small island studio by 宣雄
Xiong Xuan Melancholy
handwriting by Melancholy on April 27, 2026: Today I got confused about a question crossing my mind: is the sublime beauty higher than reality details, or the actual seeing details has deeper meaning? Why the little baby in Leonardo Da Vinci's work is baby Jesus, but Mary Cassatt‘s work is ordinary mother and child? Which is the essence of drawing? Is the abstract beauty all about or vivid details of real life is more important? The ordinary emotion is warm and closer to us, but the sublime glory is shining forever. We can learn composition, perspective, some fundamental concepts from teachers, but there is no one can teach us how to convey emotion, how to express a feeling through those endless details. Is there a way to find the answers? Practice. Practice is the base for everything. As I copy his work for the 7th time, I feel closer and closer, more and more familiar, I thought I have found the secret. The secret to be able to draw like Da Vinci. And then I realize that's just my own imagination. The way he look and draw, are completely different from me. The time we live, life experience, who taught us, who born us, who raised us, and books, everything, everything is different. How could I be the same as him at all? But I have to! Until i am 45, I will stop compare with him. So far I still have a couple of years to do master copies, to learn very detailedly. By doing the light and shadows gradually, I can touch the light covering on top of objects. i have to say: I have to work by myself, completely alone. Please do not talk around me, I need to concentrate my mind to my pencil. Thank you for your understanding. 雄
This is Melancholy Xiong Xuan's personal website, just about my drawings, essays and some photos during drawing process, this is my everyday drawing life as an artist, I built up this small-island since 2013 at State College, PA. I know how precious to have your support, it is meaningful to drawing everyday, and it is meaningful that you see it on my website, it is like an isolated small island, away from lure from reality world, let me be dreaming, if you like my drawings, I will be so appreciating your support, thank you very much. contact: melancholysmallislandstudio@gmail.com or xiong.xuan@gmail.com