Page 6
Similarly, when his drawing ability reached the second level, he had a lot more knowledge in his mind.
When drawing a face plate, he would have the general shapes of different people's faces in his mind.
When drawing two eyes, various types of eyes come to mind, such as phoenix eyes, peach blossom eyes, triangular eyes, watery eyes, etc.
Once the bridge of the nose is outlined, all sorts of information about the three parts of the face, five eyes, and the distribution of the facial features will come flooding in.
As long as a person explains it clearly enough, he can draw a 70% or 80% like of the other person without seeing him/herself.
Not only that, he also knows how to mix all kinds of pigments.
He also began to learn a little about magical pigments such as those that are insect-proof, anti-corrosion, permanent preservation, and even invisible and discoloring.
After combing his hair, trimming his beard, changing into clean clothes, and carrying his writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, as well as the painting he named Xiaoqian, Chen Mu left home and headed straight for Anlefang.
The rice jar is empty. If he doesn’t open the business, he will have no food to eat!
……
Anlefang, Ruyizhai.
Chen Mu found the shopkeeper and gave him the only three copper coins he had. He rented tables, chairs, benches, and an open space at the door for a day.
Ruyizhai is one of the four top restaurants in Anlefang.
It specializes in elegant vegetarian dishes and is best at various medicinal foods that warm and detoxify.
In addition to all kinds of wealthy playboys, singing girls from various brothels also often order meals here.
The singers would not show up in public easily, but they always had their own servants running around.
Chen Mu is not famous, so if he wants to make a breakthrough as soon as possible, he has to let customers see his work as soon as possible.
He was targeting these singing girls and servants.
Just as he was fiddling with the tables and chairs, a familiar old man walked into Ruyizhai.
But he stepped back just after entering the door, looked at Chen Mu twice and said with a smile: "Brother, have you thought it through? Do you really want to sell paintings here?"
This was exactly the old painter Chen Mu met last time.
Later, Chen Mu asked someone about it. It turned out that the other party's surname was Yan, and he was quite famous. He had been hanging out in Anlefang all his life, and many of the most beautiful singers of the time had asked him to paint their portraits.
"To make a living." Chen Mu said calmly.
"Do you know who I am?" asked Painter Yan.
"Mr. Yan is a master of painting and a guest of honor for all the singing girls." Chen Mu replied.
"It seems you don't know who I am yet." Yan Huashi smiled and said, "It's okay, you will know soon."
After saying that, he walked leisurely into Ruyizhai to have his meal.
Chen Mu looked puzzled.
Isn't he the painter Yan? What other special identity does he have?
Seeing that the number of people visiting Ruyizhai was increasing, Chen Mu suppressed his doubts deep in his heart.
After arranging the tables, chairs and benches, Chen Mu spread the painting of Xiaoqian flat on the table, held down the corners with an inkstone paperweight, and sat confidently behind the table waiting.
This painting should have been framed and hung so that it would be more eye-catching.
Unfortunately, Chen Mu has no money left.
It was noon, the time when the singing girls from various families started to get up and eat.
Maids and servants walked out of the brothels and went to rouge shops, cloth shops, jewelry stores, etc. Ruyi Zhai also sent a group of people.
These people saw Chen Mu at the door and the painting on the table at a glance.
The vivid three-dimensional painting method, which is as similar to a photo, attracts people instantly.
Before long, a group of people gathered around Chen Mu's desk.
One of them was smart and had already taken the lunch box and ran back quickly.
Chen Mu glanced at the back of a maid who was leaving quickly, and his heart was filled with joy.
It looks like I'll be opening soon.
Not to mention, that maid just now was quite pretty.
Then the singer she served was not much worse.
Not only can you make money, but you can also enjoy watching beautiful singers.
"I am on the right track!"
But before the beautiful maid came back, an old man came to the door first.
"Butler Li?" Chen Mu asked doubtfully.
"Did you draw this?" Butler Li had a cold expression as usual and his words were extremely concise.
