Chinese illustrator's links with Oscar-winning films

Oscar-winning animated film “The Boy and the Heron,” directed by Hayao Miyazaki, has been performing excellently at the box office on the Chinese mainland this month. A poster featuring almost the main characters captured the attention of Chinese netizens who called it “magical and heartwarming.”

It was drawn by Lu He (pseudonym), a Chinese illustrator. “My hope is that as audience members admire this poster, they experience the artistic charm of Miyazaki’s animated films. Meanwhile it evokes precious moments shared with these characters, reminiscing about dreams and aspirations of the past,” he said.

A poster of “The Boy and the Heron” painted by Lu He.

As a fan of Miyazaki, Lu said it was a great honor to design such a poster after the production company behind “The Boy and the Heron” requested him to. However, not having seen the film at the time, Lu’s creative process relied heavily on the provided promotional materials.

Throughout the creation of the poster, he endeavored to capture the distinctive traits of each character, aspiring to present the quintessence and allure of Miyazaki’s oeuvre. “With each stroke of my pen, I felt transported back to the innocent days of my youth, reliving the moments of endless fascination before animated screens,” he recalled.

“With each viewing, I discover new layers of meaning and decipher metaphors that Miyazaki subtly embeds within his narratives,” Lu remarked.

In 2018, Lu’s poster for Oscar-winning “The Shape of Water” was highly praised after director Guillermo del Toro posted Lu’s poster on his X account.

Done in the traditional Chinese watercolor style, the poster depicts the two main characters of the film, a woman and a monster-like fish man, floating upside down against a white and blue background.

Lu attributed this honor to his source of inspiration — classic Chinese literature. In the intricate tapestry of Lu’s creations, one can often discern the subtle echoes of Chinese culture, where fantastical creatures roam freely, their forms elusive yet captivating.

Delving into the depths of Chinese literary classics, Lu discovered a trove of inspiration that enriched his creative process, granting him a deeper understanding of narrative and the imagery.

Renowned for his enigmatic and mesmerizing style, Lu’s artwork reflects a harmonious blend of personal expression and cultural heritage.

His artistic odyssey extends beyond the confines of literature, drawing inspiration from the ancient wonders scattered across the land. (Global Times)