I had been conceptualizing this set for Dusk's "Jasper Inkstone" skin from Arknights for a long time, and finally completed the shoot in this studio set featuring Chinese aesthetics. When I got the costume, what struck me most was the design of the detached sleeves on both sides—blue base with red patterns, which acted as a perfect eye-catching heavy color against the overall refreshing white-and-green palette. The wig was styled in a gradient of bluish-black, and together with her iconic upright leaf-like hair accessories, the character's silhouette immediately stood out.
Two sets of props were prepared during the shoot. One was an unrolled scroll and an ink brush. In the lore of Jasper Inkstone, Dusk is a master painter, so sitting at the desk holding a brush perfectly matches her quiet state of painting. The other prop was a long flute; switching to a flute-playing posture allowed for some more extended and dynamic movements. The huge circular moon board in the background was arguably the core of the set design. Combined with the thick dry ice mist on the ground, shadows walking through the fog, half-hidden and half-revealed, instantly maxed out the atmosphere.
For the makeup, I intentionally emphasized the cool eye makeup and the lip saturation, making her look slightly divine and detached under the moonlight, while still retaining that tiny bit of childish stubbornness. Throughout the entire shoot, although the movements weren't large in scale, it demanded high refinement in expressions and hand gestures, as Dusk is set up to be a meticulous character with her own unique aesthetic.
The photographer's lighting was brilliant. As the cool light shone down, the luster filtering through the tulle fabric gave off a warm, jade-like texture, which perfectly chimed with the skin's name "Jasper Inkstone". Post-processing mainly handled the flow of the mist and the texture of the moon to make the frame more harmonious. From prop preparation to venue coordination, this kind of shoot—using stillness to govern motion and utilizing the scenery to complement the person—indeed required far more detail coordination than a simple standing pose. I hope to showcase the character's essence of wielding the brush across the scroll while carrying a touch of leisurely elegance through this ancient style cosplay photography.