The Versatile Master Artist

He actually wanted to test his own Calligraphy and Painting Identification Skill against the insight of these veteran experts in the art criticism field, to see how much of a gap there was.

”My favorite piece is this oil painting called ’White Lake Baikal.’”

Gu Weijing slid the iPad screen beside him, bringing up a landscape painting.

[Title: ’White Lake Baikal’]

[Sketching Technique: Level 5 Tier Two Professional Painter]

[Oil Painting Technique: Level 6 Tier Three Professional Painter]

[Emotion: Simple Works]

”Hmm?”

Amateurs are entertained by the show, while experts appreciate the insight.

Sometimes, to judge if someone truly understands painting, you can tell just by listening to the first sentence they say.

Whether it was Curator Tangkis or Anna, both gently uttered a sound in their hearts when Gu Weijing said this.

One was surprised, while the other was delighted.

”I thought you would prefer the sketch of ’The Rider.’”

Anna softly said, ”Do you also, like me, think that this ’White Lake Baikal’ is the best painting?”

Originally, they both assumed Detective Cat would start with the sketch whose theme was a person riding a horse.

She had already demonstrated the foundation of an outstanding sketch artist.

Relatively speaking, evaluating a sketch must be the easiest.

Indeed, Anna also felt that purely in terms of professional painting talent, this ’White Lake Baikal’ was the best.

But art is inherently subjective.

If someone likes a sketch, there’s nothing wrong with that.

That’s why Anna specifically added an extra sketch beyond the four works originally selected by Tangkis, to avoid Detective Cat facing an awkward situation of having nothing to say.

”That piece is also nice, but compared to the composition and lines of ’White Lake Baikal,’ it’s still lacking.”

Gu Weijing answered.

’White Lake Baikal’ is the only work among the five that has reached Tier Three in the system’s rating for professional painters.

Even if you solely compare the lines and shapes, it doesn’t fall short compared to ’The Rider.’

”Why is this painting good, what makes it good?”

Curator Tangkis became a bit more serious.

He sized up Detective Cat’s virtual avatar, as if examining an art university student visiting the gallery.

Being able to sense beauty is commendable.

But truly being able to articulate the reasons is what makes someone exceptional.

”Why not share your thoughts on this painting with the audience? I think the artist of this painting might also be listening to your critique.”

”The artist of this painting has a slight impressionist touch, using the depiction of intense yet subtle changes in light and shadow to capture the fleeting color styles of Lake Baikal in winter, selecting a good vision. Utilizing nature to enhance the aesthetic, nurturing color through light...”

”...We can see that from the initial position on the canvas, the painter likely started composing from the top right corner of the painting and used a quick direct painting method...”

”...The sunlight streaming over the grass and leaves, alongside the changes in the sky and water surface, are all faithfully reflected in the painting...”

”...The artist used uneven shapes and sharp brushstrokes to hint that this is a bitterly cold winter day... The warm small color spots on the left enhance the effect on the cold-colored background...”

Gu Weijing began to describe his perception of the ’White Lake Baikal’ painting.

The multitude of details offered by the Calligraphy and Painting Identification Skill gave him a comprehensive understanding of this painting.

Even if you’ve never eaten pork, you’ve seen a pig run.

This painting’s techniques also have an impressionist influence; after appreciating the works of Ray Noa and Carol, he evaluated this oil painting.

Like a student who has just finished the college entrance exam, even if the exam went horribly, solving a sixth-grade math problem is still very easy.

At first, Curator Tangkis and Anna would still occasionally interject during Gu Weijing’s commentary.

Eventually, they gradually became silent.

In the entire virtual meeting room, only Gu Weijing’s lecture-like voice remained.

The remaining two guests listened in amazement.