What does an online Thangka Course look like?

My online thangka course contains all the elements of my onsite thangka courses, including drawing instruction videos, guided meditation and lectures to explain the symbolism. You will be guided step by step through the process by my methodic structure.

In addition you can test your knowledge through the quizzes and enjoy the bonus materials that are provided. Through all the extras an online course actually contains more elements than an onsite course.

Also, you will get much more time for it! A three day onsite course is translated in a two to three months online course, so you can schedule it in your own time and can rewatch the instructions and explanations as often as you like.

You will be joining each course with a group of people from all over the world, and even though everybody is working in their own space, you will experience the group feeling as everyone is working on the same subject. If you like, you can talk to me and the other students within the course platform, and also upload pictures (of your artwork, your view or your cat for ex.)

-

Why do beginner thangka art students need to start with the Buddha Face course before they can draw a full Buddha?

The School for Tibetan Buddhist Art stays true to the thangka tradition. Traditionally in Tibet, one who started their many years of thangka training had to start with the basis; drawing the face of the Buddha (and Tibetan symbols for ex.), and build it up from there. You do not need to have any drawing experience by the way.

Our Drawing the Buddha Face! course offers you this perfect basis. You will learn what thangka is, how to work with the grid proportions, where this system comes from etc., and just in general train your hand. (..Note that we’re actually already going very fast here, in a traditional thangka training you would have to draw Buddha Faces for several months before moving on to a complete Buddha!).

After you have once taken the Buddha Face course, you can choose any course you like.

If you are a beginner thangka art student and want to learn how to draw a full Buddha I suggest you go for one of the cheaper thangka course bundles that includes the Buddha Face course.

-

Do I also need to start with the Buddha Face course if I already have drawing and/or painting experience?

Yes, also if you already have a background in art it is required to start with the Buddha Face. Thangka is a different way of drawing.

I suggest you go for one of the cheaper thangka course bundles that includes both the Buddha Face course and a full Buddha (such as The Buddha, Medicine Buddha or White Tara).

After you have once taken the Buddha Face course, you can choose any course you like (unless it's specifically mentioned that it's for Advanced only).

-

How long will it take me to complete the course?

The average time a student takes to complete a course is written in the courses description. Of course it may take you longer or shorter depending on how fast you are and how you work out your drawing. A few examples:

It takes the average student 1 day to complete the Drawing the Buddha Face! course and draw the Buddha in black & white.

For courses such as The Buddha, the Medicine Buddha and White Tara, the average thangka student will take 3 to 4 days to complete this course with all its lectures & modules and draw the Buddha simply in black & white.

After that your drawing can be further worked out if you like (of course also after the course is closed) by using shading and/or colouring techniques (check out the bundles with the Colouring Techniques Course included!)

Why is each course offered only one or a few times each year?

The courses that I offer are not only known for my methodology and clear structure, but also for my personal approach, where I inspire each thangka student to get the best out of themselves (whether they are a complete beginner of already have drawing/painting experience).

In this way I can guarantee you my full commitment (just like in my onsite courses) to individually guide you when needed and answer all your questions. It is also the reason why the course is set to a limited amount of students.

Please make sure you don't have 'email opt out' selected in your profile (top right corner), so Carmen can contact you with things related about the course and to answer your questions.

-

How do the course dates work?

You can start this course anytime within the given time frame and come back to it as much as you like in between these dates. It will let you experience the meditative effect and interconnectedness of each part of the course and keeps you focussed on your artwork.

Also, I would LOVE for you to complete the course -a happy student means a happy teacher :-) - and the limited time frame encourages you to do so, with a great thangka drawing as a result (and all of this in a relatively short period of time!)

-

When will the envelope with Grids & Handouts be shipped to me?

Note: this applies to courses where this is announced in the description, such as The Buddha, Medicine Buddha and White Tara courses and bundles.

If you enroll early (Early Bird!), your package will be sent 2-3 weeks before the course starts, so it arrives ahead of time.

And even if your grids arrive a few days after the course starts you can already start the course by going through the meditations, lectures etc.

Don't forget to write your address in the form on the last page when signing up.

-

Where can I find the list with art materials needed for the course?

A general list of art materials can be found in the Course Curriculum at the bottom of each course page. A more specific list of materials will be emailed to you after signing up.

-

What if I haven’t finished my thangka drawing when the course time is up?

When you follow all the elements in the course during the time that it is offered, it will give you all the tools and knowledge on how to complete your drawing, also after the course is closed.

Just be aware of the fact that I can only guide you and answer your questions during the course.

Different Student Levels

Beginner Thangka Art Student

Basically anyone who is new to my thangka art courses.

A Thangka Beginner may have or have not any previous drawing experience. If you have little to no drawing experience it's most suitable to start with the Buddha Face and draw The Buddha and/or Medicine Buddha after that, before moving on to drawing more complex Buddhas (like White Tara).

Beginner thangka students with (some) drawing experience also start with the Buddha Face, and can choose for The Buddha, Medicine Buddha or White Tara after that.

Intermediate Thangka Art Student

Basically anyone who is in between the beginner level (has drawn Buddha Face + at least one full Buddha) and advanced level (many years of studying with Carmen), so this intermediate level includes thangka students that are at many different stages.

The Intermediate thangka student can choose any course he sees fit.

Advanced Thangka Art Student

All students that have been studying with Carmen for many years (you know who you are!)

-

What is the symbol in the logo of the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art?

This Asian symbol is called the ‘Shou Symbol’ and it represents Long Life. It comes in different variations. I loved it when I first learned about it and started using this symbol since 1999 when I designed my personal name logo (I graduated as a graphic designer at the Royal Academy of Arts before I started my 12 years of thangka training):