As submission for the first issue of CUE, an independent publication featuring comics by local Beijing artists, I created a short 15 page graphic novel called Light Up.
Set in Hong Kong, the character is based on my grandfather with the story spun out of his ritualistic smoking routine. I was inspired by the fascinating way he would light his pipe, which ignited a sense of old fashion and class within the background of classic 90s Hong Kong architect.
While making this comic, I stayed with my grandfather for a few weeks, studying him closely and following him to neighbourhood cafes and parks. Adding visual influence from Wong Kar Wai’s poetic films, this was a project close to heart.
Set in Hong Kong, the character is based on my grandfather with the story spun out of his ritualistic smoking routine. I was inspired by the fascinating way he would light his pipe, which ignited a sense of old fashion and class within the background of classic 90s Hong Kong architect.
While making this comic, I stayed with my grandfather for a few weeks, studying him closely and following him to neighbourhood cafes and parks. Adding visual influence from Wong Kar Wai’s poetic films, this was a project close to heart.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/303431403ef18ee89facd93615737aab5fe2a6037b2513cb932b58d827247760/07.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c126030cfd5a3b8317f0c2f56b29b790a5671f745a9fec3868b3055f465792af/Page04.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/82441b5a7b43d058342b70ad4ef8c7fbd91fcfdc7d74237388e89797329e1b52/Page09.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/595b44988cc71e55a93b59446fcc78edf8fae553ff71ab77e6fcc1939f5c1aad/CUE.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bc732f15360cc4aa8604c45a97be7af25aa315b262c8917aa73d14523d4302a0/CUE-02.jpg)