Almighty painter

Chapter 631 Cat’s Repayment
Intaglio is relatively simple and quick.

Its carving is a subtraction of the entire piece of wood, and the part subtracted on the woodblock is the final line image.

exactly.

The error tolerance rate of intaglio engraving is extremely low.

The part left on the woodblock by the relief engraving method is the final image. As for the unimportant parts, if they are engraved wrong, they are engraved wrong. Some slight cracks and spots and small potholes are not a big deal, as they cannot be printed on paper anyway.

At most, the carved master plate is not beautiful.

And the intaglio method.

Any concave marks on the surface will be reflected 100% in the final work, and will be magnified by the contrast of the paint.

Good or bad, all works will be highlighted equally.

The "bad" here not only includes all the burrs on the carvings, all the unsmooth lines, and all the inaccessible places.

Any defects, dents, imperfect cracks and peelings in the material itself will become impurities in the final work.

Often, while carving, the sculptor becomes very satisfied with the entire painting, feeling that he has created an excellent work and is feeling very proud of it.

As a result, when it came to the last place where the two engraved lines intersected and ended, the material broke off with a "crackling" sound, and a small piece the size of a grain of rice fell off.

The sculptor could do nothing except to get annoyed and want to "bang" himself to death.

Can only be helpless and furious.

For ordinary printmaking.

The nature of wood is uncontrollable.

There are no two leaves in the world that are exactly the same, nor are there two pieces of wood that are exactly the same.

There are so many factors that can affect the characteristics of the wood in your hands.

Humidity, drying conditions, stress conditions inside the wood... Working in a woodblock print studio, two people each choose a piece of wood that looks similar and carve works of similar difficulty.

Maybe his skills, experience, and knife-holding stability are better than the other party's.

As a result, my companion carved the jade well, and after finishing the work, he ate hot pot, sang songs, and went to play with his girlfriend.

If he said it would crack, it would crack along with the print in his hand. He had to eat instant noodles miserably, and prepare to work late into the night to carve it all over again.

The nature of wood is completely unreasonable.

This is the charm of woodblock printing, but also the most difficult part.

Artists will not find standard answers on engraving techniques in any textbook.

All you can rely on is the experience gained from thousands of times of practice.

Experience is the most valuable thing.

In theory, the preferred wood for carving is wood with fine grain, uniform wood quality, sufficient hardness and not easy to deform.

It doesn't have to be expensive.

Pear wood, jujube wood, birch wood, and basswood are all acceptable.

Ginkgo or boxwood can also be used.

The preferred material for engraving is the "heartwood", which is the material produced outside the pith of the wood but not close to the bark.

The wood here is neither young nor old, and the internal duct structure is no longer hollow to transport water and nutrients, but is filled with chemicals such as oil, gum, and tannin.

It is equivalent to a hollow fiber tube filled with glue and bonded together.

Therefore, it is not easy to crack suddenly when carving.

The second choice is the "sapwood", which is the relatively lighter wood near the bark outside the heartwood.

These are all written theories.

Actual operations are filled with various variables that cannot be covered by written theories.

The biggest difference between an outstanding printmaker and an excellent printmaker is that they not only carve more smoothly, but also minimize the uncontrolled and unexpected factors that occur during the carving process.

When Mu Xing wanted to reason, they greeted him with a smile.

When Mu Xing doesn't want to reason, they can take out a carving knife from their pocket and force Mu Xing to reason.

For example, what Gu Weijing is doing at this moment.

The tea stool in front of him was a flat surface cut out from the root of a rubber tree.

The wood is not comfortable to use, which is a result of Mr. Gu's poor collecting taste. And because it is a cross-section of the root of a whole tree, the pith part becomes a place that cannot be avoided.

External conditions are not something Gu Weijing can control.

All he can control is the way the carving is applied to it.

If you look through any orthodox woodblock printing textbook, you will be told about this situation - "smooth", "don't carve", "can't carve", "dare to carve and you will fail".

