Thangka Painting in Nepal: History, Origins and Classes
Looking for information about Thangka Painting in Nepal? Here is everything you need to know about the Buddhist Thangka Paintings originating from 2,500 years ago!
I have always been curious about Thangka Paintings and when you arrive in Nepal, you will find many shops selling them (especially in Thamel, Bhaktapur or Patan).
Thangka paintings represent Buddha’s teachings and can be also used for meditation. The interesting thing is that the higher quality thangkas also include 24 carat gold paint.
There are Thangka Painting Schools in the Kathmandu Valley where you can sign up for classes to learn how to make a Thangka Painting. I took a one day thangka course and I can say that you need a lot of patience and focus to complete one thangka.
So then, what is a thangka painting? Let’s find out!
Thankga Painting in Nepal
What is Thangka Painting?
Thangka painting is a Tibetan Buddhist painting on a cotton canvas. It originates from 2,500 years ago and it is a representation of Buddha’s teachings.
‘Thang’ means ‘cotton’, and ‘ka’ means ‘images’, so together ‘thangka’ means ‘images made on cotton’.
A thangka painting usually depicts a Buddhist deity, an excerpt from the life of Buddha, the wheel of life or a mandala. Thus, the thangka paintings serve as a teaching tool to depict Buddha’s life or also as a tool for meditation.
There are many Thangka painting schools in Nepal where you can learn about how to make the paintings.
Paint, Canvas and Brush Used for Thangka Paintings
Paint:
The paint used for thangka painting is first grinded and then mixed with plant-based glue. Some of the popular colours used in thangka paintings are green, blue, red and yellow.
Gold Paint:
Gold paint is also used at the end for the final touches of the thangka painting. The gold paint gives a beautiful, shiny final element to the thangka.
Only the master thangka artists can use 24 carat gold paint, other thangka painting students and artist can only use gold paint that are less than 24 carat.
Brush:
The brush used for thangka paintings are made from the hair of yak’s tail.
Cotton Canvas:
Thangka Paintings are painted on cotton canvas and the preparation of the canvas takes about 2-3 days.
The cotton canvas is prepared by stretching and sewing a piece of cotton cloth on a wooden frame. Then, a mixture of water, clay and glue is applied to the surface of the cotton and you wait for it to dry completely.
The final step is to make the cotton smoother. This is done by applying moisture to a section of the canvas and rub it gently with a stone. This process is repeated section by section until the whole canvas is smooth.
Framing:
Silk brocade: The thangka painting is placed with a silk brocade. The silk brocade is usually of red, yellow or blue coloured.
It also has a protective, curtain-like thin yellow curtain to cover/protect the painting, which can be turned over to see the thangka better.
Glass frame: The glass frame is more simple but became popular due to its effectiveness to preserve thangkas.
Meaning of Colours
Colours have great importance in the Thangka paintings. Colours are one of the elements to identify the deities.
Some of the popular colours to use in a thangka painting include red, blue, yellow and green.
For example, red for Amitabha, light blue for Akshobhya. (Five Wisdom Buddhas: Amitabha, Akshobhya, Amoghasiddhi, Ratnasambhava and Vairocana)
How Long Does it Take to Complete a Thangka Painting?
Depending on the size, figures and complexity of a thangka painting, it can take anywhere between one day to months or even 1-2 years.
Thangka Painting Classes
- Price: Rs. 2,000 per day
- Duration: Minimum 1 full day: 10:00 am – 5 pm
It is recommended to take a course for around 2-3 days which will give time to also learn how to make the cotton canvas. However, if you have less time, you can sign up for 1 day and make a simple thangka painting.
When I signed up to a thangka painting class, I did not really know what to expect. I only had time for a one-day course and I did not know if that would be enough for me to finish one painting.
Also, in my mind, I thought that the canvas I was going to paint would already include a sketch – but it is generally blank and you have to make the sketch yourself. So all in all, it is a long process to prepare a thangka and you will need a lot of patience.
