Geniet je een beetje van het lekkere weer? Misschien heb je de foto’s gezien op mijn Facebook en Instagram pagina’s van mijn recente Thangka Teken- en Schilderretraite in Italië.
Eenzelfde retraite geef ik binnenkort op de Veluwe als Zomerweek. Geschikt voor iedereen en alle niveaus,
Je bent van harte welkom! Carmen
GEEF JE NU OP VOOR DE
THANGKA RETRAITE 2023! 5-12 Augustus Loenen op de Veluwe Een speciale Zomerweek waarin je zelf Tibetaanse Kunst leert maken en hier alles over leert door middel van lezingen, meditaties etc. Ook is er genoeg vrije tijd om heerlijke wandelingen te maken en bijv. de oude papierfabriek te bezoeken. In een Boeddhistisch centrum op de Veluwe, inclusief alle overnachtingen en alle heerlijke veg. maaltijden. Geschikt voor cursisten op alle niveaus, van beginners (ja, ook voor mensen zonder tekenervaring!) tot gevorderden. Een eenpersoonskamer met eigen douche en toilet is mogelijk. Geef dit even aan bij je registratie. Meer informatie op mijn website
This temporary 20% discount is not only valid for all stand-alone courses that are scheduled this year, but also for all course bundles that include one of them:
Learn to draw and paint Buddhist art and enjoy lectures, meditation and free time with like-minded people. Suitable for students on all levels. Including lodging and all meals.
Learn to draw and paint Buddhist art and enjoy lectures, meditation and the beautiful premises of Omega Institute with like-minded people. Suitable for students on all levels. Including lodging and all meals.
As students are on different levels and thus will be working on different subjects please contact Carmen after your registration about it (by replying to this email for example)
MORE INFO & REGISTRATION
Course in NYC I will offer a weekend course on Manjushri (Buddha of Wisdom) in NYC on Oct 6/7/8. Save the date for now, and I’ll tell you more about it soon.
Thangka Art Course
Venice, Italy, 26-29 Oct
I’m so happy to announce that we can organize this four day thangka drawing course in the most beautiful city in the world again! Held in a traditional Venetian Palazzo on one of the canals, with beautiful views.
Learn to draw and paint a Buddha or Mandala, and enjoy lectures on Tibetan Art during this meditative retreat with like-minded people, at the beautiful Omega Institute in Rhinebeck NY.
Suitable for students on all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced. Including lodging and all meals.
As students are on different levels and thus will be working on different subjects you can contact Carmen about this after your registration (by replying to this email for ex.)
Oct 5, 2023 Don’t miss this evening workshop if you want to learn more about Tibetan Art! It’s the perfect introduction to thangka, where you will learn how to draw the Face of the Buddha according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Also suitable for people with no drawing experience whatsoever.
This weekend you will learn how to draw the beautiful Manjushri -the embodiment of the wisdom of all the Buddhas- according to the Tibetan tradition or thangka.
New students can learn to draw the historical Buddha.
Hi Reader, Did you enjoy your summer? Mine was good, though it’s been raining quite a lot here in The Netherlands. We even had rain during the Thangka Summer Retreat – but let’s just say this was the perfect weather to draw and paint! In this email you’ll find some pics and a link to the entire photo album.
I am currently preparing for my courses in the US (NY area) that start at the end of this month, if you want to attend please register if you haven’t done so yet, so I can also prepare for you.
If you prefer to join a thangka course from your home, I just want to inform you that there’s one day left to register for the online Buddha Face and White Tara courses.
Carmen
LAST DAY to register for the online BUDDHA FACE and WHITE TARA Courses:
Here some pics of the recent Thangka Summer Course at Maitreya Institute in The Netherlands:
Our lovely classroom with lots of space. The thangka on the table is an old thangka depicting scenes of Buddha’s Life.
Students preparing a traditional thangka canvas and frame.
One of the lectures that I gave during the week, on all elements of the Thangka Landscape, that are connected to the Five Elements.
As a little excursion we took a tour at the nearby castle.
