Atelier NISHI

THANGKA PAINTING
in
SPAIN

Works of a Japanese Thangka Painter

- Yoji Nishi -

WORKS

Thangka

STATUE

OTHER

THANGKA

THE SUPREME ART

Superbly painted in rich colors and exquisite detail, from the long tradition of the Himalayan region, the “thangka painting” depicts the blissful worlds of Tibetan Buddhism. The world of peaceful deities with a look of compassion and a gentle smile, or the wrathful deities with a fierce expression spreading their multiple arms amidst a mass of primordial wisdom fire.

Thangka painting is not just an ornamental art for decoration, but a tool to convey deep iconographic information to support the meditation of Buddhist practitioners.

Lineage

Throughout long history of Himalayan region, many prominent artists have developed their own traditions of Tibetan thangka painting to visually represent the wide variety of deities and transcendent Buddha realm described in the Buddhist scriptures.

One of these traditions, the tradition of Karma Gardri style, also known as “Encampment style” is originated in Eastern Tibet during the 16th century.

The majority of the thangkas displayed on this site are painted in accordance with this tradition.

This style effectively uses a transparent, pastel background contrasted with the rich, deep colors of the deities. Together with another contrast of "space" and "detail", traditional Karma Gardri style thangkas create a magnificent meditative image.

Technique and Materials

The process of making a traditional Thangka painting involves many intricate and demanding stages, each of which must be carried out with great care and precision in order to achieve the best possible result.

With this commitment to quality and tradition in mind, we predominantly use natural mineral and earth pigments, as well as organic dyes, in the creation of our Thangkas.

These include warm and soft earth colors, clear transparent dyes, and mineral pigments made from ground gemstones such as azurite and malachite.

It is essential to use the finest materials available, as they determine both the longevity and vibrancy of the finished thangka. When crafted with proper techniques, such materials not only enhance the dignified radiance and serene presence of the deities, but also ensure that the artwork retains its depth and vitality for generations.

Thangka Painter

In Thangka paintings, which are used as visual support for meditation practice, details of the deities depicted must be according to what is described in the Buddhist texts and the painter is strictly not allowed to alter them according to personal ideas or preferences.

Thangka painting is, therefore, an exact and faithful visualization of the spiritual world described within the sacred scriptures.

While it is of the utmost importance that Thangka painters accurately portray the deities and their world as described in the texts, there are also many aspects left open to their freedom, allowing them to express the dignity of the deities and their realm through their own experience and imagination.

These open areas are not arbitrary, but are understood through their understanding of Buddhism and the experience they bring as painters.

Lineage

One of these traditions, the tradition of Karma Gardri style, also known as “Encampment style” is originated in Eastern Tibet during the 16th century.

Technique and Materials

With this commitment to quality and tradition in mind, we predominantly use natural mineral and earth pigments, as well as organic dyes, in the creation of our Thangkas.