YiMake

Is that you? Universe?

[yimingzhao]

Inktober 2019 Day 21: Treasure.

My definition of treasure ;) :)

[yimingzhao]

Inktober 2019 Day 20: Tread.

A simple pattern design inspired by tire tread.

[yimingzhao]

Inktober Day 19: Sling

I used a ref photo from Pinterest!

[yimingzhao]

Inktober 2019 Day 18: Misfit

[yimingzhao]

Inktober 2019 Day 17: Ornament. Inspired by some 19th century Indian fabric prints.

[yimingzhao]

Inktober 2019 Day 16: Wild.

[yimingzhao]

Inktober 2019 Day 15: Legend. I simply had to draw J.R.R. Tolkien.

[yimingzhao]

Inktober 2019 Day 14: Overgrown. Inspired by a contemporary dance called The Heart of the Waterlily. It tells a story about the flower fairy. In the choreography the dancer wore long nails like the lily pedals. It’s so beautiful, the pads the flowers the water the flesh. This is everything nature. How to know which one is overgrowing the other? :)

[yimingzhao]

Inktober 2019 Day 13: Ash. I drew Pompeii and I didn’t have much time. I referred to a National Geographic documentary on this scene.

[yimingzhao]

Inktober 2019 Day 12: Dragon. I try hard to romanticize the beast.

[yimingzhao]

Inktober 2019 Day 11: Snow.  

[yimingzhao]

Inktober 2019 Day 10: Pattern. I was really excited to see this prompt because I love drawing patterns. I think this sort of drawing comes to me most naturally. I don’t really have to think so I can be most relaxed. I wanted to draw a really good one because I consider this is a style I’m better at, so I guess I unconsciously gave myself some pressure and it didn’t turn out as good as I wished. As a matter of fact I got so frustrated and angry with myself when I finished the pencil sketch. I disliked it and felt there was so much work still and I was so tired... I went outside for a walk and when I came back to it it surprisingly looked kinda nice to me. So I didn’t push much further to finish it up. One of these days I’ll do another pattern design without any pressure or expectations lol.

[humansofnewyork]

“When I first started working as a photographer, I was doing so many jobs for free.  Nobody would pay me, but they’d offer dinner.  Or drinks.  Or publicity.  Or experience.  Or connections.  Or insight.  Even though I felt like my work was worth more, I never thought I was in a position to negotiate.  I’d become so small when discussing compensation.  I’d shrink.  I needed everyone to like me.  I assumed that if people liked me, they’d respect me.  They’d treat me with dignity.  They’d value my work.  And they’d eventually pay me for it.  But instead, they kept asking me back without pay.  I think it’s so hard for creators to get out of that cycle, but my mom gave me the best line to use: ‘I’m sorry, but I can’t afford to do that for free.’  I still do free gigs, but only on my terms.  Only if they provide value beyond a person’s gratitude.  I’m never aggressive or mean.  But I’m clear.  I’m not sure what I’m worth to them.  But I know what I’m worth to myself.  And I want it put in writing.  I’m still nice about it.  I’m still polite.  But I’m more dominant.  Well, maybe not dominant.  Actually I will say dominant.  You can still be dominant and nice.”     (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

[yimingzhao]

yes

[yimingzhao]

Inktober 2019 Day 8: Swing. I took a scene from the movie Swing Time (1936). Fun!

[yimingzhao]

Inktober 2019 Day 8: Frail. I thought of the Dream of the Red Chamber. One of the characters is known for her sentimentality. As a result of poor health, she’s always frail and sickly. But her stunning beauty derives from that frailty and sadness. She is soft and pities so many things and sighs about all fine things that are transitory. I couldn’t dare to venture to draw her, or anybody really from the masterpiece. So I did a quick study from one the renowned master Dunbang Dai. He illustrated the book a while back and I studied one small section in one scene. I tried to observe the lines and the postures of Dai’s figure drawing. I’m not sure the portrait lives up to today westerns standard of beauty because she’s simply too skinny. But to me she is beautiful, and very much.

[sleeplessintokyo87]

It’s always late in the city.

[yimingzhao]

This moves me for some reason.

[yimingzhao]

Inktober 2019 Day7: Enchanted. I had to think of New Mexico—the land of enchantment. I was surely enchanted and very much mesmerized the whole time I stayed there. And as I was flipping through the pictures I became once again so nostalgic. I missed the desert I miss the sky I miss the clouds I miss my friends and I miss how happy I was there. I drew the day I woke up before dawn and watched the sun goes up with the millions of hot balloons at the fiesta. This was Albuquerque 2014 (or 15?). Such good memories.