Doted By The Regent King-Chapter 500: Inadequate Guidance

If Miss Wufu were to point out issues with the Jade Pendant, she could indeed find one or two, but of course, this was purely her personal opinion and did not represent anyone else’s.

Miss Wufu made sure to clarify this before she began to comment on the deficiencies, "Personally, I feel that in the creation of sculpted figures, the face is the most crucial part of the entire form and the soul of the work. I believe Young Master Yu also had Madam Lou in his heart when he sculpted, which is why it turned out so vividly lifelike. However..."

She paused for a moment before continuing, "According to traditional human-body proportions, there’s a saying about ’standing seven, sitting five, kneeled three and a half’; I wonder if Young Master Yu is aware of this?"

Jin Yu was taken aback, "Standing seven, sitting five, kneeled three and a half?"

Miss Wufu nodded, "This is also considered a proportion for human-body creation. It means measuring the body’s proportions with the size of the head, about seven heads tall when standing, five when seated on a chair, and when sitting cross-legged, it’s the length of three and a half heads. Young Master Yu, how do you think yours measures up?"

Jin Yu was stunned; he had sculpted a figure sitting cross-legged, but the length far exceeded the three and a half heads.

No wonder he had always felt something amiss when he designed it. Was this the reason?

"Indeed, if it were proportioned to three and a half heads, it would appear fuller and more nimble," said some craftsmen who had approached unnoticed and, having heard Miss Wufu’s explanation, gestured to indicate the proportions.

"What else is there?" someone asked, unable to wait for Miss Wufu to continue.

Miss Wufu replied, "These are just general proportions. In actual creative practice, the head is made slightly larger in proportion to the body, which also facilitates better facial depiction, emphasizing the character’s facial expressions. I believe everyone is aware of this."

Everyone present was a sculptor and naturally knew this; they nodded in agreement.

"What I want to say is, the fact that Young Master Yu carved such a vibrant piece with a smaller head proportion is indeed remarkable. But would it not highlight the character even more if the head were slightly enlarged?"

The crowd couldn’t help but look over again, comparing to their own work, and found themselves nodding in agreement.

Jin Yu, however, seemed lost in thought and only after a good while did he regain composure to salute Miss Wufu with a bow, "Miss Wufu is indeed well-versed in this art; I have learned much."

"Don’t mention it; it’s all because everyone here is so kind to let me, a milk-nosed brat, spout such lofty talk. All of you here are my seniors, masters of carving, how could you not know? It’s just that you couldn’t bear to see me cry!" Miss Wufu stepped back and curtsied to the crowd, "Miss Wufu is very thankful for everyone’s kindness."

Her lighthearted and playful manner, resembling a girl who didn’t yet understand the ways of the world, was neither arrogant nor did it disregard the dignity of everyone present. Her respectful attitude was something everyone appreciated.

"Miss Wufu, you’re too modest. Your Baby-Hugging Picture truly broadened our horizons. I wonder how you conceived this creation?" someone asked with a smile.

"Indeed," Yu Zhen chimed in from somewhere in the group, challenging her, "It’s so intricate, and in just a bit over two months, Miss Wufu, you managed to carve it. I’m very curious, how did you manage that? Without any help, it would be quite difficult, wouldn’t it?"

That remark came close to suggesting that Miss Wufu had sought help!

After all, that bas-relief was truly more complex than a simple figure carving—could it really have been done by one person alone?

Miss Wufu, clearly seeing Yu Zhen’s discourteous comment, retorted with a sly smile, "How did I manage it? Naturally, I cannot compare to Craftmaster Yu, who had the guidance of a great teacher. But there is one point in which I surpass the great craftsman. And that is that I am young enough!"