If there is pith in the wood and it cannot be changed, at least a rational artist should avoid the pith with all knife strokes.

Gu Weijing didn't want to do that.

Not good looking.

Printmaking does not care whether the engraved master plate looks good or not.

I only care about whether the final printed work looks good.

Just like in Chow Yun-fat’s movies, it doesn’t matter how you print it or who gets the color-changing ink, as long as you can print out the flavor of “original US dollars” in the end, that’s enough.

But Mr. Gu obviously cares a lot.

The legendary carving skills also made Gu Weijing care about it.

The color of the wood itself is darkest in the pith, tending towards reddish brown.

The heartwood is second and tends to be lighter brown.

The sapwood is lighter, tending towards brownish white.

Completely disregarding.

The chrysanthemum that was carved out in the end looked like it had a skin disease, with some patches darker and some lighter.

In printmaking, this kind of engraving method is acceptable.

For sculpture, which has risen to the level of art, such works seem less perfect.

Gu Weijing chose a more difficult way.

The chrysanthemum he carved is in full bloom and viewed from the side.

The flowers are slanted on the branches, with their heads slightly pointing upwards.

The term for this flower posture is "full bloom, looking down" in traditional Chinese painting.

According to the posture of chrysanthemum when it blooms.

When Gu Weijing started carving, he planned to have the flower branches extend from the edge of the tea stool to the center.

The sapwood is carved to show the extending veins and overlapping leaves.

In the heartwood, the chrysanthemum is carved with a large and round outer surface and thousands of petals hanging down in full bloom. The innermost circle of pith is the stamen.

The so-called stamens are the small petals containing the core that are clustered together in the middle of the chrysanthemum like a cabbage.

Because the petals are the smallest, they hold the tightest and most closely.

So it will appear darker than the surrounding petals.

This kind of carving method is the one that completely follows the shape of the wood. If it is printed on paper and turned into a print, it is also the carving method that best retains the "wood flavor".

The only downside may be that it is difficult.

Difficulty has never been a real problem for legendary skills.

The strength of Gu Weijing's fingertips holding the carving knife changed several times.

When he stroked the sapwood, his movements were neither light nor heavy, and the knife strokes and connections were light and graceful, like writing cursive script.

To the heartwood part.

The strength of his fingertips became firmer, and the angle of his knife became more vertical, like writing neat and dignified regular script.

When the knife reaches the core, it becomes light and agile, as if writing on sand.

Let the mind lead the pen, the mind comes first, then the pen.

It is said that when Pao Ding was butchering an ox, every cut of his knife would accurately penetrate the skin, flesh and fascia of the animal. After butchering oxen for more than ten years, his blade would still be as shiny as new without any damage.

now.

Gu Weijing had a vague feeling that the blade of his carving knife was like sliding through the bone fascia of beef, and easily sliding through the gaps in the root canals between the wood fibers.

Run!
The thickness of a scalpel blade is about 14 microns, and some special styles can be pressed to less than 10 microns.

It is said.

A scalpel is something you can cut cells out of.

The diameter of the blood vessels in tree wood is actually not much different from the diameter of human cells.

But the carving knife is obviously much duller than the scalpel.

Gu Weijing didn't know whether this silky and delicate feeling was the result of the sharp blade of the carving knife cleverly "flowing" through the ducts and perfectly cutting through its fibrous tissue.

Not very likely.

A more likely explanation is that the artist has reached a pinnacle of skill and has an extreme understanding of the properties of wood, creating an illusion of lightness and brightness that gives people a sense of being under control.

The knife moves between the wood grain.

Like fish returning to the sea, swallows flap their wings from the branches and fly into the blue sky.

When carving, in addition to utilizing several different materials of the wood.

Gu Weijing even had time to fix all the scratches and defects made by Awang on the tea stool.

Similar to how a tattoo artist would cover an underlying scar with a new tattoo.

