NEW: TRANSLATIONS - All videos in the courses offer subtitles in English, Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish and French.
For any other language, just contact us.
NEW: GIFT A COURSE OR BUNDLE - Check the 'Send as gift' box on your checkout page (only valid for one-time purchases)
Classes full? Stay informed and subscribe to the Newsletter
Prefer to join an in-person thangka course? Go to tibetanbuddhist.com, where you can find events such as the Thangka Retreat near Florence, Italy
Start Your Thangka Journey Now:
The following course can be started any time and are immediately available for you after purchase:
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BUDDHA FACE | Start at time of purchase
Learn to draw the Face of the Buddha according to the Tibetan Thangka Tradition. This is where your thangka art journey starts. For people with and without drawing experience. Personal guidance. This course is also the requirement for follow-up courses such as The Buddha (Shakyamuni), and Medicine Buddha.
Start Your Thangka Journey on a Date:
The following courses are offered on specific dates, joined by students from all over the world:
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BUDDHA FACE | Apr 18-27, 2025
Learn to draw the Face of the Buddha according to the Tibetan Thangka Tradition.
This course is also the requirement for follow-up courses like The Buddha and the Medicine Buddha:
Buddha Face + Colouring Techniques
Want to combine the Buddha Face with a Complete Buddha? See the Course Bundles offered for The Buddha and the Medicine Buddha.
NOTE: Prefer to start at a date of your choice? Then go here for the same course
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THE BUDDHA | May 9-Jul 6, 2025
An in-depth thangka course on drawing The Buddha (Shakyamuni). Limited amount of students and unlimited personal guidance.
The grids and handouts needed for this course will be shipped to you beforehand.
Save Money & Learn More by bundling courses
Bundle with the Buddha Face course (prerequisite) included:
Buddha Face + The Buddha + Colouring Techniques
Bundle for those who have alredy drawn the Buddha Face with Carmen before:
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MEDICINE BUDDHA | May 9-Jul 6, 2025
An in-depth thangka art course on the Buddha of Healing. Limited amount of students and unlimited personal guidance.
The grids and handouts needed for this course will be shipped to you beforehand.
Save Money & Learn More by bundling courses
Bundle with the Buddha Face course (prerequisite) included:
Buddha Face + Medicine Buddha
Buddha Face + Medicine Buddha + Colouring Techniques
Bundle for those who have alredy drawn the Buddha Face with Carmen before:
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WHITE TARA | (Autumn 2025, date to be announced)
Learn everything about the female Buddha of Longevity, and learn how to draw her according to the Tibetan Thangka Tradition.
The grids and handouts needed for this course will be shipped to you beforehand.
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EIGHT AUSPICIOUS SYMBOLS | (Autumn 2025, date to be announced)
An in-depth 10 week thangka course on Tibet's most famous symbols of prosperity, that will bring you into the new year full of good-fortune and well-being. Each week a new module and symbol opens up to you while the previous ones stay open to catch up when needed. Limited amount of students and unlimited personal guidance.
Subscribe to the Newsletter to stay updated on these and future Thangka Art Classes
Prefer to join an in-person course? Go to tibetanbuddhist.com, where you can find events such as the Thangka Art Retreat near Florence, Italy
An all around great course
"I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised.
I liked how the art lessons were broken down so that I didn't feel overwhelmed.
I also enjoyed learning about the history of the Thangka, and participating in the meditations. I feel that it was an all around great course, and I'm glad that I got to participate.
I feel that the drawing video was the most useful to me. I liked how the individual lines were shown step by step on the video."
Teresa McDowell, Minnesota, USA
I didn't think I could draw a full Buddha
"The course felt thorough. Carmen is adept at instruction and encouragement!
I loved learning about the mantra.
I learned a lot in my one-on-one Zoom session.
I didn’t think I could draw a full Buddha. It was a great experience. I learned a lot about thangka methods, working with pencil, and colors.
In addition, learned about the Medicine Buddha and his mantra, plants, symbolism.
Thank you Carmen!"
You have to experience it yourself!
"I really enjoy the courses of Carmen.
Can't describe how peaceful and fulfilling it is, you have to experience it yourself!"
New dates will regularly be added, Stay informed on all future courses
Thangka Art Courses on all levels
The School for Tibetan Buddhist Art offers courses to people on all different levels, from those with no drawing experience whatsoever to advanced thangka students.
Click on the button that describes you best to view the courses that are suitable for you:
Learn about Tibetan Buddhist Art
Enjoy the engaging lectures on the symbolism and iconography of each course subject.
Create your own Tibetan Buddha
In a clear step by step process, you'll draw at your own home, on your own time and at your own pace.
Meditate & Experience
Connect with an ancient tradition as well as with yourself during the drawing process and meditations.
Meet the instructor
Carmen Mensink is the founder of the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art. She is an internationally renowned painter of thangkas, the traditional Tibetan scroll paintings of Buddhas and mandalas.
She is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and has nearly two decades of experience in teaching this beautiful art, as well as Buddhist meditation and philosophy, at museums, universities, and Buddhist Centers around the world.
Through her courses, Thangka Talks videos, articles, and private thangka teachings, Carmen has guided thousands of people along the Buddhist Art & Dharma path.
Carmen has been featured in dozens of publications and has been teaching at places including the ones on the left.
She is also being asked to work on related Tibetan art forms, including large floor paintings of the '8 Auspicious Symbols' to welcome the Dalai Lama in the Netherlands in 2009, 2014 and 2018. For more info go to www.tibetan-buddhist-art.com
