Chapter 153: Since the reporters hadnt shown up yet, Allison leisurely browsed through some comics at the mall.
Her attention was drawn away when she heard a soft voice from a nearby corner.
Excuse me, miss… Would you like to take a look at my comics? Turning around, she saw a young man with a boyish face crouched in the corner.
Before him lay a few comics, arranged in a modest display clearly an attempt to promote his work.
Unfortunately, anyone passing by barely spared him a glance.
Its fine if you dont want to buy them.
If you like it, I can give it to you for free.
Just take a look, thats all I ask, he said, his gaze flickering with a hint of envy toward Onyxs polished stall, quickly masking it with a friendly grin.
Im not famous, but I hope this story might brighten your day, even just a little.
Allison, with time to kill, crouched down and picked up one of his comics.
To her surprise, his artwork was diverse and inviting, each panel imbued with a tender warmth that was hard to ignore.
The cover of the comic she held featured a delightfully clumsy cat, its fluffy, round body perched by a window, attempting to act cute.
Her heart softened; there was something undeniably endearing about it.
The cat in this story is inspired by one I used to have, the young man explained, a fondness glowing in his eyes.
Back when I lived in the countryside, it was just me and the cat.
I try to capture that feeling, hoping it brings a bit of warmth to everyone who reads it.
Allison flipped open the comic and noticed the name Garry Schmidt scribbled inside.
It seemed to be his real name.
Your art is really impressive.
Why hasnt anyone bought it? Have you thought about submitting your work to a publisher? These drafts are great, but you could definitely take them further.
His talent was clear the way he balanced the pacing, the smooth progression of each scene, all carried a quiet charm.
The animals he drew had a lovable awkwardness, the landscapes felt naturally serene, and his characters, like the young boy in shorts, exuded innocence and simplicity.
Garry lowered his head, looking sheepish.
My transitions arent smooth enough.
People nowadays want something more action-packed, and publishers worry my stories wouldnt sell.
I printed these myself, using my savings, and Ive been giving them away to friends, hoping someone might notice.
Allison thought for a moment.
Its true, some of your transitions are a bit rough, especially when you move from one scene to another.
It makes things feel a little… disjointed.
Allison flipped through a few more pages, her eyes catching the subtle imperfections.
The thing is, your art style isnt the problem.
Its the flow.
If you took more time setting up the transitions and building a smoother rhythm, your work could really stand out.
Before a big shift, the transition would feel more natural.
Comics have a way of bottling lifes moments and turning them into an entirely new universe.
Think about the most vivid memories you have and the way they flow together.
If you draw from that, your transitions will start to smooth out.
She admired his style after all, every artist had their own voice.
Pointing to one of the chapters, she offered a more specific example.
Heres one spot where you could approach it differently.
Imagine your pen is a camera, gradually panning to a new angle, subtly hinting at whats about to happen.
It would lead readers into the next scene without jarring them.
Garry furrowed his brow, clearly eager to understand but still puzzled by her explanation.
I think I get what youre saying… but how do I go about it? Allison thought for a moment.
Maybe this meeting was fate, after all! If she could guide Garry in the right direction, his talent could be the key to countering Onyxs hold on the industry.
She spotted a pencil on the floor, picked it up, and found a blank piece of paper nearby.
With a few quick strokes, she sketched a playful Persian cat, its large, round eyes sparkling with life.
Here, she said.
Take a look at this.
Garrys jaw practically hit the floor in astonishment.
Impressive! he stammered.
With just a few fluid strokes, it was clear Allisons talent was extraordinary.
She had an uncanny command over structure and perspective, effortlessly mastering the balance between the two.
Her hand moved with the speed and grace of a seasoned artist.
In mere moments, behind the Persian cat she had drawn emerged a serene country path, flanked by wheat fields rippling like golden waves under the soft caress of the wind.
Even a gentle stream meandered through the background, its waters babbling quietly as if alive in the art itself.
A true artist didnt just paint a picture they breathed life into it.
This sketch was more than a scene; it carried the weight of memory.
It conjured images of summer afternoons, the scent of wheat heavy in the air, and the warm breeze carrying the fragrance far into the distance.
The longer Garry studied it, the more familiar it seemed.
A strange déjà vu crept over him.
He had seen this art style somewhere before; he was sure of it! At that moment, a short-haired woman happened by and paused, intrigued.
Is this yours? Whats the title? she asked, her eyes sparkling with interest as she admired the piece.
Allison smiled, handing her Garrys comic.
Oh, this? Its just a quick sketch, really.
The comic is his feel free to take a look.
Wed love any feedback.
Within minutes, a crowd had gathered, drawn to the corner where, not long ago, hardly anyone had bothered to stop.
Garry had been trying to promote his work all day, but most people either didnt appreciate the genre or werent interested in a relatively unknown artist.
Now, for the first time, people flocked to his stall, their attention fully captivated.
His face flushed with excitement.
This woman is the real master here.
Allison chuckled softly.
Im just giving a little spark, thats all.
As the words left her mouth, she glanced up and noticed a swarm of reporters descending on them, cameras and microphones in tow, eager to capture the scene unfolding.
She calmly set her pencil down, curious to see how it would unfold.
Garry scrambled to gather his things, his hands moving as quickly as his mind raced.
He hurried after Allison, trailing behind like a starstruck apprentice.
Um, excuse me, miss… could I maybe… have your contact information? His voice was timid, unsure of how to make such a bold request.
Just moments ago, he had witnessed something profound a glimpse of true artistry that had left a mark on his very soul.
Allison knew he would follow, but she didnt respond immediately.
Instead, she asked, Do you want your work to be more renowned than Onyxs comics? .
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.novelbin