Chapter 5: Gaining Experience

Fang Guohua thought yesterday while waiting outside the emergency room that if something were to happen to his son, he would actually be unable to find any warm memories of their time together. After his son entered middle school, his memories were filled only with scolding his son. There seemed to be no real moments of face-to-face conversation between them. If all that remained were memories, would he have to rely on those memories for the rest of his life to guide his son?

Fang Yi sat back down in front of the easel and once again picked up the pencil to delve deeper into his work. This immersion made Fang Yi feel uncontrollably exhilarated, akin to an old smoker who, after days without a cigarette, finally takes that first puff. In this state, Fang Yi realized that he was filled with excitement, feeling as if the pencil in his hand swept across the canvas beautifully. Three minutes later, when Fang Yi looked at his painting as a whole again, he discovered that the details he had just painted were a bit too intricate, making them stand out awkwardly against the overall composition. Fortunately, he had not applied too much weight to the painting, leaving room for correction.

Is this really acceptable? Fang Yi muttered to himself. That painting just now turned out to be a complete mess, and that counts? Rubbing his hair, Fang Yi was a bit flustered and somewhat excited.

Hiss! Fang Yi involuntarily took a breath and shook his head. Why hadn't his experience changed? Could it be that the things in his mind had crashed? Upon thinking of this, he couldn't help but gently tap his head with his hand

Upon arriving at the art classroom, there were already five or six people inside. In any case, today only I was painting these basic plaster casts. Fang Yi switched to a large plaster cast of David and then began sketching on the paper

This painting is quite good, showing much improvement compared to the one from the afternoon. I do not know when Teacher Sun stood behind Fang Yi, also observing Fang Yi's painting and commented: "Delve deeper and make the details a bit more refined. Pay attention to the relationship between reality and illusion, and carefully appreciate the spirit of the David bust. Each plaster cast is derived from the works of the masters; immerse yourself in the artistic techniques within them"

Thinking that in a month, he would be able to reach a higher level, which means he should be able to attain Wang Qiluo's standard by then! Upon reflection, Fang Yi felt a bit excited: this rhythm is definitely poised to showcase extraordinary talent!

At least I have caught up to the level of those second-year high school students! After finishing the drawing, Fang Yi reached this conclusion. With this sketch, he no longer had to worry about being at the bottom of the class. Turning his attention back to his mind, he realized that the progress bar had moved forward by about one-tenth. Calculating that if he continued to draw like this, it would mean that with ten drawings, Fang Yi could advance to a higher level. Of course, he couldn't draw sketches every day; he also needed to work on color and quick sketches.

Fang Yizheng was just about to raise his hand to signal to the teacher that he would come back in the evening, but before he could lift his hand, a classmate had already spoken to the teacher.

The contrast is quite striking! In the past, every time I saw myself, I was always frowning and glaring, but now to suddenly present myself as a benevolent father really makes Fang Yi feel a bit awkward, it was too sudden and he was completely unprepared for it.

Fang Yi was momentarily taken aback, staring blankly as his father walked over and sat down on the sofa, waving the game controller in his direction. The game console in front of the television was the one that had been confiscated by his father at the beginning of the school year, who had said it would only be returned once he was admitted to university. Now, his father had already turned on the television, and the screen was displaying the preparation screen for the game.

Holding a spatula in her hand, she smiled and said: "Go ask your dad if you can go; I don't have that much money on me right now! Your dad is in the study."

I really can't stand you!" Fang Yi felt a bit sad listening to his father, so he sat down and played two rounds with him. After putting down the controller, Fang Yi turned to his father and asked, "Dad, can I tell you something honest?"

Damn! Fang Yi couldn't help but curse inwardly: Is this the rhythm of defying the heavens? Drawing a picture to gain so much experience? Wouldn't that mean I could reach the intermediate level in just two days? With this thought, Fang Yi unconsciously took out another sheet of paper, preparing to continue grinding for experience. If I don't grind, that would be foolish

After listening to the teacher's words, Fang Yi could only nod to indicate that he had learned. He sharpened a 3B pencil and continued sketching on a new sheet of paper. This time, Fang Yi deliberately slowed down his pace and began to draw a structural sketch, occasionally lifting his head to observe his work as a whole.

He picked up the pen in his hand and began to work on his third piece of the afternoon on the paper. As his pen touched the paper, Fang Yi immediately sensed a distinctly different feeling from the previous drawing. The strokes flowed more smoothly, and the lines were quite crisp. He effortlessly arranged four or five lines in the blank space, which landed on the paper like several parallel lines, appearing remarkably natural and fluid.

Fang Guohua sighed and said, "I have come to understand that once you go to university, start working, or even have children in the future, the time we spend together as father and son will truly diminish! Seeing that there isn't much time left, let's make the most of our time together now. In the future, when you have your own family and move out, I can still reminisce about these moments when I have the chance!"

Fang Guohua held his wife in his arms and gently patted her arm, saying: "If you want to pursue art, then pursue it. If your paintings don't sell in the future, so be it. What is so remarkable about books? At worst, we will work a little harder, save more money while we are alive, and ensure that he lives a safe and smooth life, gets married, and has children. As for us, we just need to live our lives smoothly!" After saying this, he also looked towards the door.

