Talking Colour Talking Pattern -Yixuan Li
In this project, I started by observing my surroundings and recording what caught my attention through drawing. I tried to collect colors and shapes from daily life — from the busy streets of London to quiet museum spaces. Each piece reflects a small part of what I saw and how I felt in those moments.
In “Chinatown Lanterns,” I focused on the bright color contrasts and lively atmosphere of hanging lights. I used gouache and markers to express the strong rhythm and energy of the street. “Japanese Ramen” was more personal and calm — I drew it with colored pencils to show warmth and a sense of comfort in everyday life. At the Horniman Museum, I looked closely at natural objects like seashells and plants, layering colors to create soft and delicate textures.
What I enjoyed most about this project was the process of observing and responding freely. Some drawings turned out imperfect, but they feel honest and spontaneous. Through this work, I’ve learned to notice details that I might have ignored before, and to let my feelings guide the way I draw.
In this work, I have been drawn to the layering of petals, the rhythm of ripples on water, and the fine lines of leaf veins. There is a quiet strength in these subtle forms. Every time I observe closely, I discover new structures and rhythms.
My work mainly uses markers and watercolors, I start by sketching a few casual lines and then let the colors naturally blend and flow. In this process, I gradually perceive the rhythm of the patterns. They are not deliberately designed, but grow organically with the movement of my hand and the diffusion of the paint. Sometimes, unexpected shapes and layers emerge during the painting, and this randomness gives the work a greater sense of life.
31st October 2025 @ 7:44 pm
I enjoyed Yixuan’s first drawing, inspired by Emily Kam Knagwarray’s work. The harsh, scratchy line work contrasts beautifully with the organic forms of the motifs, creating an image of great visual interest. As she intended, I could feel her emotions guiding the drawing, giving it a smooth yet aggressive appearance. This contrast gives the piece an honest, unrefined energy that is similar to her fast street sketches.
In her second drawing, I noticed Yixuan’s continued exploration of layering. The organic shapes felt freer and more intuitive, allowing them to grow naturally rather than being carefully designed. I appreciated the use of approaching vs retracting colours, with cooler background tones adding calmness and creating depth.
Yixuan’s pub sign painting, where she drew colour more directly from real-life observation, had vivid floral tones that were beautifully supported by a blue background that enhanced the petal’s saturation, a colour choice made by Yixuan as the original background featured black signage.
In China Town Lanterns, I was interested by Yixuan’s combination of line-work and layered, flowing mark-making. The striped line work and transparent background washes built a sense of place setting and spatial depth, capturing both the geometric structure of the lamps and the mood of the environment.
Yixuan’s pattern print of roses and leaves was my favourite. Her nature-focused print showed her understanding of the simplistic way of depicting texture. The muted colour palette and repetition of flowers and leaf shapes against a white background created a calm, balanced composition. I would to see the flowers being put on top of more layers as in previous sketches, but nevertheless these works are striking and calming, appearing satisfying to the viewer’s eyes and looking beautifully simplistic yet effective.