· Inspiration

“Long” is my second doll based on the Chinese zodiac. I began conceptualizing her image in 2024.

The shape of the dragon helmet was inspired by those stone monster statues found in Southeast Asia. However, I wanted a more colorful expression. While I was hesitating over how to paint it, the clay statues from Shuanglin Temple in Shanxi, China, came to my mind. The way the colors have faded over time, naturally softening into a less sharp palette, that really fascinated me.

· Process

The doll’s name “茏” (Long) is composed of the “grass radical” (艹) and the character “龙” (meaning dragon). Inside the doll’s head, the character “茏” is written in Xiaozhuan (Small Seal Script)—the official standard script promoted by China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, after he unified the country. This script was reserved for important occasions such as imperial edicts and stone inscriptions. 

Unlike my previous doll “Tu,” I imagined a girl who is less cheerful, a little grumpy, and somewhat introverted. It was also my first time trying to sculpt a non-human-shaped helmet, and this experience so much pushed forward my 3D sculpting skills.

Click here to see the final result

Gallery-茏Long(2024)