After spending more than half an hour, I finally completed one. When Fang Yi excitedly searched through the things in her mind, she surprisingly found that this time the experience bar hadn't moved at all

Fang Guohua looked at his son and asked, "What truth?"

I am not ill; what happened yesterday was merely an accident! Fang Xiang said solemnly to his father: From now on, it is unlikely to happen again, I assure you!

Fully immersed in his work, two hours passed in the blink of an eye. When Fang Yi stood up from his easel and took a couple of steps back to observe his painting, he felt a small sense of satisfaction. The entire sketch was more than halfway completed, with no issues in the composition. The treatment of the black, white, and gray tones of the David statue was quite good, and there had been significant improvement in the spatial relationships.

Fang Yi felt somewhat unaccustomed to hearing his son being referred to simply as "son"; he was used to hearing "Xiao Yi" all the time, and the sudden change made him feel a bit uneasy. He then mentioned to his mother that he had taken some items worth a certain amount of money from Teacher Sun today

I... never mind, forget I said anything. What else could Fang Yi say? He could only stand up from the sofa and say, "How about we play two games every day from now on?"

Tsk! Fang Yi rubbed his teeth and sat down beside his father, saying: "Dad, can we live like we used to? I really can't get used to your behavior all of a sudden"

Teacher Sun picked it up and said, "You draw first, I will go get you a receipt!"

This time, Fang Yi did not concern himself with the experiences and notes in his mind, but instead fully immersed himself in the realization that he had reached an intermediate level of sketching. From time to time, he would step back to assess his work as a whole, and then focus on specific areas, or deepen the shadows on the backlit surfaces.

Is Dad at home?" Fang Yi was taken aback again; his father usually hadn't come home from work at this time. Seeing his mother nod, Fang Yi turned around and intended to go to the study.

This proposal is quite good! Fang Guohua said with both hands raised in support of his son's suggestion

Teacher Sun said to Fang Yi: "If you want to paint well, you must practice more and observe more; there is no need to rush! Take note of the details, moving from the whole to the parts and then back to the whole. Regardless of the approach, the overall feeling must be unified and harmonious; this is of utmost importance!"

Fang Yi believed that his parents were merely startled once, little did he know that they were nearly scared out of their wits. As a result, they significantly reduced the various demands they had on Fang Yi, and even the doctors could not determine the cause. The two of them no longer dared to press Fang Yi to do this or that with any force.

Especially in the use of lines, Fang Yi's face bore a smile as he thought to himself: I absolutely love these lines! The lines throughout the entire composition are elegant and orderly, and the texture of the plaster has already begun to emerge on the paper

I understand," Fang Yi nodded after listening to the teacher's words. Seeing Teacher Sun about to leave, he suddenly remembered: "Teacher! I brought the money for this afternoon." After saying this, he took out a stack of bills from his pocket and handed them to Teacher Sun.

As soon as I opened the door at home, I heard my mother say to me: "Is my son back? Wash your hands and get ready for dinner!"

Having dropped the pencil in his hand, Fang Yi stood in the doorway to rest for a few minutes and calm his emotions before he resumed drawing. After more than an hour of adjustments, the entire composition once again achieved a sense of unity

Yu Qin watched her son close the door, then turned to Fang Guohua, who was sitting on the sofa with a book, and said: "Seeing him leave so happily makes me feel really good"

Fang Yike, feeling the absence of parents, rode his little bicycle, humming a cheerful tune as he happily made his way to school

Isn't that so? In the past, when I said I had a headache, no one believed me. Now, when I say I am no longer ill, still no one believes me. This is just too much, isn't it? Am I not allowed to live my life?

After tidying up a bit, Fang Yi rode his bicycle home

Fang Guohua pushed open the door and walked into the living room, looking at Fang Yi, who had a smile on his face: "Just in time! Son, come over and play a couple of games of football with your dad!"

After a conversation between father and son, they heard their mother in the kitchen calling them for dinner. After finishing the meal, Fang Yi happily stepped out with over 100 yuan in his pocket

As it was merely a structural sketch, the time spent was significantly less than on the previous one, taking only about forty minutes to complete. Upon putting down the pen, Fang Yi directly saw that the word "sketch" in his mind had changed from "beginner" to "intermediate," with an "advanced" following it, and the experience bar had even revealed a slight increase.

Alright! Everyone, go home for dinner. Is there anyone who wants to come tonight?" Teacher Sun clapped his hands and said loudly, ensuring that everyone in the classroom could hear him

I certainly know that you are not ill! My son is destined to live a long life and have many descendants, how could he be sick?" Fang Guohua said with a smile as he looked at Fang Yi.

It is not surprising, really. Regardless of who becomes a parent, Fang Yi's assurances are of little consequence. Fang Yi is merely a young child and cannot comprehend the thoughts and feelings of a parent. He believes that if he says everything is fine, his parents will feel at ease. However, he does not realize that among all the parents in the world, how many can truly let go after experiencing such a situation? In the family, he is the only child; if something were to happen to him, it would mean the end of their lives.