Drawing & Painting Buddhas and Mandalas in the Tibetan tradition

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

Everything about the course was delightful. Carmen has a way of bringing out the hidden qualities in you. I was very hesitant about colouring initially, but after listening to and following Carmen’s instructions throughout the lesson videos, I was amazed with what I am able to do with the colour pencils. Thank you so much, Carmen for your cheerfulness and encouragement. See you at drawing The Buddha online course.

Thank you Carmen for this wonderful online course! I love the combination of learning more about buddhism and therefor myself, and I enjoyed playing with the colours and listening to the history of thangka.

Everything about the course was delightful. Carmen has a way of bringing out the hidden qualities in you. I was very hesitant about colouring initially, but after listening to and following Carmen’s instructions throughout the lesson videos, I was amazed with what I am able to do with the colour pencils. Thank you so much, Carmen for your cheerfulness and encouragement. See you at drawing The Buddha online course.

I found the class clear and full of information. I’m inspired to continue learning more about this wonderful tradition. Thank you!

I loved every part of this course. It was enchanting to slowly build a Buddha. There was clear guidance all along the way. The Inspiration Gallery was exactly that, inspiring and charming to see all the possibilities.
I do have drawing experience.
Clearly, Carmen, you love what you do.
Many thanks.
~lynn

A Heartfelt Thank You for an Inspirational Thangka Art Course

Dear Carmen Menssik,

I want to express my deepest gratitude for your Thangka Art Course. Your dedication to preserving tradition while infusing contemporary insights has created a transformative and enriching experience. Your teaching not only honed my artistic skills but also guided me into the spiritual depths of Thangka art. Each lesson was a journey, and your unwavering support fostered a beautiful sense of community. Thank you for sharing your expertise and passion, making this course an unforgettable exploration into timeless beauty.

Sincerely,

Ana Tagliaferro

I LOVED every part of this course from beginning to end. I could spend a whole year going through each of the modules again. Carmen is an excellent teacher and I so appreciated the time and thoughtfulness that went into each lectures. My drawings were not very good, but I was so inspired by the meanings of the symbols that I tried going 3D since I am more used to working with clay. And finally here is a Buddha face (well not a very good one), but getting better with more practice. Thank you Carmen!!!

I loved this course so much! I am grateful for such an opportunity to have access to these sacred teachings in the comfort of my own home. I will definitely take other online classes with Carmen in the future. I can’t wait for my next thangka course.

I loved how thorough and easy to follow was the course and the feeling of having you just an email away if needed to!

I absolutely loved this course. I chose to do the course while in solo retreat this week, and it has been a deeply meditative and fulfilling experience. My aspiration is to see the world through the eyes of the Buddha, and learning to paint Thangkas is a lovely way to bring that about. It also has helped me to better understand more of the symbolism in the thangkas. This is a great support to my sadhana practices. Thank you so much!

This course was such a joyful experience! I actually bought the online classes for my 13 year old-daughter Iulia who had been spontaneously drawing Buddhas during the Dharma classes ever since she was a little child and attended the Dharma classes with me sitting for hours quietly, listening to the teachings and just drawing Buddhas out of her imagination. She goes to an art school but she has never attended a Thangka course before so I thought that was my perfect gift for her. I knew my daughter is able to do magic when it comes to art that’s why I have always encouraged her to continue on her path but what was truly magical for me in this course was the fact that I was able to draw a Buddha face, too! I still can’t believe it and I feel as happy and delighted as a baby who managed to walk for the first time in their life 🙂 because I have never in my life had not even the slightest talent when it comes to drawing or painting. I am 41 years old and I haven’t drawn since I was a child. I have zero experience and because of that I feel so amazingly happy that I managed to draw the face of a Buddha! My drawing is definitely not perfect but it is the perfect proof for the fact that if you have the karma of meeting or seeing an incredible Teacher like Carmen Mensink in your reality, who in my eyes and in my heart is an angel in disguise, you can create everything you want not only for yourself but for all sentient beings because such a teacher comes from the purest place in our heart. I am looking forward to attending the next two classes I bought. My heart is full of gratitude. Thank you!

