I am excited to share with you my painting titled "Jang Man-wol's burden: Searching for rest." As the artist, I'd like to take you on a journey through this artwork, inspired by a scene from the captivating South Korean drama "Hotel del Luna."

In this painting, I depict the central figure of Jang Man-wol, brilliantly portrayed by the talented Lee Ji-eun, also known as "IU." Jang Man-wol is the enigmatic owner of a hotel for the deceased in Myeong-dong, Seoul, bound to her soul by a grave sin committed over a millennium ago.

The scene I draw inspiration from is found in the drama's opening episode. It portrays Jang Man-wol's relentless search for a fabled lodge, a sanctuary where the departed can finally find peace. In the original scene, a figure wearing a headscarf leads a horse down a dusty road, followed by a wagon carrying a wooden coffin. As the wind unravels the headscarf, Jang Man-wol emerges, standing amidst the vast, desolate landscape.

Through my painting, I aim to capture the profound sense of loneliness and isolation that engulfs Jang Man-wol, intertwined with her underlying resentment and anger. Despite the grandeur of the surrounding mountains and grass, Jang Man-wol's commanding presence draws the viewer's gaze towards her. The landscape itself appears to lean towards her, emphasizing her significance and the weight of her burden.

With this painting, I am proud to showcase my evolving signature style. It embodies a fusion of various media styles that I have been experimenting with, and I am genuinely delighted with the outcome.

Let's delve into the details. The painting features an acrylic background, creating a striking contrast against the smoother texture of the watercolor-rendered face. To infuse movement and vitality into the piece, I employed pencil hatching, a technique I have been exploring for some time. Additionally, I utilized watercolors to meticulously portray the face, incorporating texture through pencil shading. The overlaying pencil sketch elements provide the painting with added depth and definition.

Overall, I am genuinely pleased with the result of this painting. As an artist, I continue to learn and grow, and I feel that this piece represents a significant step forward in my creative journey. I hope that when you view "JJang Man-wol's burden: Searching for rest," you will sense the emotions and narrative it conveys, and perhaps even find a connection to the character's struggle for respite. Thank you for visiting my online gallery, and I sincerely hope you enjoy the experience.