After all, it is a solid wooden tea stool, and Katsuko Sakai often picks up Awang's nails, but Awang is not practicing the Vajra Claw technique.

The marks left by the cat on Mr. Gu's tea stool were not particularly deep.

Chrysanthemums have many flowers and leaves, so it is very easy to cover them.

Gu Weijing had thought it through when he started carving.

The claw marks on the outer layer were transformed into leaf veins, while the claw marks on the inner layer became part of the drooping petals of the chrysanthemum.

There were even two tooth marks left by Awang.

Gu Weijing also directly transformed it into a few traces of insect bites on the petals that covered the flowers.

Time passes minute by minute.

The moon is at its zenith.

Gu Weijing finally raised his hand. He put his lips to the tea stool and blew gently, blowing away all the sawdust stuck to the tree roots.

The branches and leaves are shaded, and the flowers are slanted out.

The thousand-petaled chrysanthemums seemed to sway in the wind under his breath.

The flowers and leaves are blooming.

Just like the chrysanthemums that bloomed outside the workshop window many years ago.

……

The next morning.

Gu Tongxiang slept a little uneasily last night and walked into the study yawning.

"You can't go on like this. Staying up late will damage your hair. You need to take more supplements."

He twisted his waist.

I plugged in the electric kettle, then took some tea leaves from the cupboard and added them to the thermos.

"Hey, here you are, you are sleeping well."

Old Man Gu glanced at the fat cat lying next to the low cabinet under the bookshelf.

Awang estimated that he was tortured enough by Jasmine and Koko in the orphanage yesterday. When Gu Weijing finished carving the teacup and was ready to return to the house at midnight.

The tabby cat was already purring happily.

Gu Weijing did not disturb Awang.

He simply tidied up the table, left tomorrow's homework for his grandfather, and then quietly walked back.

"Heh, you used to torture me, now it's my turn to torture you."

A sneer appeared on Old Man Gu's face.

He looked at Awang's raised butt and gestured twice with his hand.

"With this angle and this posture, a slap on it is just right and absolutely crisp. It's like slapping a ripe watermelon!"

Gu Tongxiang held out his hand high.

Take courage. Take courage again.

It bulged again.

I tried hard to drum.

His chest swelled up like a blown-up balloon...then he reached his hand back.

I'm not afraid of Awang.

The main problem is that the scar on my arm suddenly started to itch.

"We are all great painters. We can't be as petty as a country cat. It's too narrow-minded." Gu Tongxiang pursed his lips. He felt that he was a magnanimous person and let Awang go.

In his struggle with Awang, Old Man Gu achieved another major victory.

Gu Tongxiang added an item to the little bill in his heart.

There was already a "positive" and a half written on his little bill.

Including this time, Gu Tongxiang has defeated Awang nine times.

Every time it is a victory in the heart.

It's a pity that this kind of beast won't understand!
Otherwise, he would have been ashamed to death, naked and carrying a thorny stick on his back, with a small rattan stick tied to the tail handle for him to whip.

Old Man Gu smacked his lips.

He turned his gaze to a dozen books neatly placed on the table. On the cover of the top book, "Jiezhou Painting Collection", there was a sticky note stuck on it.

It should have been written by my grandson when he came home last night.

"One, copy the chapter of Gentleman's Manual from the second volume of the second volume of the Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting. In the morning, copy five chapters of Chrysanthemum Manual and five chapters of Orchid Manual in the afternoon, for a total of ten chapters. Two, fine brushwork techniques..."

Gu Tongxiang put on his reading glasses and read two lines, his expression instantly turning bitter.

Why does it seem like there is more and more homework?
"what?"

The electric kettle next to it started to buzz, and hot steam gushed out of the mouth of the kettle.

Old Man Gu’s butt seemed to be stuck to the stool and didn’t move.

He stretched out his hand from the surface of the desk covered by the picture album and picked up a piece of broken wood chip with his fingertips.

"My mahogany tea stool!"

Gu Tongxiang felt his heart wailing and the corners of his eyes couldn't help but twitch.

