Create meaningful art in a meditative setting with Carmen Mensink, internationally renowned painter of thangkas, the traditional Tibetan scroll paintings of Buddhas and mandalas.
In this weeklong retreat, all the steps of a thangka drawing and painting are covered. Carmen's personal approach and guidance makes this retreat suitable for students of all levels. Beginner thangka students, even those with no drawing experience whatsoever, will first learn to draw the face of the Buddha before moving on to a complete Buddha, choosing from The Buddha (Buddha Shakyamuni), Medicine Buddha (the Buddha of Healing), or the Mandala of the Five Elements (Ultimate Balance in both body and mind). More advanced students may focus on Green Tara (The Mother of all Buddhas), the Mandala of the Five Elements (Ultimate Balance in both body and mind), or another subject for this course (if suitable for their level).
After you have drawn your Buddha (with an optional landscape) you will learn to use different colored pencil techniques to work out your drawing. You are welcome to work with other materials that you like, such as watercolor, ink, or pastel. Your drawing can also be worked out with the special thangka painting techniques, though this is more advisable for advanced students as it takes a very long time to create a traditional thangka.
In addition to the art sessions there will be guided meditations as well as lectures and presentations on the tradition of thangka painting, symbolism of Buddhas, the meaning of mantras, and more. Return home with your own Buddha drawing or painting.