After observing four or five paintings, he knew that the artist’s handling of the message in each painting was not accidental.
Besides making full use of lines, the artist also knew how to use color combinations for a more detailed and thorough expression.
For instance, using similar warm colors to convey the peace of reading; using clashing colors to express the passion of sports competitions—
Different color combinations conveyed different messages.
The artist clearly knew how to create certain feelings in the viewers, masterfully manipulating their emotions.
The person who painted this wall must truly love painting—
Because only through ample practice can one achieve such effortless results.
A smile gradually appeared on Shen Jiaru’s lips as he continued along the wall.
After viewing the south wall, he turned to continue on to the east wall, then to the north and west walls, until he had circled the school and returned to the starting point.
Shen Jiaru, greatly intrigued, recalled all the colors he had seen and suddenly laughed.
This was interesting.
The person who painted this, must also be quite an arrogant person!
The exterior wall paintings employed countless colors, none of which were used directly from the tube—
The artist painstakingly mixed various colors in special proportions to create uncommon shades before using them.
She pursued absolute uniqueness, never using colors directly provided by others and avoiding all common color combinations.
Did she think herself so special?
Was she the most unique artist in the world?
He imagined the person painting the walls as someone obsessed with art, unable to extricate themselves, with a face full of unkempt beard or perhaps long hair casually tied in a ponytail, indifferent to grooming.
Suddenly, his phone in his pocket started chirping again.
Pulling it out, he realized that although he had arrived at the school gate 10 minutes early, he was now half an hour late for his appointment with the head of discipline.
40 minutes had passed…
After apologizing on the phone, he hurriedly set aside his fascination with the four walls and quickly entered the school, heading straight for the main building.
As he walked, he still glanced at the campus walls, which also bore paintings…
Sitting in the head of discipline’s office, he heard complaints about “Shen Mo running out of school even after the bell,” “Shen Mo starting brawls at school,” “Shen Mo sleeping during class,” “Shen Mo disrespecting teachers”…
Yet none of these words really registered in his mind; his thoughts were still imprinted with the paintings he had seen, thinking about the strong contrasting colors of watermelon red paired with ink green, watermelon red paired with lake blue;
Thinking how the wall’s color combinations could be directly used as a tutorial on color matching, or even compiled into a paper;
Thinking about how to use the simplest abstract lines to express the richest content…
The head of discipline had finished his spiel and looked up at Shen Jiaru, waiting for a response.
“…Uh,” Shen Jiaru finally snapped back to reality, giving a vague reply.
“…Uh,” he repeated, still somewhat absent-minded.
“…?” The head of discipline was considering calling Shen Mo’s homeroom teacher for a second round of berating when a spirited man in his fifties suddenly entered the office.
He paused, quickly standing up to say:
“Principal.”
The other teachers in the office also looked up and greeted him.
“Mhm,” Principal Li Long nodded in response, walking directly to the innermost part of the large office where the head of discipline’s desk was secluded.
Just as the head of discipline was about to come around the desk to inquire about the matter, Principal Li waved him off and turned directly to Shen Jiaru, saying:
“Mr. Shen, you arrived and didn’t even notify me? I just got some fine tea and was hoping you could try it.”
“Principal Li, hello, hello.” Shen Jiaru also stood up, reaching out to shake hands.
“…” The head of discipline was momentarily stunned, looking from the polite and modest principal to the composed Shen Jiaru.
Uh?
What’s going on?
“Would you like to come and sit in my office for a while?” Principal Wang cheerfully supported Shen Jiaru’s arm, chatting as they headed towards the principal’s office.
The head of discipline followed them, slowly realizing that Shen Mo’s father was not just wealthy, but also a highly influential artist.
After sitting down in the principal’s office, the head of discipline became anxious. Had he been too harsh in his remarks about Shen Mo?
“Mr. Shen, there are many kids at No. 1 High School who love painting. Aren’t you taking apprentices? I’d like to recommend a few promising students,” Principal Wang said enthusiastically.
If Mr. Shen could choose an apprentice from among the art students at No. 1 High School, it would certainly bring glory to the school in the future.
“My energy is limited; I’ve already taken on three apprentices, that’s about enough,” Shen Jiaru deftly deflected Principal Wang’s suggestion.
Now that his son’s matter was resolved, and he had promised the head of discipline to talk to Shen Mo at home, could he leave now?
He still wanted to go see the paintings on the school walls…
“Or would you be willing to come and give a lecture at the school? Many of our students admire you,” Principal Wang said, already planning in his mind how to publicize Shen Jiaru’s lecture in the city newspaper and promote it to overshadow other high schools.
“Tsinghua University just called me today, and I had to decline; I really can’t find the time,” Shen Jiaru said with a forced smile, having not socialized for quite some time.
Seeing that Principal Wang seemed to be scheming to extract some benefit from him, he quickly took the initiative to steer the conversation towards something he was interested in:
“Who painted the new mural on the campus walls?”
“…” Principal Wang was taken aback, then turned to look at the head of discipline.
The head of discipline, still reflecting on his harsh approach to Shen Jiaru, received a signal from Principal Wang and immediately said:
“It was painted by one of our students.”
“A student?” Shen Jiaru raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, her name is Hua Jie, from Class 7, Grade 1, and she’s also Shen Mo’s classmate,” the head of discipline gradually regained his smile, becoming enthusiastic.
