What is a Thangka?

Thangkas are symbolic religious paintings on either cotton or silk that depict deities, iconography, and stories, synonymous with Tibetan Buddhism. They are traditionally displayed as a hanging, sewn into a fabric border, often with an additional flap of fabric which can be used to cover the painting for protection. These protective curtains are often folded in specific way to add to the decorative nature of the piece. Having the painting framed by fabric, allows it to be easily rolled up and stored away to increase longevity, although they are sometimes also available unframed.

These beautiful sacred paintings are traditionally kept for personal meditation or for use as a teaching tool in monasteries and are designed to inspire, guide, and encourage reflection, helping practitioners along their spiritual journey. Thangkas open a window into the world of Tibetan Buddhism, capturing its deep symbolism, rich imagery, and profound teachings. With their striking colours, intricate details, and masterful craftsmanship, they provide a wonderful way to explore and connect with Buddhist wisdom on a deeper level.

Thangka Artists

In the past, before proceeding with the work, a painter would first purify themselves and meditate on the deity they intend to paint. This tradition has mostly been lost as it is now the job of professional artists to undertake the artworks, however there is still a requirement to undergo a ritual initiation for certain subjects, such as painting deities belonging to the Four Classes of Tantrics.

Now there are many Thangka schools that take on those who want to learn the craft. It is still a much revered skill, and they offer tours to local and foreign tourists whilst working on commissions or paintings to sell. 

You can find differing quality of Thangkas dependant on the level of the painter, and this will also affect the price! Most Thangkas are created by students of the craft, they are often painted with acrylics or oil paints, ensuring the painting will have a longevity of at least 30 years, and will display a level of technique most painters could only dream of reaching! When you study a Thangka painted by a master however, you will be able to see an even finer level of intricacy as they are trained to paint with a single hair brush, and the piece is made with all natural colour and often gilded with real gold ensuring the piece can be passed down from generation to generation.

Subject Matter of Thangkas

Some of the most common subjects include:

• Ska rten or ‘body support’ - depict one or multiple deities in their different forms with their gestures (mudras)
  Sku rten or ‘narrative / biographical painting’ - portray life events of a particular deity
• Mandalas -  representing unity, harmony, and the interconnectedness of all things
• A ‘Day Thangka’ - commonly depict White Tara and were commissioned for the great religious leaders long life on a yearly basis
• Rten or ’support’ (of the enlightened mind) - depict inanimate sacred objects such as important temples, monasteries or stupas. These are often depicted from a birds-eye view. It shows the centre as Nirvana, and the gateways that one must go through to be purified of body, speech and mind before reaching Nirvana.

How is a Thangka made?

The process involved in creating these beautiful pieces of art is very labour and time intensive:

1. The fine weave cotton is first stretched on wooden frames and prepared with a paint base or ‘size’. This is a glue made from skin or leather that has been boiled and dissolved. It is mixed with white chalk to become gesso and is applied to both sides of the canvas to allow it to be rolled without damaging the painting. After the gesso has dried the canvas must be polished. Only after this is complete can the composition begin.
   
   
2. The exact centre of the canvas must be marked out for the main figure, around which all other figures and elements can be positioned. This is done by using a ‘marking string’. It is crucial that the centre is marked accurately, otherwise it could affect the religious value of the thangka. A border is also marked to allow enough space for the brocade edging to be stitched upon completion.
   
   
3. The sketching can now begin! Compositions are outlined with charcoal and figures marked out with basic oval shapes. When the main figure is drawn it is constructed over a grid to ensure dimensions are accurate. Background landscapes come next, finished with details such as flowers and any auspicious animals.
   
   
4. Painting. The traditional method of mixing the colours is very time consuming as it requires the pigments to be slowly mixed with size to create a buttermilk-like consistency. These days oil paints and acrylics are more commonly used to save time. 
   
   
   
5. The back is dry polished to make it compliant for rolling and resistant to cracking. Text is added on the back to state the reason for the commission, and Om Ah Hum is inscribed on the back of each deity, representing the enlightened body, speech and mind. The edging is stitched and the work is complete.

Additional - Sand Mandalas

Thangkas and Sand Mandalas are thought of similarly as they are both artistic Buddhist acts of meditation, and you’ll likely to be able to see some examples of sand art if you visit a Thangka school in Nepal.
It is a truly impressive art form using sand instead of paint, usually creating mandala patterns instead of the intricate depictions that you see in paintings. They use hollow tubes to release the sand in a controlled way, working from the centre, and then expanding outwards. Sand mandalas are often completed by monks as a form of meditation and learning; the destruction of the sand artwork is as important as the creation, to convey the message that nothing is permanent in this world. The often collect the sand and throw it into the river, allowing the blessed powder to reach as many different people across the land.