Yangzhou Travel - A freelance illustrator's journey to find inspiration

Yangzhou Travel - A freelance illustrator's journey to find inspiration

According to the assistant of Cat Xiaomei: Recently, the owner of the Cat Studio in the Shell, Cat King, took advantage of the weekend to quietly embark on a journey full of inspiration and surprises! He actually went to Yangzhou to collect folk songs! Not only did he experience the beautiful scenery and delicious food in Yangzhou, but it also brought a lot of inspiration for his subsequent illustration creation! Yangzhou, this poetic and picturesque city, has become a source of inspiration for Cat King. Here, every scene and every taste will be transformed into a moving painting under his pen.

First visit to Daming Temple in Yangzhou

The first stop in Yangzhou is Daming Temple. Daming Temple is simple and solemn. The architectural style of the temple and the surrounding flowers and trees complement each other, making people feel a sense of tranquility and peace. Here, the cat king was infected by the ancient buildings and the quiet atmosphere, as if time had stopped here. This feeling deeply touched the cat king, and he also sketched out a blueprint of ancient style illustrations in his mind.

Visit Slender West Lake

Slender West Lake is one of the famous scenic spots in Yangzhou. The lake and mountains are beautiful. The willow trees by the lake gently touch the water, the small bridges and flowing water, the pavilions and towers are like a moving landscape painting. Walking on the winding path, you can take a beautiful picture with just one shot. Cat Xiaomei said: The cat king seems to like to capture the changing moments of light and shadow here. I wonder if these fragments will become the source of inspiration for future picture books.

Taste Yangzhou cuisine

The food in Yangzhou is also unforgettable. We tasted the local specialties of crab meat buns and Yangzhou fried rice, which were delicious and memorable. This is not only a taste enjoyment, but also an experience of Yangzhou culture. The food on the table is as exquisite as a work of art, which also reminds Cat King that the food descriptions in picture books can be so vivid and interesting.

Visit Zhu Ziqing's former residence

Zhu Ziqing's former residence is another place that makes Cat Little Sister linger. Many of Mr. Zhu Ziqing's relics and manuscripts are preserved here. Through these items, Cat King can seem to feel the atmosphere of his life and literary creation in those days. The courtyard of the former residence is elegantly decorated with lush flowers and trees. These scenes make Cat King think of nostalgic illustrations.

Visit Yangzhou Museum and Grand Canal Museum

Yangzhou Museum and Grand Canal Museum are important places to learn about Yangzhou's history and culture. Here, we saw many precious historical relics and artworks, and felt the rich cultural heritage of Yangzhou. These relics and exhibits not only opened the eyes of King Cat, but also provided a lot of materials and inspiration for future creations. In particular, the Grand Canal Museum shows the historical evolution and important status of the Grand Canal, which gave King Cat a deeper understanding of this great project.

Street Strolling and Capturing Inspiration

In addition to the above attractions, the streets of Yangzhou are also full of charm. Walking on the quaint streets, you can see traditional buildings and specialty shops everywhere, as if every corner is telling the story of Yangzhou. Cat King likes to stroll around these places and capture those fleeting beautiful moments, which will become the inspiration for Cat King's illustrations.

I look forward to the next field trip, and also look forward to sharing more beautiful creative stories with you.