At the end of the year I will be coming back for thangka teachings in The States.
We are currently working on the schedule, that will be added here soon. Invitations & suggestions are still welcome.
See here some pictures of the 2009 USA Thangka Courses

Want to stay informed on future courses in USA? Send an email to Thangka Courses USA
Want to organize a Thangka course in your center in the USA? Send an email to Thangka Course in Your Center



Courses and subjects for 2010 will be added soon -  underneath the 2009 workshops

Courses and subjects for 2010 will be added soon -  underneath the 2009 workshops 'Introduction to Tibetan Thangka Painting' + 'Drawing the face of the Buddha according to Tibetan Buddhist tradition' This workshop in two evenings will give you a good introduction to Tibetan thangka painting (traditional Buddhist scroll paintings) and is very meditative. We wil start with a vivid slideshow and talk on Thangka painting, where you will learn more about the history and cultural/religious context of Tibetan thangka paintings, and of the symbolism found in the Tibetan art itself. Next you will learn how to draw the face of the Buddha according to traditional Tibetan thangka scroll paintings. The practical element of drawing in the course is like a meditation in itself, and creates a lot of joy. As the Buddhist Lamas say: 'When you draw a Buddha, you're drawing your own mind.' The workshop comes with a short meditation, explanation of the tradition, explanation of the grids, a lot of individual guidance and is suitable for everyone, including beginners with no drawing experience whatsoever! Materials to bring: 2 sheets of thick drawing paper (around 11"x17"), an 18" ruler, HB pencils (preferably a mechanical pencil) & an eraser (preferably the soft mouldable grey one). Schedule: Cost: $ Download flyer: Where: Wellspring Spiritual Center, Fogelsville, Lehigh Valley, PA, www.wellspringspiritualcenter.com Reservation: (610) 285-6145 or email info@wellspringspiritualcenter.com Courses and subjects for 2010 will be added soon -  underneath the 2009 workshops 'Drawing the Kalachakra Symbol according to the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition' The spiritual director of Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia, Losang Samten, has got great creative expertise in the Tibetan ritual arts. The end of Oct he will start the creation of the Kalachakra sand mandala at The Gershman Y. In addition to this wonderful event I will give a workshop on how to draw the Kalachakra symbol according to the Tibetan tradition. The workshop comes with a short meditation, explanation of the tradition, explanation of the grids, a lot of individual guidance and is suitable for everyone, including beginners with no drawing experience whatsoever! Materials to bring: 2 sheets of thick drawing paper (around 11"x17"), an 18" ruler, HB pencils (preferably a mechanical pencil) & an eraser (preferably the soft mouldable grey one) Schedule: Cost: $ Download flyer: Where: Reservation: Susan Simmons (610) 203 3200 or simmonssusan@hotmail.com Courses and subjects for 2010 will be added soon -  underneath the 2009 workshops 'Drawing (and painting if you join both evenings) the Kalachakra Symbol according to the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition' The spiritual director of Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia, Losang Samten, has got great creative expertise in the Tibetan ritual arts. The end of Oct he will start the creation of the Kalachakra sand mandala at The Gershman Y. In addition to this wonderful event I will give a workshop on how to draw the Kalachakra symbol according to the Tibetan tradition. The workshop comes with a short meditation, explanation of the tradition, explanation of the grids, a lot of individual guidance and is suitable for everyone, including beginners with no drawing experience whatsoever! Materials to bring: 2 sheets of thick drawing paper (around 11"x17"), an 18" ruler, HB pencils (preferably a mechanical pencil), an eraser (preferably the soft mouldable grey one) & color pencils or paints if you choose Schedule: Cost: $ Download flyer: Where: Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia, 915 Spring Garden St. Studio#114, Philadelphia, PA 19123, www.tibetanbuddhist.org Reservation: Susan Simmons (610) 203 3200 or simmonssusan@hotmail.com Courses and subjects for 2010 will be added soon -  underneath the 2009 workshops 'Buddha Shakyamuni - The Enlightened One' In this extended weekend course you will learn how to draw Buddha Shakyamuni according to traditional Tibetan thangka scroll paintings. The practice of Buddha Shakyamuni (the 'Enlightened One' or 'Awakened One') helps you purify negativities of body, speech and mind, which is essential if you want to make progress on the spiritual path. In this weekend you will learn through a combination of slideshows, lectures and meditations about the history and cultural/religious context of Tibetan thangka paintings, and of the symbolism found in the Tibetan art itself. There will also be a detailed explanation of Buddha Shakyamuni's mantra. The practical element of drawing in the course is like a meditation in itself, and creates a lot of joy. If you are a Buddhist practitioner, drawing the Buddha image significantly improves visualisation in your meditations. You will get a lot of individual guidance and the course is suitable for everyone, including beginners with no drawing experience whatsoever! Materials to bring 2 sheets of thick drawing paper (18"x24" or bigger), an 