Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

In the end, all I could say was that I would promise the three girls that once this thing was published, I would get a few large posters and give a few to each of them.

As for the original manuscript, it depends on how the publisher handles it. Whether they return it to him after use or keep it for themselves, Zhang Dabiao really doesn't know.

The next day, after dropping the girls off at school, Zhang Dabiao carried his art supplies to the school's large art studio, where he found it a truly comfortable place to paint.

First, he would smoke a cigarette at the door and prepare a large vat of tea before Da Biao began his performance.

Start by writing an outline in a notebook, including introduction, development, climax, and conclusion; three-act structure; eight elements; and the Schneider 15-meter metronome.

First, divide the general plot into segments, and then start drawing the first page of the main text.

The second one;

The third one.

He was drawing the border with a ruling pen and the background of the Dragon Palace of the East Sea with a perspective ruler.

The tools in his hands seemed to possess a magical power.

The images took shape one after another.

From the evil deeds of the Four Dragon Kings to the suffering of the people, and then to the Dragon Palace demanding young boys and girls.

The flesh ball was born, and the Immortal Taiyi bestowed upon it a name and a treasure.

……

Zhang Dabiao was completely immersed in his creative work.

The cinematic techniques he used included: push, pull, pan, tilt, close-up, overhead shot, and low-angle shot.

They transformed a tragic myth into a Hollywood blockbuster on paper.

I didn't go to the cafeteria at noon; I brought my own lunchbox with steamed buns and braised beef. When you're really into drawing, you can't stop; the mental exertion is immense, and you have to keep eating sweets to replenish your energy.

Some classmates kept pouring him tea and refilling his cups, while the long-haired senior and others stood around watching, not daring to utter a sound.

Everyone is worshipping and learning from them.

Even art students don't get the chance to see a master painter live every day.

Although Zhang Dabiao's basic skills are strong, he is definitely not a master. However, his techniques, composition, and handling methods are all masterful.

This is something I've never seen or heard before!

Before we knew it, the sun had already set.

The light in the studio dimmed, and the electric lights came on.

Zhang Dabiao stretched and put down his pen. He had told the girls earlier that he might work overtime before going back, so they didn't need to wait for him.

This is how it is when people work on projects in companies in later generations. They've long been used to it. After getting off work, they still have to stay up late to finish projects—projects don't wait for anyone.

He was surrounded by a group of people.

Not only the students from the Decoration Class, but also students from the next class, and even a few teachers who were passing by, stood behind them.

No one dared to disturb him; it was as if they were watching a sacred ceremony.

Teacher Zhou arrived at some point and stood at the very front.

He looked at the sketches spread across the table.

My hands were shaking.

Teacher Zhou is knowledgeable; he understands the value of Zhang Dabiao's paintings better than these students.

This is not just about superb painting skills.

This is a completely new and revolutionary way of narrating and expressing stories!

"Da Biao..." Teacher Zhou's voice was a little hoarse, as if he was trying his best to suppress his inner excitement.

"Did you draw all of these in one day?"

Zhang Dabiao stretched his sore neck.

"I've only drawn five or six line drawings, and haven't even applied the light ink yet."

Teacher Zhou took a deep breath and carefully picked up a drawing.

That was a close-up of Nezha committing suicide with his sword in the pouring rain. This wasn't part of the first episode, but rather Zhang Dabiao's idea for drawing concept art—that is, to first depict classic, conceptual scenes from several episodes in a three- or four-act format, using a Schneider 15-meter metronome—to set the tone for the entire comic book.

The scene contains no extraneous background, only torrential rain and Nezha's resolute gaze.

The rain streaks were created by blowing white GG paint onto the canvas using a gauze brush, resulting in a highly realistic effect.

Looking at the sword blade about to sever Nezha's skin at his neck in the painting, Teacher Zhou felt a pang of fear.

That's so infectious!

"This is like starting a new sect..."

Teacher Zhou muttered to himself.

He carefully placed the drawing down, afraid of wrinkling it even a little.

"Da Biao, what's your drawing style called?"

While tidying up the tools on the table, Zhang Dabiao casually made up some nonsense.

I call it a "film and television storyboard-style comic strip".

"It combines the light and shadow of pen and ink sketching, the freehand style of traditional Chinese painting, and the camera movement of film."

"It's mainly for the sake of efficiency and visual impact."

The teachers and students around were stunned.

Although I didn't quite understand the technical terms, I was deeply impressed.

Teacher Zhou grabbed Zhang Dabiao's arm.

"Da Biao, approximately how many illustrations are in this book of 'Nezha Conquers the Dragon King'?"

"Based on my current storyboard, it will probably take around 180 frames, which will make a thick book."

"How long will it take you to finish drawing?"

In Teacher Zhou's understanding, a drawing of this level of detail would take one person at least half a year to complete, mainly because the scene is too grand. For a single picture of a storm on the sea, Teacher Zhou roughly estimates that there are at least 4 to 5000 short lines.

Not to mention the architecture of the Dragon Palace and Chentang Pass. Zhang Dabiao used the one-point and two-point perspective standard drawing method in architectural drawing, and there are many details in ancient buildings. These are all real time-consuming processes, and there is no way to save any time.

On the contrary, characters and battle scenes with great tension are actually easier to draw.

Zhang Dabiao counted on his fingers.

"I'll draw the line art myself, but I plan to find a few people to help with the mechanical work like blackening, some short hatching lines for sketching, and applying light ink."

"Probably... one to two months."

He later drew comics, though they were done using a computer and a graphics tablet, they were in color.

Two episodes a week, 24 pages or 70 squares, that's 96 pages or 280 squares a month—that's the basic operation, or rather, the minimum.

If a studio with 3-5 people can't even finish this much, then they shouldn't be doing it.

Some companies go crazy and operate on three shifts, achieving daily updates!

That means at least 12P or 35 grids per day, and 360P or 1050 grids per month!

Therefore, with 180 A3-sized comic books, it's not impossible to produce 6 comic books a day if you have a few capable assistants.

The entire room fell into a deathly silence.

The long-haired senior's legs went weak and he almost sat down on the ground.

One or two months?!

One hundred and eighty paintings of this exquisite quality?!

Do you think this is a printing press?!

The difficulty level is different! It's really impossible to finish this quality in one or two months!

Zhang Dabiao shrugged, seeing the ghost-like expressions on everyone's faces.

He wasn't bragging.

He had a clear storyboard in his mind. Last night, he took screenshots of all the keyframes of the animation in his "little nest". He then categorized them according to the metronome and the storyboard. He modified and added to a small part or fine-tuned it himself, while most of it was just copied and then presented. It didn't require much brainpower.

90% is based on the original drama, 10% is my own interpretation, and the drawing skills are just casual expressions, so what's so difficult about it?

Once the line art is drawn, the rest of the work can be done in an assembly line fashion.

Teacher Zhou looked at the sketch, then at the poster, and finally said solemnly—

"Da Biao, shall I be your assistant?"

Zhang Dabiao's eyes widened in disbelief.

"What the heck?"