Day 01
A thangka takes weeks, not days
Pemba starts with a charcoal grid, then lays in mineral colours one thin layer at a time. The gold goes on last, and the eyes are painted on an auspicious day.
Inside the studio
A week with our painters in Thamel and Bhaktapur, from priming canvas to the last line of gold. Every painting shown below is in the gallery now.
Day 02
Sketching in Bhaktapur
Village and heritage scenes start as pencil sketches made on the spot, often in Bhaktapur or on the trail, before they become paintings in the studio.
Day 03
Every colour mixed by hand
We don’t paint straight from the tube. Ujjwal mixes each abstract’s palette in one go, so the colours stay consistent across the whole canvas.
Day 04
Big skies need big canvases
Bikash paints his landscapes standing, at full arm’s length, so the brushwork stays loose and the light feels like it does on the trail.
Day 05
Waiting for their brocade
Finished thangkas rest for a few days before they are sewn into silk brocade. You can choose a brocade mount or have yours rolled for framing at home.
Day 06
Out on the street in Thamel
On dry days the gallery spills onto the street. It is the easiest way to see how a painting looks in daylight before you choose.
Day 07
The gallery upstairs
Upstairs is quiet, with good light and a sofa. Collectors are welcome to sit with a painting for as long as they like.
Day 08
Brushes with a hundred paintings in them
Sita’s finest brushes have only a few hairs left, which is exactly how she likes them for the patterns inside a peacock’s tail.
