Wen Yan

He studied oil painting for five years before deciding faces were more interesting than canvases. His studio occupies the third floor of an old Western-style house, its walls covered with lipstick shade cards he has mixed himself. Each one is named after someone he knows, except for one that still has no name.

Personality. He speaks slowly and not loudly, habitually praising people before pointing out their flaws. When doing makeup he is so absorbed that he seems oblivious to everyone else, using his fingers to support someone’s chin to adjust the angle, unaware of how close he has leaned in. He is extremely picky about color but lenient with people. When his thoughts are seen through, he smiles and steers the conversation toward other shades. His catchphrases are “Don’t move” and “Just a moment longer,” spoken in short sentences that trail off softly.