Artist Li Yunzhong sat down with special guests to discuss Chinese mythology, the novel "The Investiture of the Gods" and his new book "Creation of the Gods Trilogy: Li Yunzhong's Concept Art Collection" during an event at the Sisyphe Bookstore in the Beijing World Trade Center on Jan. 11.

Li Yunzhong (second left) discusses his new book, "Creation of the Gods Trilogy: Li Yunzhong's Concept Art Collection," at the Sisyphe Bookstore in the Beijing World Trade Center, Beijing, Jan. 11, 2025. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn]

Li Yunzhong, who studied under master traditional Chinese painter Dai Dunbang, has considerable experience in painting based on classic novels such as "The Investiture of the Gods" and "Journey to the West." His new book focuses on his work behind-the-scenes creating artwork for the "Creation of the Gods" movie trilogy, reinterpreting classic literary characters from a modern artistic perspective. The book meticulously depicts the costumes of key characters, retaining the essence of the original works while incorporating modern aesthetics. It also includes an array of mythical creatures and totem designs, adding a rich cultural layer to the story.

At the event, Li was joined by novelist Li Tianfei and CAFA tutor Mu Zhifei, with moderation from podcast host Zhang Rui. Discussing the transformation from written word to cinematic language, Li shared several creative concepts, such as referencing traditional rituals and historical details when designing costumes, like the ceremonial attire worn during feudal lords' assemblies.

Regarding Deng Chanyu — a female general from the Yin dynasty in "The Investiture of the Gods" — Li noted significant differences between his initial designs of the character and her final depiction in the film. "In the initial design, I portrayed Deng as a disciplined general of the Yin dynasty and didn't expect anything special, but the film later incorporated more dazzling ideas," he said. 

Additionally, the guests delved into more esoteric topics, such as the number of arms on Nezha, a character whose depiction varies in different works, each carrying different ceremonial meanings and implications. Li mentioned, "In 'Journey to the West,' Nezha has three heads and six arms, while in 'The Investiture of the Gods,' he has three heads and eight arms, and we also adopted the eight-armed design."

When talking about how the culture of "The Investiture of the Gods" can reach a global audience, Li emphasized the need to move beyond the original constraints and focus on derivative content. "The fact is, the 'Creation of the Gods' movies have gone global. We are continuously thinking about how to merge excellent classic literature with media, or how to introduce other outstanding literary works and traditional Chinese culture to the world. This requires leveraging the most advanced and popular new media to establish cultural confidence." Regarding future creative plans, Li expressed his continued focus on classic literary works.

The event also introduced the new book's design and features. The book includes sections on characters, mythical creatures and totems, with a rich array of character images, such as multiple representations of King Wu of Zhou. Totem designs, initially opposed by Li, were ultimately incorporated at the filmmakers' suggestion to help audiences visually distinguish the various factions.

Following the discussion, the guests answered audience questions about comparisons between characters from "The Investiture of the Gods" and "Journey to the West," and the distinctive aspects of Li's design style. Li said his works emphasize well-researched references and withstand scrutiny, with painting lines that respect their common origin with calligraphy, reflecting traditional techniques.