磨画布
Canvas Preparation
纯棉布反复拉伸绷紧固定，双面刷上牛骨胶，再涂抹石膏液，随后反复打磨画布，直至画布如纸张般光滑平整，达到着色标准。耗时十日。
A pure cotton canvas is repeatedly stretched and secured under tension. Both sides are coated with natural hide glue, followed by layers of gesso. The surface is then carefully polished again and again until it becomes as smooth and even as paper, ready for painting. This process takes approximately ten days.
线稿
Drawing the Outline
通过自制圆规划分画幅区域，精准定位主尊与辅尊菩萨位置。严格按照《造像度量经》制式，用柏树枝熏烧而成的木炭笔，勾勒菩萨的头身比例与主体轮廓。
Using a handmade compass, the composition is carefully divided to establish the precise placement of the principal deity and attendant figures. Following the strict iconometric principles prescribed in the Scripture of Sacred Proportions, artists use charcoal made from burned cypress branches to sketch the proportions and outlines of each figure with precision.
上色与勾线
Coloring and Linework
为避免颜料遇水导致晕染失控，画师会通过唾液稀释画笔上的颜色，精准控制颜色渐变，逐笔上色。上色完成后，再用黑色、红色与金色勾勒底色边缘，凸显画面细节。反复的勾勒上色，令画作呈现立体堆彩感。
To prevent the mineral pigments from bleeding when exposed to moisture, artists carefully dilute the paint on the brush with saliva, allowing precise control over tonal transitions and the gradual application of color, stroke by stroke. Once the coloring is complete, fine outlines in black, red, and gold are applied to define forms and enhance details. Through repeated layers of coloring and linework, the painting develops its distinctive depth and richly textured, dimensional appearance.
开脸
Opening the Face
画作的最后一步，也是最困难的一步。有的画师要等身心俱静的日子，有的画师要择吉日吉时、沐浴更衣，才能落下整幅作品里最重也最轻的一笔。开眼的功力，依赖的不仅仅是技法，更是画师的个人修行、天赋与感知力。
The final stage of a Thangka painting is also its most demanding. Some artists wait for a moment of complete inner stillness; others choose an auspicious day and time, preparing themselves through ritual cleansing before making what is both the most significant and the most delicate stroke of the entire work. The mastery of opening the eyes depends not only on technical skill, but also on the artist's personal cultivation, intuition, and spiritual sensitivity.