It's all his fault for being an artist!

Chapter 4's strongest point, done with ease, Mom.

"Many test takers can figure out what color assessment is all about, but the final result is not good. Ultimately, the reason can be summed up in four words: trying too hard."

As Cheng Wang pondered, he lightly sketched out a draft on paper, trying to recall a more complete picture of the actual exam questions.

"If it's a still life exam question, the content doesn't need to be complicated at all. Fresh vegetables and ready kitchen utensils are enough to whet people's appetites."

"On this basis, maintain visual harmony and avoid using too much red and green. High-scoring works should come naturally to you."

He first selected a fine-tipped brush.

With a light touch, Maojian picked out a small amount of ochre-red pigment from the dazzling array of paint boxes and spread it onto the palette.

Then the brush quickly dipped into the bucket of water at his feet, like a dragonfly skimming the water, its movement guided by his arm.

A splash of water diluted the ochre red.

While ensuring that the color tone remains clear.

It won't be too thick, so as not to affect the coverage of other pigments later.

Cheng Wang started confidently, his hand casually skimming across the paper.

In the blink of an eye.

The actual exam questions cover all scenarios, presented in a sketch-like format, perfectly and completely.

The color test does not need to be exactly the same as the photo; visual aesthetics should be the priority, and some self-modification is allowed.

They meticulously crafted every single item, down to the smallest detail.

Despite appearing to be very strong, they actually made a major mistake.

Cheng Wang internalized the most basic principles of color.

The contrast between warm and cool colors is not limited to light and dark; it can also be used to express a sense of space.

The visual center is warm, and the two ends of the visual field are cold; what is close is warm, and what is far away is cold.

Warm-colored objects should be emphasized and detailed, while cool-colored objects should be blurred appropriately to maintain a relaxed and balanced color scheme and enhance the sense of depth.

In the hands of a skilled art professional, a single color can convey a wealth of essential information.

Therefore, when composing a picture.

He had already determined the key points and pre-defined the range of color choices.

For example, bottles and jars that occupy a lot of the eye are clearly the main objects.

Following composition principles, make a slight enlargement and leave enough space in the picture to fully display your skills.

Those small, scattered fruits hidden behind the main object.

They don't even need any extra shaping; a few strokes, a touch of reflective color from surrounding objects, and they blend into the overall environment.

Processing the image in this way not only makes it more harmonious and avoids any sense of the background overshadowing the main subject, but also allows you to showcase your level of understanding.

Cheng Wang didn't need to think much about such ideas; they were already ingrained in his muscle memory.

The joint entrance exam will only specify the drawing method.

Regardless of the method or the occasion, all the principles of art remain unchanged.

If you have a deep understanding of one thing, you will naturally be able to understand it in its entirety.

Perhaps it's because color is indeed something I excel at.

It is also possible that the muscle memory was successfully restored during the afternoon in the art studio.

Cheng Wang did not encounter any difficulties in applying colors during the painting process.

From color mixing to brushstrokes, every movement was as smooth as flowing water.

Using the term "freehand" to describe it seems appropriate, and it is perhaps too general and vague.

Drawing sketches is like finding a childhood toy again after growing up, reminiscing and cherishing memories that intertwine in your heart.

As for the colors used in his paintings now, the familiarity and control he displays are like rewatching an old movie he's seen countless times.

As the brush moves, it knows exactly how to color each step and where to leave subtle white space.

He was completely focused on the world of watercolor paints.

With a neutral purple-gray base and a touch of light sky blue, the background of the image is roughly formed.

Secondly, dark-colored bottles and jars need to be combined with light and dark shades to highlight the three-dimensional structure, while maintaining the brightness of the color; otherwise, they will inevitably appear dull and gloomy.

This is a major challenge.

How to draw the darker areas well has a decisive impact on the overall picture.

If you don't think it through and just shove black paint on it, you're bound to die!

Black pigment is difficult to cover and is extremely polluting.

If used improperly even slightly, the entire image can become a mess and shocking sight.

Most art studio teachers will require their students not to experiment with black paint combinations on their own.

Anyway, the raw material box contains ready-made dark pigments. Just mix them with red, blue and yellow, and then dilute them yourself.

By mixing in more contrasting complementary colors, you can eventually achieve a darker effect.

Even if the understanding is insufficient, at least you can get a result where you'd rather do nothing than make a mistake!

Cheng Wang didn't hesitate for a moment.

He boldly used black pigment and manually added white to mix it into gray!

Then, combine it with the object's own inherent color.

With just three colors, you can easily create wonderful chemical reactions on the palette.

A highly textured, clear, and elegant brownish-gray hue was born—

Sophisticated gray.