Some of the gorgeous artworks that were created!
And when you work hard you need to eat well, so our wonderful cook Yuval created the tastiest of vegetarian dishes.
An evening full of music! Some of the students brought their musical instruments and so a spontaneous evening occurred, where we were chanting mantras together and listening to the beautiful poems of Tagore that were set on music.
Learn to draw and paint a Buddha or Mandala, and enjoy lectures on Tibetan Art during this meditative retreat with like-minded people, at the beautiful Omega Institute in Rhinebeck NY.
Suitable for students on all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced. Including lodging and all meals.
As students are on different levels and thus will be working on different subjects you can contact Carmen about this after your registration (by replying to this email for ex.)
Oct 5, 2023 Don’t miss this evening workshop if you want to learn more about Tibetan Art! It’s the perfect introduction to thangka, where you will learn how to draw the Face of the Buddha according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Also suitable for people with no drawing experience whatsoever.
This weekend you will learn how to draw the beautiful Manjushri -the embodiment of the wisdom of all the Buddhas- according to the Tibetan tradition or thangka.
New students can learn to draw the historical Buddha.
This retreat is taught in English, translation in Italian or other language provided on request
€108 Discount for the First Ten Registrants
Thangka Painting Retreat Tuscany (near Florence)
May 10-17, 2025 In this wonderful 8-day Thangka Retreat in Italy you will learn to draw (and color or paint) a Buddha or Mandala according to the Tibetan Buddhist thangka tradition. It is suitable for everyone, from beginners to advanced.
A comfortable stay with full board is included, and apart from the art sessions you will learn so much more through the lectures, meditations and movies that are offered. And of course there’s free time to visit Florence.
NETHERLANDS: Speciale cursus tijdens Losar! De Acht Gelukssymbolen en Boeddha’s van Lang Leven
27 feb t/m 2 mrt 2025 Vanwege het Tibetaans Nieuwjaar dat op 28 feb. wordt gevierd zijn er speciale onderwerpen uitgekozen die daar het beste bij passen en waaruit je kunt kiezen.
Vierdaagse Thangkacursus op de Veluwe, inclusief alle overnachtingen en maaltijden. Geen tekenervaring nodig.
Courses on Guan Yin in The Netherlands Amidst the beautiful autumn colors of the Veluwe, great artworks were being made! The next course at this location will be during Losar, Tibetan New Year, from Feb 27-Mar 2.
Venice Thangka Art Course Let the pics from earlier this month speak for themselves! Next year this four-day Thangka Art Course in the most beautiful city in the world will be from Nov 6-9 (save the date!)
Got any questions? Just reply to this email and I will get back to you asap.
How was your Summer? I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have (we celebrated Tara’s sixth birthday!) see the pics in this newsletter.
Herewith I present you the course program for this Fall/Winter so far, with a 20% discount on upcoming online classes for Early Birds. Additional classes may be added later.
New in this newsletter is that the descriptions of some courses offered in The Netherlands will be written in Dutch and some of those in Italy wil be in Italian, as that’s where the majority of the students will be from. Students from other countries than these do regularly join though! Especially at the upcoming one offered in Venice, as it can be combined with vacation in Italy and a visit to the Art Biennale. I’ve heard it’s a good one this year. If students need translation (in any language) I’m happy to provide them with it for the lectures, meditations etc. so they can read along with me, whether I teach in Dutch or English.
Oct 20, 2024 Learn about the tradition of thangka art, how it came into existence, and the special place it holds within the Tibetan buddhist philosophy. After this you’ll get to experience it hands-on by learning how to draw the Face of the Buddha.
Tijdens deze vierdaagse cursusleer je deze prachtige figuur te tekenen (en wellicht te kleuren of later te schilderen). Je ontvangt je de grids van twee verschillende vormen van Guan Yin: staand en zittend.
Guan Yin is te vinden in diverse boeddhistische tradities van China, Japan, Korea en Vietnam. Ze is een vorm van Avalokitesvara (Tib. Chenrezig), de mannelijke bodhisattva van mededogen.
