Since the Yuan dynasty, as cultural, political, and economic exchanges between Xizang and the inland deepened and expanded, the advanced silk weaving techniques of the Central Plains breathed new life into the development of thangka art. During this period, thangka art took on increasingly diverse forms: alongside hand-painted thangkas created with pigments on canvas, there also emerged thangkas crafted with silk using embroidery, raised appliqué, brocade weaving, and kesi (cut-silk tapestry) techniques.
Painted thangkas are the most common type of thangka. Using natural mineral and plant-based pigments that are finely ground and mixed with adhesive, artists apply a range of painting techniques, such as preliminary line drawing and layered coloring, onto canvas. The main categories include gold-ground thangka, black-ground thangka, red-ground thangka, and polychrome thangka.
Gold-ground thangkas are created by applying gold pigment as the background, with outlines rendered in black or red ink. Selective use of color is added to highlight key areas such as the ushnisha (topknot of wisdom) and eyes of the Buddhist figures, resulting in a refined and dignified aesthetic.
Black-ground thangkas feature a deep black background, with outlines drawn in gold or cinnabar. These thangkas are often used to depict wrathful deities. The striking color contrasts evoke a solemn and mysterious atmosphere, imparting powerful visual impact.
Red-ground thangkas, also known as vermilion-ground thangkas, use cinnabar as the background color, with outlines in gold. They often portray stories from the Buddha's past lives. The rich pairing of red and gold produces a splendid and majestic visual experience.
Polychrome thangkas, the most common painted form, stand in contrast to gold-, black-, and red-ground thangkas. Featuring a broad range of subjects, they transcend monochromatic palettes by combining three or more colors, resulting in images that are rich in layers and striking in contrast.
Crafted thangkas are made primarily from textiles such as silk and brocade, using techniques such as embroidery, kesi, and raised appliqué. With their distinctive craftsmanship and artistic style, these thangkas not only reflect the essence of traditional Xizang art, but further embody the exquisite weaving techniques of the Central Plains. They stand as a distinguished testament to the cultural and artistic exchange between Han and Tibetan traditions.
Kesi thangkas are exquisite works woven using a technique known as tongjing duanwei (continuous warp and broken weft). Due to their complex production process, they are rare and highly valued. Seamlessly blending Tibetan Buddhist art with Han weaving artistry, kesi thangkas are treasured jewels of Han-Tibetan cultural exchanges and rank among the most precious of crafted thangka forms.
Embroidered thangkas are stitched with colored silk threads onto plain fabric, based on the design and color requirements of the subject matter. Although a relatively late development, these thangkas feature vivid, three-dimensional figures and meticulous detail. Their unique artistic charm and durability have made them a prized category within thangka art.
Also known as fabric-collage thangkas, raised appliqué thangkas are composed by cutting pieces of various brocades into the shapes and colors required by the design, and then assembling them through patchwork embroidery. Embroidery is often added to enhance detail. With their bold color contrasts and dynamic visual appeal, appliqué thangkas are especially suited for large-scale works.
Brocade-woven thangkas are created on a satin weave base, multihued silk threads as weft to create alternating jacquard patterns. The resulting images are clear, textured, and durable. These thangkas exemplify the fusion of Tibetan Buddhist art with the brocade weaving techniques of the Central Plains.
Artisans carve images onto wooden blocks following traditional iconometric standards, then transfer them to paper or fabric through hand-rubbing or brush-printing techniques to create woodblock-printed thangkas. These are primarily ink-based prints, though colors may be added to the inked outlines. This technique allows for greater efficiency and facilitated the broader dissemination of thangka art.