The Versatile Master Artist

Chapter 40: Chapter 27: Interrogation and Consultation_2

These two things look almost identical.

In terms of the result, perhaps there’s not much difference.

But when it comes to the thoughts in one’s heart the moment the brush is picked up, perhaps, they have entirely different meanings.

”What if you make a mistake? Such a good painting, if it goes wrong in your hands, as a painter, don’t you find it a pity?” The old man didn’t want to let this topic go; he was determined to get to the bottom of it.

”I think I can paint it well.”

”Well? You’re so young but dare to say such a thing, that’s quite a bold claim.”

Elder Cao snorted, ”I won’t even mention the paint. The composition of this painting is extremely complex, with traces of various artistic styles blending together, from religious stories to mundane life, the nine-colored deer, emperors, the life of commoners, women combing their hair in the courtyard, street performances... Even if you’ve got the paint right, can you manage the brushwork in these places?”

”Its content is so extensive that even I feel overwhelmed. It requires consideration, and I need to ask other teachers and local scholars for help.”

The old man pointed at the No.17 task card in Gu Weijing’s hand.

He scrutinized the young man.

”What makes you say you feel overwhelmed?”

While Elder Cao was admiring the mural, he noticed that although Gu Weijing’s paint configuration was amazing, his brushwork proficiency was still quite average.

An excellent student’s level is decent among young people. Not to compare with me, but any young art teacher here could beat him easily, which is why I asked.

”So I didn’t paint it.”

Gu Weijing pointed at the blank spaces on the mural, ”I only painted the edges of the characters’ clothes and such. I didn’t dare touch the rest.”

”If you finished these minor details and no one noticed your situation, would you still not continue painting?” Elder Cao glanced at the mural again.

”No, I wouldn’t.” Gu Weijing said.

”That’s still a mistake. At the very least, you should inform the staff.” Elder Cao stared at the painting for a long time, finally saying slowly.

”I’m sorry.”

”Sorry for what? If you think you did nothing wrong, what is there to apologize for?” The old man raised his chin, seemingly sarcastically mocking Gu Weijing like a child.

”Only when you do something wrong do you need to apologize.”

Cao Xuan gave Gu Weijing a deep look.

There were some things he seemed to want to ask but ultimately didn’t.

”Does he think that if he really informed the staff or him, he wouldn’t have the chance to touch such works again?”

”This time I’ll consider it as artist’s eccentricity, but next time, even if you think you can paint better and want to try new paint formulas, you should ask the teachers for consent first. Understand? It’s the rule. Young people can make mistakes, but cultural relics cannot.”

Cao Xuan’s voice was stern.

”Next time, I won’t care what your reason is. If you feel you can’t paint it well, don’t touch it. If you have any ideas, speak up first.”

”It’s my first time here today, I didn’t know...” Gu Weijing was encountering these things for the first time today, and he indeed didn’t think so deeply.

”I’m sorry.”

Not knowing how to explain, Gu Weijing ultimately just said.

”Alright.” This time, Cao Xuan didn’t refuse Gu Weijing’s apology.

After a long while.

Elder Cao kept silent, looking at the painting on the side.

When everyone was wondering.

”Gu Weijing, if you don’t mind, I’d like to ask you a few questions,” Elder Cao suddenly said.

Buzz~

The suppressed murmurs in the crowd suddenly started up again.

”Consult.”

Not ask, but consult.

As someone who could be written into art history, there are actually only a few people in the world higher in status than Elder Cao, who are still living.

Numerous art awards. Domestic, international. Cao Xuan has received at least half of them.

Among living painters, there might be some on a similar level as him. There are certainly those whose works sell for higher prices, but it’s hard to say they are necessarily more outstanding than Elder Cao.

Since the mid-twentieth century, the one whose work fetches the highest price might be Andy Warhol.

He is Pop Art’s soul figure, leader, and godfather.

This old man, who seems like a rock star model for art magazines like Vogue, is probably the first artist since the concept of art existed, to sell his prints for sixty, seventy million pounds.

Yes, prints.

In some sense, it’s far more successful than Van Gogh or anyone else.

But is he necessarily more successful than Elder Cao? Art can never be defined simply by market price, nor by awards alone.

Many people accuse Andy Warhol of his etchings and woodblock prints as barely qualifying as art, nothing more than taking the easy way out.

In many artists’ eyes, Cao Xuan has always been an unapproachable giant, where everyone in front of the little old man is a junior and a student.

How long has it been since anyone heard this old man use the word ”consult?”

And the subject is a high schooler not yet eighteen.

”Please, as long as I know, I will definitely tell you.”

Gu Weijing immediately stepped aside politely, feeling unworthy of the old man’s consultation.

”In the green robes of the ladies, you added mercury sulfide, red lead, hmm, there should also be a little orpiment... right.”

Admiringly, he nodded.

Even with the help of the Knowledge Cards, he put a lot of effort into configuring these paints, trying several different formulas before finding the most suitable type.

Mr. Cao just casually glanced and almost accurately stated his formula.

”How did you blend this thin but not gaudy color? I also thought of mercury sulfide and orpiment, but couldn’t restore this slightly weathered feel in other mural parts, it probably isn’t as simple as diluting the paint.”

Elder Cao examined the painting, ”And here, how did you achieve this cool yet slightly moist feeling?”

”I tried adding powder and oil-based agents.”

”...like egg tempera paint used in enhancing color.”

”Did you come up with this yourself?”

”I tried some existing formulas, then slowly tested based on the knowledge taught to me by my elders.”

Wang Wei is certainly an ancestor in the painting and calligraphy world, of course, Gu Weijing knows others estimate he’s talking about his grandfather.

Elder Cao looked up at the mural, then down at the young man covered in colorful marks from the paint mixing process, finally smiling.

”What a young genius, you’re truly excellent, even better than this old man,” he exclaimed.