Sketches
The sketches for this piece changed slightly as the narrative was fleshed out more. I initally wanted it to look like the subject was leaving in a hurry. In the sketch on the left, they are still slipping on their shoe, just like when you’re in a rush to leave for work or school. This composition is more zig-zagged, more frantic more uncertain. I really loved how it flowed, however the narrative was not as clear I think. The sketch on the right, was more of a triangluar composition, with the cap framing all of the elements of the subject except for their face. The figure is more relaxed and determined walking forward with conviction. In the final drawing I made this determination stronger by not covering the hands and giving them more purposeful poses. Reaching out towards the PiPa (Chinese stringed instrument often played by Concubines) and looking up and fowards to the future, the subject has made their decision. I think this harnesses the strenth and courage which the original story Wang Jun Chu Sai 昭君出塞 encapsulates, as well as its relevance to my connection of how the queer community has this collective experience of stepping out of heternormativity and eventually being confident in their authentic skin.