In the streets and alleys of Tibet, it is not uncommon to come across some Thangka artists quietly engrossed in their painting. Dressed in simple attire, they fix their focused and pious gazes, and with gentle strokes of the brushes in their hands on the canvas, they seem to be narrating stories and beliefs that have endured for thousands of years.
Tsering is an experienced Thangka artist who started learning Thangka painting under his master from a young age. In his memory, the days of learning Thangka were both arduous and fulfilling. Every day, before dawn broke, he would get up to practice drawing lines. He began with simple straight and curved lines and gradually moved on to the complex contours of Buddhist statues, practicing for hours on end. In order to better understand Buddhist doctrines and create Thangkas that conform to the religious rituals, he also needed to memorize a large number of Buddhist scriptures and knowledge about the measurements of Buddhist statues. “Every Thangka has a life of its own. It is not just a painting but a devout expression of the Buddhist Dharma,” Tsering often says.
In his studio, there are many Thangkas in the process of being painted, and each work has been infused with his painstaking efforts. He will carefully prepare the pigments according to different themes and requirements. Just the grinding and mixing of the pigments alone can take a great deal of time and effort. He says that only by using the purest natural pigments can he create Thangkas that are most vivid and expressive.
For Thangka artists, the process of painting a Thangka is also a spiritual practice. In this fast-paced era, they can endure loneliness and hold fast to their original aspirations. On a small canvas, they use their brushes to depict their faith and life. Their works are not only the crystallization of art but also the treasures of Tibetan culture, carrying the spiritual sustenance of countless people.