Jun 19-26, 2026 / NY, USA / Week Retreat at Omega Institute: The In-Depth Experience

June 19-26, 2026

Tibetan Art Retreat Week

The In-Depth Experience

Creating Tibetan Buddhist Art - Thangka Drawing & Painting Retreat at Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in Rhinebeck, NY, USA, 2025, by Carmen Mensink

Get an Introduction in Tibetan Art by learning how to draw the Buddha Face and the Lotus Flower, and subsequently learn to draw the Mandala of the Five Wisdom Buddhas. In addition Carmen teaches this week about the special thangka painting techniques.

Those who have already drawn the Buddha Face with Carmen previous course are welcome to use this week to the fullest and can start immediately with their drawing of painting of the Mandala of the Five Wisdom Buddhas and may even finish it this week.

Immerse yourself in the full week to experience both the introductory and advanced teachings!
In this retreat guided by Carmen Mensink, a renowned painter of thangkas; the traditional Tibetan scroll paintings of Buddhas and mandalas, you’ll learn how to traditionally draw (or paint) a Buddha, a Lotus Flower and a Mandala, by using the ancient grid proportions of Carmen’s thangka lineage as a helpful tool.

In this retreat you’ll discover the sacred and meditative beauty of Tibetan Buddhist art in a peaceful retreat setting, resulting in a rich, transformative artistic journey.
The first two subjects to draw are the perfect introduction for those curious about Tibetan art and its meditative practice:

The Face of the Buddha
First you’ll lear how to draw the Face of the Buddha (our historical Buddha, the Awakened One), by using sacred grids and proportions that are passed down through centuries. 

The Lotus Flower
After that you’ll learn to draw the Lotus Flower, symbolizing purity and enlightenment, another meditative drawing practice that brings calm and clarity.

The Mandala of the Five Wisdom Buddhas
The majority of the week will be focused on drawing (or painting for advanced) the Mandala of the Five Wisdom Buddhas. The Five Wisdom Buddhas –Akshobhya, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, Amoghasiddhi, and Vairocana- are the five manifestations of enlightened mind.

Each Buddha embodies a color, element, direction, and wisdom, transforming a specific negative emotion into a positive energy.
Through drawing, short meditations, and reflection, you’ll invite these transformative qualities into your own life.

Each day focuses on one of the Five Buddhas and their corresponding wisdom.
You can choose to depict the Buddhas themselves or their symbolic representations, guided step-by-step by Carmen.

In addition to the art sessions you’ll discover the background, symbolism, and mantras of these Buddhas, and enjoy guided meditations.
You’ll also learn colored pencil techniques and you are also welcome to work with other materials such as watercolor, pastels, or paints. In addition you’ll get demonstrations and explanations of the traditional thangka painting techniques.

If you want to create meaningful art in a meditative setting -and a joyful experience that lasts much longer than the course itself!- this is the retreat for you.

For whom?
This retreat is suitable for students of all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced. Through her inspired approach and guidance, Carmen helps to bring out the best in each student; starting on the level of where they are and bringing them to a higher one. You will return home with your own beautiful artwork(s).

New students (also those without drawing experience) will first learn the basics by drawing a Buddha Face and a Lotus Flower before continuing with the Mandala of the Five Wisdom Buddhas. The Buddha Face course can also be taken Online beforehand, at Carmen’s School for Tibetan Buddhist Art.*

Students who already have drawn the Buddha Face with Carmen, and more advanced thangka students are welcome to start immediately with the drawing of the Lotus Flower OR the drawing and/or painting of the Mandala of the Five Wisdom Buddhas.*

*This will save you time so you can immediately start with the other subject(s), as they all take quite a bit of time to create

About the Teacher
Carmen Mensink is an internationally acclaimed thangka painter and teacher from the Netherlands.
Her teachings blend traditional drawing methods, Buddhist philosophy, and a warm, accessible approach that makes sacred art come alive.
Carmen and her work were recently portrayed by Dutch national TV.

Other Info & Registration

 SCHEDULE / TUITION FEES / REGISTRATION
Schedule
Friday 19th
4:30PM – You can arrive from 4:30PM (and go for the optional Omega Orientation)
6:00PM – Dinner
7.30PM – Retreat starts: Thangka Art Introduction Evening

Daily Schedule
7:00 AM – Breakfast
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Workshop
NOON – Lunch + Free Time
2:30 PM – 5:00 PM Workshop
6:00 PM – Dinner
(+ Optional Evening Program)

Sunday and Wednesday Afternoons are free
(But classroom stays open every day till 11PM, so you are also welcome to continue with your artwork)

Friday 26th
7:00 AM – Breakfast
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Workshop
NOON – Lunch + Departure

Tuition fees
The tuition fee is $ for the retreat + 7 nights lodging and full board (with fantastic food!), price depending on the room of your choice.
It’s also possible to bring your own tent, or sleep outside of the Omega premises.

Registration 
You can register for this retreat at Omega Institute.
You can register on their website from March 3rd, 2026. A direct registration link will be added here.
Registration can also be done by phone 877-944-2002 or 845-266-4444

Some pics of previous thangka retreats at Omega Institute:
 

 LIST OF THINGS TO BRING

7-Day Retreat 

1) Paper (pref. 90 pounds/200 grams or thicker)

  • 2 pieces drawing or mixed media paper size 11”x17” or larger *
  • 1 piece drawing or mixed media paper size 18”x24” or larger

* If you prefer to immediately start with the Mandala of the Five Buddha Families you only need to bring the one large size paper

2) Basic drawing materials **

  • Pencil: regular HB or mechanical pencil
  • Ruler (the larger the better)
  • Eraser(s)

** All basic art materials can also be purchased during the retreat in ‘Carmen’s Little Shop.’ Please bring cash.

3) Materials for working out your drawing

After finishing your black-and-white drawing(s), you can start coloring.
Bring whatever materials you already have at home and like to work with, such as colored pencils (like Prismacolor Premier), watercolor pencils, pastels, watercolor paint, ink, tempera, gouache, or acrylics.

Note: When working with a water-based product please bring suitable paper for this, as well as brushes, etc.

Note: Advanced thangka students who attend the 7-Day Retreat and need the specific list of supplies to paint a traditional thangka can contact Carmen

Optional

  • Notebook and pen (for the lectures)
  • Slippers/thick socks (for the meditations)

Note: The easiest way to transport your artwork(s) is in a tube (that may even fit your suitcase), the best way is in a drawing folder

 LOCATION ADDRESS
Omega Institute
150 Lake Drive
Rhinebeck
NY 12572
USA

Phone
877-944-2002 or 845-266-4444

Website
www.eomega.org

REGISTRATION FROM MARCH 3RD - BUTTON WILL BE ADDED HERE - SAVE THE DATE FOR NOW!

Subscribe to the Newsletter to stay updated on this course

  

Are you unable to join on the retreat featured on this page, or want a shorter retreat experience?

Then you can also choose one the shorter retreats at Omega, with different time lengths and subjects:

Weekend Retreat: An Introduction to Tibetan Art
June 19-21, 2026 | A beautiful introduction for those who are curious about Tibetan Buddhist Art and want to get some hands-on experience by learning to draw the Buddha Face and the Lotus Flower. Read more

Five Day Retreat: Create a Tibetan Mandala
June 21-26, 2026 | Always wanted to learn how to draw a Tibetan Mandala? Then the five-day retreat is perfect for you. Read more

Carmen Mensink only visits the East Coast for a short period once a year. Take the opportunity to learn much more from her:

 

 

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