[Explanation] Recently, a "color photo of Empress Dowager Cixi when she was young" circulated on the Internet. Ju Xudong, a college graduate from Nanjing, said that he "created" the "photo". Recently, Ju Xudong, who graduated from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, shared his creative story with reporters from China News Service.

  [Concurrent] Illustrator Ju Xudong

  When I was young, I always liked art, and then I taught myself and watched some tutorials on the Internet. After graduating from (university), I did not lose the painting. I painted some very realistic (figures), which will be painted more delicately. Some pores include some skin, which are very delicate and textured (effects). Pay attention I have more and more people, and the recognition is relatively high.

  [Explanation] Ju Xudong is handy in copying "photos", and he also believes in his own path of creation.

  [Concurrent] Illustrator Ju Xudong

  I just want to draw some people without photos, or those whose photos are very blurry, and the images are very old. Therefore, from ancient paintings to old photos, I began to try to "turn" some fuzzy (photos). More clear.

  [Commentary] Ju Xudong still remembers his first proud work.

  [Concurrent] Illustrator Ju Xudong

  In July and August of 2018, the first (created) was Zhen Fei. I remember that there was a photo of Zhen Fei in the history textbook. At that time, it was quite amazing. (Zhen Fei) had a very legendary experience. So I want to restore her (look) to see what it looks like. It takes more than 20 days for this picture (from) to check the information to complete.

  [Explanation] After having successful cases, Ju Xudong fell in love with his original works more and more. He also confessed that the most important principle of being an illustrator is to restore reality and approach reality.

  [Concurrent] Illustrator Ju Xudong

  (Hand-painted) Historical figures (needs) conform to some historical truths, such as some headdresses or some makeup; the second is authenticity, the blurred image of the original image has to make it more realistic, or more like a little. This is also the final draft after many repeated attempts and many such semi-finished products.

  [Explanation] Ju Xudong also shared his creative experience with reporters for his other work, a portrait of Cixi when he was young.

  [Concurrent] Illustrator Ju Xudong

  After a period of practice, (to the fans), Cixi's voice was also very high. Many people said that they wanted to see Cixi's (face) when she was young, because (her) photos of her old age are indeed quite clear. The first job I did was to find portraits, and the second was (according to people) when I was young and old, there would be some changes in facial bones and facial muscles. Reverse these characteristics and refer to some actors who played Cixi.

  [Explanation] In the face of the hot discussion of the portrait on the Internet, Ju Xudong expressed his views.

  [Concurrent] Illustrator Ju Xudong

  It's quite unexpected (I think). It was indeed my painting, not a real (Cixi) young photo at that time. For me personally, (yes) disrespect for our original authors, because after all I have worked so hard to draw a work or the painting has been misunderstood or misinterpreted. I still hope that everyone will pay more attention to us and protect the original. .

  [Explanation] Ju Xudong told reporters that hand-painting has its own advantages compared with AI intelligent painting.

  [Concurrent] Illustrator Ju Xudong

  Now many industries and many fields will have the emergence of AI, which can indeed help us a lot. It can still fix some clearer pictures, but it may be easier to color. Like the texture of the skin, including the texture expressed by each hair, it may not reach that precision, and it does not have the rigor and fineness of our (artificial) painting and coloring.

  [Explanation] In Ju Xudong's studio, he also drew many "photographs" of historical figures when they were young. Among them are Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, Ming Chengzu Zhu Di, Emperor Guangxu and so on. When talking about his future and development, illustrator Ju Xudong prepared to create two series of works of "Ancient Paintings" and "Old Photos" to complete his dream of painting.

  Reporter Shen Ran Ge Yong reports from Nanjing, Jiangsu

Editor in charge: [Li Yuxin]