This course was such a joyful experience! I actually bought the online classes for my 13 year old-daughter Iulia who had been spontaneously drawing Buddhas during the Dharma classes ever since she was a little child and attended the Dharma classes with me sitting for hours quietly, listening to the teachings and just drawing Buddhas out of her imagination. She goes to an art school but she has never attended a Thangka course before so I thought that was my perfect gift for her. I knew my daughter is able to do magic when it comes to art that’s why I have always encouraged her to continue on her path but what was truly magical for me in this course was the fact that I was able to draw a Buddha face, too! I still can’t believe it and I feel as happy and delighted as a baby who managed to walk for the first time in their life 🙂 because I have never in my life had not even the slightest talent when it comes to drawing or painting. I am 41 years old and I haven’t drawn since I was a child. I have zero experience and because of that I feel so amazingly happy that I managed to draw the face of a Buddha! My drawing is definitely not perfect but it is the perfect proof for the fact that if you have the karma of meeting or seeing an incredible Teacher like Carmen Mensink in your reality, who in my eyes and in my heart is an angel in disguise, you can create everything you want not only for yourself but for all sentient beings because such a teacher comes from the purest place in our heart. I am looking forward to attending the next two classes I bought. My heart is full of gratitude. Thank you!

I want to color my Buddha but just in case I get lost here is a picture as of today. I am grateful for being introduced to Carmen thru Instagram (Instagram can be a source of inspiration). This is my second class with Carmen and have learned and integrated a lot from this process. I have made a personal goal to take one class each year with Carmen. Next year will be Tara❣️

My partner Paul and I did the course together as a way to connect spiritually and playfully. We loved the meditative aspect as well as the creative aspect. We loved interpreting our Buddhas as ‘mirrors into our own minds’ and ‘reading’ our drawings as insights into our own minds and personalities.

It was interesting and coloring in the Buddha was very relaxing just like meditating. The course was easier than I thought it would be as it was so well explained and the grids were very clear and helpful. I have no drawing experience. This was my first drawing class.

I enjoyed the lessons very much. Drawing thangka is a meditation for me. The information from the lessons helps me to give more meaning to my thangka. I made 2 drawings, 1 black and white and this one is with gouache / ecoline, pencil

I’ve heard about Carmen and her work one day before the end of registration for the course and I’m so happy I decided for it! All steps were super clear – I think I’ve never drawn such good looking face. The geometry behind Thangka makes the whole process very accessible even for less experience artists. I’m already looking forward for the next course.

Hi Carmen,
I loved the course and felt joyful each time I worked on the Buddha face. It was great engaging in this creative process without self criticism, and very interesting to learn about thangkas and the iconography of the Buddha face.
I enjoyed every aspect of the course, including the information you provided, the mantras and prayers, drawing the grid and the Buddha face, and colouring the face.
Thank you.

I am very happy that I found this thangka drawing course. Drawing is a kind of meditation for me and I only found out today that that is also one of the ideas behind this course. I want to delve more into Buddhism and meditation and how beautiful it is if I can do that through this course.
Today while drawing I felt a deep peace and almost a kind of coming home. I am very happy.
I have consciously chosen not to further elaborate my drawing with shadow or color. I plan to draw the face a few more times to make it more my own and to get a lot more meditative than today with this first drawing.

Hi Carmen,
I am still finishing the coloring part but I wanted to submit to you before this session ends. I absolutely loved your course. I appreciate how you treat this as a sacred experience and I loved learning about the lineage and listening to the meditations. I am looking forward to the next course! All MY Best,
Savita

Thank you for this course, which I feel follows tradition & is serious. I had been wanting to learn more about thangka for long, this was the perfect entry door! I feel inspired to practice drawing more Buddha Faces in the future and continue on this path… clear, neat structure and very manageable sessions.

I enjoyed the course. The clear explanations and the beautiful videos invited us to draw. The meditation at the beginning and at the end were very nice to do.

Dear Carmen,
I enjoyed the course a lot for various reasons..I like that you shared the history of Thangka painting with us. I like that you also spoke to us about your lineage and admire how you respect the master disciple tradition thus enabling us to respect the dharma material as well. This course was very holistic as you made us think of an intention before we started drawing. It was not only about drawing. but you took us through the main purpose of thangkas – To aspire to develop qualities within ourselves that the deity on the thangka represents.
I look forward to all then other courses and I am now starting the 8 auspicious symbols course.
Thank you so much!

Brilliant course, Carmen will feed you bite size, manageable, educational packages, gently bringing them together, skillfully building up to make a heart warming, intuitive picture of the Buddhist path to Enlightenment as a creative artist.

Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of these lessons, as within a couple of viewings, the profundity of Carmen’s decades of devotion practice helped me change my mind and heart and soon I was happily painting a Buddha’s beautiful face.

I saw Carmen bring alive paper, pencil, rulers, grids, and artistic symmetrical drawings to invoke Enlightenment, all explained with a slow rich inner intelligence, which ignited my puppy dog enthusiasm’s and I could not wait to start drawing.

This course is well worth every penny spent. I highly recommend Carmen as a teacher. Ask questions if you feel uncomfortable, she has years of experience to help you with.

Best Wishes David

I very much enjoyed this class! I have drawn with colored pencil before but have not picked them up in quite a few years and just discovered how much I love working with them. There is definitely a meditative aspect to this drawing. Creating the Buddha face was a really inspiring experience. Your instructions and additional educational materials were very helpful and worked well for me.

Thank-you Carmen for another superb course! I enjoyed learning some the history of your thangka lineage as well as buddhist iconography. The materials were well presented and you inspired us with many great images and bonus materials. I am looking forward to more!

The course was so comprehensive and every detail thought out, so that it made it very accessible to know how to complete the drawing. I have been making art my entire life, and this course allowed me to express color and form in a very meaningful way! I loved the whole experience from start to finish! thank you Carmen for bringing your talents and skills to so many people, who can now experience the joy of Thangkha painting.

Loved the course. Very informative and helpful. I am not a drawer by nature and loved the experience. Looking forward to doing more courses.

I loved everything about the course. I had no drawing experience and doubted I could draw a Buddha face so was delighted with what I was able to achieve. Thank you Carmen – you are inspirational and a wonderful teacher.

This was my first Thangka drawing with Carmen and a first hand experience of drawing Buddha face using Iconography and grid technique. The meditations and mantras taught in the course made me very relaxed and helped me enjoy learning the art technique. It was overall a great experience.

I loved this class. I used to draw all the time, and then as I got older did it less and less, feeling I had plenty of time to draw between doing other things I wanted to do, particularly as a writer. But something always felt like it was missing. After I began practicing Buddhism in 1997, I started to translate the Kangyur into English with 84000, but continued to think of that something missing from my childhood. I made friends through drawing and writing. 

Carmen’s course tied in my Buddhist practice to my current state of mind, as well as how I was as a child, but in a new way, that all was well at whatever age I have reached. When I was drawing my first Buddha’s face, there was something exciting, surprising, and comforting doing so, knowing that I was revealing my mind. Thank you so much for this class.

I loved everything about this course! I loved the meditation and learning the history and symbolism of Thangka drawing.. Carmen is an excellent teacher. I loved the special videos that were interspersed throughout.. I have drawn since I was a child, but always fascinated by Buddhas and too intimidated to try them..I knew they were sacred. I was so pleased to see my drawing when it was finished, and see that my own drawing was sacred too. Thank you Carmen.

Truly loved doing it, it was very relaxing to do and I enjoyed the background information.
I hope to use it more often while the response of my loved ones said enough – they loved the outcomes as well.
The extra Colouring Course with background of the Dutch masters felt as a true ‘gift to myself’.

It was a fantastic journey drawing the Buddha
Felt so calm and balanced after finishing the drawing

Doing this mini-retreat affected my meditation the following day. I was surprised in that I saw myself as a light body, if that makes sense. When I sat, I experienced some flashing of light and it was as if some transference happened. The story is a little longer than that but this is the gist. Since that time, my reactionary impulses have reduced and I take things much less personally. Quite amazing.

I loved the clear directions that led to a successful and satisfying experience and end product. I found the whole experience to be contemplative and nourishing! I would like to take another course. Thank you!

This course is easy to follow, and I’m excited by how quickly I was able to make a passable thangka. I had very little drawing experience, but a lot of passion.

I have no previous drawing experience. I was like in a trance once I started drawing. The most wondrous and surprising sensation is when you look at the end result and your buddha nature is smiling at you. It really feels like that. It’s a very profound healing experience.

Many thanks for bringing this to all of us!

I LOVED the course Carmen. I am so looking forward to drawing more Buddha faces and especially trusting my hand to attempt a Thai Buddha face. I used to take art classes and drawing classes as a kid up through high school, but haven’t done much since then. All of my expectations and more were met. I found it challenging and so much fun…to the point that is all I have wanted to do all week! The most interesting part was drawing my own imbalances of my face and using practice, concentration and trust to balance it out. Amazing really. I am really excited to go into the Medicine Buddha course next. Thank you so much for this offering!

