19/09/2024
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹 by Chris Chong
A 7-part visual story. Traditional narratives are vital to a country’s cultural heritage, offering rich resources for creative production. In China, many traditional stories have been adapted into modern forms, making them a trend. However, some classics, like "The Myth of Dragon Girl" (also known as "Legend of Liu Yi"), remain overlooked by local Malaysian Chinese. This study explores the process of recreating this story in digital illustration, focusing on storyline adaptation, character design, and the fusion of traditional Chinese elements with modern techniques. It first analyzes different versions of the narrative, retaining the core structure while adapting key plot elements. Visual interpretation from three selected picture books is conducted to examine the evolution of art style and character design. Additionally, "Nymph of the Lou River" is studied to explore scroll painting formats, aiming to revive traditional narratives and connect with modern audiences through visual storytelling.
About Chris Chong:
Born in Malaysia to a Chinese ethnic background, the artist grew up immersed in traditional Chinese stories. These tales deeply influenced their art, inspiring a reinterpretation of them through illustrative works. Their creative journey began after completing their studies, with narrative illustration becoming a defining passion.
Chris Chong @ Artikarya: https://arteesan.io/chrischong
Digital Collectible (Free!): https://arteesan.io/collectibles/ruang-kl
