February/March 2025 Edition

Departments

On Location: Yong Hong Zhong

Explore the studios of some of the world’s best artists

 

1. Online teaching setup: My setup for online classes includes a ring light, cameras and a microphone. Additionally, I use a side camera positioned to the right of my desk for a better teaching perspective.

2. Reference materials: I keep items like pinecones, skulls, feathers and bird nests in the studio, which I use to capture textures and details in my paintings.

3. Paintbrushes: My brushes include Chinese calligraphy brushes and traditional Western watercolor mops for initial block-ins, along with smaller synthetic brushes for final details.

4. Disney animation layout desk: This is the same type of desk I used during my time at Disney. I purchased it when the company was transitioning to 3D animation and no longer needed these desks for production. It’s one of the most well-designed and versatile desks I’ve ever worked with.

5. Porcelain palette and mixing plates: I exclusively use porcelain palettes and mixing plates for my watercolor paintings. While they are heavier and more fragile than plastic or tin alternatives, I find the mixing experience on porcelain unmatched.  —

See more from the artist:  yonghongzhong.com