It is an indispensable utensil for people who are particular about tea drinking.

A tea stool, a suit, Hemingway and a classic car are Gu Tongxiang's four favorite items for showing off.

These can be found in different arrangements and combinations in Gu Tongxiang's circle of friends.

He can post on WeChat Moments while drinking tea.

You can wear a suit, drink tea and post on WeChat Moments.

He can wear a suit, drink tea, and put a collection of Hemingway's essays on the tea table and post it on his Moments... Gu Tongxiang feels that he is much more high-end than those old guys who put some health and wellness encyclopedia on the table.

The only fly in the ointment is.

Mr. Gu has not yet fully figured out the ideal posture for checking in and posting on WeChat Moments while sitting in a classic car, wearing a suit, holding a tea stool, and reading Hemingway's essays.

No matter how you place it, stuffing a large tea stool into the car seems too deliberate.

Anyway.

This high-quality mahogany tea stool has made great contributions to Gu Tongxiang's circle of friends and career.

Even every time I invited Old Man Wu next door to my house for tea, he would stare at it with a complicated expression.

Gu Tongxiang knew it clearly.

Old Wu is a reserved person.

He didn't say anything, but he must have been envious in his heart as he saw himself being so elegant and graceful!

In the past.

At most, Awang would gnaw off two or three wood fibers the size of gravel, but that would already make Old Man Gu extremely heartbroken.

Now, there are sawdust all over the bottom of the pages.

My big baby has been ruined by this fat cat!

Gu Tongxiang almost groaned in his heart.

He stared at the cat napping there and exhaled heavily. The hot steam from the kettle seemed to be less than the anger that came out of Old Man Gu's nostrils.

I really want to pick it up and give it a beating.

I really want to beat him up.

Really Want.

I really can't help it.

Perhaps it was because the resentment in Gu Tongxiang's heart was too strong, or he felt the hot steam coming out of the kettle, or it was simply the time when King Awang had breakfast every morning.

The tabby cat woke up from its sleep.

It stretched out its front paws, pushed its hind legs upward, and arched its body, making a stretching movement that is unique to cats, like a water slide.

Awang noticed that Lao Guzi was glaring at him with his nostrils flaring for some reason.

Maybe you’ve never seen such a handsome cat?
It opened its mouth and bared its teeth at Old Man Gu with contempt.

then.

Old man Gu became depressed again.

Fifteen seconds later, the number of times that Gu Tongxiang had "defeated" Awang reached ten times on the small list in his mind.

"When you meet a great painter like me who has a good temper, you should just be ashamed!"

Old Man Gu scolded Awang.

He stood up and wanted to see if his large mahogany tea stool could be salvaged.

Just a glance.

Gu Tongxiang was stunned.

His eyes were as big as copper bells, his legs were trembling, and he was gasping for air with a hissing sound, which matched the hissing sound of the kettle next to him.

They are like a pair of brothers.

The diffuse water vapor hits the tea stool and condenses into a layer of watery, wet droplets when it gets cold.

The heat is building.

The fully bloomed chrysanthemum on it looks even more like it is covered with morning dew.

The heart is cold and the fragrance is cold,

Delicate and charming.

Gu Tongxiang wiped the marks on the chrysanthemum with his hand, looked at the tea stool in front of him, then looked at Awang who was lying over there, and then looked at the tea stool in front of him again.

He was dumbfounded.

"It's a magic trick!"

Old classmate Gu rubbed his hair. The huge shock made his face twisted together, just like an old chrysanthemum ravaged by wind and rain.

He looked at Awang.

He murmured to himself a little uncertainly: "Could it be that this is the legendary...cat's return of favor?"
-
June 15th.

Torrential rain.

Among the 24 solar terms in Dongxia, this day is the summer solstice, the time with the longest daylight in the year.

The sun is shining brightly in the sky, and farmers are busy with work.

In Yangon, June means the end of the hot season in the first half of the year and the official start of the frequent rainfall season.