Erg interessant aan haar verhaal is hoe ze door de eeuwen heen transformeerde van een mannelijke naar een vrouwelijke vorm, en uiteraard kom je hier ook alles over te weten.
Nov 7-10, 2024 Durante questo corso di quattro giorni imparerai a disegnare questa bellissima figura (e magari dipingerla).
Riceverai le griglie di due diverse forme di Guan Yin: in piedi e seduto.
Guan Yin si trova in varie tradizioni buddiste di Cina, Giappone, Corea e Vietnam. È una forma di Avalokitesvara (tib. Chenresi), il bodhisattva maschio della Compassione.
Molto interessante della sua storia è il modo in cui si è trasformata dalla forma maschile a quella femminile nel corso dei secoli, e ovviamente imparerai anche tutto su questo.
Starting Nov, the following courses will be offered online at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art. You will get 20% discount on the following courses and course bundles when registering before Oct 14, and filling in the code EARLYBIRD20 on your checkout page (under the Order Summary).
Start your thangka journey here and learn to draw the Face of the Buddha according to the Tibetan thangka tradition. No drawing experience needed. A very rich course that can also be purchased in a bundle with the White Tara course.
Learn all about the Buddha of Longevity and how to draw her according to the Tibetan Thangka tradition. This in-depth course that can also be purchased in a bundle with the Buddha Face course (prerequisite).
The Eight Auspicious Symbols on separate pieces pf paper
The Eight Auspicious Symbols, each in a lotus petal in the mandala
The Eight Auspicious Symbols Nov 22, 202 – Feb 2, 2025
A very rich course in ten weeks, where you’ll learn to create a new symbol each week. They can either be drawn/painted as separate symbols or in a mandala (or both!). No drawing experience needed.
This in-depth, rich course can also be purchased in a bundle with the Colouring Techniques course.
NOTE: All videos at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art offer subtitles in English, Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish and French. If you prefer them in any other language, just contact us.
Summer in Amsterdam ☀️ After months of teaching almost non-stop, including the thangka summer retreats that I gave, I had some time for myself.
What I’ve been doing I never go on on vacation in the Summer as I love spending it where I live, here in Amsterdam. The vibe is great and there’s so much to do, from plays and music in the parks to art shows and festivals and boat trips on the canals (I bought a foldable kayak for this). Those who know me know that I play theatre and sometimes paint faces in addition to thangkas 😃, such as the make-up for drag kings and queens during the Pride. And I love dressing up for special occasions myself, like I did for the festival below.
What I’ve been reading This book is currently on my coffee table! Mindful Living is a beautiful book with great pictures written by Anjie Cho -my long time student and friend from NYC- and Laura Morris. Mindful Living invites you to explore the many paths to living mindfully with feng shui. Much more than just rearranging your furniture or painting a door in a different color, this book is rather about connecting to our hearts, our home, the land, and the world we’ve inherited as a whole. Read more at the Mindful Design Feng Shui School
What I’ve been celebrating On Aug 25 we celebrated Tara’s sixth birthday, hurray! 🎉 Such a big girl! She’s been with me since she was two years old.
Tara’s birthday was celebrated with cakes and of course the birthday girl was given some tasty snacks, as well as a few new toys.
PS Still got any questions on the course program above? Just contact me by replying to this email.
Tara’s counting down to Losar 🎉Tomorrow is Losar, Tibetan New Year, and as this is a perfect time to offer gifts you can expect to get a bunch of Free Gifts at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art.
Just one more night! Keep an eye on the newsletter tomorrow that has the link in it and/or check the Facebook and Instagram pages.
In this newsletter an overview of the upcoming classes Online, in the US and in Europe. And check out the pics and videos of the recent thangka art retreat near Florence, Italy ❤️
The Medicine Buddha (Tib.: Sangye Menla) is the embodiment of all the Buddhas’ Healing qualities, associated with healing both physical and mental suffering. His deep blue lapis lazuli colour and the healing plants that he holds, symbolize his power to conquer diseases and delusions.
