Chapter 312: Chapter 115: Guidance from the Master_2 Chapter 312: Chapter 115: Guidance from the Master_2 Yueyao, upon hearing this, fell into deep contemplation. In her previous life, she had a mere fondness for painting, relying solely on her intuition and talent, without the guidance of a master. Although she was known as a talented lady in Capital City, that title was limited to women of the inner chambers. The real Great Scholars looked down upon her. Now, to receive such comments from Mr. Yu Shan, Yueyao was flattered beyond measure.
After her rebirth, Yueyao considered painting merely as a craft for earning money to ensure a comfortable life in the future. Later, feeling her work had greatly improved, Yueyao aspired to become a Painter. But now, Yueyao felt she should set a clear goal for herself, and that goal was to become a Great Painter. She believed she was only a step away from becoming a Great Painter and had faith she could cross that threshold.
It was fortunate that Ma Chengteng had not told Yueyao about the evaluation of her other painting, or it would have definitely dampened her enthusiasm, leading Yueyao down many detours.
At this moment, Yueyao was unaware that during her painting of the Dusk Pastoral Scene at the villa, she had already touched upon that threshold. Although she had only just touched the third threshold, she now possessed the potential of a Great Painter. If Mr. Yu Shan had seen the “Dusk Pastoral Scene” instead of the Begonia Flower painting, his evaluation would have been different.
Yueyao studied Mr. Yu Shan’s painting earnestly but couldn’t completely grasp it. Turning her head, she saw Ma Chengteng’s troubled expressions, “Uncle, did Mr. Yu Shan say anything else? You said I can take it.”
Ma Chengteng looked at his niece’s expression and helplessly conveyed Mr. Yu Shan’s words, “Mr. Yu Shan said your painting is an inferior work.”
Yueyao was astonished, “Inferior work? Uncle, didn’t you just say Mr. Yu Shan mentioned I had entered the second threshold? Based on that comment, shouldn’t it be a mediocre work at least?”
Ma Chengteng said with a smile, “To receive such a comment from Yu Shan is already rare. You might not know this, but Mr. Yu Shan only has three categories of critique: ‘trash,’ ‘inferior,’ and ‘superior.’ Mr. Yu Shan said that the craftsmanship and technique of your painting are first-class, but it lacks essence. Simply put, this Begonia Flower painting is beautiful but fails to convey your affection for it. Your painting lacks depth.”
Yueyao nodded repeatedly, “Uncle, can I understand it this way, by saying my work is an inferior piece is actually Mr. Yu Shan criticizing that I only focus on techniques and craftsmanship, yet overlook the emotions? A first-class Painter should immerse their own feelings in the painting no matter the subject, or express certain ideas through it.”
Ma Chengteng looked at Yueyao in astonishment; wasn’t this exactly what Mr. Yu Shan meant? No wonder Teacher Wen had such high praise for Yueyao. Not only was her talent frightening, but her understanding was also exceptional.
Yueyao suddenly had a revelation and spoke earnestly, “Uncle, Mr. Yu Shan wrote on his critique, ‘When I see a mountain, it’s a mountain; when I see water, it’s water. When I see a mountain as not a mountain, and water as not water; when I again see the mountain as a mountain, and the water as water.’ Let’s not talk about the first two sentences; the last one means he hopes for me to see through the appearance to the essence, to return to the source, right?” Yueyao distilled the essence of the idea perfectly.
Ma Chengteng grew excited again. With his niece’s talent and comprehension, she could definitely become a top-notch Great Painter, and her talent must not be buried: “Yueyao, you absolutely cannot slack off in your painting. As long as you keep working hard, you will surely become a Great Painter.”
Those words from Ma Chengteng made Yueyao hesitate, “Uncle, can I really become a Great Painter?” Yueyao thought it was already quite an achievement to become a somewhat famous Painter. A Great Painter, world-renowned, was something she hardly dared to imagine. Yet, her heart yearned for a positive answer, for confidence.
Ma Chengteng nodded fervently, “Yes, you certainly can, Uncle believes in you.” With such intuition and such natural talent, she could indeed cross into the third threshold that Mr. Yu Shan spoke of.
Yueyao smiled, a genuine smile. Since her rebirth, she had been working hard, practicing calligraphy, embroidery, and painting. She had been so diligent as a precaution for the future, to make a living with these skills. But if she became a Great Painter known throughout the land, those worries would no longer exist. A Great Painter indeed. As far as she knew, Mr. Yu Shan’s paintings sold for as much as five thousand pieces of Silver each; one painting alone was enough for several years of sustenance. Even if a painting sold for mere hundreds of Silver, it would suffice for her to live comfortably. Besides, it would secure her a place in history.