Tokyo life starting with painting

Higashinoji doesn't have the psychological drama of Asakura Yoshihiro and Kijima Nakahiro.

He has been immersed in painting, from morning to afternoon, without stopping, until today, he finally finished the oil painting at hand.

"This is too much progress."

Looking at the oil painting in front of him, Higashino couldn't help but touch his chin.

This painting can no longer be said to be a work beyond the time I traveled to this world.

If we insist on giving a standard, even the highest level paintings in his previous life are completely inferior to this oil painting.

This is not a matter of lack of inspiration, but simply a difference in technique.

As for whether Higashinoji is satisfied or dissatisfied, he is definitely still satisfied.

I don’t say whether they can defeat a group of professional painters from the Uesugi Art Association, but at least Higashinoji showed his best level.

In this way, he has a clear conscience.

After all, he had made a deal with New Century President Nakahiro Kijima.

The other party has already done a favor for him and solved the problem of Konoe Ryoka entering Musashino Art University for further study.

Of course, Higashinoji also has to show some sincerity.

This is about integrity.

Higashinoji couldn't fool the other party with that kind of defective product.

Even if Higashinoji knew in his heart that Kijima Nakahiro and others just wanted to use their influence in comics, they didn't care about the quality of their works.

If you want to paint, you must paint your best.

He still has to have this principle.

Higashino called Nakahiro Kijima and then handed over his oil painting to the staff of the New Century Art Association.

It can be seen that Nakahiro Kijima is probably still busy with the Four Seasons Exhibition and can't get out of it yet.

But Higashinoji didn't care either.

After handing the painting to the other party, his task is completed.

As for whether the oil painting will be displayed in the Four Seasons Exhibition, he doesn't particularly care.

After all, what he promised the other party was to paint a work that could be exhibited in the exhibition, but in fact, the ownership of the oil painting was still in his hands.

This is the same as when Higashinoji participated in the Tokyo Youth Award and the Art Creation Award.

The two paintings I painted at the time, Tokyo and "Summer is Over," are still hanging in frames in the storage room at home.

"Are we just waiting for news next?"

Higashino watched these staff members leave.

He felt that this oil painting should be considered the best among the painter members of the association in the exhibition, and the quality would definitely not be bad anyway.

But this is just a guess, and the actual situation still depends on the specific performance.

Tonoji put this idea aside and glanced at the digital camera placed by Miyashita Yuki on the other side.

As mentioned before, Miyashita Yuki likes to visit art exhibitions.

Of course she had also been to the two major art exhibitions of the Uesugi Association and the New Century Association.

I also took many photos of my works with a digital camera.

Of course, Higashinoji was a little concerned about this.

In particular, Miyashita Yuki said that there is an oil painting called "My Self-Portrait" at the Uesugi Art Association.

It seems to be the highest quality work in the Uesugi Association's art exhibition.

I heard that its author, Kakuei Onuma, had won many major prizes, and recently one of his paintings was so popular that it fetched a high price of 12 million yen.

There is no doubt that this is a cruel person.

Of course Tonoji wanted to take a look.

By the way, I would like to compare my improved level with the level of this top Japanese painter.

He said hello to Miyashita Yuki, picked up his digital camera and began to look through them one by one.

Maybe it's because his level has improved.

So just at a glance, I feel that the quality of most of the paintings in the camera can only be described as mediocre and average.

He quickly turned to the painting "My Self-Portrait" by Onuma Kakuei that Yuki Miyashita had mentioned.

"Um?"

Higashino couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, feeling a little surprised.

Because this Onuma Kakuei seemed to be thinking about himself.

It also uses people's birth, old age, illness and death as a metaphor for the changes in the four seasons.

It's just that it's different from the feeling of the earth returning to spring from the cold winter and the old man looking back on his youth in Higashinoji's paintings.

He looks more from the perspective of a middle-aged man, looking into the future when he gets older.

The tones used are more intense and warm colors, showing an indescribably vibrant look.

It seemed to indicate that neither the passage of time nor the change of seasons would have an impact on him.

Even if he grows old in the end, he can still maintain his childlike innocence

Therefore, in the center of the painting, he did draw a self-portrait of himself, which seems to be what Onuma Kakuei looked like when he was a child.

