The more Osborne listened, the more smile grew on his face.
"I may not be able to find the seller."
He patted Schubert on the shoulder and said softly, "But I can give you a better gift than an oil painting, an endless gold mine."
"Gold mine?"
Schubert didn't quite understand.
"You must have heard about the conflict between me and your Director Charlie, Schubert, right?" Osborne lit a cigarette and took a leisurely puff, "It's a matter of the "Little Prince" project team."
"I've heard some rumors, but I don't know which specific project they are related to... Is it "The Little Prince"?"
Schubert's heart ached again, and he was a little reluctant to talk about this topic.
He is still confused about Vice President Osborne's purpose.
However, Schubert did not know the specific details of Charlie's quarrel with Osborne.
Anyway, no matter what,
Such a big project cannot fall into his own hands. What does it have to do with him, a lonely man, if he inquires or not?
"This painting is the sample submitted by the illustrator I chose. Director Charlie said... the art department will block her during the review."
"This painting is the prototype of "The Little Prince"?"
Schubert glanced at the computer screen, a look of astonishment flashing across his face.
With such a level of knife control, he subconsciously thought it was the work of a handful of famous masters. Unexpectedly, it was just an ordinary trial illustration sample.
This wonderful color expression can be called art. He even felt that it was overkill in the field of illustration.
However,
Afraid of Director Charlie's power, Schubert would not express his opinions indiscriminately.
"Confused! He really thinks that the art department is his alone!" Osborne said solemnly: "Such an excellent artist. He is not even prepared to submit a manuscript. This is dereliction of duty."
Schubert pretended not to hear and lowered his head, unwilling to answer.
"I...can't be the master."
He responded dryly.
Schubert heard the intention to win over him in Osborne's tone. Unfortunately, he really didn't have the courage to challenge the director's authority.
"Of course you do. You are the second-in-command in the entire art department. You are just a small illustration. What does it mean to sign an approval approval in the internal system?"
Osborne seemed not to notice Schubert's evasion at all, and pressed forward step by step.
Schubert said nothing and just shook his head.
He does have this right, but doing so would be tantamount to rebellion.
Rebellion requires capital. The entire art department is staffed by Director Charlie. Schubert doesn't think he can outperform others.
He can still live like a transparent person now, and the director just ignores him.
If the rebellion fails, you will become a traitor and traitor.
Haha, even if he just wants to get by with his basic salary safely, there is no chance.
If President Osborne stands behind him...
He raised his head slightly and glanced at Osborne, and found that the other person was staring at him with an unpredictable expression, and immediately averted his eyes.
"Not much hope either."
Schubert immediately suppressed the unwanted thoughts in his mind.
Director Charlie is very well-connected among high-end illustrators. Take his "royal" high-end studio Wehrlein Studio as an example.
I have won countless illustration and visual advertising design awards, large and small.
Some illustration awards are relatively low-key, but it is an indisputable fact that every work produced by Wehrlein Studio can remain above the standard of excellence, and there are almost no cases of overturning that have received negative comments from readers.
This kind of stability is valuable.
He wants people but no one, he wants projects but no projects. Even if a senior executive speaks for him in the board of directors, he can't make a difference.
unless……
He has better direct line painters.
"You want projects, I will give you projects. You want people, a huge art department, hundreds of painters and employees, there are always some young people who are eager for opportunities. As for high-end painters, this detective cat is no worse than the level of Wehrlein Studio. The future Cooperation, Detective Cat will be left to you to follow. As long as the work is established and no trouble occurs, do a few more projects, and I dare not say that I can push Charlie away, at least I will be better than now."
Osborne's tone was seductive.
"Director Schubert, are you fifty-five years old this year?"
"Fifty-three years old. The group I joined when I was 23 years old will be thirty years old this year."
"If you retire at sixty-three, you still have ten years. If you retire at seventy-five, you still have twenty-two years. With such a long period of good time, are you just going to play around in the office? Ten years of darts?”
Schubert frowned and stared at the illustrations on the computer screen, his face uncertain.
At 75 years old, only the art director who determines the artistic soul of the group can reach this age.