This is a general term used in the industry to describe all the less common shades of gray that require a high level of skill to match.

The fewer colors you mix, the easier it is to achieve a bright effect.

Only by relying on a superb sense of color and accurately grasping the black and white ratio can one use this simple and efficient method to create sophisticated gray tones.

Some people never learn it in their entire lives.

Some people can find it with just a glance.

In this colorful world, the difference between genius and mediocrity is far more brutal than that between sketching.

Cheng Wang had previously only a vague understanding of this matter.

I can occasionally create sophisticated gray tones, but I lack consistency and never dare to use them during exams.

However, after more than a decade of settling down.

The allure of color that he once admired and envied had long since been subtly integrated into his everyday actions without his knowledge.

Sophisticated gray isn't that complicated.

Just pick the colors that look best together and you can use them, right?

First do this, then do that.

Then paint it onto the image.

It's done!

Cheng Wang became more and more adept at painting, moving his brush back and forth between the paint box, palette, and water bucket.

No need for visual perception.

Knowing the location in my mind, I write with perfect precision.

To describe it in a later sentence:

He's so engrossed in his art that he's oblivious to the world around him!

So much so that Cheng Wang didn't even realize when the bedroom door was opened.

"Oh my, isn't this our young master? Teacher Wang called me earlier, saying you needed to go home early this afternoon. What's going on?"

When it comes to the Jiangnan region, especially Shanghai, the topic comes up.

People across the country often harbor two contradictory stereotypes: an arrogant disdain for people from other places and the soft, gentle accent of Wu and Su dialects.

To clarify, this is a rumor.

The sarcastic tone isn't just directed at other cities.

From all over the country to the neighborhood, it can be described as a passive skill, starting from zero frames.

This language habit permeated almost every aspect of Cheng Wang's daily life.

From neighborhood gossip to family matters.

The slightly sarcastic tone was one I had heard countless times.

As a result, after he started working, he gradually stopped using that tone of voice, and he often felt that something was missing in his life.

It's been so long...

Cheng Wang smiled broadly and turned to face the source of the voice.

Mother, Lin Qin.

She stood at the doorway.

Beneath the calm exterior, a bloody storm seemed to be brewing.

Looking at her now, her back is straight, her short black ponytail is neat, with only a few strands of silver hair sticking out.

Even though Cheng Wang clearly knew the fact that he had been reborn, he still felt somewhat dazed at this moment.

Lin Qin is a typical Shanghai mother.

His sharp tongue but soft heart surpasses even that of Old Wang from the art studio.

However, in the area of ​​education, there has never been any neglect.

She has always believed that one must lead by example, whether in life or career. There is no need to compare oneself with those who cannot be caught up with; at least one must be accountable to oneself.

Although I sometimes had the thought of sponging off my parents while they were still alive and well, I never actually did it.

Upon careful consideration...

Even if one doesn't admit it, this is inevitably related to the subtle influence of family.

He found it hard to reconcile the image before him—the one from which he was often sternly reprimanded as a child for hunching over—with the figure that gradually bent over later in life.

"Our young painter is quite something; he ran home without saying a word before the college entrance exam."

Lin Qin sized up Cheng Wang for a while.

Confirming that her son showed no signs of illness and actually looked more energetic than before, the worry that had been subtly present between her brows faded away.

"Fine, you're back now. Why didn't you wash the rice and start cooking? Dinner won't be ready so soon. I still have chores to do first."

"Mom, you've worked so hard. I'll give you a shoulder massage when I have time."

"Huh? What trouble have you gotten into?"

Lin Qin reacted with a conditioned reflex of alertness.

"What kind of talk is that? Does that mean you can't be filial if you haven't caused trouble?"

"I don't think my son has that kind of personality."

"Why do you react the same way as Lao Wang? In high school... what was my usual image like?" Cheng Wang was both amused and exasperated, changing the subject:

"Hey, what do you think of my drawing when I got home?"

"Still drawing? You even took time off to come back and draw. I don't know what you were thinking."

Seeing that Cheng Wang was still chatting idly, Lin Qin was a little annoyed, but she didn't refuse her son.

So, following the direction Cheng Wang was pointing, I focused my attention on the color painting that was almost finished.

"Your painting, uh... I think it's quite beautiful?"

Along with all of Cheng Wang's relatives, no one else studied art, so Lin Qin was even less likely to understand how to judge such things.

However, usually, the eyes don't lie.

In the picture, several still-life objects are placed on a wooden board covered with a tablecloth.

Metal kitchenware, depending on its material, exhibits different reflective colors.

The vegetables were all painted in cool tones, and even the bright red chili peppers didn't look out of place.

