Learn to Draw & Paint Buddhas and Mandalas in the Ancient Tradition of Thangka
Summer Retreat and other courses in The Netherlands 🌷 Check out the Pics from the recent US thangka Tour!
Dear Reader,
How are you? Hope you are enjoying your Summer!
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 😻