Deputy directors usually go home to retire when they are over sixty.
The implications of Osborne's words are clear.
"If her oil painting, watercolor painting or even gouache painting could reach this level, I would dare to give it a try." Schubert sighed.
The words are clear,
Instead, he let go.
Schubert shook his head helplessly and said: "She may really be a genius, but drawing with a knife is too limited. It's not that I don't think highly of her, it's just..."
"With limited limitations, you can choose a suitable project for her. As long as she is a genius, it is enough. In our industry, we should believe that genius has the ability to create miracles, right?"
Osborne said solemnly: "When Andy Warhol was kicked out of Harper's Bazaar, no one thought highly of him. When the group originally signed J.K. Rowling, the editorial department thought that the market would not treat naive people. Adults are interested in fairy tales. When Lafayette Lagerfeld came to Chanel, no one believed that he could bring this brand that was on the verge of bankruptcy back to life. But these geniuses have all created billions or even tens of billions of dollars in economic benefits."
"When you cooperate with a well-known studio like Wehrlein, all you can do is add icing on the cake. And if you can train an unknown but talented detective cat to become the next Wehrlein Studio, or even the next Vandoorne, the next Jane Arnold, the next Andy Warhol. Director Schubert, you will forever be a part of this story."
Schubert was silent, silent, and silent.
His face turned blue and white for a while, and he clenched his hands tightly, not knowing what he was thinking.
"Besides, if you want to become an art director, the stock options allocated to you will be several times your current income."
Osborne blew out a smoke ring and said lightly.
This sentence seemed to be the straw that broke the camel's back.
Schubert finally gave in.
"Okay, Osborne, I'm yours."
The blood vessels in the corners of the deputy art director's eyes beat slightly, as if he had made some kind of determination.
"Let me tell you in advance that I don't really care about money. Options, stocks, etc... that's all. I am already considered a company manager. Even if I don't have much money on a daily basis, my basic salary is not low."
Schubert forced a smile and stared at the illustration on the computer screen.
"It was this painting that moved me."
"The painting is so beautiful." He touched the computer screen with his hand and licked the corners of his mouth. "To reach the top."
"I'm really not willing to throw darts in the office until I retire. You are right. The creator of this painting is indeed a genius. Maybe she has a better chance of becoming the next Andy Warhol than being struck by lightning. It’s even lower than middle, but there’s always something to look forward to in life, right?”
He let out a long breath.
A person who can survive to this position, no matter how timid Schubert is, how can he not have a little ambition in his heart.
Osborne hoped that Detective Cat could become the next Andy Warhol. How could Schubert not hope that he could become the next Galeries Lafayette, a unique art director with a discerning eye who created an era?
"3, 2, 1, submit."
In front of them, the fat assistant submitted a sample of Detective Cat's draft to the art department in the background of the system.
Schubert entered his account password, pressed the F5 refresh key, found the approval task sent by the "Little Prince" project team in the system, and immediately withdrew the file with the authority of the deputy director.
[The artist's performance is excellent, his use of colors is innovative, and his contrast between light and dark is unified and harmonious. He is determined to meet the requirements of the "Little Prince" project and the draft is approved. 】
Schubert stamped his electronic signature on the terminal on the taskbar.
Taking a final deep breath, under Osborne's gaze, he pressed Enter with a trembling hand.
Then he slowly leaned back on the chair.
Schubert knew that with his "little boy" behavior, his fate was now tied to the detective cat and President Osborne, and there was absolutely no way out.
"Boss, it's up to you to protect me." Schubert didn't know if he would regret this in the future.
“A pleasure to work with.”
Osborne's face remained calm, but he was also overjoyed in his heart.
He can insert a chess piece that is loyal to him in the monolithic art department.
This is also a great help to him as the vice president.
This detective cat recommended by Anna,
It's really quite remarkable.
Osborne thought silently.
…
When Gu Weijing came back from the orphanage on Saturday night, he saw a payment reminder on his mobile phone from the blond guy from Schonbrunn Office.
[Ms. Detective Cat:]
[Your first contract advance payment totaling $36,000 has been transferred to your designated account - Yours sincerely, Personal Financial Advisor Dyson Lyon. 】
"$36,000?"