In this course you will learn how to draw this Buddha according to thangka tradition.
NOTE:if you want to join the Medicine Buddha Course but haven’t drawn the Buddha Face yet you can do so here
NYC > Upcoming Classes
Rhinebeck, NY > Thangka Retreat
🇺🇸
Introduction to Thangka Art
Tibet House, NYC
June 21, 2024 A beautiful evening with Carmen Mensink, where after her lecture on the art of thangka you’ll get to experience it hands-on by learning how to draw the Face of the Buddha according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
This evening is suitable for everyone, including beginners with no drawing experience whatsoever; Carmen will guide you individually.
During this weekend workshop you will learn to draw (and perhaps later paint) this beautiful figure according to the tradition of thangka (Tibetan scroll paintings).
Guan Yin can be found 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 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.
For the drawing part you can choose between two different forms of Guan Yin -standing and sitting. Of course you can also just focus on drawing her face.
Join us for the annual Arts Week at the wonderful Omega Institute!
Learn to draw and/or paint a Buddha or Mandala, and enjoy lectures on Tibetan Art during this meditative retreat with like-minded people, at the beautiful Omega Institute in Rhinebeck NY.
Carmen’s personal approach and guidance makes this retreat suitable for students of all levels.
The subject this week is Green Tara and her mandala. You can choose which one you want to work on this week.
Beginners may also choose for Buddha Shakyamuni or Medicine Buddha as their subject this week (as these are better suitable for beginners) but please contact Carmen beforehand if you would like that so she can prepare this for you.
There will be time to make lovely walks, visit the sweet village of Rhinebeck and join the extra eveing programs that Omega offers.
Omega offers amazing meals and you can choose from different places to stay on campus (or off campus).
During this in-depth Thangka Summer Retreat (at a Buddhist center on the Veluwe) you will learn to draw or paint a Buddha according to the Tibetan tradition.
Check out the pics and videos of the artworks that the students have made during this last Italy retreat, and the stunning new location near Florence (that we visited during our day off)Go to the Photo Album
SAVE THE DATE FOR NEXT YEAR: MAY 10-17, 2025
PS Some pictures of the past few weeks:
main building of the new retreat location in Italy near Florence
The beautiful works space of the new retreat location
Florence as seen from the Bardini Gardens
One of my many favorite paintings at the Uffizi museum in Florence: Head of Medusa by Caravaggio. c. 1597
The Anselm Kiefer exhibit ‘Fallen Angels’ at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence
Having a Spritz with Florence in the background
Florence as seen from the Bardini Gardens
After the Italy retreat I visited Vinci last week, the place where Leonardo Da Vinci was born
Save the dates:
Next year’s thangka retreat in Italy is from May 10-17, 2025 The next thangka course in Italy is in Venice, Nov 7-10, 2024 (Registration opens in July)
The Buddha (Buddha Shakyamuni), thangka painted by Carmen Mensink in 2016
What is Saka Dawa? Saka Dawa is one of the four great holy days of the Tibetan calendar. It it commemorates and celebrates Shakyamuni Buddha’s three major life events: his birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana (when a buddha passes away and leaves his or her earthly body).
How do you celebrate it? On this day, that this year will be on May 23rd, Buddhists around the world engage in many prayers and practices, make extensive offerings to teachers and holy objects, and perform charitable activities. This occasion is an excellent opportunity for beneficial thoughts, speech, and actions, and to dedicate ourselves to practice and study. > Recommended practices that can be done on this day You can also check your local Buddhist center for celebrations to join.
Flower offerings made by the students during one of Carmen’s thangka retreats in The Netherlands
Merit-multiplying day On this auspicious merit-multiplying day, the karmic results of everything we do on this day are multiplied by 100 million, according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, as cited in the vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic.
It is encouraged to make special offerings on your altar today: fruit, sweets, or flowers, which will create an abundance of positive energy.
Coming to the US soon 🇺🇸
Register now for the classes below
I’m currently making all preparations for my upcoming classes in the East Coast. This year’s focus will be on female Buddhas and their (active) compassion: the special, fabulous Guan Yin and the the most famous female deity Green Tara. Also Green Tara’s mandala can be your choice of subject in the retreat.
