[Gongsun Li Cosplay] Smoke of Partings: The Celestial Air of a Flute's Clear Shadow Dropping into the Martial World

The design of the Smoke of Partings skin incorporates fantasy elements onto a Chinese-style foundation. To recreate that cool yet subtle and gentle charm, a lot of thought went into the makeup, styling, and shoot this time.

First, let me talk about the wig. A dark ink-blue with grayish tones was selected, which has a soft texture that pairs well with the character's iconic double-bun structure. To prevent the buns on top from appearing rigid or heavy, a very thin hairnet base was used inside, preserving the fluffiness and airy feel of the outer layers for a voluminous yet detailed look on camera. The headpiece is a highlight of this look, featuring red palace pearls paired with gold coiled metal hairpins. This contrast of red and gold against the dark blue hair creates a wonderful visual synergy.

As for the costume, it uses pure white as the base color, spliced with aqua-blue and coral-pink drapes and hanging ribbons, offering rich color layering. The off-the-shoulder cut highlights the collarbone lines, while the high cloud-patterned collar on the neck adds a refreshing modern aesthetic amidst the ethereal xianxia vibe. The gold chest ornament is a focal point, created using leather printing combined with metal spray-painting techniques to form a 3D relief resembling surging clouds and water, which feels thick and solid in hand. To complement the outfit, arm guards with geometric patterns and metal arm rings were added to the hands, bringing the texture to the max.

Two props were used this time: an aqua-blue long flute and the massive wing-shaped weapon. The surface of the flute was hand-decorated with gold ties, and the end was given a gradient effect, making hands look elongated when holding it. The wing prop in Photo 3 is actually very heavy, designed primarily to show a gorgeous spread posture, requiring full arm strength to support or lean against during the shoot. To align with the character's temperament, a cyan tassel bead pendant was also worn on the chest.

Now about the shooting process. Since the look carries a strong martial arts and Chinese-style feel, a black-and-white ink calligraphy backdrop was specially chosen. The text on the background reveals layers of ink texture under the light and shadow, fitting perfectly with the character's skin name, 'Smoke of Partings'. To maintain the subject's center of gravity in the frame, medium-close shots and slightly high angles were used. In pre-shoot prep, trimming the wig and positioning/assembling the accessories took the most time, as every bead's placement needed trial and error. The base makeup was kept light and translucent, with a pink-orange tone for the lips, while blue contact lenses added a misty look to the eyes, with extra definition around the eye contours to make them look vivid and soulful.

Highlighting Photo 3, which was selected as the cover: I chose a seated pose resting my chin on my hand while turned slightly sideways, looking directly into the camera. This pose showcases the skin highlights created by the off-the-shoulder costume, while creating clear depth of field between the calligraphy background and the figure. Prop extension is crucial in composition—in this shot, the wing prop fans outward, keeping the picture dynamic while keeping the character centered. Friends shooting Chinese-style cosplay or portraying a Chinese-style girl can use hand movements and prop angles to break up straight body lines for a more breathing composition.

Emotional expression during the shoot was also key. Because the makeup leans cool and aloof, facial expressions were deliberately controlled to avoid dramatic smiles, maintaining a subtle and detached aura. Though indoor studio light was limited, using frontal lighting and diffuse reflection from the backdrop created soft highlights that made the skin look translucent. This creative process felt deeply rewarding in both costume fit and prop texture. For fans of Chinese-style fantasy, experimenting with different props to build your visual atmosphere can give your work a truly unique character.