Thangka Art Workshop




Beginner Friendly
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Gyaltsen Zimba blue-tick
₹750 Inclusive of all taxes

EMI available: Pay in installments with your preferred Credit/Debit cards.

lifetime access icon Past Workshop Recording
Thu, October 19 2023, 05:00 PM (IST)
Beginner
Hindi/English (Our Community Manager is present to Help Live Translate)
Lifetime Access to Our Learner's Community
Certificate Upon Completion

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About the Workshop +

ONLINE THANGKA WORKSHOP WITH GYALTSEN ZIMBA

The workshop was done in one class of 2 hours for beginners and was conducted over zoom - adults or children above 8 years can join.

Gyaltsen will guide you on how to create the basic drawing and the other intricacies of Thangka art in this artwork.

 


Key Takeaways +

Thangka Basics

Thangka Motifs

Final Artwork 


Is the Art Kit included with my order? +

No, we do not provide art kits with this workshop. Before the workshop, we will share the list of materials you will need to complete your artwork. Our materials list is curated to make sure all required items are easily available.

However, we also sell art kits for some of the art forms seperately which you can find here.


What materials do I need to prepare in Advance? +

  • A4 Size plain paper (a couple of extra sheets to practice sketching).
  • Poster colors (preferred, if you don’t have access to poster colors, you can use acrylic colors)
  • Brushes (size 0 to size 4/5), water and palette for mixing.
  • Black pen for outlines (not mandatory, can outline with brush and paint too)
  • Pencil and rubber for sketching

We hope you can join us to support the arts and artists.



Gyaltsen Zimba blue-tick

Gyaltsen
  Gyaltsen Zimba Ji, a 38-year-old artist from Gangtok, Sikkim, embarked on his artistic journey in 2000, receiving formal training in Darjeeling for five years before immersing himself in his family's tradition of Tibetan painting. Without pursuing formal education beyond his training, Gyaltsen's passion for his craft shines through, particularly in his reverence for Gurupedma Shanbwa painting, depicting a deity he holds dear. Specializing in depictions of gods, Gyaltsen's preference for golden and brown hues, especially in border outlines, adds a touch of divine elegance to his creations. While he has yet to venture into online platforms, Gyaltsen finds solace and support in his family, though occasionally grappling with clients who fail to grasp the true value of his work. With a vision of popularizing traditional Tibetan painting across India, Gyaltsen remains steadfast in his dedication to preserving and promoting his cultural heritage through his artistry, hoping to enlighten others about the rich traditions encapsulated within each stroke of his brush.

Thangka Art


Thangka art (hangka, tangka, thanka) is a traditional form of Tibetan Buddhist painting executed on cotton or silk canvas. However, it is widely practiced in India, especially in the Himalayan regions where Tibetan Buddhism is prevalent. Traditionally, Thangka paintings are sacred scrolls that were instrumental in teaching and meditation, depicting Buddhist themes and events including mandalas (symbolic representations of the universe), deities, and scenes from scriptures that resonated with devotional or religious sentiments. While the painting style and themes predominantly follow the same Tibetan tradition, some Thangkas may reflect the syncretic nature of local Buddhist practices, portraying regional deities and events, noticeable in the Sikkimese Thangka or others. History of Thangka Painting Thangka art, or "scroll painting," has its origin in early Buddhist paintings like Ajanta Caves in India or Mogao Caves in China. It was initially developed in Tibet as a portable form of religious art, however when it reached back to India, the regions of Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh became centers for preserving and practicing this distinct art form. As per some legends, King Uttrayan Bimbisara of Magodha commissioned a painting of Sakyamuni Buddha. However, the assigned artist could not draw him because of his blinding holiness. So, in the end, the artist observed Buddha’s reflection in nearby water and completed the painting. This precisely marked the origin of Thangka when the artist captured Buddha’s spiritual reflection making it a spiritual force of divinity.  Thangka art is rich in symbolism and often depicts scenes from Buddhist scriptures and legends. One common theme is the depiction of the Wheel of Life, which illustrates the Buddhist concept of samsara, or the cycle of rebirth. Similarly, the Mandala is another such motif, representing the cosmos, often used for meditation and spiritual guidance. Thangka Painting Technique  Creating a Thangka painting is a meticulous and time-consuming process. Artists use a mix of traditional materials, including cotton or silk for the canvas and natural pigments for the colors. At first, a well-treated, smooth canvas is stretched on a bamboo frame. The artist outlines the image with charcoal or pencil under strict religious guidelines as every stance, gesture, mood, and color has a deep meaning in Thangka painting. Natural pigments derived from minerals and plants are used to fill vibrant colors in the drawing. The use of color is of great significance in Thangka painting, as it assists in identifying the different deities. The key elements in the composition are often highlighted with gold leaf. Traditionally, the painted Thangkas are framed with rich silk brocades and finally covered with a protective curtain made of finer silk.  It can take months to complete a single detailed work of Thangka as it not only requires the skill of painting but the artist has to be well equipped with the knowledge of Buddhist scriptures and iconography. In earlier times, monks or lamas would only work on Thangka paintings after spending years devoted to Buddhist studies. Krishna Tashi Palmo and Gyaltsen Zimba are some of the exceptional artists practicing this exquisite art form.  FAQs Are all Thangka paintings original and hand-painted? Yes, at MeMeraki, all Thangka paintings are 100% original and hand-painted by skilled artists. Each piece is crafted using traditional techniques, ensuring the authenticity and cultural significance of the artwork. Can Thangka art be personalized? Thangka art follows strict iconographic guidelines, so personalization is typically limited to specific requests within those boundaries. MeMeraki may accept commissions for particular deities or scenes, but the overall style and symbolism will remain true to traditional Thangka practices. How do Thangka paintings differ from other religious artworks? Thangka paintings are unique due to their deep connection with Tibetan Buddhism, their specific use in meditation and rituals, and the strict adherence to traditional iconography. The intricate details, use of natural pigments, and the inclusion of spiritual symbolism set Thangkas apart from other religious artworks. What is the significance of the gold used in Thangka paintings?  Gold in Thangka paintings symbolizes the divine and is used to highlight specific features such as halos, jewelry, or sacred symbols. The use of gold not only enhances the aesthetic value of the painting but also elevates its spiritual significance. Can Thangka art be used in non-religious settings? While Thangka art is deeply rooted in Buddhist religious practices, it is also appreciated for its artistic and cultural value. Thangkas can be displayed in non-religious settings, but it is important to do so with respect for their spiritual origins. What is the cultural significance of Thangka art in Tibetan Buddhism? Thangka art holds immense cultural significance in Tibetan Buddhism as it serves as a bridge between the spiritual and the material world. It is not only a visual representation of Buddhist teachings but also a sacred object that aids in meditation and religious rituals.