The pink cherry blossoms are floating in the air.

Warm spring sun

The lively scenes and colors that were instantly frozen on the canvas were expressed in the form of oil paintings.

I have to say that the quality of this painting is indeed very high.

Even Higashinoji nodded secretly after seeing it.

But--

"Is that all?"

A strange look appeared on Higashikata's face and he muttered.

In his original consideration, Onuma Kakuei's level should be much higher than his.

But after actually seeing this painting of his, Higashino felt inexplicably...

This is just above average.

It felt like it couldn't compare to the oil painting he just handed over.

This is not because Higashinoji is arrogant and confused about the situation.

It is precisely because he has experienced it in the past few days and has a new understanding of his new level. That's why he feels this way.

This oil painting by Kakuei Onuma feels really inferior to his paintings.

He also looked at the paintings of other members.

Most are just average.

Even the pictures taken with a 2005 digital camera are a bit blurry.

Higashinoji is still certain that these oil paintings are not as good as the paintings he just handed over.

After all, some things only need to be understood at a glance.

Just at this time, Miyashita Yuki also finished his work, so he asked curiously:

"Senior Higashino, what do you think of these oil paintings? They are all pretty good, right?"

She was just a student, and of course she wanted to hear what an insider, Higashinoji, had to say about these oil paintings.

At least in her eyes, the level of these oil paintings requires her to study hard and work hard to achieve them.

But Miyashita Yuki didn't expect it at all.

Higashinoji stared at these oil paintings for a long time, seeming to be fascinated by them, and subconsciously replied: "Huh? How are these paintings? They are all just average."

What he said was a completely subconscious reaction, without any thought at all.

Plus the phrase ‘it’s just average’.

This made Miyashita Yuki, who was waiting for an answer next to him, open his mouth a little.

Well.

Are they all just average?

Although Miyashita Yuki knows that Higashinoji is very confident.

But she never thought that Toyoji would be so confident.

Are you still exhibiting at art exhibitions if your level is just average?

At this time, Higashinoji also came to his senses and realized what he had said to Miyashita Yuki.

Similarly, he also saw what she was thinking, so he smiled and said:

"Actually, Miyashita-san, you don't have to look too highly at art exhibitions in Japan. In fact, as long as you join the Art Association, become a member, have a more positive attitude, and communicate more with the president and vice president, your works will be easily You can participate in the exhibition.”

Yes, opportunities are for those who are prepared. As long as you have a positive attitude, you can still participate in the exhibition even if the quality of your works is somewhat inferior.

Just like this time, if the Uesugi Art Association hadn't disrupted the situation, the New Century Association would have directly planned to find some replenishing works.

Even if you spend a little money, you can still send your works to art exhibitions.

This is actually a very normal thing in the professional painter circle.

After all, even art is elegant.

But people are always vulgar.

The art world cannot be completely separated from money.

Some particularly poor painters can find connections to participate in exhibitions to increase their reputation.

These are quite normal.

"Is that so?" Miyashita Yuki heard this for the first time in the Art Association.

But what concerned her more was undoubtedly the 'average level' that Higashino said before.

Is it possible that Higashino-senpai’s level has surpassed the professional painters participating in the exhibition?

She didn't believe it.

But thinking about the scene in which Tonoji's level rose like a rocket two days ago, she had to believe it.

At that rate of improvement, it is really possible that Higashinoji's level will surpass that of these participating painters.

She asked curiously: "Senior Higashino just said that the quality of the works exhibited this time is only average."

"Oh, you said this."

Higashino replied with a sudden realization and some apology: "Actually, I made a mistake just now, it was a slip of the tongue."

It turned out to be a slip of the tongue

Miyashita Yuki was relieved.

She really thought that Higashinoji's level was really that high, surpassing many professional painters participating in the exhibition.

There are so many good-looking works, how could Higashinoji really think that they are just average?

"It's not average. Except for Onuma Kakuei's "My Self-Portrait," the other works can only be said to be so-so and not average."

Tonoji replied with a smile.

"Well?"

Miyashita Yuki immediately became dumbfounded after hearing this.

