The Versatile Master Artist

Chapter 136 - 98: Detective Cat and Mr. Tree Sloth’s First Commissioned Work (Part 2)

"Lady Detective Cat, what do you think of the five fan submissions for our salon this episode?"

Europe, Yilena Manor.

In the sauna room,

Lady Detective Cat sent a message just as Anna finished her daily afternoon upper body yoga session. According to the body-shaping therapist’s plan, she needed to steam in the sauna for another half an hour.

Draped in a light veil, her wet long hair lay over the backrest of the oak bench behind her, and the graceful curves on the frosted glass door covered in steam were faintly visible.

Anna took a small sip of lightly salted water, and as she lowered her head to focus on typing, a glistening bead of sweat fell from the tip of her proud nose and disappeared into her veil collar.

Under the light overhead, her figure was as white as snow.

Anna never tried to conceal her beauty.

Many people with leg disabilities often end up either emaciated or overweight due to prolonged inactivity.

The atrophy of body muscles to varying degrees is almost inevitable.

Yet she maintained a perfectly graceful figure.

This was not only because Anna had access to a very good medical team; ever since she was a little girl, she controlled her diet and exercise with a strictness bordering on ruthlessness, following her training plan day after day.

After being suspended by "Oil Painting" magazine, she even proactively increased her daily physical training volume.

This was not merely self-discipline instilled by her upbringing,

but also Anna’s way of fighting against the tragedies of fate.

She quite enjoyed the feeling of her body being stretched and relaxed repeatedly, and the sensation of sweat soaking through her clothes.

This made Anna feel as if she could hold her life in her own hands.

She did not know why Lady Detective Cat was contacting her now, as it was not yet the predetermined time for the podcast salon recording.

Anna was worried that something might be wrong over there with Lady Detective Cat.

"These five works are all great; your fans have truly hidden talent."

Gu Weijing gave a small compliment.

"Great?"

Upon seeing this message, Anna was even more worried.

She felt that while the five paintings were passable, they certainly couldn’t be called great.

She doubted whether Lady Detective Cat had truly grasped their essence.

This wasn’t actually a matter of appreciation ability, but rather of social circles and cultural differences.

While assessing the fan submissions for the salon, Gu Weijing discovered that among these five paintings were three at Tier One Professional, one at Tier Two Professional, and one even at Tier Three Professional level in oil painting technique.

This level was enough to be exhibited in an art show.

For the audience of a public-oriented art podcast program, they could indeed be considered fine pieces.

Moreover, because of the gentle nature imbued in him by traditional Eastern culture, though Gu Weijing could clearly see the flaws in these works with the help of his Calligraphy and Painting Identification Skill,

when faced with Mr. Tree Sloth’s inquiry, he still chose to respond politely and cordially.

Why not give others a graceful way out?

In contrast, whether it’s Anna or Curator Tangkis, the works they deal with daily are truly masterpieces, with original works by masters everywhere you look.

Their standards for judging if something is "great" would naturally be higher.

Additionally, there was another important reason.

Traditional Eastern social culture is the culture of gentlemen, while Europe and America are more inclined towards a culture of strength.

If you’re awesome, I admire you.

If your painting isn’t good, I’ll critique you without hesitation.

Westerners think Easterners are insincere, while Easterners think Westerners lack brains.

At least Anna believes Curator Tangkis would certainly not call these five paintings "great".

"Lady Detective Cat, do you have a draft for your speech? Curator Tangkis is not an easy guest to deal with. If you don’t really understand oil painting and don’t know what to say... there’s still some time now; maybe I could offer you some suggestions?"

Anna thought for a moment, then suggested with a frown.

"Give you some pointers."

Anna said this to consider the other party’s dignity, but more bluntly, it meant—if you really don’t understand, should I teach you what to say?

She actually didn’t want to do this.

Even if she handed the opposing party her analyses of these five works like reciting from a book, it might not prevent them from making a fool of themselves during the recording.

Anna is a girl who respects art greatly.

If Lady Detective Cat had a great aesthetic ability, she’d naturally be delighted.

But if Lady Detective Cat couldn’t grasp the essence, especially unable to appreciate the four oil and watercolor paintings besides the sketch,

she would understand.

After all, she is a web illustrator from Algeria.

Anna wouldn’t demand too much, only hoping to accompany the other party in slowly improving their aesthetic appreciation skills. Even an unpolished gem needs a masters’ touch.

But this behavior of providing a speech draft for the other party had a tendency towards deception.

"No need, thank you for your kindness, but I think I can do it myself."

Seeing Lady Detective Cat decline her offer for help, Anna felt a bit relieved but also more concerned.

After all, it was the other party’s first time participating in such a top-tier art discussion; not doing well was to be expected.

"But I do have something I need to ask of you. Could I rely on you to help me find if there are any suitable commission requests?"

Gu Weijing revealed his purpose for contacting Mr. Tree Sloth this time.

After witnessing the wonderful use of the painting knife,

Gu Weijing felt that now his Legendary Skills with the Painting Knife Painting Method was a bit wasted as merely an auxiliary means to paint traditional oil paintings.

The reason he could earn money with this minor Detective Cat persona was entirely thanks to Menzel’s Painting Basics, this Perfect Level skill.