This man is thin, has a delicate face, and smiles with a hint of shyness and worry. He looks like a college student who has just entered society.
"You mean painting my portrait?"
I glanced at the drawing board he held in his arm and asked.
"right!"
The man said enthusiastically: "Give me ten minutes, and I will help you draw a portrait. One portrait only costs ten yuan!"
"Sir, would you like one?"
Most of the passengers on this cruise ship are rich or noble. If this man is just a poor man, how did he come to sell paintings on the ship?
"Sir, I am a helper on this cruise ship. It is not yet work time, so I took time to help people paint."
Without waiting for me to ask, the man took the initiative to explain.
"Looking at you, you should still be a student. Why are you working on the ship?"
Hearing my question, the man couldn't help but lower his head, his expression a little lonely.
It turns out that this man's name is Zhang Musheng, and he was originally a student at the Shanghai Academy of Art. His father was injured on a construction site last month. The operation required a lot of money, and his younger brother also needed money to go to school, so he took the initiative to drop out of school. , came to work on the ship, trying to reduce the burden on the family.
Because he didn't understand technology, he could only do some manual labor on the ship, and the salary was not high. In order to earn more money to support his family, he came up with the idea of painting portraits for others.
"Okay, then you can draw one for me."
After learning about Zhang Musheng's experience, I felt very sympathetic to him, so I nodded directly.
After such a long period of experience, I pride myself on my ability to see people very accurately. This boy has a pure face and patches on his clothes. He must be a child from a poor family.
Giving him a little help within the scope of my ability is nothing.
Lonnie and others stepped aside knowingly, while I stroked the guardrail on the deck, looked into the distance, and assumed a pose that I thought was quite handsome.
"Brother, you can draw now."
"Eh!"
The man responded, quickly took out his drawing board, sat on a small bench, and started tracing for me with great concentration.
He only has a low-quality drawing board with a stack of A4 paper on it, and the brush is a homemade charcoal strip. All the materials are quite simple.
Lonnie and the others didn't speak. They stood aside and waited. I looked at the sea in the distance, thinking about finding overseas fairy islands. The surroundings became quiet, except for the rustling sound of charcoal strips scratched on the paper.
"Sir, the painting is done!"
Within ten minutes, Zhang Musheng stood up and said happily.
I finally came out of my thoughts and took the portrait he handed me.
In the portrait, I am leaning on the railing and looking into the distance, my eyes deep, revealing a hint of worry.
I have to say that Zhang Musheng has a certain level of skill. Although it is just a simple line drawn with charcoal wood, it accurately depicts my mental state at the moment, and even I am amazed.
"Brother, you are an artist!"
I gave Zhang Musheng a thumbs up and said with praise.
"Sir, you are so complimentary. I have only been learning painting for a year, and I still don't understand many things."
Zhang Musheng said shyly.
"Brother Bai, I don't have any cash with me, please help me."
I smiled and nodded, then said to Bai Ze next to me.
"You kid, you don't know how to bring some cash when you go out. Fortunately, I was prepared in advance."
Bai Ze rolled his eyes at me, took out a handful of hundred-dollar bills from his pocket and handed them over. A rough estimate was that they were at least several thousand dollars.
"Sir, it only costs ten yuan, not so much!"
When Zhang Musheng saw Bai Ze giving him so much money, he was so frightened that he waved his hands repeatedly.
"Brother, just accept it, it will be regarded as our investment."
I smiled and said, "You will definitely become an excellent painter in the future. When the time comes, I can sell this portrait and make a fortune!"
Seeing Bai Ze looking at him with a smile on his face, Zhang Musheng excitedly took the money with gratitude on his face.
"Thank you sir, you are all good people, and you will be rewarded!"
"Musheng, don't give up on your art. Believe that the current difficulties are only temporary. Sooner or later, the weather will clear up."
I patted Zhang Musheng on the shoulder and encouraged him.
"Thank you sir, I will definitely work hard!"
Zhang Musheng clenched his fists, and the flame of hope rekindled in his eyes.
After finishing speaking, Zhang Musheng held the drawing board and went to find other customers to sell portraits.
We walked along the guardrail to the other side, but as soon as we took two steps, we heard a girl's voice as crisp as a silver bell.
"Handsome guy, can you draw me a picture?"
I turned around and saw a woman in cool clothes standing in front of Zhang Musheng with a smile, asking him to draw a portrait of her.
This woman is tall and beautiful. She wears denim shorts on the lower body and a short-sleeved white shirt on the upper body. She is generous and capable.
Perhaps it was the first time he was face to face with such a beautiful girl. Zhang Musheng's face turned red and he couldn't help but lower his head.
"OK, alright……"
"Well, you can draw it now. If you draw well, I will give you a tip!"
The girl smiled, ran to the guardrail, spread her arms, raised her head, revealing her swan neck as white as jade.
A gust of sea breeze blew by, and the girl's hair fluttered in the wind, adding a touch of charm and delicacy.
Zhang Musheng was almost stunned, standing there in a daze, not moving for a long time.
"Hey, I've set up the poses, why don't you draw them?"
Seeing Zhang Musheng motionless, the girl couldn't help but pouted and asked.
"Okay, let's start!"
Only then did Zhang Musheng wake up, quickly took out the charcoal stick, looked at the girl opposite and began to draw quickly.
I also stopped and looked at the girl with interest, wanting to know what kind of evaluation she would give Zhang Musheng's paintings later.
"alright!"
After a while, Zhang Musheng took a deep breath, put down the charcoal stick, took the painted portrait in his hand, and handed it over carefully.
The girl took the portrait, looked at it carefully, and then started to comment.
"Yes, you use form to describe spirit, both form and spirit are combined. The portrayal of image and the pursuit of artistic conception have reached a certain level. I give you ten points!"
Hearing the girl's evaluation of his painting in professional terms, Zhang Musheng suddenly beamed with joy.
"You also know how to draw?"
"Hmph, look at what you said. I am a top student at the Kyoto Academy of Art. Why don't you understand?"
The girl rolled her eyes at him and hummed with a hint of arrogance.
"Oh, he turns out to be a professional, so disrespectful!"
Zhang Musheng was frightened and quickly bowed to the girl.
"I have long heard of the name of the Kyoto Art Academy. It is said that many great names in the industry came from your art academy!"
The girl smiled proudly: "I can't tell, but you know a lot."