Those who are new to Thangka drawing and painting are welcome for the Introduction evening at Tibet House and learn to draw a Buddha Face.
🇺🇸
Introduction to Thangka Art
Tibet House, NYC
June 21, 2024 A beautiful evening with Carmen Mensink, where after her lecture on the art of thangka you’ll get to experience it hands-on by learning how to draw the Face of the Buddha according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
This evening is suitable for everyone, including beginners with no drawing experience whatsoever; Carmen will guide you individually.
During this weekend workshop you will learn to draw (and perhaps later paint) this beautiful figure according to the tradition of thangka (Tibetan scroll paintings).
Guan Yin can be found 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 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.
For the drawing part you can choose between two different forms of Guan Yin -standing and sitting. Of course you can also just focus on drawing her face.
The use of materials is included!
INFO & REGISTRATION
Note: for this course it’s recommended to join the Introduction to Thangka Art evening the day before, so you ‘ll learn the basics. If you can’t make it the evening on June 21st, you can also do this online course beforehand, that will teach you the same.
Join us for the annual Arts Week at the wonderful Omega Institute!
Learn to draw and/or paint a Buddha or Mandala, and enjoy lectures on Tibetan Art during this meditative retreat with like-minded people, at the beautiful Omega Institute in Rhinebeck NY.
Carmen’s personal approach and guidance makes this retreat suitable for students of all levels.
The subject this week is Green Tara and her mandala. You can choose which one you want to work on this week.
Beginners may also choose for Buddha Shakyamuni or Medicine Buddha as their subject this week (as these are better suitable for beginners) but please contact Carmen beforehand if you would like that so she can prepare this for you.
There will be time to make lovely walks, visit the sweet village of Rhinebeck and join the extra eveing programs that Omega offers.
Omega offers amazing meals and you can choose from different places to stay on campus (or off campus).
This summer I’ll be teaching the wonderful Thangka Summer Retreat in The Netherlands again, and the subsequent courses in The Netherlands and Venice (Italy) will be (like in NYC) focused on Guan Yin.
During this in-depth Thangka Summer Retreat at Maitreya Institute Buddhist center (Veluwe) you will learn to draw or paint a Buddha or Mandala according to the Tibetan tradition.
Suitable for all levels including beginners without drawing experience.
At home, on my altar with female Buddhas, I’ve had two statues of Guan Yin for many many years. A standing Guan Yin (here behind the daffodils) and a seated one, known for its ‘royal ease posture.’
These two forms are among the ones most depicted out of the 33 manifestations of Guan Yin that are mentioned in the Lotus Sutra (chapter 25).
When Mahayana Buddhism spread from India to China in the 1st century CE, also its deities traveled along. Avalokiteshvara, the Indian Bodhisattva of Compassion (known as Chenrezig in Tibetan) was called Guan Yin in China, and the deity became incredibly popular through the centuries, as well as in Japan and Korea.
Remarkable about this bodhisattva is that through the centuries Guan Yin slowly changed from a male bodhisattva -often depicted with a moustache and a goatee!- to a female deity. There are several reasons for that, one of them being the fact that she appeared in a female form in the many visions and appearances that (lay) people have witnessed.
Of course you’ll learn all about this and more in the lectures I give during the drawing/painting courses on Guan Yin that I’ll be offering this Oct and Nov in The Netherlands (Oct 27-30) and in Venice, Italy (Nov 7-10), see below.
I absolutely adore her and her strong and loving energy, and I’m happy to share my knowledge of her with you and help you make a gorgeous Guan Yin, as my students did in the images above.
Namo Guan Shi Yin Pusa! Carmen
PS Note that the course in The Netherlands is an EXTRA one as the first one is already completely full. Also the courses in Venice are known to fill up fast.
