The slanting evening sunlight filtered through the elegant floor-to-ceiling windows, lazily casting a faint, warm glow upon the spacious painting classroom of Baiying Academy, adorning the pristine white walls with soft, amber-colored specks of light.
The painting teacher, wearing a dark red beret and tying his hair into a wolf tail, stood upright in the center of the studio, warmly greeting the surrounding students.
“Ah, everyone, long time no see. After a whole holiday, do you still remember the content we covered last semester?”
“Of course! Teacher, aren’t we supposed to learn portrait painting today?”
Zhang Shiyu, standing closest to him, excitedly waved her hand while rolling up her sleeves and grabbing a paintbrush beside her.
“That’s right, Zhang Shiyu. But you can put down the watercolor brush for now. This semester’s first lesson will start with quick figure sketches.”
—
Watching Zhang Shiyu’s enthusiasm soar, Su Wanli stood lightly shaking her head at the door of the painting classroom.
According to the System’s recent update, Little Pink seemed to be an art student who had been exposed to various painting teachings since childhood and had even won several awards…
Who knew if Meng Wange’s Main Female Protagonist Halo alone could beat Little Pink, who had been practicing painting since she was young? If she couldn’t even surpass her classmates, then maybe this time’s plot wouldn’t be much of a breakthrough.
However, since the teacher said this class would only teach quick figure sketching, it should still be within Meng Wange’s capabilities, right?
“As usual, I’ll first give a demonstration, then everyone will pair up and take turns modeling for each other. If someone ends up without a partner, they’ll have to team up with me.”
The art teacher clapped his hands, drawing everyone’s attention, then carried over an easel covered with dried oil paint from the side of the classroom and set up a blank canvas.
“I believe you’re all familiar with basic sketching, so I won’t spend much time explaining that. I’ll mainly focus on the key points to note when doing quick figure sketches… Hm, it seems there’s a new face here?”
Under the teacher’s gaze, Meng Wange smiled slightly and nodded in greeting.
“Hello, teacher. My name is Meng Wange. I’m the new transfer student in Class Three, but don’t worry—I do have some foundational sketching knowledge.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll go straight to the next part. If you don’t understand anything later, feel free to ask me.”
The teacher’s eyes didn’t linger on Meng Wange for long before picking up a pencil and beginning to sketch on the canvas. Within minutes, he had completed his quick figure sketch on the blank sheet.
Wow, this really is Baiying Academy’s teaching level. In such a short time, he accurately captured the plaster bust on the still life stand, drawing a delicate Western beauty wearing a grand hat, her head lightly lifted.
“All right, to summarize: when starting a draft, first capture the overall shape by lightly sketching the outline with long straight lines. Next, reference the proportions and focus on the key points, using as simple lines as possible to quickly convey your ideas. This is a complete quick sketching method.”
… Though the art teacher’s explanation was clear and well-founded, except for the first few strokes referencing the plaster bust, the rest seemed entirely based on what he wanted to draw himself!?
“All right, everyone, now find your partners, choose a spot in the studio with good lighting and shadows, and get started!”
The teacher stood up from the easel and announced to the classroom.
… Honestly, although I barely understood any of it, as long as Meng Wange got it, that was enough. Hopefully, she can really create something impressive.
Su Wanli sighed and glanced at Meng Wange, who had been standing to her left the whole time.
She was currently frowning deeply, staring at the painting the teacher just completed.
Well, it was the first time seeing her with such a serious expression. Could it be that this mission was really extremely difficult?
Let me comfort her a little. It’s true that this is a tough task for her. The System never said Meng Wange’s painting skills were outstanding. Forcing her to shine in an area she’s not good at was my own failure…
Su Wanli gently shook her head and stepped forward to pat Meng Wange’s shoulder.
“… Meng Wange, if you’re not quite up to it, then forget it. There’s really no need to push yourself. I don’t actually expect you to amaze everyone.”
For some reason, hearing these words made Meng Wange’s frown deepen even more.
The other students dispersed, searching for their partners. Meng Wange took a step forward, standing where the teacher had just been painting, repeatedly glancing between the sketch and the plaster statue on the still life stand.
She stood there lost in thought for a long time before suddenly nodding in understanding.
“… I see now. I think I roughly get it.”
Meng Wange turned back and smiled at Su Xiaoli.
“Miss Xiaoli, based on what you said earlier, can I understand that you hope I do my best to paint well?”
Huh? Is this the effect of the Main Female Protagonist Halo? She actually looks pretty confident.
Su Wanli’s heart stirred quietly but she still maintained her usual reserved expression.
“Heh, of course. Now you’re at least my assistant. If you mess up the painting, it’ll be a disgrace to me.”
Meng Wange nodded to Su Wanli, then walked over to the classroom wall and brought back two easels, setting them up beside the teacher’s easel.
“Maybe my painting skills aren’t good enough, but fortunately, I know the most perfect model in the world. It’s just a question of whether she’s willing to show up.”
Saying something cryptic, Meng Wange slightly bent forward, smiling softly as she gestured a polite invitation to Su Wanli.
“So, Miss Su, would you be willing to be my partner and model?”
She actually called herself the most perfect model in the world. Su Wanli had anticipated Meng Wange would ask her to be her partner, but she didn’t expect her to come up with such a novel way to ask.
Su Wanli’s cheeks flushed as she cleared her throat twice and silently looked in another direction.
“… If you want me to help, just say so. Cut the slick talk.”
Of course, if Meng Wange hadn’t come to ask her first and had gone to someone else instead, Su Wanli would have been much less happy.
While listening to the teacher’s explanation earlier, Su Xiaoli had already mentally rehearsed having Meng Wange as her drawing subject five or six times. If she refused to partner now, Su Wanli would really have to step in with her true identity.
Hearing Su Wanli’s response, Meng Wange smiled and sat down, twirling her paintbrush in hand.
“So, that means you agree?”
Su Wanli rolled her eyes at her, then sat opposite Meng Wange and set up a blank canvas.
“Better start sketching quickly before I change my mind. And it’d be best if you paint well; otherwise, you’ll have no good consequences later…”
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