Thangka Painting

A completed thangka, however beautiful or impressive, never tells the full
story of the complex process artists undergo to create such a divine image.
We have compiled this list of Twelve steps involved in producing a
traditional Tibetan sacred painting to help you appreciate your new thangka.
Although certain elements of thangka painting have changed since artists
began painting in exile, much of Tibet's traditional styles and techniques
have been painstakingly retained. We hope the following will both interest
and enlighten you as to this sacred ancient art.

1.Stretching the canvas
Stretching the canvas in the traditional way involves sewing the canvas into
a flexible frame and treating the canvas with gesso, stretching the fabric
between layers until it becomes a suitable painting surface. The canvas is
then sanded and smoothed ready for the construction of the grid.

2.Constructing the grid
The thangka painter plans the initial layout of the proposed thangka,
deciding upon the number, layout and size of the deities to be painted. At
this point the individual grids are calculated and drawn.

3.Initial drawing of the deity and landscape
The chosen Buddhas are drawn within their grids and landscape details are
added.

4.Inking the sketch
The initial sketch is outlined in ink allowing the removal of the calculated
grids.

5.Painting the Buddha and its landscape
The initial colouring of the thangka takes place, laying a ground for all dry
shading.

6.Shading the thangka
The artist now of dry and wet shades the thangka to provide a feeling of
depth.

7.Application of gold
The ornaments of the deities depicted and other objects in the thangka are
painted with Tibetan gold according to commission.

8. Outlining
With indigo and deep red the thangka painter now outlines all the details in
the thangka.

9. 'Opening the eyes' of the Buddha
This is when, traditionally, the Buddha is said to enter the image. The act
of painting the eyes of the deity is the most sacred stage of thangka
painting and is performed at dawn on an auspicious day.

10. Writing Tibetan letters on the reverse of the thangka
The three letters OM , AH and HUM mark the Crown, Throat and Heart Chakras
respectively.

11. Framing with brocade
The finished painting is sewn within a Brocade frame and finished with
ribbons and silk to protect the image. The work of art is now recognisable as
a Tibetan Buddhist Thangka!

12. CONSECRATION
This final step is what distinguishes Tibetan Buddhist practice from ordinary
"idol worship." The practitioner takes his or her newly completed thangka to
a highly realized Buddhist master and makes offerings to request the master's
blessings.

The master, endowed with the clear mind of enlightenment, is able to "bring
alive" the image on the thangka by infusing it with energy and beseeching the
deity to open its eyes and look upon all sentient beings. The thangka, having
now been properly consecrated, is a receptacle of wisdom. It is ready to be
hung and venerated as a genuine living embodiment of enlightened mind.

It is important to note that this final step is only necessary if the thangka
artist himself is not acknowledged as a realized being. Over the centuries,
many important Buddhist masters have intentionally taken rebirth as thangka
painters, and if such an artist creates a thangka, the very mind of the
artist naturally consecrates the image being painted. In such cases, there is
no need to seek the services of a lama for an additional consecration.

Thangka History

The art of Thanka and thangka painting is very old and was practiced as early
as 3rd century B.C. in Nepal and Tibet. The word "Thangka" is believed to
have come from the Tibetan word "thang yig" meaning a written record. These
scared painting known as Pauvha in Nepali and Newari and Thangka in Tibetan
are paraphernalia of Buddhist and Hindus experience God jotting them down in
form of art in the canvas. These paintings generally represent Buddhist and
Hindu Gods, Goddesses, meditating Buddha and His life cycle, wheel of Life,
Mandala, Bhairab, Manjushree, Green Tara etc.

Thangka painting is a uniquely Tibetan tradition that evolved between the 7th
and 12th centuries in Tibet. Painted on canvas and mounted in silk brocade, a
thangka is more than just a work of art. It is an object of devotion, an aid
to spiritual practice, and a source of blessings. Thangka painting is
strictly governed by iconographic rules. From the canvas preparation and
drawing of the subject, through to mixing and applying colors, decorating
with gold, and mounting the finished work in brocade, the creation of a
thangka painting involves skill and care at each stage and displays
meticulous detail and exquisite artisanship.

Thangkas are believed to create positive influences in their surroundings.
Its brilliant colors and forms awaken the mind and energize consciousness;
its images stimulate capacities for visualization and nourish the heart. It
is said that just the act of looking at a thangka is in itself a good deed.
By meditating on such objects, one can train and gain an understanding of
certain types of awareness that the specific image portrays. Another reason
for commissioning a thangka painting may be to bring about good health,
prosperity or long life.