From Observation to Reconstruction: Drawing the Guan Yue Temple

Access, Restriction, and the Problem of Visual Reference

One of the main challenges in the drawing process is the restriction on photography inside the temple. In Quanzhou, photographing deities is generally regarded as disrespectful, which makes it difficult to obtain visual references of the interior architecture, decorations, and statues. Online searches for “Quanzhou Tonghuai Guanyue Temple” yield limited alternatives, as most publicly available images primarily focus on the exterior rather than the interior spaces. As a result, direct visual documentation of the inner temple relies mainly on memory, observation, and sketching rather than photographic records.

From Drawing to Spatial Reconstruction: Layered Image-Making

This sketch was created in Procreate as a preliminary study of the temple space. The next stage involves using 3D modeling software, such as Blender, to construct a spatial framework onto which the drawings will be applied. The intended effect is comparable to the VR perspectives used in real estate applications, allowing viewers to navigate different viewpoints within the Guanyue Temple. Each scene is developed through a layered structure: the background is established as a base layer, followed by architectural and ritual elements such as the offering table and pillars. This method parallels the logic of paper sculpture, where depth and space emerge through the accumulation of discrete layers.