Standing Guan Yin
Seated Guan Yin
Standing Guan Yin
NOTE: This retreat will be taught in Dutch, translation is provided on request (in your preferred language)
During this four-day course you will learn to draw (and perhaps color or later paint) this beautiful figure according to the tradition of thangka.
Guan Yin can be found 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 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.
For the drawing part you receive the grids of two different forms of Guan Yin -standing and sitting.
Nov 7-10, 2024 A four-day drawing course on Guan Yin, the special Bodhisattva of Compassion, in the heart of beautiful Venice.
Guan Yin can be found in the various Buddhist traditions of China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. She is a form of Avalokitesvara (Tib. Chenrezig) the male bodhisattva of compassion, but changed to a female form over the centuries.
You will receive the grids of two different forms of Guan Yin -standing and sitting.
Tip: combine this course with vacation in Italy and the Art Biennale in Venice that runs through the end of Nov.
2024 Thangka Painting Summer Retreat I recently gave the annual Thangka retreat week in buddhist center Maitreya Instituut in The Netherlands, where students learn to work with the traditional drawing and painting techniques, and also can learn to create a traditional thangka canvas and frame. Save the Date! Next year it will be from August 3-10, 2025. Want to see all pics + student artworks? Go to the photo album!
Eight Auspicious Symbols Summer School For the Vrije Academie in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, I offered a Summer School on the Eight Auspicious Symbols. Such a joyous week we had! Check out the pics here.
Want to learn how to draw these most famous set of Tibetan symbols yourself? The end of this year I will offer the online Eight Auspicious Symbols Course again, at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art. Keep an eye on this newsletter as the dates will be announced in here soon.
Introduction to the Art of Thangka In Amsterdam I gave the ‘Introduction to the art of Thangka’ in july, a beautiful day at buddhist center Maitreya Instituut where people learn about the history and tradition of thangka painting and its place within the Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. In addition people learned to draw he face of the Buddha.
Tijdens deze vierdaagse cursusleer je deze prachtige figuur te tekenen (en wellicht te kleuren of later te schilderen). Je ontvangt je de grids van twee verschillende vormen van Guan Yin: staand en zittend.
Guan Yin is te vinden in diverse boeddhistische tradities van China, Japan, Korea en Vietnam. Ze is een vorm van Avalokitesvara (Tib. Chenrezig), de mannelijke bodhisattva van mededogen.
Erg interessant aan haar verhaal is hoe ze door de eeuwen heen transformeerde van een mannelijke naar een vrouwelijke vorm, en uiteraard kom je hier ook alles over te weten.
A short impression of the four-day thangka drawing and painting course in Venice (Italy), held annually in this traditional ‘Venetian Palazzo.’ The video starts in Italian and soon switches over in English:
This video was created during last year’s thangka course and was made possible by the International Dzogchen Community Gyamtsholing Venezia and the International Atiyoga Foundation 🙏🏼
Want to join this year’s Venice Course from Nov 7-10? You still can! here’s the info:
🇺🇸 NOTE: this retreat is taught in English, translation is provided on request (in Italian or any other language)
During this four-day course, you will learn to draw this beautiful figure (and perhaps paint it).
You will receive grids of two different Guan Yin forms: standing and sitting.
Nov 7-10, 2024 Durante questo corso di quattro giorni imparerai a disegnare questa bellissima figura (e magari dipingerla).
Riceverai le griglie di due diverse forme di Guan Yin: in piedi e seduto.
Guan Yin si trova in varie tradizioni buddiste di Cina, Giappone, Corea e Vietnam. È una forma di Avalokitesvara (tib. Chenresi), il bodhisattva maschio della Compassione.
Molto interessante della sua storia è il modo in cui si è trasformata dalla forma maschile a quella femminile nel corso dei secoli, e ovviamente imparerai anche tutto su questo.
This week I will start sending out the envelopes with grids and handouts for the White Tara course that starts on Nov 22nd, so you will have them on time before the course starts. You can still join and sign up here, and include the Buddha Face class that starts on Nov 8 if you haven’t done this one yet.
On the same day the Eight Auspicious Symbols course starts, a course over 10 weeks designed to bring good fortune and prosperity into the new year. More info below.
