Jan 7-16, 2022
Buddha Face
Start your journey in Tibetan thangka art and learn to draw your first Buddha through Carmen Mensink's signature thangka base course
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During this in-depth course, you will learn how to draw the face of the Buddha according
to the traditional Tibetan Buddhist tradition of Thangka.
Through Carmen Mensink's combination of creating art step by step, mindfulness meditation
and explanations about thangka and iconography, you will not only create a meaningful drawing,
but you will gain an experience that lasts way longer than the duration of this course.
You can start this course anytime within the above time frame and come back to it as much as
you like in between these dates. During the course availability Carmen is fully available (through the
discussion sections in this course platform and via email) to guide and support you on your drawing,
bringing each student from where they are to a higher level.
The average thangka student will take up to 1 day to complete this course and draw the
Buddha Face in black & white. If preferred, your drawing can be further worked out using shading
or colour (check out the course bundles with the Colouring Techniques course included!).
The list of art materials can be found at the bottom of this page.
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Jan 21 - Mar 18, 2022
Medicine Buddha
Learn to draw the Buddha of Healing, know all about his iconography and symbolism, and connect with him though his meditation & mantra
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During this in-depth course, you will learn how to draw the Medicine Buddha according
to the traditional Tibetan Buddhist tradition of Thangka.
The Medicine Buddha (Tib.: Sangye Menla) is the embodiment of all the Buddhas’ Healing
qualities, associated with healing both physical and mental suffering. His deep blue lapis lazuli
colour, the bowl filled with medicinal nectar, and the healing plants that he holds, all symbolise
his power to conquer diseases and delusions.
Through Carmen Mensink's combination of creating art step by step, explaining the Buddha's
iconography and Tibetan Medicine, meditation and mantra, you will not only connect with the
Medicine Buddha and create a meaningful drawing, but you will gain an experience that lasts way
longer than the duration of this course.
Before the course starts, an envelope with the traditional grid proportions for drawing this
Buddha will be shipped to you, and during the course Carmen is fully available (through the
discussion sections in this course platform and via email) to guide and support you on your
drawing, bringing each student from where they are to a higher level.
You can start this course anytime within the above time frame and come back to it as much
as you like in between these dates.
The average thangka student will take up to 3 days to complete this course and draw the
Medicine Buddha in black & white. If preferred, your drawing can be further worked out using
shading or colour (check out the course bundles with the Colouring Techniques course included!).
The list of art materials can be found at the bottom of this page.
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Unlimited access
This course will be available for you as soon as this bundle is purchasedÂ
Colouring Techniques
Become a pro in working with black & white pencils, coloured pencils and the effect of additional materials, and apply your newly learned techniques directly onto your Buddha drawings!
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Have you seen some of the amazing drawings that are made by Carmen Mensink
and her students? Ever wondered how such effects were created?
Colour along with Carmen as she discloses all the techniques used to create the most
stunning thangka drawings.
And you can immediately apply the colouring techniques
on your Buddha(s)!
With clear instruction videos, lots of closeups, examples from the thangka courses, tips
and clear explanation on how to create certain effects, this course covers everything
from the basic to the advanced levels:
- Basic knowledge about colours and the colour circle
- Shading techniques in black & white
- Between black & white and colour
- Shading techniques with coloured pencils
- Thangka specifics
- Outlining, decorating
- Lots of hints, tips and examples from the thangka courses
- Bonus: the use of additional materials and their effects
The list of art materials can be found at the bottom of this page.
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On your preferred date and time
One-on-One Zoom Session with Carmen
During this private, 1hr Zoom Coaching session with Carmen you will get help when stuck in your drawing, practice the Colouring Techniques together, get support and guidance on your next steps, and have all your questions answered!
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A 1hr One-on-one with Carmen For coaching, practice, joy, & all your questions
Make a personal connection with your teacher and the thangka lineage.
You will receive a link to Carmen's calendar and can choose your One-on-One on
your own preferred date and time - there's lots of choice for all time zones.
If needed you can also reschedule your session.
You will also be able to add your preferred topic(s), so Carmen can prepare for the session.
Just a few things that you could use your 1hr session for:
- Get help and guidance on your drawing(s)
- Get more hints & tips on your drawing(s)
- Practice together / let Carmen demonstrate black & white shading and blending techniques
- Practice together / let Carmen demonstrate coloured shading and blending techniques
- Ask all your questions on thangka art, Carmen's own path, Buddhism, meditation, mantra etc.
- Feel supported on your thangka art journey, and confident on your next step(s)
This Course Bundle is for you when:
- You want to seriously start your practice in thangka art and want to learn to draw Buddhas the traditional and correct way
- You want to learn to draw Medicine Buddha but haven't taken the Drawing the Buddha Face! course yet
- You want to know the deep meanings locked up in Tibetan Buddhist Art and want to experience its meditative aspect
- You want to learn how to work with the special colouring techniques and materials to enhance your Buddha drawings
- You want to have more private teachings and guidance and meet Carmen in person
After this Course Bundle:
- You have drawn your own beautiful Buddha Face and Medicine Buddha according to the Tibetan Buddhist thangka tradition
- You have learned all about their symbolism and iconography, and about a beautiful, ancient tradition
- You have experienced inner peace and joy through the drawing processes, the meditations and working with the mantras, and created a meaningful connection with both buddhas
- You have gained great knowledge on colouring techniques and know how to enhance your Buddha drawings to the max!
- You have learned even more through your one-on-one with Carmen, made a personal connection with her, and know now how to proceed in your development
Requirements:
There are no requirements for this course bundle, as the basic Buddha Face course (which is the requirement for the Medicine Buddha course) is included. Anyone can join (also if you don't have any drawing experience).
So much more than 'just' an art class
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. :)
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.
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.
Special zoom session to understand the colouring techniques
This session was structured very well to understand the iconography and how to draw the full Buddha body.
I really enjoyed the transformation of grid to the full body figure as we go on the course step by step.
I reall liked the way Carmen explained drawing feet and hands in this course.
I also liked the special zoom session she took to help me understand the colouring techniques.
Kanti Arani, Fort mcmurray, Canada
Purchased Thangka Course Bundle:
Far exceeding my expectations!
"I loved the depth of this course: intention meditation, mantras, learning about the history of Thangka and Tibetan medicine, the meaning of symbolism, dedication meditation...
I didn't just learn how to draw the Medicine Buddha, but have gained a rich spiritual practice. Your course was amazing, far exceeding my expectations!"
Yes, this is the perfect Thangka Course Bundle for me!
Secure your course space for Buddha Face + Medicine Buddha Thangka Art Courses (dates on top of this page), Colouring Techniques, and a 1hr Zoom Session with Carmen on your preferred date & time. Limited amount of students.
Payments can be done in USD or EUR. Additional VAT may be applicable, depending on your country (see next page).
Note: Payments with Paypal can only be done when choosing USD. Don't forget to check 'I agree to receive instructional and promotional emails' on the next page, otherwise Carmen won't be able to send you information about the course and guide you when needed.