What is the Thangka
Thangka is sacred images of tibetan buddhism, which are made on cotton canvas. in thangka drawing different types of deities or mandala which are base on Vajrayana philosophy, where can get supper information about spiritual life. Thangka is guiding for us how can we get peace in life with practice.
Thangka paintings are Buddhist canvas paintings made of gold and other natural colors, depicting Buddhist deities, scenes or mandalas. They are usually small in size, each size ranging from 20 to 50 cm, usually square or rectangular. However, there may be paintings several feet long designed to be displayed on the walls of a monastery or as part of a religious festival. Thangka is commonly used for a number of different functions, images of gods can be used as teaching aids to describe the life (or lives) of Buddha, to represent historical events related to important lamas, or to tell myths involving other deities. Thangka are used as a centerpiece in meditation rituals and worshiper's' rituals.
Preparing the canvas
Thangkas are painted on canvas. The canvas is strung on a bamboo frame, which is then stretched onto a frame made of wood. This method enables the artist to ensure that the required uniform tension on the canvas is maintained.
Drawing process
The thangka is seen as the visual representation of a spiritual reality. The artist's role, consequently, is that of a medium, and the drawing of the figures as well as the composition must be in accordance with strict guidelines. Stance, gesture, mood and colour – all have great significance in Buddhist art.
Adding the right colour and character
Acrylic paints have largely replaced traditional natural pigments and real gold dust that were used earlier in thangka painting. The painting of a thangka is done with fine brushes. The artist blends different hues and adds details to give depth to the image, and a fine thangka can take a few months to complete.
Applying the gold carving
The next step is called ser ri, or the application of gold ornamentation. Fine gold lines are painted on representations of brocade robes and cushions, and on flowers, leaves, and rocks. (This stage should be distinguished from the application of flat gold areas, which is done as the last of the flat color applications.)
Finally, both the flat gold areas and the gold lines are polished with a gemstone, such as onyx. After polishing of the golds, which is called ser ur, the painting is cut off the strainer and sewn onto its silk frame or mounting. Traditionally a tailor would sew the frame.
Opening the eyes of the Buddha or deities
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.
Finally, there is a consecration (rab ne) ceremony for the finished thangka which includes a cen je, or “Opening of the Eyes,” ceremony
Writing Mantras on the reverse of the thangka
The three letters OM, AH and HUM mark the Crown, Throat and Heart chakras respectively. This is a religious ceremony, traditionally done by a monk or a religious teacher, which sometimes involves the writing of an inscription on the back of the thangka. Only after the performance of this, the ceremony is the living presence of the thangka considered to be embodied in the work and communicated by it.
Hello, Namasta and Tashi Delek!
Rinchelin Thanka Galllery and Art school is one of the most popular Art School In Boudha. In this school creating only high quality thangkas according to Mahayana and Vajrayana tradition. Rincheling Thanka Art school has been established in 1976. From establishment year to till now we are success to fulfilling the desire of Art lover. We believe that visitor come to see our art school and fell spiritual feel with culture and natural atmosphere.
Rincheling Thanka Art school is contributing to provide Art training to build there career to be master artist, especially Girls who are from undermined societies parallel in the filed of schooling and making proficient teachers at the same time. We are nonprofitable school who helping to rise girls/Women empowerment in Society.
In our school we try to preserve the ancient Buddhist painting tradition in the most authentic way possible. The materials and manner of painting used for our thangkas are all traditional. In addition, each of our thangkas, including the Buddhas, Buddhist deities and mandalas, are handcrafted by an experienced local artist.
The owner of the gallery and school, Mr. Tashi Lama, along with all the students and workers, is committed to provide you with the highest quality painting and to make sure your purchase will answer your demand.
Rincheling Thangka art school kindly invite you to visit our shop, where we are located in front of the Boudha Stupa in Kathmandu. You can arrange a visit or register for a painting class by contacting us.
Thank you for visiting our website and wish you happy shopping and joyful life!
What Our Customers Say About Rincheling Thanka art school.
Words from our Artists about Rincheling Art school
Dipak Moktan
Hi, My name is Dipak Moktan, and I'm the senior artist of this Rincheling Thanka Art school. I'm working in this school since 2006 to till now. The boss Mr; Tashi lama is not only boss he is very friendly and very helpful teacher also. He trite to us as like family member. He have a lot of knowledge about the Thangka which he is sharing with us. So Rincheling Thanka art school is just like our second home.If any visitor come to visit our school can feel just like we are all same family.Thank you
Sun Maya
Tashi delek my name is Sun Maya, I'm also the senior artist of this Rincheling Thanka art school. I got art class in this school and got job also, which supporting to stay and survive in Kathmandu. In This school many lama are coming from Monastery to get art training, so Mr: Tashi lama is giving spacial class to them. When we are coming to work in this school getting every day more chance to learn more. And in our school coming many tourists from different country so we are exchanging our experience each others. so Rincheling Thangka art school is not only school where just working, here can learn how to create beautiful thangka and how to make beautiful color, so I'm Enjoying to be artist in this School. so Thank you Rincheling Thangka art school and Tashi lama.
Dolmo
Tashi delek my name is Dolmo, I'm also the coloring master artist of Rincheling Thanka art school. I got art class in this school got chance to learn more about art and got job also, which supporting to stay and survive in Kathmandu. I saw many people from different country is coming to see art and some of them joining to be artist to learn in this school. I'm so enjoying to be artist to work in this art school. This art school producing only high quality thangkas according to Vajrayana philosophy. So Mr; Tashi lama is giving art training as well as Philosophy class too.so Thank you Rincheling Thangka art school and Mr: Tashi lama to give chance to be artist and get chance to play and enjoying with beautiful color.
Sarina
Tashi delek my name is Sarina I'm also the coloring master artist of this Rincheling Thanka art school. I got art class in this school and got job also, which supporting to stay and survive in Kathmandu.To be artist so difficult especially to be Thangka artist. but Tashi lama our teacher is giving art class with easily. So when he teach to us we don't feel hard to be artits. so he is teaching to very easy way. In this school all friends are so friendly. we got many friends from different country too. so Thank you Mr: Tashi alma and Rincheling Thangka art school.
Surya
Tashi delek my name is Surya, I'm also the coloring master artist of Rincheling Thanka art school. I'm working in this school more then 10 years. so entire of these time I never feel difficult and on happy in this art school. Actually in this School when we come to work we don't feel how we spend time. Every time we are getting new challenge to improve our self to be good artist. And for this Mr: Tashi lama is always giving art class and philosophy meaning of art. So we can see the thangkas with many different color but behind of these all color have beautiful meaning, which will help to understand our life. so Thank you Rincehling Thangka art school to give chance to be artist in this art school. And I'm always happy to come and enjoying with beautiful color.
Pratima
Tashi delek my name is Pratima I'm also the Sheding master artist of this Rincheling Thanka art school. I got art class in this school and got job also, which supporting to stay and survive in Kathmandu.I'm very happy to be Thangka artist in this school where I'm always feeling peace and happy to make thangkas. In this school all friends are so friendly and boss Mr; Tashi lama creating the family environment. so when we come to work in this school we are enjoying. Thank you.
