I am a Big Player
Chapter 141 - 140. The painting technique that seems to leap off the page (third update)_1

Chapter 141: 140. The painting technique that seems to leap off the page (third update)_1

Before beginning a sketch, one should develop the habit of observing the unique features of the subject and brewing their emotions. Consider how to portray the subject based on their occupation, age, temperament, hobbies, and what effect you ultimately want to achieve. With a clear plan in mind, the strokes can be bold and swift.

Ren He wasn’t planning to draw Yang Xi as she stood in the square at this moment, but rather an image from his heart.

Thus, the female university student who had given up her spot for him didn’t even know what he was going to draw at first, feeling that the outlined contour didn’t resemble a portrait.

But... something felt strange to her!

Because Ren He’s technique was truly skilful, far more so than hers! It’s said that an expert is recognized at the outset, for experts possess an entirely different aura the moment they begin.

In the eyes of the female university student, Ren He’s entire demeanor seemed to transform. Sitting there, he no longer appeared to be a middle school student but rather a painting maestro.

He sat steadily atop a cloud platform, carefully outlining his vision, the pencil in his hand a harbinger of all dreams, as if he could draw a kingdom on the blank paper.

This feeling was so magical!

As Ren He continued to refine the contours, the female university student realized that the drawing under his pencil might depict a stage? A very large stage!

But that wasn’t right, was it? If in the composition, the stage was so grand, wouldn’t the people become too small? Knowing he intended to draw a portrait to impress a girl, if one ignored the figure to highlight the stage, then no matter how well done, wouldn’t the drawing be deemed a failure?

The female university student was somewhat perplexed.

Now, facing Ren He, Yang Xi couldn’t see the drawing board. Initially, she thought Ren He was just playing around to amuse her, but now, seeing the changing expressions of the female university student, she wasn’t so certain anymore...

What’s going on with this mix of doubt, skepticism, and surprise expressions you’re making...

Yang Xi felt an itching curiosity to know just how Ren He’s drawing was shaping up.

Generally speaking, once the outline is captured, one should delve deeper into the details, taking a good look and starting to depict the most striking elements within the whole drawing.

But Ren He didn’t do that. Although the person in the center of the stage should have been the most prominent feature, he kept on embellishing the stage instead. The female university student could even see the brand name on the drum set at the back of the stage, the direction of the splendid lighting, and the layers of light were incredibly three-dimensional, making everything seem so real as if the stage were right in front of her.

Could it be that the stage was actually the protagonist of this painting? When the artwork progressed to this point, the female university student had already recognized that his level was far above her own.

The drawings she had done before must pale in comparison to his standards, but he had not commented directly, instead choosing to create his own drawing.

Just the layout of this stage alone was enough for the female university student to learn from.

But... something wasn’t right, because a mere empty stage would be too dull!

Without people, the stage has no meaning!

When Ren He began depicting the person in the center of the stage, the female university student sensed something off, because although every element of the surroundings was incredibly realistic, this person was very much unreal!

Lacking exquisite detail, devoid of accurate light and shadow, the girl in the middle of the stage held a guitar, lazily sitting, as if she herself was radiating light. She had distinct facial features, yet when the female university student looked at the person in the painting, her first impression was that it was the girl standing beside her—an astonishing realization!

This sensation was like a sixth sense guiding you to the real answer, but when you try to find evidence of this sixth sense, it is nowhere to be found.

Everything around was so real it felt tangible, except for this girl.

Yet, this unrealness didn’t feel jarring because anyone who saw the painting would deeply understand that the picture itself wasn’t meant to be realistic; it represented the feelings of someone deeply enamored with another.

That person was on a dazzling stage, singing a captivating song, and you felt as if you could hear the music through the painting itself!

The song is your favorite song in your heart.

When you fall in love with someone, no matter where they go, they seem to emanate a strange radiance, making them recognizable at a glance amidst a crowd, because they are the person you’re looking for.

The female college student suddenly felt a bit envious of Yang Xi, envious of that sentiment.

She hesitated for a moment then asked, "Can I take a picture?"

Ren He paused as he put down his pencil and smiled, "Sure, go ahead."

After all, there were no facial features of Yang Xi in that drawing, and unless in a specific context, no one would easily associate it with Yang Xi, so he allowed the picture to be taken.

This was, in the truest sense, the first painting Ren He had ever made of Yang Xi. Yang Xi, already curious because of the female college student’s expression, rushed over when she saw Ren He lay down his brush. But upon seeing the painting, she froze. She was the one who understood Ren He’s intentions the clearest, so she understood the thoughts behind the painting at first glance!

"Thank you," Yang Xi said softly. She gently lifted the sketch paper from the easel and held it against her chest, feeling the thrill of being cherished by someone else.

Before Ren He could speak, it was the female college student who said, "I can’t take your money. Honestly, I learned so much from this lesson. But may I ask, does this painting have a name?"

Ren He smiled and said, "Not taking money wouldn’t be right. I didn’t paint this for your lesson, you know. As for its name, let’s call it Dream Chaser."

Dream Chaser, firstly referring to Yang Xi in the painting, who sings in pursuit of her dreams, and secondly implying that Yang Xi in the painting is actually the girl of his own dreams.

Of course, Yang Xi immediately understood both meanings, but the female college student could only ponder them herself. She felt as if the three words Dream Chaser had some kind of magical power.

Ren He paid thirty yuan and left. When taking out the money, he found he had no change, and neither did the college student, who had to run to a nearby kiosk to buy some gum in order to make change.

Yang Xi chuckled softly, "Aren’t you a nouveau riche? Shouldn’t a nouveau riche say, ’Keep the change,’ or something like that when they don’t have small bills?"

"Look at you," Ren He said earnestly, "Even a nouveau riche’s money doesn’t just fall from the sky. It’s all hard-earned money!"

"So frugal!" Yang Xi rolled her eyes in disdain, but holding the painting in her arms made her feel warm inside. She suddenly asked, "Since when did you start painting again? You play the guitar so well too. Is there anything you can’t do?"

"Look at you, making me blush," Ren He pretended to be embarrassed but showed no sign of blushing at all.

The two of them didn’t know that later that evening, a sketch called Dream Chaser was uploaded to a forum online—it was a photo.

Normally a sketch wouldn’t be anything special—there were plenty of people who could draw.

But the issue was that this sketch seemed to possess magic, mysteriously compelling people to look at it over and over.

Laypeople didn’t understand; they just found the painting beautiful in every aspect, possessing a very unique feel!

Experts, however, saw it differently. The stage setting’s line work and the handling of light and shadow were enough to amaze them!

But all that was secondary.

The most critical part was the girl in the center of the stage.

...

To the lord of the "Curing Oversized Teen Syndrome Alliance," here’s the added Chapter. I’m exhausted after driving for more than seven hours; let me rest for a while...