The rain began to fall at midnight yesterday, like thousands of small drums beating in unison.

The sky seems to be leaking.

The water droplets washed the whole world. Private schools like Dulwich had their own independent power supply system. The lights on campus were very bright, but under the iron-gray sky, it still looked a little foggy.

"Koko, have you filled out your admissions feedback form?"

At the corner of the corridor.

Someone met Koko and casually said hello.

"I have filled it out."

Koko, wearing a school uniform and holding a large plastic belt taller than her head, nodded to a girl with wavy curly hair walking by, and commented on her hair in the other's expectant gaze.

"The hair dye is OK! But the bangs can be cut shorter next time. The left and right sides are not so flat, which is a bit weird."

It’s a great honor to receive the praise of a makeup expert like Koko.

The girl with wavy hair was obviously very happy.

She leaned her head over and whispered in Koko's ear.

"Yeah, I also think the bangs could be cut a little shorter, but I'm a little afraid that my face would look too long... The hairdressing director recommended the hairstyle to me. He said it would look more Korean. It's the one next to the Thai Embassy on Diplomat Avenue, you know..."

"...You can buy a pair of big scissors, especially long ones, the kind that tailors use to sew clothes."

Koko gave expert advice, "Just cut it gently in front of the mirror. It will be smoother than a hairdresser's. It's very convenient and you can do it yourself at home."

"Oh oh oh."

The girl nodded like a chick pecking at rice.

Only then did she realize that Koko was still holding a lot of things in her hands. She asked kindly, "You're packing. Do you need help?"

"No, just a few pairs of shoes, dance practice clothes, and a tennis racket. It looks like a lot of stuff, but it's actually not heavy at all."

Koko raised her chin, pointed at the racket handle sticking out from the black plastic tape, and smiled at the other person.

Today is the third day after the campus recruitment fair.

The semester is officially over.

The discipline director who used to patrol the campus like a vulture, or the students on duty at the student union, have long disappeared.

Everyone is free from shackles.

Some are getting their hair permed, some are getting their nails done, some are not wearing school uniforms...a colorful crowd of people is walking around the school.

For example, this girl who is chatting with Koko.

As soon as the campus recruitment fair is over.

She immediately went to get a hairstyle in an attempt to commemorate the last bit of her adolescence.

Miss Koko, who is known for her ability to outwit and outwit her teacher, has become a "good" student who stands out from the crowd in another sense. She is still unique as always.

Dulwich's school uniforms are so expensive.

This is one of Koko's best clothes now.

In the morning, Koko received the admission results from the campus recruitment meeting. She packed her things that she had stored at school into a big bag and prepared to move them all back home.

"There's a small party tonight to celebrate graduation. Do you want to come?"

The girl asked.

"You guys go ahead. I need to prepare for studying abroad and look into scholarship applications. I have several forms to fill out in the next few days." Koko refused.

"Really not coming? There's beer. My parents finally don't care about my drinking anymore." The girl acted cute.

Koko smiled and shook her head.

"Well, it would be great if I were the student 'king' this year. According to convention, the king's invitation cannot be refused..."

The girl with the wavy hair was obviously a little regretful.

She looked at Koko reluctantly, then turned aside and left.

Koko found it interesting.

She watched him disappear around the corner of the staircase, then continued down the stairs to the lockers in the thirteenth grade area.

There was a rustling sound of rain outside the window.

As she walked along, classmates would occasionally greet Koko, but overall, even though they had basically graduated, the atmosphere was far less lively than in previous years.

This is not the reason for poor admission results.

As long as you can afford to go to a private international high school, whether you are a good student or a bad student, and go to a good university or a bad university, basically there will be no shortage of opportunities to go to university.

Unless you are really a slacker, I have never heard of anyone in the same grade not getting an offer.

But there is a special situation this year.

The class assistant teacher just sent a notice that the Yangon campus of the International Middle School will be closed after the end of this semester.

(End of this chapter)