Spotlight on an Amazing Danmei Fan Artist: Yanxi
Welcome to Danmei Dreams’s first artist spotlight, featuring the amazing Yanxi. These spotlight features will highlight some of the incredible, creative, and cool artists contributing to the danmei fan art community. In these spotlights, we’ll have a chance to hear from the artists about their process and approach, as well as see some of their work and learn how to follow and support them.
Without further ado, let me introduce our inaugural artist: Yanxi!
Follow & Support Yanxi
Why I Love Yanxi’s Art
When I first encountered Yanxi’s art, I was blown away. She captures the essence of these favorite characters with her own unique style. Her work is defined by a creative use of patterns and space—just a look at this gorgeous Wangxian piece! The talisman-like shape enhances the connection of the mirror images of Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, while the graceful curves along the edges of the shape emphasize the shapes of their faces, hair, and clothing.
I also appreciate how much Yanxi intentionally reinterprets the characters with different skin tones and facial shapes. Depictions and descriptions of danmei characters often adhere to very traditional Han Chinese beauty standards with some modern inflection. Yanxi is one of the few artists I’ve seen who deliberately shows these beautiful characters with a variety of skin tones including many gorgeous shades of brown. She also explores different kinds of facial features, not sticking to strictly Han features.
According to the artist, “I think all skin tones are inherently beautiful, so I’ve always placed great importance in representing that. I still have a lot to learn, but hopefully I’ve been at least a bit successful in changing how people perceive their favourite characters,” By creating this kind of fan art, Yanxi is expanding danmei beauty ideals to encompass a variety of ethnic and racial representations.
I am always going to be a fan of inclusive beautiful art, and so I was delighted to learn more about Yanxi for this spotlight!
Meet Yanxi
Can you introduce yourself and share a little bit about your background as an artist?
Hello! My name is Yanxi and I’m a macanese illustrator and fanartist based in Portugal. I’ve been drawing since I was a child, but only decided to pursue art as a career after spending one year in college studying fashion design – which made me quickly realise that what I enjoyed wasn’t designing clothes, but creating the characters wearing them instead. Now, three years later, I’ve finished my bachelor’s degree in graphic design and I’m currently applying for a master’s degree in illustration and animation. Fingers crossed!
What was your introduction to danmei?
The first danmei novel I read was Mo Dao Zu Shi. However, even though I really loved it, I wasn’t that active on social media and didn’t search for anything about it, so I remained oblivious to the existence of danmei and its popularity for a few years. In 2022, my girlfriend and I were choosing which tv show to watch next, and I remember she looked at me and said: “Oh, I just finished watching this chinese drama called Word of Honor and I think you will really like it, we can watch it together.” To the surprise of absolutely no one, I became completely obsessed with it and decided to draw the main couple. As I was searching for references of the characters, I came across countless content made by fellow Word of Honor fans and finally discovered what danmei was.
Creative Process
What inspires you to create new works of art?
I would say that I’m mostly inspired by poems, song lyrics and historical paintings. When thinking of a concept for my next drawing, the first thing I usually do is consider the “vibe” I want it to have or the feeling I wish to represent. Listening to songs, reading poems or looking at paintings on museum websites helps me a lot. Sometimes the idea comes naturally and it isn’t that connected to what I read, saw or listened to. Other times, my drawing is directly linked to my inspiration source. An example of this is an old Wangxian fanart I made last year which was based on Clare Harner’s poem titled “Immortality”. When I came across the verses “Do not stand by my grave, and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep” I knew that it would be perfect as the theme for a Wangxian fanart about grief.
What is your preferred medium and tools for creating your art, and why?
I prefer to work digitally, on Procreate. A few years ago, I used mostly traditional mediums, but they felt a bit restrictive to me personally. I had to wait for the ink to draw, I was always worried about the charcoal smudging everything, and it was a bit difficult to draw outside, even if I was just sketching, since I had to bring quite a few things along. When I finally bought an Ipad and started drawing digitally, I felt more freedom because it allowed me to not only emulate different mediums with the minimum amount of materials, but it also enabled me to draw while commuting or hanging out with my friends. I still draw in my sketchbook when I’m at home though, as it gives me far less pressure and it helps me practice.
How do you choose which danmei scenes or characters to illustrate? Are there specific moments, themes, or characters that inspire you the most?
I like drawing my comfort characters the most and, funnily enough, I usually choose which characters to illustrate based on how much I miss them. The more I think about them, the more I draw them. Characters like Xie Lian, Shi Qingxuan and Wei Wuxian inspire me a lot, though, as I love exploring their feelings and emotions.
Artistic Style
How would you describe your art style? Has it evolved since you started creating danmei fan art?
My art style currently tends to gravitate towards more dull or pastel colours, and I rely heavily on round shapes. I love drawing flowy hair and clothes, simple facial features and clean lines. When I first started creating danmei fanart, I used fewer colours and my drawings were either in black and white or in shades of brown. I also used watercolour brushes a lot. As time passed I became more comfortable using colours and I now prefer to use ink and chalk brushes.
Are there any particular artists or art movements that influence your work?
This isn’t exactly an artist or an art movement, but I’m very influenced by fashion plates! I love creating full body character art and I especially enjoy drawing their clothes.
Fandom and Community
What is your favorite part about creating art for a danmei fan art?
Honestly, I think it would definitely be sharing it. I started drawing danmei art as a way to connect with other people who have the same interest as me, so I’m always extremely happy when I post a fanart and others comment/start talking to me about it.
Have you received any particularly memorable feedback or reactions from fans of your art?
Yes, I have! I cherish every comment I receive about my art, but I was extremely happy when I created fanart for Devil Venerable Also Wants to Know and Mistakenly Saving the Villain and some people said my art was what made them read the novels! I remember giggling to myself and almost spinning in circles with how happy I was.
Art and Storytelling
Do you try to stay true to the canon representations of the characters, or do you incorporate your own interpretations and styles into your art?
I usually incorporate my own style and thoughts about the characters into my art. I like adding new little details to their designs, like patterns on their clothes and boots, pretty accessories and beauty marks. It brings them closer to the idea I had of their appearance when I was reading the novels.
Future Plans and Advice
What’s next for you as an artist? Do you have any upcoming projects or themes you’re excited to explore?
I’m currently planning the concepts for some danmei mermay fanarts! I love mermaids and sea creatures in general, so I’m excited to create something with that theme.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in danmei fan art or art in general?
The best advice I could give someone would probably be to have fun with drawing and not put so much pressure on themselves. Your art style will evolve naturally as you draw more and more, and your audience will grow with time, so I think the most important thing is that you’re happy while you’re creating art. I would also advise everyone to do some simple stretching exercises before starting to draw and using a wrist brace if your wrist starts to hurt. We need to take care of ourselves, even while drawing.
Fun Questions
Do you have a favorite danmei couple that you enjoy drawing the most? Why?
Definitely beefleaf! I love their dynamic and designs a lot, so I always end up drawing them.
What’s your favorite danmei scene and why?
If I had to choose, it would be Wenzhou (from Word of Honor) calling each others’ names three times and the hairpin scene. They were both so tender and heartwarming.
Outside of danmei, what other genres or fandoms do you enjoy creating art for?
I also enjoy creating fanart of bungou stray dogs and alien stage! I haven’t drawn much of it since danmei consumed my life, but I usually do some doodles when I’m bored or when I need a break from drawing danmei.
Appreciation
It was a lot of fun working with Yanxi to put this together. If you love her art as much as I do, please consider supporting her via ko-fi, and following her on social media! I can’t wait to see what she creates next.
