Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368 CE)
traditional crafts
UNESCO Intangible Heritage
Northwest China
active
Regong arts are a distinctive school of Tibetan Buddhist visual arts originating from the Regong (Tongren) area of Qinghai Province. The tradition encompasses thangka painting, mural art, clay sculpture, and applique. Characterized by brilliant mineral pigments, precise iconography, and intricate gold detailing, Regong art has been preserved by local monastic and lay artists for over 700 years. Each thangka can take months to complete.
Skills & Techniques
Thangka Painting expand_more
The sacred Tibetan Buddhist art of painting deities and mandalas on cotton or silk using mineral pigments and following strict iconographic proportions.
Steps
- Prepare the canvas by stretching cotton fabric on a frame
- Apply a gesso of animal glue and chalk, then polish smooth
- Draw the iconographic grid following precise scriptural proportions
- Paint the background with ground mineral pigments mixed with glue
- Apply gold and silver details for highlights
- Outline figures and features with fine brush strokes
- Mount the finished thangka on silk brocade
Tools
stretching frame, fine brushes (various sizes), palette, gold stylus, measuring cords
Materials
cotton fabric, silk brocade, mineral pigments (lapis lazuli, malachite, cinnabar), 24k gold, animal glue
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