Product Details

Title Thangka Art Workshop
Vendor Gyaltsen Zimba
Art Style Thangka Art
Difficulty Level Beginner
Workshop Type Recording
Audio Language Hindi/English
Materials Included No
Date 1 Days

Customer Reviews

FAQs

Masterclasses are complete pre-recorded courses of 7-8 parts that have been researched and recorded by us at the Master artists homes. LIVE workshops happen in real time over zoom along with the Master Artist and a small group. Live workshops have different levels. We only have a few Masterclasses right now - Lippan art from Kutch and Pichwai art from Nathdwara, Rajasthan and are producing and adding more every month. While we cover more than 60 heritage art and craft forms in our live workshops already.

You could attend a beginner friendly live workshop (or even a masterclass if its Lippan or Pichwai you are interested in) and then join the foundations or advanced LIVE workshops. The different levels for the LIVE workshops are- Beginner, Foundations and Advancedyour store.

Materials are not included in the masterclasses but you can order from our list of authentic art kits and materials in addition to the masterclass. For the live workshops, materials are included in some of the live workshops as part of the workshop and it would be mentioned in the workshop description.

Beginner Friendly- These are usually 1-2 classes of 2 hours each and one of the simpler artworks and motifs of that art style are covered in the beginner friendly workshops as an introduction to that art form.
Foundations- In the foundations live workshops, the workshops are structured to teach you the basic motifs and foundations of that art style , the focus is not on completing a painting but the elements taught in each class are incorporated in a painting and a few different compositions are also taught
Advanced- in the Advanced live workshop, usually the focus is on completing a more elaborate and intricate painting - no basic motifs are covered in the advanced workshops.
Masterclass-A masterclass is structured as 7-8 pre-recorded classes covering introduction of the artform, introduction of the artist, introduction of the different traditional materials used in that art and then 3 artworks are usually taught ranging from beginner to intermediate.

Yes, going forward, our platform will automatically award you a certificate on behalf of MeMeraki for completing a workshop with us and being a patron of the arts. This will be accessible via the ‘My Workshops’ section under each workshop that you have attended after Nov 2021.

Yes, we have many patrons attending our workshops from across the world. We ship the art kits internationally for the workshops where materials are included. International shipping charges are INR2000. Even if you are ordering an art kit separately in addition to a MASTERCLASS, we can ship internationally.

Yes, you will be able to access the recording of all the workshops you have attended through the ‘My Workshops’ section to be able to practice at your own pace later.

The previous workshops recordings will still be available to you via google drive as earlier. But going forward for all new workshops post Nov 2021, the workshops will be accessible through our website and platform only.