Start your thangka journey here and learn to draw the Face of the Buddha according to the Tibetan thangka tradition. No drawing experience needed. A very rich course that can also be purchased in a bundle with the White Tara course.
Learn all about the Buddha of Longevity and how to draw her according to the Tibetan Thangka tradition. This in-depth course that can also be purchased in a bundle with the Buddha Face course (prerequisite).
The Eight Auspicious Symbols on separate pieces pf paper
The Eight Auspicious Symbols, each in a lotus petal in the mandala
The Eight Auspicious Symbols Nov 22, 202 – Feb 2, 2025
A very rich course in ten weeks, where you’ll learn to create a new symbol each week. They can either be drawn/painted as separate symbols or in a mandala (or both!). No drawing experience needed.
This in-depth, rich course can also be purchased in a bundle with the Colouring Techniques course.
NOTE: All videos at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art offer subtitles in English, Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish and French. If you prefer them in any other language, just contact us.
Announcements: Date Changes
Save the date! There are some minor date changes to the ones that were previously announced:
US: Omega Institute Thangka Retreat 2025 will be from June 29 – July 6, 2025
NETHERLANDS: Thangka Summer Retreat 2025 will be from July 27 – Aug 3, 2025
Check out the pics
Last Sun I offered my well-known ‘Introduction to the Art of Thangka’ day class at buddhist center Maitreya Institute in Amsterdam. This special day is perfect for those who are new to thangka art and/or the Tibetan buddhist philosophy, and includes: a morning meditation, the lecture ‘The Art of Thangka Art and its purpose’, an introduction to the Buddhist philosophy and of course the hands-on workshop ‘Drawing the Face of the Buddha.’
Maitreya Buddhist Center in Amsterdam
Here are the results at the end of the day. Not all Buddhas are finished yet as it takes quite a bit of time, but students learned how to continue and finish it at home.
Want to join this class? New dates for this class will be scheduled for Spring, keep an eye on this newsletter.
I just came back from hot New York City where I offered my annual thangka classes, there and in upstate NY -> Check the pictures in this email!
The rest of the year I’ll be teaching in The Netherlands and Italy: From August 3-10 I’ll be teaching the Thangka Summer Retreat in The Netherlands again -> there are a few spaces left!
In Amsterdam I’ll be offering a day class for new people on the Art of Thangka, and the four-day courses in The Netherlands and Venice (Italy) will be focused on the special deity Guan Yin. All info can be found below!
Carmen
NOTE: This retreat will be taught in Dutch, translation is provided on request (in your preferred language)
During this in-depth Thangka Summer Retreat at Maitreya Institute Buddhist center (Veluwe) you will learn to draw or paint a Buddha or Mandala according to the Tibetan tradition.
Suitable for all levels including beginners without drawing experience.
Including all overnight stays and delicious meals!
20 Oct, 2024 A delightful day with Carmen Mensink, where she lectures you on the art of thangka and its purpose within the Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, after which you’ll get to experience it hands-on by learning how to draw the Face of the Buddha according to the tradition.
This day is suitable for everyone, including beginners with no drawing experience whatsoever (Carmen will guide you individually).
During this extended weekend course you will learn to draw (and perhaps color or later paint) this beautiful figure according to the tradition of thangka (Tibetan scroll paintings).
Guan Yin can be found 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 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.
For the drawing part you can choose between two different forms of Guan Yin -standing and sitting. Of course you can also just focus on drawing her face.
NOTE: registration for this course opens VERY soon, late July / early August! Perfect to combine this course with vacation in Italy and the Art Biennale in Venice that’s runs through the end of Nov.
NOTE: This retreat will be taught in English, translation in Italian or any other language is provided on request.
Check out the pics!
Photos from the recent Thangka Tour in the US:
Classes at Tibet House, NYC At Tibet House I offered different classes, both for beginners and more advanced. Next year I’ll be teaching in June 2025. Want to see all pics? Go to the photo album!