I loved how organized the class was and how I was helped, step by step, in purchasing the necessary supplies and drawing the image. I have no drawing experience but with a little patience I was able to do much better than I thought possible. I also appreciate the background in Buddhism and meditation that Carmen supplied. I highly recommend this class to anyone who might be interested.

This course was amazing! I really thought it would be impossible for me to draw at all. Carmen’s videos are incredible, as it all the detail, information, and compassion she puts into teaching!!!

Thanks for the teachings, I never thought I could do a Buddha face!
An amazing journey… Thank you Carmen!

I’m so happy to attend this class and thanks for the teacher, Carmen, who is so kind and experience. I’m not good in drawing but realised what I dream. When I draw Buddha face, I think of all Buddha’s quality, visualise Buddha, then the grid then draw it. I read sometimes the mantra of Buddha Shakya Muni. When coloring, I can see better the independent origination, all the draw, color, one by one to make his appearance. Just relax the mind, think of Buddha’s quality, continue to color. The most dificult is how to show via the drawing Budha’s compassion and wisdom. Compassion I try to make his eyes, look upon beings with loving, kindness “I show you the path, it’s your choice to follow”. Then the wisdom, I try to make via the hallow, blue circle by making the following one zen tradition of painting circle, just draw circle, visualise of his wisdom raise. And Buddha has the 3 kayas, then the Nirmakaya, his appearance, Sambogakaya, his smile and the light, Dharmakaya in his wisdom appeare.
That is my way to complete the Buddha’s face.
Thank you for Carmen to guide me and explain clearly.
I dedicate for Carmen’s work to help more people can draw their dream, for all sentient beings be happy and free of suffering.

I had no drawing experience, so I started the class with an open mind. I must say the 10-day schedule was quite challenging due to my work schedule and I could not spend much time during the first weekend due to prior commitments. So, I spent the second weekend working around the clock to finish the course. What I like about the course is: 1) the instruction of how to draw a Buddha head is lay out as a step by step process. The instructions are clearly explained with the support of visual representations; 2) Carmen is supportive and answering questions and comments in a timely manner. I struggled for drawing eyes even after watching videos multiple times and practicing them multiple times. I enjoyed the different elements of the course (e.g., the history, the meditation, the actual drawing, the dedication prayer, etc.). This course has been transformative for me. I had this belief that I could not draw prior taking this course. It feels very freeing to be able to draw a Buddha head. And I absolutely love the Buddha I drew.

Thank you Carmen – your Buddha Face Course was so informative, easy to follow, a joy to do! I loved that in the Colouring Techniques Course you made a connection with the Dutch Masters – this was an unexpected surprise! I will continue to look at paintings of Old Masters to get inspired as I practice these colouring/shading techniques. I finished my Buddha Face before I learned about blending so look forward to drawing a Buddha face in blended colours. Thanks again for creating this wonderful course.

I totally loved the experience. It was so meditative and fulfilling. It was beyond my expectations. Thank you so much.

The background information and the step by step drawing guide were very helpfull. It was an opportunity to do this e-course and it was very joyfull. I loved the information about the Buddhism and the step for step explanation for drawing the Buddhaface. Also very good was if you asked a question, the answer became very quick. I am very satisfied about this course.

Yes i loved the workshop. It is very well organized and i like the interaction with the teacher (Carmen). My experience in drawing is little but i enjoyed it. It’s been a long time since i wanted to find a THANGKA workshop so i’m grateful!!!

Everything was presented in a way that was clear and easy to understand. Thangka is something I had an interest in pursuing a few years ago but I ended up taking western art classes as that was much more accessible to me. I am very happy for this opportunity and I can see myself doing more.

I was a little stressed out about the time frame to complete it but I am glad for the deadline. If I didn’t have it, I would have procrastinated.

I’m looking forward to doing another Buddha face (this time with room for halo and robes) and colouring it properly, as this one seems to have been mostly an experiment. (I’m still not sure if I should do more in the background or just keep it simple…)

Dear Carmen, thank you very much for this wonderful course. For me it really was set up in such a comprehensive way, this is so much more than a drawing course rather a meditation, an experience and a journey to meet my inside buddha 🙂 Even though I have drawing experience I was a bit concerned about the precise way to draw (which is not my strength) but I really enjoyed it and found great joy in the patience. An indeed fulfilling experience or shall I rather say journey.
PS: I cannot wait to shade my Buddha in black and white

This course was a Devine gift for me. I couldn’t believe that I am capable of drawing Buddha face by myself. Especially in Tibetan Thangka Tradition. I have zero of experience and didn’t draw since school. In the end I have a beautiful Buddha Face in front of me and I’m a little bit sad it’s over. But I am planning on doing another bigger one! I am staying at school to develop my skills on coloring techniques. I am so grateful for this opportunity to discover my new creative side.

