1 Year Of Beginning

Feng Mian looked at the white canvas. She wondered what she wanted to paint because she certainly hadn't thought that far. In the past, she just wanted to paint anything around her because she didn't have the chance to. Now that she had the time, she wondered what kind of art she wanted to make.

If she just wanted to paint whatever she could see, it would be easy because she only needed to look while painting.

However, it would be easier to take a picture with video if she wanted to memorize it all.

'What do you want to tell, Feng Mian?'

Stepping closer to the canvas, Feng Mian lightly touched the surface. It was rough yet soft, a type of expensive canvas that she would never dream of having in the past.

"Madam?"

"I'm not sure."

Butler Lou blinked his eyes. He looked at Feng Mian as his brain began to spin. "Madam, I might not know much about art, but I know that you usually have a message you want to convey through painting, right?"

"Not always," Feng Mian replied. "Painting can represent so many things, starting from emotions, story, moments, and even messages of life. Everything could be poured into one canvas. Beautiful, isn't it?"

Feng Mian smiled. She had fallen in love with beautiful paintings that she saw with her mother back in her childhood. The delicate brush of canvas gave birth to an amazing piece of art.

One of the art she remembered the most was "Mona Lisa" by Leonardo da Vinci. There were a lot of debates regarding who she was, but what captivated Feng Mian the most was the smile and the eyes. She was so beautiful and her eyes just followed after her. It was later that she found out about ravine.*

With just a bit of difference in the strokes, the impression one could get from a painting could be very different.

Feng Mian closed her eyes. What kind of painting did she want to make? Obviously, she could not be compared to those famous artists and many others who made a lot of money for their work. Besides, she didn't learn art because she wanted to make money. What she wanted was to express herself through art.

"I'll make a story of my life."

Butler Lou's eyes lit up when he heard what Feng Mian said. "That sounds interesting, Madam."

Feng Mian smiled. "I thought you're going to say that it'll be boring."

"Not at all." Butler Lou shook his head. He pointed above with his finger. "Everyone has a different story in their life. Even though you see your life as nothing more than ordinary, it might be different for other people who lived in a completely different life compared to you."

"Right."

Butler Lou noticed that Feng Mian had picked up her pencil. He knew that she would begin to start designing. People can paint by drawing first with pencil or directly using the paint. It depended on their style or what they wanted to draw.

"I'll take my leave now."

"Okay."

Feng Mian sat down on the chair. Her right hand was holding onto her brush, twirling it around her finger.

'Let's begin with my childhood.'

Her mind began to replay the time when she was small. She had a family of four and even though they were not rich, each day was always so fulfilling. It was a very blissful memory in her past.

Slowly, her finger began to move and draw. The image of a young girl sitting in the middle, creating a sandcastle soon formed. Feng Mian was recalling the day she had vacation to the beach with her entire family. At that time both of her parents went swimming while she stayed on the shore, creating a sandcastle with her brother.

'Huh?'

When it was the time to draw her brother, Feng Mian stopped. She still remembered her brother's face, but she could not remember his expression on that day. Was he smiling happily or teasing her?

Knock!

"Are you drawing?"

The low tone caused Feng Mian's body to freeze. She turned around and saw Zhang Liang standing near the door. He was still wearing a t-shirt but without the suit. The tie was also no longer in place, which probably because he was feeling uncomfortable to wear the t-shirt all day long.

The top button was unbuttoned, revealing his skin slightly. As Zhang Liang stood there, Feng Mian felt her cheek turn a bit hot. Somehow, Zhang Liang looked even more handsome today.

It couldn't be the effect of not seeing him for a day, right?

She still saw him from the television yesterday night at the party.

"Yes."

Zhang Liang walked closer. He smiled lightly. "It's not bad."

"Thank you."

"Do you want to eat? It's already past dinner time. Lou didn't know whether to call you or not."

When a painter was in the middle of painting, they were usually in the middle of inspiration. Because of that, Butler Lou didn't dare to disturb Feng Mian and decided to wait for Zhang Liang to come back. Zhang Liang himself waited until Feng Mian stopped moving her fingers before he called out.

Feng Mian nodded. "Ah, sorry. I often forget about time when I'm drawing or painting."

"It's fine. Come on."

....

Sora's Corner: Art

Ravine is the phenomenon or illusion in some portraits when the subject's eyes follow after you no matter where you stand in that particular room. Of course, the painting itself didn't move, but it's the impression it gives when you look at its eye. This method of eye-following effect is not new and actually already existed since ancient Greeks. It was due to the combination of facial perception and linear perspective along with light and shadow to create the illusion of depth.

The explanation for the detail will be very long, so I suggest you to search in internet if you want to find out more. :D