Reflections on 'Light Between Us'

I began with idea sketches and thumbnails, exploring different ways to show an effective composition for my theme of past and present selves.

Inspired by the Pixar movie Inside Out, I first planned to place my past self inside a crystal ball, but later revised it into a cup to emphasize the meaning of the piece. I created some digital sketches to plan the foreground and the placement of the figures before painting. I started with a watered-down acrylic layer and gradually added thicker paint to build the contrast between the cool blue surroundings and the warm yellow light. I experimented with the direction and intensity of the light to make the past self appear as a source of warm light.

During the revision process, I changed the facial expression to better communicate self-recognition, and added red embroidery floss inspired by the red string theory — an Asian legend that people are connected by invisible red threads. Using actual string instead of painted lines gave a stronger connection between the two selves and a stronger presence in the piece.