She opened her mouth and looked at Higashiyama with a somewhat incredulous expression.

Incredible indeed.

In Miyashita Yuki's eyes, Higashinoji should be the kind of painter who is easy to talk to, but also very humble and confident.

This is in line with her beautified image.

But this directly refers to "so-so" and "average level".

The image of Higashino-senpai she had beautified had collapsed inexplicably.

Fortunately, Konoe Ryoka seemed to understand her thoughts: "Miyashita-san, Aji has always been like this."

When she first met Higashino Tsukasa in the studio of Kitajuku.

This is already the case with Higashinoji.

"But there is absolutely no element of boasting or pride in Assi. He really feels that these works are average, which is why he expressed such feelings."

Yes, Higashinoji has always been straightforward about oil painting.

Konoe Ryoka knew him well.

Even Higashinoji himself would paint a particularly low-quality oil painting.

He would also call someone trash without hesitation.

There is no other reason.

In the words of Higashinoji, ‘Average means average, not good means not good, and good painting means good painting. How can there be so many twists and turns? Do I still have to praise him if his painting is not good enough? That doesn't make sense. ’

Konoe Ryoka quietly glanced at Higashinoji who lowered his head to flip through the photos on his digital camera, and then added

"But every time A Si says this, he can provide convincing evidence. Just wait and see what happens after A Si's oil painting is exhibited. You won't be disappointed."

"is that so?"

After hearing these words, Miyashita Yuki became even more curious about Higashinoji on the other side.

Higashino-senpai’s oil paintings are on display

That made her look forward to it even more.

But there is definitely no chance today.

Higashinoji has read through most of the contents of the digital camera.

After probably figuring out his level, he said hello to Konoe Ryoka and the others who were whispering to Miyashita Yuki on the other side.

Mainly thanks to the little girls in the art studio of Tianbei Elementary School for their help these days.

Although they were not yet skilled in stretching the canvas, and the things that popped out were a bit awkward to use, Higashinoji was still very grateful.

If it weren't for the concerted help of these studio members, I might not have been able to become familiar with my current level so quickly.

So he said that he would continue to come to the Kita Education Studio in the next few days, mainly to guide their oil painting skills.

It's not like a drop of kindness is repaid by a spring of water, it's just a simple thank you.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

"Have you finished drawing Mr. Higashino's work?"

Nakahiro Kijima stood up.

Finally the wait is over.

Although the current situation is very bad.

The Uesugi Art Association borrowed "My Self-Portrait" so it received constant praise.

However, the New Century Art Association may be able to slightly reverse the current situation through the gimmick of Higashinoji, who is a genius in comics and oil paintings.

Similarly, Nakahiro Kijima is also somewhat curious about the quality of Higashinoji's works.

So he didn't hesitate and simply took Kageyama Bunta all the way to the place where the oil painting was mounted.

The oil paintings on display must be framed to isolate them from contact with air, sunlight, etc.

This is to avoid oxidation, which will affect the discoloration of the pigment.

This process is not complicated. By the time Kijima Nakahiro and the others arrived, Higashinoji's oil painting had already been put into the frame.

Nakahiro Kijima and the others saw at a glance the name Higashinoji left in the lower right corner and the title of the oil painting.

The oil painting is titled "Winter and Spring".

Just looking at the title of this work, most people may think it is a landscape painting.

The same goes for Kijima Nakahiro and others.

To be honest, they were more or less disappointed when they saw the title of the work.

They still have a glimmer of hope in Higashinoji - what if Higashinoji is really a genius in oil painting and performs particularly well on the spot, knocking Onuma Kakuei's "My Self-Portrait" to the ground?

Although this sounds a little impossible, it has a bit of a miracle.

But who doesn’t like miracles?

Nakahiro Kijima looked at Higashinoji's work with a bit of regret.

I just wanted to take a look and leave.

But looking at him, I became fascinated.

The same goes for Kageyama Bunta next to him.

Don't say it.

This painting "Winter and Spring" by Higashinoji.

It seems really interesting.

Thank you to the internship god for the 10,000 starting coin reward! Thank you so much! Thanks to Huanhuo, 1452z, Fate Qiansheng, and Bodhi Shadow for the rewards! Thank you so much!