This painting encapsulates a moment Chinese families know all too well. It pictures the scene of a young girl eating traditional dim sum dishes, such as chow mein (炒面), steamed dumplings (小笼包), stewed beef with radish (萝卜炆牛腩), and spicy boiled fish soup (水煮鱼) alongside her family. Dim sum, which directly translates to “touch the heart,” has deep roots in Chinese culinary traditions, and the practice has evolved over centuries. Its origins can be traced back to the teahouses along the Silk Road, where travelers would stop for tea and snacks. Over time, the practice spread and became integral to Chinese culinary culture. It has become a widespread practice for family gatherings and social events where families and friends can share a lively conversation and a comforting meal.

During my first trip back to Japan after Covid to visit family, I came across a restaurant situated beneath a subway track. Captivated by the restaurant's brightness and the glowing rice paper lanterns, I took photos drawing later. Because I was traveling, my art materials were limited, and I only had my rollerball pen. Therefore, to show how the sign illuminated and contrasted the dark underpass, I utilized varying degrees of cross-hatching to deliver value. In addition, I changed the direction of the cross-hatching to show a change in texture, curvature, and perspective. In addition, because of the complexity of the real-life location, heavy cross-hatching helps emulate the busyness of the street and the restaurant's exterior. Lastly, I made sure to include pedestrians as they added to the interest and liveliness of the drawing.