Private Classes in NYC In between the group teachings I always offer private thangka classes, such as this one with Al Gorgoni. He started this beautiful Mandala of the 5 Buddha Families painting in the early 70’s, and this year I’ve helped him to finished it. There are still a few gold details to be added but we’ll hopefully get to do that next year.
Retreat at Omega Institute, NY I always look forward to teaching my retreats at the beautiful green premises of Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, NY. The group and I had a wonderful six days together – people on all levels, from new students without any drawing experience to those who’ve been coming to my courses for 10+ years. Next year I’ll be teaching here from June 27-July 4, 2025 (Save the date!) Want to see all pics? Go to the photo album!
PS 1 During our afternoon off at Omega Institute I always love to go kayaking on their beautiful lake 💙
PS 2 After returning to The Netherlands I was reunited with Tara, who had been spoiled by my mom during my time in the US 😻
Buongiorno Reader! Just sending you a quick message about my courses in Italy, including a new and exciting retreat space near Florence – check it out!
Ciao ciao e a presto, Carmen
For last minute deciders Oct 26-29, 2023 Thangka Art Course in Venice, Italy
For fast deciders: two places have become available for this special four day thangka art course, next week in the most beautiful city on earth! I reopened registration here
SAVE THE DATE! April 12-19, 2024 Thangka Art Retreat near Florence, Italy
Have a sneak preview at the wonderful new space for my thangka painting retreat.
Any questions? Just contact me by replying to this email.
PS You can also still register for the upcoming online 10-week in-depth course on theEight Auspicious Symbols that starts Nov 10.
The next onsite retreat in The Netherlands will be from 23-26 Nov, with Offering Goddesses as subject, lodging and all meals included. NOTE: This retreat is offered in Dutch. Translations can be provided on request in English or another language.
Thangka Classes in NYC starting from next week 🇺🇸 You can still register!
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Introduction to Thangka Art
Tibet House, NYC
June 21, 2024 A beautiful evening with Carmen Mensink, where after her lecture on the art of thangka you’ll get to experience it hands-on by learning how to draw the Face of the Buddha according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
This evening is suitable for everyone, including beginners with no drawing experience whatsoever; Carmen will guide you individually.
During this weekend workshop you will learn to draw (and perhaps later paint) this beautiful figure according to the tradition of thangka (Tibetan scroll paintings).
Guan Yin can be found 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 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.
For the drawing part you can choose between two different forms of Guan Yin -standing and sitting. Of course you can also just focus on drawing her face.
The use of materials is included!
INFO & REGISTRATION
Note: for this course it’s recommended to join the Introduction to Thangka Art evening the day before, so you ‘ll learn the basics. If you can’t make it the evening on June 21st, you can also do this online course beforehand, that will teach you the same.
Thangka Retreat in upstate NY 🇺🇸 Join Arts Week at Omega Institute, Rhinebeck
Join us for the annual Arts Week at the wonderful Omega Institute!
Learn to draw and/or paint a Buddha or Mandala, and enjoy lectures on Tibetan Art during this meditative retreat with like-minded people, at the beautiful Omega Institute in Rhinebeck NY.
Carmen’s personal approach and guidance makes this retreat suitable for students of all levels.
The subject this week is Green Tara and her mandala. You can choose which one you want to work on this week.
Beginners may also choose for Buddha Shakyamuni or Medicine Buddha as their subject this week (as these are better suitable for beginners) but please contact Carmen beforehand if you would like that so she can prepare this for you.
There will be time to make lovely walks, visit the sweet village of Rhinebeck and join the extra eveing programs that Omega offers.
Omega offers amazing meals and you can choose from different places to stay on campus (or off campus).
This summer I’ll be teaching the wonderful Thangka Summer Retreat in The Netherlands again, and the subsequent courses in The Netherlands and Venice (Italy) will be (like in NYC) focused on Guan Yin.
During this in-depth Thangka Summer Retreat at Maitreya Institute Buddhist center (Veluwe) you will learn to draw or paint a Buddha or Mandala according to the Tibetan tradition.
Suitable for all levels including beginners without drawing experience.
