This illustration is a tribute to late artist, Qing Han (aka Qinni), who passed away at an early age of 29 in 2020 battling cancer.
The story behind
I will always regret the day I was introduced to Qinni. Because the day I discovered her, was the day I got to know she was already gone. I never witnessed her Art while she was alive just a few days before.
The doctors had expected she had a year or a year and half left with her, so many of her people knew she would be leaving soon; She was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and survived 4 open heart surgeries. But under unfortunate circumstances, her heart didn’t allow her the expected time, and she left us early with something that would always keep her spirit alive.
But it isn’t just her Art where she lives, but also mine, and many other artists she had inspired. So dear Qinni, wherever you are, I hope you have finally found your comfort and a place in peace. Just know that you will always remain alive inside our hearts.
Process & Concept
I chose to use the visual of a heart where the figure would be resting on due to 2 interpretations that came to my mind; Qinni was a survivor of 4 open heart surgeries, and also because she remains safe in our hearts even after her death. I wanted the heart not to fully resemble a human heart pictorially as it would look ghastly which can alter the calm and peaceful vibe I wanted to carry, and so I put flowers in the shape of a heart.
I did not have a side view picture of Qinni to replicate her face in this certain angle, so I had to make her character through the outfit she once wore and posted on X (image attached under 'The story behind'). I started with a thumbnail sketch, then refined the line art, then moved on to make a color sketch for the final illustration.