Through meticulous, culinary techniques, the ingredients are integrated into a cohesive whole, creating a harmonious and pleasing visual experience.

It is neither too bright and eye-catching, nor too lifeless; it is full of vitality.

No matter how little Lin Qin understood art, she at least knew her son's skill level.

Through Wang Huiming's usual communication with parents, it is understood that Cheng Wang's ear color level is not comparable to the top students in his grade, and it is only his strongest point in three subjects.

Obviously.

The work presented to her now has one thing that even a layperson can easily see—

good looking.

This jar, wow, what a jar!

There are also pots and pans, uh... anyway, it's all about pots and pans!

Oh my, these vegetables look so fresh and juicy.

The chili peppers don't seem to be drawn very detailed; they're deliberately blurred, and the color is different from reality—not a bright, eye-catching red.

No matter how you look at it, it seems incredibly fresh and spicy, almost spicier than you think!

I can't describe what kind of technique this is, but compared to Cheng Wang's previous excellent works, it's simply much more beautiful.

Lin Qin was completely caught off guard.

The word "beautiful" is the greatest affirmation for a painting!

"I can't quite put my finger on it, maybe Teacher Wang taught you some new skills?"

She considered her words carefully, but after much thought, she still couldn't come up with the right words to express her feelings.

Seeing Chengwang's sunny smile again, I always feel that there are some changes in my own son.

Lin Qin naturally assumed that this was the result of his hard work in studying before the exam.

Then, remembering that the joint entrance exam was just around the corner, and not wanting to affect his confidence, he added.

"Anyway, it looks really good, and the progress is obvious. If you hadn't been drawing it at the time, I would have suspected that Teacher Wang drew it as a demonstration for you! Chengwang, I hope that the exam in a few days will not let down your hard work during this period of intensive training."

"Of course, look who his son is."

"You're all talk and no action; your dad isn't like that."

Despite her verbal reproach, Cheng Wang could sense that his mother was actually in a pretty good mood.

Taking advantage of the break, he put down his paintbrush, walked over to Lin Qin, and took the initiative to massage his mother's shoulders: "Mom, I want to ask for leave in seven days to prepare for the exam at home."

"what?"

Lin Qin didn't react.

Cheng Wang continued with a smile, "At this stage, there's not much improvement I can get from the art studio. I'm leaving early and returning late every day, and my body just can't take it. I've really overdrawn myself during this period, and I'm afraid I won't be able to concentrate on the day of the exam."

"And Mom, you've seen my current level, haven't you seen a significant improvement? If you can perform at the same level as this painting during the college entrance exam, just wait and you can brag to the old ladies in the neighborhood!"

"I'm too lazy to brag... What does the old lady mean?"

"Wrong, wrong! In other families, it's an old lady, but in our family, the one who manages the money is in her prime, full of energy!"

Lin Qin sighed, somewhat speechless, but didn't refuse her son's shoulder massage. She remained worried: "I don't know what the rules are in your art studio. Have you talked to Teacher Wang about them?"

"Of course, I discussed it with him before bringing it up with you. Old Wang has already agreed, but we still need parental confirmation, otherwise we can't explain it to the art studio. Many other students have done the same."

Cheng Wang spoke with feigned seriousness, but what he was really thinking was—

Let's talk about it tomorrow, Lao Wang. After I show him my current drawing skills, how could I not win?

I'll agree on his behalf!

Having said all that, it seems Cheng Wang even allowed Wang Huiming to indulge him.

Lin Qin vaguely felt that something was not quite right, but she couldn't really find fault with it, so she could only nod in agreement.

"Alright then, I'll call Teacher Wang tomorrow. You're right, you don't eat well at the art studio, so having three meals a day at home will definitely make you healthier."

"Okay, it's settled then."

"I don't have time to cook, and I have to go to work later. Can you make me some noodles?"

"Anything is fine, just add two fried eggs."

"You have a good eye for choosing."

After coaxing Lin Qin to leave the bedroom, I went to prepare dinner.

Cheng Wang sat down back down in front of the easel.

As planned, the remaining time today was tight. It took nearly two hours just to work on the color alone, and there are still some details to be completed before I can achieve the effect I'm satisfied with.

Besides the tasks at hand, there are also sketching practice questions and three major assignments that need to be submitted to Lao Wang tomorrow.

It would take about six hours to complete them one by one.

Just grit your teeth and hang in there tonight; one more day won't make a difference.

What awaits me not far ahead is that envisioned future.

"I wonder what kind of expression Old Wang will have when he sees my homework tomorrow."

Cheng Wang calmed himself down, picked up his paintbrush, and gathered his superfluous thoughts.

Okay, let's give it our all.

I'll continue working on my craft!