Aspiring thangka artists must spend years studying the iconongraphic grids and proportions of different deities and then master the technique of mixing and applying mineral pigments. At Norbulingka, we offer a three-year training program for Tibetan students. After completing their three year course, most artists then join our workshops, where they must complete an additional 3 years as apprentices before they are considered fully qualified artists.





To make a thangka, first a piece of canvas is stitched onto a wooden frame. It is prepared with a mixture of chalk, gesso, and base pigment, and rubbed smooth with a glass until the texture of the cloth is no longer apparent. The outline of the deity is sketched in pencil onto the canvas using iconograpic grids, and then outlined in black ink. Powders composed of crushed mineral and vegetable pigments are mixed with water and adhesive to create paint. Some of the elements used are quite precious, such as lapis lazuli for dark blue. Landscape elements are blocked in and shading is applied using both wet and dry brush techniques. Finally, a pure gold paint is added, and the piece is framed in a precious brocade boarder. A standard thangka in our collection, which is about 18 x 12 in., takes an artist about six weeks to complete.





These days, it is becoming more and more rare to find genuine thangkas because of the length of time it takes to learn the skill and create a painting properly. However, Norbulingka is committed to preserving the skill in its traditional form.