Rong Xiaorou came out shortly after, and Ji Xia handed her the gift box at the right time: "Teacher Rong, this is some local specialty from my hometown."
"Why bring back local specialties from all this way? Aren't you tired? We still haven't finished the cured meat you sent last time!"
Rong Xiaorou took the gift box and casually put it aside, saying, "I told you to bring some of your works, did you bring them?"
"I brought them, I brought three kinds of drafts: sketches, color sketches, and design sketches. Teacher Rong, I'm sorry to trouble you."
Ji Xia took out a 16-page notebook from her backpack and respectfully handed it to Rong Xiaorou.
Rong Xiaorou opened the draft notebook and carefully flipped through it, while Rong Ruoshi also came over to watch the excitement.
"Does this dress incorporate classic elements? This style looks very beautiful."
Ji Xia leaned over to take a look: "Yes, it's an improvement on the Qing Dynasty's mandarin jacket and horse-face skirt, and it also has various embroideries that represent good fortune. I think a wedding dress should be festive, auspicious, and beautiful."
Rong Ruoshi exclaimed in surprise, "This is a wedding dress! It's so beautiful, I love it too!"
Rong Xiaorou nodded: "In the past six months, you have made great progress in color matching and the mastery and combination of design elements. It is much more complete than the first time I saw your wedding dress design, and it is not so stiff."
Ji Xia herself was also aware that although she had borrowed a lot of design inspiration from her previous life, after a period of theory and study, she was able to integrate it and add a lot of her own ideas to the clothes she designed.
Now, the clothes she designs are no longer complete copies of designs she saw in her previous life.
Even the color scheme has improved significantly.
However, when Rong Xiaorou saw the last sketchbook, she couldn't help but frown: "Is this a copy or a sketch from life?"
Ji Xia smiled weakly: "I copied them all from the book. When I try to draw them from life, I feel like I'm not quite getting the hang of it."
Rong Xiaorou nodded: "Without a teacher's guidance, there are indeed some problems. The dotted lines, solid lines, shadows, and proportions are all a bit strange."
After carefully looking through all twenty-odd of her works, Rong Xiaorou pondered for a long time: "You've already achieved quite a feat by relying on self-study and a few books."
"The preliminary exam for the Academy of Fine Arts is on February 26th, which is about ten days away. I'll take you to find a teacher to guide you in sketching techniques and give you a systematic study. Passing the preliminary exam shouldn't be a problem."
"Is there a second round of testing, in addition to the preliminary test?"
Ji Xia asked cautiously, and seeing Rong Xiaorou nod, she asked again, "When is the re-examination? What will it test?"
"The second round of interviews is on March 16th. Your color and design skills are not a big problem, but your sketching foundation is not very strong. You passed the first round, so just practice with the teacher. Your chances of passing are quite high."
Ji Xia readily agreed, and Rong Xiaorou glanced at her watch: "If you don't have anything more important to do right now, I'll take you to find the teacher."
"Yes, we have plenty of time."
Ji Xia quickly stood up, then asked in a troubled voice, "Teacher Rong, if we go over like this, should we bring a gift? She'll give us guidance, so shouldn't we charge her a training fee?"
"Forget about the training fee, she doesn't need that kind of money. She likes to mentor younger people. I'll take you to see her. Ruoshi is also asking her for guidance, so let's go together."
As Rong Xiaorou spoke, she opened the gift box she had brought and looked up in surprise when she saw the crystal-clear essential oil soap inside.
"This is?"
"This is an essential oil soap, handmade, and the flowers inside are all fresh flowers picked from the mountains."
Rong Xiaorou couldn't help but glance at her: "You're quite clever. This is a nice item, so let's send this over!"
Ji Xia was taken aback for a moment: "This is for you."
"Alright, send it over first. You can make me another one next time."
Rong Xiaorou smiled nonchalantly, while Rong Ruoshi giggled and grabbed her hand: "Did you make this yourself? Next time you make it, can I watch from the side? I want to learn too."
Upon hearing this, Ji Xia realized it wasn't a big deal and readily agreed.
Rong Xiaorou couldn't help but glance at her, her lips curving slightly.
As they walked out of the Rong family courtyard, Ji Xia took Rong Xiaorou's arm and whispered, "Teacher Rong, if that senior is willing to keep me here to give me some pointers on sketching, is it guaranteed that I'll pass the exam?"
Rong Xiaorou frowned: "The master can only lead you to the door, but the cultivation is up to you. I think you have good talent and can achieve this level even without guidance, but if you don't work hard, even if she accepts you, it doesn't mean you will definitely pass the exam."
"Oh!" Ji Xia was a little disappointed upon hearing this.
Rong Ruoshi reminded her, "Also, even if you pass the preliminary and final exams, you won't be able to get into college if your academic scores don't meet the requirements for the college entrance exam in July."
Upon hearing this, Ji Xia felt even more uneasy.
In her past life, she had heard that some art students, such as those studying music or fine arts, could become disciples of a master and spend hundreds of thousands of yuan to guarantee passing the art exam.
However, she thought that Rong Xiaorou had also said that there was no such thing as a training fee, so perhaps this kind of practice had not yet formed at this time?
If that's the case, she thinks it's a good thing. The college entrance examination has only been reinstated for two years, and the art exam has only just started. In the past, most candidates probably didn't have the opportunity to learn things like sketching, gouache, and watercolor.
Chen Jing followed behind them the whole time. When they were almost there, Rong Xiaorou turned around and glanced at him, then whispered something to Ji Xia.
Ji Xia turned around and said, "Chen Jing, don't go in. Just wait for me outside, or come to Teacher Rong's place at noon to wait for me and Ruoshi."
Rong Ruoshi was here begging for guidance. Even if no one accepted her, she would still stay here for half a day to observe and learn.
Chen Jing felt uncomfortable facing Rong Xiaorou and her niece, and immediately agreed.
After all, these two were clearly cultured people. He stood behind them and listened to their conversation as if it were gibberish, feeling ashamed of himself.
The senior recommended by Rong Xiaorou was Professor Fu, an elderly woman with gray hair and an extraordinary temperament.
Professor Fu, dressed in a well-fitting wool sweater, his hair neatly clipped with a simple black hair clip, sat on an antique mahogany sofa, chatting and laughing with Rong Xiaorou.
Several watercolor portraits hang on the four walls, and the simple living room exudes a subtle sense of transcendence and freedom.
After listening to Rong Xiaorou explain her purpose and looking at the works Ji Xia brought, she looked at Ji Xia with surprise.
"You drew these entirely on your own, without any guidance from anyone?"
Ji Xia hesitated for a moment: "I exchanged letters with Teacher Rong, and she also sent me several books and gave me a lot of advice."
Rong Xiaorou quickly shook her head: "It's not about giving guidance. Last year when I went south, I happened to see her wedding dress design. Although the design was a bit immature, she was quite talented. I didn't have time to linger, so I gave her a few books and suggested that she give it a try and go to the capital."
Professor Fu nodded repeatedly upon hearing this: "Not bad, not bad. In the past ten years or so, there has been a near break in the art scene. It's rare to find such a promising talent. Later, you and Ruoshi will draw a sketch for me to see."
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