Thangka artist Lhundrup fills in color on a thangka painting with Green Tara on it. The Goddess Green Tara is a gentle female embodiment of universal compassion. In a Thangka painting, not only the main character, but also every single detail is drawn vividly. [Photo taken by Tenzin Woebom/VTIBET.com]
In order to protect and develop thangka, the profound art of religious painting, Lhundrup, a 32-year-old Tibetan thangka artist established a non-profit thangka workshop in Barkhor Street of Lhasa and has dedicated his life to adding glory to the traditional art. As he says, "my mission is not just painting thangkas, but telling people Tibetan culture, philosophy and knowledge behind it."
"Thangka artwork is seen as the encyclopedia of Tibetan culture. People can better understand Tibetan history and culture by viewing and enjoying it," sitting cross-legged on the floor, Lhundrup teaches Thangka painting skills to his students at the workshop while says, "Thangka painting skill has to be inherited and passed down to future generations because it is an important part of the Tibetan culture."
According to Lhundrup, his workshop started with three students at the very beginning, currently has about 12 students, all of whom are Tibetans from Tibet and Tibetan-inhabited areas in other parts of China.
A young student draws thangka on a paper. The proportion of Buddha figures and the overall layout of the painting have to meet specific requirements, and the painter has to follow strict ritual procedures of Tibetan Buddhism in its creation. [Photo taken by Tenzin Woebom/VTIBET.com]
"I started to learn Thangka painting when I was eight. Although I am the youngest student here, my desire to understand the splendid art of religious painting is as strong as the other students," a 14-year-old thangka painter Nyima says.
Asked about his feelings about learning the art, he adds, "It’s definitely a tough work. I even tried to quit it several times before. Thanks to having a good master, his advice and encouragement lead me to keep on. I really appreciate what Mr. Lhundrup has done for me. Now, the more I practice the art the profounder I found it is."
"Generally, it will take a student five years or so to master the painting skill. If some students are brilliant enough to grasp the techniques, they can graduate in advance. The curriculum is more flexible here compared to that of regular schools," Lhundrup says, adding, "We teach thangka for free. Since our teacher has never charged any tuition fee from us, our students also don’t have to pay any money for learning thangka. Traditional education is very simple, as long as you are earnest to learn and interested in it, money is unnecessary."
A thangka painter draws a thangka very patiently. Thangka is a traditional Tibetan painting usually depicting a Buddhist deity, scene or mandala. It is intended to serve as a guide for contemplative experience or praying. [Photo taken by Tenzin Woebom/VTIBET.com]
When talking about the process of making a thangka, Lhundrup introduces that "The creation of a Thangka piece is like a journey of self-cultivation. First of all, a painter will commonly choose linen cloth or cotton fabric as painting material, he or she will then stitch the material’s edges with flax thread and stretch it on a specially made wooden frame. Secondly, the painter will spread a paste made of animal glue mixed with talcum powder over its surface to block up the holes in it. When the paste is scraped off and the cloth gets thoroughly dried, the material is ready for painting. Thirdly, the artist works out the sketches of the images with charcoal sticks. The drawing usually begins with the figure in the centre and then goes to the surrounding deities or landscape. Colouring comes last. And after the painting is done, it is mounted on a brocaded silk border. "
According to Lhundrup, the pictorial subjects of thangkas include portraits of Buddhas, stories from the lives of saints and great masters. "Thangka paintings vary in size, ranging from a little over a few square centimeters to several square meters. A large thangka often takes large team of artists months, even years to make. The purpose of thangkas is to help to understand the basic aspects of the Buddhist doctrine and establish a link between the believer and the symbol of the deity depicted on it. "
Nowadays, there are more and more young thangka painters like Lundrup conveying sacred knowledge of ancient Buddhist art to the modern world. No matter whom they learned from, or no matter how their qualifications are, they all hope the traditional thangka art can be developed and inherited well. They also hope more and more people can get to know Tibetan unique culture from thangka.
Photo shows beautiful thangka paintings on the wall of the workshop. Thangka is a kind of special art form which has irreplaceable artistic values. [Photo taken by Tenzin Woebom/VTIBET.com]
Photo shows beautiful thangka paintings on the wall of the workshop. Thangka is a kind of special art form which has irreplaceable artistic values. [Photo taken by Tenzin Woebom/VTIBET.com]
Photo shows a thangka of Yellow Jambhala (the deity of Wealth) and other thangka paintings displayed in Lhundrup’s workshop at Barkhor Street, Lhasa. [Photo taken by Tenzin Woebom/VTIBET.com]