"I drew it." Chen Mu answered honestly.
"Come with me." Butler Li said calmly after taking another look at the lifelike portrait on the table.
Is this... business?!
Chen Mu was overjoyed, and quickly rolled up his painting and put away his brush and ink. He called out to the waiter at Ruyizhai to help move the tables and chairs in, and quickly followed Butler Li.
I don't know who the portrait is for.
Could it be that Butler Li has a lover in Anlefang?
No, it is more likely that the eldest young master of the Wang family is hiding a beauty here.
……
Chen Mu left with the painting Xiaoqian, and the onlookers also dispersed.
Painter Yan, who had walked out of Ruyizhai again at some point, stood in front of the table in silence.
"Mr. Yan, is this the same old rule?" A sturdy man appeared behind him.
"He's selling paintings here without our Miao Huafang's approval. This guy deserves to be punished." Another skinny guy also laughed and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Yan. A beating up this fool will teach him the rules."
Painter Yan spent his entire life in Anlefang.
He started painting portraits at a young age and soon became famous because of his outstanding painting skills.
Miao Hua Fang valued his skills and used all means to force him to join.
Later, as his skills improved greatly, he gradually gained a foothold in Miao Huafang.
After getting enough benefits, he colluded with Miaohuafang and controlled Anlefang's book and portrait business.
Many scholars who made a living by selling paintings were either forced to join Miaohuafang and work hard, or were driven away by various means.
Painter Yan stared at the long table where the paintings were placed for a moment and suddenly said, "Find out his background. If he doesn't have any background, find a chance to break his hands."
The two men, one tall and one short, looked at each other and were about to destroy the scholar!
"Yes." The two nodded quickly.
Painter Yan nodded with satisfaction, and snorted coldly as he thought of the lifelike portrait.
The painting is good, but it’s too good!
So good that he is completely inimitable.
People like this joining the painting studio would be a threat to him.
Having been hanging around in the painting studio for half his life and bullying others for a long time, he doesn't want to be overthrown when he is old.
"Then I can only destroy you."
……
Chen Mu quickly followed Butler Li.
As we walked, we left Anlefang.
"Not in Anlefang? Could it be that the eldest son of the Wang family has a concubine outside?"
The two men got on the carriage and headed into the city along East Market Street.
Sitting in the car, Butler Li was silent and closed his eyes to rest. Chen Mu didn't know how to talk to him either, so he could only look at the scenery from the car window.
As the carriages moved, the buildings on both sides of the street became more orderly, and the people passing by also became noticeably better dressed.
The streets are paved with bluestone, and the houses have gradually changed from small courtyards to large mansions.
About a quarter of an hour later, the two arrived in front of a red-painted gate.
Chen Mu recognized this place. This was the Wang Family Courtyard, the owner of the house he rented.
Is there any young lady from the Wang family who needs a portrait?
Maybe it's time for marriage, and the family prepares a portrait for a blind date.
There is a high probability that Butler Li went to see Painter Yan.
"Hey, does this count as stealing that old man's business?" Chen Mu thought happily.
Follow Butler Li and walk in through the side door.
The rockery, artificial water, pavilions and towers along the way made Chen Mu sigh with emotion, they were indeed a wealthy family.
Then he was led to the inner courtyard by Butler Li, where seven or eight maids and servants were waiting in the courtyard.
Some carried basins of water, some held towels, and some carried food boxes.
As soon as I walked into the house, a strong smell of medicine hit my nose.
Is this young lady sick?
"Master, the painter is here." Butler Li walked up to a middle-aged man in his forties and said respectfully.
"Him?" The middle-aged man looked at Chen Mu in confusion.
Butler Li reached out and took the painting from Chen Mu's hand, unfolded half of it and motioned for the middle-aged man to look at it.
"Good. Let's choose him." The middle-aged man's eyes lit up and he nodded with satisfaction.
"Come with me." Butler Li waved to Chen Mu and walked into the inner room.