“Ah.” Shen Jiaru was slightly taken aback; this was quite different from the image of the artist he had imagined…
And… Hua Jie, Shen Mo’s classmate… why her again?
Such a seemingly well-behaved little girl, what kind of soul resides within her?!
The expressions on the campus walls she created seemed beyond what a 15-year-old would typically conceive!
“How do you think the child did with her paintings?” Principal Wang, noticing Shen Jiaru’s expression, immediately asked.
“They’re good, quite thoughtful,” Shen Jiaru nodded. For a child, it was indeed very surprising.
“Would you be willing to take Hua Jie as an apprentice?” the principal asked, suddenly energized.
“?” Shen Jiaru was stunned. How did the conversation suddenly jump to taking on an apprentice?
“I’ve heard you’ve turned down many talented kids from big cities like Beijing and Shanghai. But since you praised her so highly, you must like her work. How about we call Hua Jie over now so you can meet her?” Principal Wang was enthusiastic as if invigorated.
“!” The head of discipline raised his eyebrows, ready to act.
At a signal from Principal Wang, he would immediately go and fetch Hua Jie.
Shen Jiaru quickly waved his hands, smiling.
“Even if I wanted to take her on, the child might not want to become an apprentice.”
After all, when he went to Jinsong Vocational, he happened to meet Hua Jie interviewing with teachers. The teachers were all pleased with her, but she didn’t take a liking to any of them.
“How could that be? In China, apart from those few masters, who wouldn’t want to be your apprentice?
“If I had even a little talent in painting and you approved, I would immediately become your apprentice.”
Principal Wang looked particularly sincere. Shen’s paintings sold for millions, and anyone who loved money would want to apprentice under such a renowned artist.
“You flatter me,” Shen Jiaru replied with a polite yet awkward smile.
He recalled seeing Hua Jie previously at Jinsong Vocational, moving trash bins to arrange them with trees to create a more aesthetically pleasing scene.
The portrait she painted for Shen Mo was also quite good; her sketching, quick drawing, and watercolor foundations were astonishingly solid, not at all like those of a typical 15-year-old.
Combined with the mural she painted today on the campus wall… she really was an… interesting child.
But his criteria for taking apprentices weren’t based solely on talent; he also considered character, perseverance, determination to learn painting, potential for the future, and many other factors.
Moreover, if he truly thought the child was promising, he would find a way to encourage her to apprentice under him.
He could think of ways to make contact later since she was his son’s classmate. He could even have his son give her challenges to test her.
After sitting in the principal’s office a bit longer, turning down all the overtures made by the other party, he finally found a moment to excuse himself and stood up to leave.
The principal held onto Shen Jiaru’s hand, unable to keep him there, and reluctantly accompanied him around the campus walls once more, escorting him to his car before letting go.
Watching Shen Jiaru’s car drive away, Principal Wang sighed:
“They say ‘the early bird catches the worm,’ but it seems I can’t catch it either.”
Teacher Shen has started using a flip phone, and even has a private car and driver. If only I knew earlier that painting could be so lucrative, I would have given it a try back in the day.
He was exceptionally good at drawing chickens when he was a child.
“Shen Mo has three years of high school to go through, there will be opportunities,” the guidance counselor comforted.
“Alright, Teacher Shen is quite modest. As long as you know about it, that’s enough; don’t talk about it with others. If there’s anything concerning Shen Mo in the future, let me know, and I will personally call Teacher Shen,” Principal Wang said, patting the guidance counselor on the shoulder.
If the school could boast about having Shen Jiaru, the message that ‘joining City No.1 Middle School could lead to becoming the apprentice of a millionaire artist’ would skyrocket the enrollment rates…
In this era, the influence of successful people is truly astonishing.
Principal Wang shook his head vigorously, sighed, and walked back towards the main building.
After taking a few steps, he turned back and asked:
“That child who painted the wall, her name is Hua Jie, right?”
“Yes,” the guidance counselor nodded in confirmation.
“She paints quite well. Tell her homeroom teacher and the art department to nurture her well,” Principal Wang instructed, feeling a renewed sense of hope.
If Hua Jie is really as good as they say, we should find an opportunity to present her to Shen Jiaru. Who knows, he might just take her under his wing?
Once Teacher Shen starts mentoring her, her painting skills will surely improve by leaps and bounds.
Then we can send her paintings to various competitions within and outside the province. After winning, we can submit her work to the provincial and city newspapers. Imagine the headlines: “Shocking! Millionaire artist Shen Jiaru’s apprentice wins her first competition!” “Art world stunned! Millionaire artist Shen Jiaru’s apprentice becomes the youngest winner of this award!”
Imagining the prestige this would bring to City No.1 Middle School, Principal Wang walked on, laughing to himself, his chest puffed out more and more, his head held higher and higher, his demeanor becoming increasingly exultant.
It was as if his mission to make City No.1 Middle School the top in the province was already accomplished.
Hehe, hahaha!
Seeing Principal Wang’s demeanor, the students all stepped aside, not even daring to greet him.
“What’s up with the principal?” Hua Jie asked, holding Liao Shanshan’s hand on their way to the restroom.
“He might be going mad,” Liao Shanshan deduced seriously, giving a solemn reply.