Learn the skills of thangka drawing or progress along this creative journey as part of this year’s 2025 Summer Institute!

The science of the creative arts is one of the 5 Sciences studied in ancient Buddhist universities such as Nalanda, and continues to be studied in the present day Nitartha Institute. Within the sphere of science of the creative arts we explore thangka painting which is a very powerful tool in the development of the visualization and creation stage practices. Many students have had their visualizations become easier to generate and much clearer. Studio classes are a natural environment for shamatha. One’s mind naturally focuses and relaxes on simply drawing, which can be a very calming experience.

The lineage of thangka painting taught at Nitartha is the Karma Gadri Lineage. It is one of the 4 major schools of Tibetan thangka painting. Learning the basics of thangka as per the Karma Gadri school one begins with learning how to draw tikse which is an iconometric graph which is the support for drawing the deity. Each deity has their own specific measurements, thus making the drawing of tikse an essential skill in thangka drawing and painting.

 A student usually begins their journey of developing thangka drawing and painting skills by learning how to make tikse, drawing a buddha head, a seated buddha, progressing to drawing a Buddha with simple robes, and then a Buddha with ornate robes. Secondly, a student may practice drawing of a female or male bodhisattva, such as Khadiravani (Green) Tara or Manjushri. 

Participants are encouraged to complete all the progressional class activities before moving ahead. There is also the opportunity for participants to begin a refined line drawing, coloured drawing or even a painting. Participants will receive individual attention and guidance. Additionally, returning participants can repeat with the class or continue further in their drawing activities.

Read more here about thangka drawing at the 2025 Summer Institute.