I enjoyed the drawing and especially the background talks!

Had fun drawing and coloring the Buddha Face!

This course was perfect in every way for me. The teaching of the dharma, the mantra chanting, the meditation, the history and the clear, concise instruction all combined to create this rich and meaningful experience. Thank you.

It was great, and I learned a lot, Thank you Carmen! The most difficult part was seeing/ understanding how the Buddha’s eyes are not as open as depicted, so more practice Needed! Very clear instructions and the supporting info very helpful.

I liked everything! Would love to join an actual class sometime in the future. Carmen’s teaching is clear concise and VERY helpful. Thankyou.

My expectations for the course were exceeded! I hoped to experience the meditative aspect of drawing sacred art, which I certainly did. I didn’t expect to learn so much about the history and use of thangkas, which I loved, and definitely didn’t expect to be so happy with my drawing, which I am!

I was so happy to find this course and this teacher especially at this moment. This is something I’ve wanted to study for most of my life. To have the opportunity to do this with such an excellent teacher, in a way that I could afford, and not have to travel made it all possible. I am currently unemployed and so the finances are difficult but this was a reasonable cost, so I am grateful.
I loved learning the history and the context and the symbolism, and how to meditate with the thangka. I loved seeing other’s creations.

I had a little peek at your free medicine buddha lecture.. So in my heart i knew this course would be awesome.. However you far exceeded that expectation..
i love the combination of story meditation, pictures, and bonus materials.. and yay i get to sing the mantra with you…

loved your approach beginning with meditation, your through explanations of words meanings, and story.. and wow even you can pray in tibetan language. the language is art in itself, the art,language, prayer, meditation, story, all In one.. so beautiful yet you are bringing this to a wider audience. Our world needs so much healing.. big gratitude for your heart…

beautifully done…hope to see more courses in the future, I’m already signed up for medicine buddha thangka course so excited…

My expectations going into the course where to get more in touch with the aspects of buddhism regarding the drawing of the Buddha.
I was surprised on how well structured and detailed explanations were available for each step.
The history before the drawing classes i believe add so much value because it brings the attention of the importance and significance of this tradition. On top of that, meditation was key to focus and be able to concentrate on the class.

“I had the extreme pleasure of taking three classes with Carmen Mensink this spring in NYC. I am the veteran of many fine art classes over the years, but this is the first time that I have felt compelled to write a testimonial about one. From the minute I met her, I knew Carmen was a woman from whom I could learn something truly special and different, which is not something I say lightly. I am not easily impressed. 🙂 After taking her amulet making class, I was sufficiently curious to see what else she had on offer, and after just one lecture, I could tell that my ability to learn from her was virtually unlimited.

Carmen’s classes are so much more than “just” an art class. Her knowledge, love and reverence for the highly-symbolic, traditional Tibetan devotional art called thangka is apparent in everything she does. Along with high-level, professional instruction in traditional drawing, painting and crafting methods, students learn about the history and cultural background of the deity they are depicting, including the mantras, prayers and attributes attributed to these religious figures. Rather than creating these images in a vacuum, our work is grounded in an understanding of their significance within Tibetan Buddhism. Carmen creates a spiritual space to work in that can only be described as magical. The meditative nature of art is a focus, as is the thought that creation be rooted in intention. The art produced in such an environment feels sacred.

The amount of effort, preparation, skill and planning involved in this approach to instruction is apparent, and it’s clear that teaching is an avocation for Carmen. It is done thoughtfully, with spirit, purpose and a sincerity that stands out.

No matter the level of skill and experience a student has, everyone is made to feel welcome and special, and is treated with complete respect. At the same time, Carmen is warm, friendly, unpretentious (despite having real bona fides as a recognized expert in her field) and intelligent, and has a sense of humor, so the class is relaxed and fun. Carmen has many students who have studied with her for years, and some have artwork that they only work on while she is visiting the city. It’s a testament to the value of Carmen’s presence and technical expertise that she has such a strong following.”