18" ruler, HB pencils (preferably a mechanical pencil) & an eraser (preferably the soft mouldable grey one) Schedule: Cost: $ Download flyer: Where: Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia, 915 Spring Garden St. Studio#114, Philadelphia, PA 19123, www.tibetanbuddhist.org Reservation: Susan Simmons (610) 203 3200 or simmonssusan@hotmail.com Courses and subjects for 2010 will be added soon -  underneath the 2009 workshops 'Thangka Painting Techniques' In these evenings you will learn more about the painting techniques in Tibetan thangkas. We will work on famous Tibetan Buddhist symbols like the Lotus Flower and other Auspicious Signs. You will also learn about their meaning. Materials to bring: 2 sheets of thick drawing paper (around 11"x17"), an 18" ruler, HB pencils (preferably a mechanical pencil) & an eraser (preferably the soft mouldable grey one). Paints: Gouache, preferable brand Windsor & Newton (but if you got some other already, just bring them), (very) small & medium brushes. You can also bring color pencils if you choose. Schedule: Cost: $ Download flyer: Where: Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia, 915 Spring Garden St. Studio#114, Philadelphia, PA 19123, www.tibetanbuddhist.org Reservation: Susan Simmons (610) 203 3200 or simmonssusan@hotmail.com Courses and subjects for 2010 will be added soon -  underneath the 2009 workshops 'Green Tara - The Mother of all Buddhas' In this weekend course you will learn how to draw Green Tara according to traditional Tibetan Buddhist thangka scroll paintings. Green Tara, the female manifestation of active compassion, reaches out her hand to grant all wishes and, with her right foot outstretched, is ready to step down and help all who call upon her. Tara is one of the most revered deities of Tibetan Buddhism and there are numerous stories of people that were saved from fears and difficulties while calling her name. She was one of the first emancipated women. When other male practicioners told her to pray for incarnation in a male body so she could reach enlightenment, she made an adamantine vow: ''Until Samsara is empty, I shall work for the benefit of all sentient beings in a woman's body.'' The drawing of these enlightened images is like a meditation in itself, and creates a lot of joy. Besides this you will learn through a combination of slideshows, lectures and meditations about the backgrounds and meanings of Green Tara. The course is suitable for everyone, including beginners with no drawing experience whatsoever! Materials to bring 2 sheets of thick drawing paper (18"x24" or bigger), an 18" ruler, HB pencils (preferably a mechanical pencil) & an eraser (preferably the soft mouldable grey one) Schedule: Cost: $ Download flyer: Where: Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia, 915 Spring Garden St. Studio#114, Philadelphia, PA 19123, www.tibetanbuddhist.org Reservation: Susan Simmons (610) 203 3200 or simmonssusan@hotmail.com Courses and subjects for 2010 will be added soon -  underneath the 2009 workshops 'Drawing the Buddha Face' This workshop gives a good introduction to Tibetan thangka painting (traditional Buddhist scroll paintings) and is very meditative! In this workshop you will learn how to draw the face of the Buddha according to traditional Tibetan thangka scroll paintings. The practice of Buddha Shakyamuni (the 'Enlightened One' or 'Awakened One') helps you purify negativities of body, speech and mind, which is essential if you want to make progress on the spiritual path. The workshop comes with a short meditation, explanation of the tradition, explanation of the grids, and a lot of individual guidance. The Buddhist Lamas say: 'When you draw a Buddha, you're drawing your own mind.' This workshop is suitable for everyone, including beginners with no drawing experience whatsoever! 'Tibetan Buddhist Symbols' This workshop offers another good introduction to Tibetan thangka painting (traditional Buddhist scroll paintings) and contains a vivid slideshow and talk on Thangka painting and Tibetan Buddhist Symbols, a short meditation, explanation of the tradition and a lot of individual guidance. In his workshop you will learn about the history and cultural/religious context of Tibetan thangka paintings, and of the symbolism found in the Tibetan art itself. The practical element of drawing in the course is like a meditation in itself, and creates a lot of joy. As Tibetan Buddhism is full of symbolism, we will dive into this and have a closer look at some of the symbols and their meaning, like for example the Lotus Flower, the Conch Shell, the Snow Lion and Auspicious Signs. We will draw (or paint) them according to the Tibetan thangka tradition. This workshop is suitable for everyone, including beginners with no drawing experience whatsoever! NOTE: For people who cannot come on Friday and prefer to draw the Buddha Face instead of Buddhist symbols, I will give this opportunity. The workshops can be followed apart from each other, but to get a better overview of the Tibetan thangka tradition, it's advisable to follow both workshops. Materials: will be provided. If you have a drawing board, please bring this. Schedule: Cost: $ Download flyer: Where: Prancing Peacock Yoga Center, 524 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, www.prancingpeacock.com Reservation: (267) 679 0791 or email liz@prancingpeacock.com Want to stay informed on future courses in USA? Send an email to Thangka Courses USA Want to organize a Thangka course in your center in the USA? Send an email to Thangka Course in Your Center