Sep 15 - Nov 12, 2023
White Tara
Learn to draw the female Buddha of Longevity, know all about her iconography and symbolism, and connect with her though her meditation & mantra
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During this in-depth course, you will learn how to draw White Tara according
to the traditional Tibetan Buddhist tradition of Thangka.
White Tara (Tib.: Drolkar) is one of the main deities in the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon
associated with Long Life. Her meditation practice, also included in this course, can be
done to prolong your life and to overcome life-threatening obstacles such as illnesses.
It is said that White Tara's seven eyes enable her to clearly 'see' all beings in the realms
of existence.
An image of White Tara can be offered to someone who's ill or who you wish a long life to,
or can be offered to a newly born baby to wish that this child may have a long life ahead.
Through Carmen Mensink's combination of creating art step by step, explaining the
Buddha's iconography, symbolism, meditation and mantra, you will not only connect with
White Tara 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
White Tara 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 purchased
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.
This Course Bundle is for you when:
- You want to learn to draw White Tara according to the Tibetan Buddhist tardition of thangka
- 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
After this Course Bundle:
- You have drawn your own beautiful White Tara
- 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 White Tara
- You have gained great knowlegde on colouring techniques and know how to enhance your Buddha drawings to the max!
Requirements:
The School for Tibetan Buddhist Art stays true to the Tibetan Thangka Tradition. Therefore, in order to take this White Tara Thangka Course, you need to have taken the base course Drawing the Buddha Face! with Carmen Mensink (online or onsite) before you can register for this course. (for questions on this go to profile > contact). If you want to learn how to draw the White Tara but haven't taken the Buddha Face course yet, you need to choose the Thangka Course Bundle that includes both courses (see below).
Note that drawing White Tara is more complicated than Medicine Buddha, so if you have little to no drawing experience you may want to start with the Buddha Face + Medicine Buddha.
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.
Fully met my expectations
"This course has fully met my expectations. The different aspects such as meditation, drawing, explanation etc. complement each other well.
Carmen knows how to stimulate me and the others (I think) and to guide them in a subtle way: ".... very nice .... you could possibly do this or that like this".
Very pleasant.
She has a lot of knowledge of the matter and knows how to convey it clearly.
I cannot think of any points for improvement."
Annemieke Boeters, The Netherlands
Thangka Painting Retreat Italy
Thangka Painting Summer Retreat The Netherlands
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!"