Process of Painting a Thangka
Deciding Which Type of Thangka to Paint
Thangkas depict various images, it can be a Buddhist deity, an excerpt from Buddha’s life, a mandala or the wheel of life.
If you take a thangka painting class, you can talk to the centre first on what your options are within the timeframe you will attend the course.
I asked beforehand if I could make a mandala and by the start of my course, my teacher pre-selected an easy mandala thangka for me. It was a simpler thangka that is possible to make in one day (7-8 hours). To be honest, I was not sure if I would be able to make it in one day but in the end, surprisingly, I could.
Making the Sketch of the Thangka Painting
At the beginning of the course, you get a blank canvas and you will have to make the sketch of your chosen thangka.
The teacher will show you the techniques to measure and draw the sketch from scratch. You will use a ruler to make the exact calculations to have the right shape. The process to make the sketch took about 1 hour.
Colouring the Thangka Painting
Once you prepare your sketch, you can start the process of painting. The teacher helps you to set up your paint and advise on the painting process (which sections to paint first, which brush to use and what’s the easiest way to paint some symbols)
I was using a thangka of a mandala that provided the basis for the painting of my own thangka but you can pick the colours and some of the shapes that you would like your thangka to include.
Usually once you start painting your thangka, the teacher will let you paint on your own. My teacher was around if I had any questions and always joined to guide me when I started a new section.
What a Thangka Painting Class is Like?
I really enjoyed the class. Painting has always been a way for me to relax and recharge so I was happy to learn to make a thangka. My teacher was very patient and knowledgeable about thangka painting.
Although, I was a little bit worried in the beginning that I would have to make the sketch of the thangka, in the end, I felt proud that I made it all from scratch (well, with the guidance of my teacher).
I also found that the thangka painting class was a good value for money. Some other courses I took (pottery, cooking lesson) in Nepal, cost about the same amount of price but for only 1-3 hours.
The thangka painting class is for the whole day, the teacher is there to guide you the whole time and, in the end, you get to keep your own thangka painting.
Thangka Painting Price
The price of a Thangka painting in Nepal can cost anywhere from USD 20 to thousands of dollars.
The price depends on the type of thangka painting. Generally, the more elaborate the painting and longer it takes to make, the higher the price.
Thangka Painting Schools in Kathmandu
Lama Thanka Painting Centre (Bhaktapur): It is the centre where I took my class. They have 10 teachers and 3 master thangka painters. During your class, you can also meet and watch the master thangka artists at work.
Other Thangka painting school in Kathmandu I found with a good reputation:
- Tibetan Lama Thangka Painting School (Thamel)
FAQs: Thangka Painting in Nepal
What is thangka painting in Nepal?
Thangka painting is a Tibetan Buddhist painting originating from 2,500 years ago.
How much does a Thangka cost in Nepal?
The price of a Thangka painting in Nepal can cost anywhere from USD 20 to thousands of dollars. The price depends on the type of thangka painting. Generally, the more elaborate the painting and longer it takes to make, the higher the price.
How long does it take to paint a thankga?
The painting of a thangka can be anywhere between 1 day to years. A simple thangka painting can be painted in a day, however, the better quality, bigger thangkas can take months or even years to paint!
Are mandalas Buddhist or Hindu?
Mandalas are related to the Buddhist religion.
Why are thangka paintings so expensive?
Thangka paintings are expensive because the high quality thangkas also include paint made from 24 carat gold.
Conclusion
Thangka painting is a Tibetan Buddhist painting that originates from 2,500 years ago. ‘Thang’ means ‘cotton’, and ‘ka’ means ‘images’, so together ‘thangka’ means ‘images made on cotton’.
A thangka painting usually depicts a Buddhist deity, an excerpt from the life of Buddha, the wheel of life or a mandala. Thus, the thangka paintings serve as a teaching tool to depict Buddha’s life or also as a tool for meditation.
There are Thangka Painting Schools in the Kathmandu Valley where you can sign up for classes to learn how to make a Thangka Painting. Making your own thangka can be a great gift to yourself or a nice souvenir to friends and family.
