8-9.30pm) Introduction + Lecture about the subject, ending with drinks and snacks
Friday 22 March: 10.00 – 18.00 (incl. lunch break)
Saturday 23 March: 10.00 – 18.00 (incl. lunch break)
Sunday 24 March: 10.00 – 17.00 (incl. lunch break)
Price:
Course 1 (8-11 nov 2018) + Course 2 (21-24 march 2019): €480 €450 including: coffee, tea, biscuits and fruit
You pay €270* before the first course, and pay the rest (€180) before the second course.
* In case you don’t join the second course you will not get the €30 deposit back
Optional extension 25/26/27 March 2019:
More info and price on the extension (painting in the morning, sightseeing in the afternoon) will be announced later this year.
Price only Course 1:
€240 (to be paid upon registration), only possible when there is enough space. Note that priority is given to students who join both courses.
Optional for each course: 3 large vegetarian lunches for €45, freshly made by the owners of this beautiful place, including red and white wine.
On Saturday there will be a dinner party, also optional.
Palazzo Minotto / Pianizzola (2nd floor)Sestiere di Santa Croce n. 143,
Fondamenta Minotto,
Rio del Gaffaro (close to fondamenta dei Tolentini)
Venice,
Italy
This is close to Piazzale Roma where the main train station of Venice is (S. Lucia) and all the busses arrive.
More pictures of the International Thangka Courses in Venice can be found here
Even more pics of the Buddhist Art Courses in Venice, Italy, can be found here
Come join us and create art in the most beautiful city in the world!