Gu Weijing was stunned for a moment.
Mr. Sloth mentioned the details of the Scholastic Group contract to himself, but when he saw with his own eyes such a large amount of money was transferred into his account.
Gu Weijing still had some unreal hallucinations.
He double-checked that there was no more than one digit, and that the unit of the money was US dollars, not Burmese currency or something like that.
I found that there was indeed a high-value transfer in my newly opened international account.
Even though Gu Weijing is not a person who values money very seriously, he is still a little confused.
“That’s a lot of money for the first time.”
He asked his new agent, Mr. Sloth: "Have I not officially submitted the manuscript yet?"
"I obtained a 24% advance payment for you. The contract includes dozens of complex illustrations. The cover painting alone accounts for US$25,000. The average price of each remaining illustration is not high."
Mr. Sloth replied: "I should have sent a copy of the contract to your mailbox. You can take a good look at it. Scholastic Group hopes that you can submit it as soon as possible. If you can submit all illustrations before March 10th, If so, there will be a bonus of about US$9,000.”
Gu Weijing finally understood why online illustrations are often looked down upon by serious illustrators.
Compared with real high-end commissions, the income is indeed far behind.
This kind of large group can easily draw a little bit of information through the cracks of their fingers, and it can surpass most Internet painters for more than ten years.
"Don't worry, I will submit the manuscript on time."
Gu Weijing calculated that the total amount of money would be enough for him to reach the second level of his profession in all his skills.
This is crucial for the upcoming Singapore Art Exhibition.
"Don't worry, I've looked at your previous painting over and over again in the past few days, and I found areas that can be improved." Mr. Sloth stopped Gu Weijing from writing immediately.
"is there a problem?"
Gu Weijing was confused.
His Knife painting is legendary, and he was generally satisfied with the process of painting that painting.
There shouldn't be any problem.
Mr. Sloth also spoke highly of this work before, right?
"It's not that there's anything wrong with the painting, it's just that I think you can do better. The artistry of this painting is enough, but I don't want you to just stop there. This painting is beautiful, but not thoughtful enough."
"You mean, it's not enough... you feel it in your heart, and you don't have your own understanding in the painting?"
Gu Weijing probably understood what Mr. Sloth meant.
If there is one weak point in this illustration, it is the emotion.
"It's not your understanding, it's the understanding of the original author. You haven't reached the depths of the world of "The Little Prince" yet," Mr. Sloth reminded.
People say that there are a thousand different lives in the book.
Gu Weijing also tried to empathize with the characters in the book. Unfortunately, he is not the kind of literary young man who has deep feelings for fairy tales in a fresh style.
Compared to fairy tale masters and literary giants like Saint-Exupéry, his understanding of the characters and works in the books is far from profound.
Without system help,
At best, he is just a high school student trying to understand Chinese language reading. It is really difficult to capture the fleeting and profound connotation between the lines.
Of course Gu Weijing wanted to paint something more profound.
Not only is he drawing better illustrations, but he also has an important task stuck at the moment.
[Current task content: Complete one hundred character line drawings with different themes. (Note: The works that reach the rating of "heartfelt feelings" need to be more than twenty)]
[Current mission progress——]
[Character line drawing: (81/100)]
[I feel something in my heart (5/20)]
Gu Weijing's goal of 100 line sketches in total was almost completed this week, but he still felt stuck at the number 5.
It is far from the requirement of 20 photos.
He once tried to draw portraits and profiles of the characters in "The Little Prince", but it seemed that his understanding of the elusive fairy tale characters was always unclear.
There are very few that can achieve the rating of [simple work], and most of them are even [careless].
"Have you seen "The Little Prince"? Do you like "The Little Prince"?" Mr. Sloth asked.
"I just flipped through it. I didn't feel anything at all. I can't say whether I like it or not."
Gu Weijing answered honestly.
"It's okay, just in time, Ms. Detective Cat, let me teach you a lesson."
Anna on the other side of the ocean took out a copy of "The Little Prince" from the bookcase and opened the first page with a smile.
(End of chapter)
