A few days later
Art class
Sound Effect: Play
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Yukihira
You'll be drawing flowers today.
Do not forget about depth and texture as you work...
Do not forget about depth and texture as you work...
Sound Effect: Play
Yukihira
This won't do. The colors you've chosen for this motif aren't doing their job. It's as if your small brush strokes are making everything blend together into a single substance.
Student
I see...
Junior High School Ena
So it's better to lay down colors in a way that makes each of them stand out...
Yukihira
Start over. See, feel and draw.
Sense it with your entire body.
Sense it with your entire body.
Sound Effect: Play
After class
Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Futaba
Nowhere near as good as yours.
We started attending this class at the same time, but you've made so much more progress than me...
We started attending this class at the same time, but you've made so much more progress than me...
Junior High School Ena
I wouldn't worry about that too much.
Yeah, you need to have talent to draw, but you still have to work hard to actually see improvement.
Yeah, you need to have talent to draw, but you still have to work hard to actually see improvement.
Futaba
Speaking of which, entrance exams are coming up. Do you know where you want to go, Ena...?
Junior High School Ena
Yup! I'm gonna go to a high school that'll really let me focus on my art.
Junior High School Ena
I still haven't picked where, but I'm planning on asking my dad more about that.
Futaba
That's right, you can ask him directly...
I should start thinking about those things too if I'm going to take art seriously.
I should start thinking about those things too if I'm going to take art seriously.
Junior High School Ena
Yeah, I'd also recommend that.
You only live once, so you should go through life doing what you love.
You only live once, so you should go through life doing what you love.
A few days later
Shinonome Household - Living Room
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Junior High School Ena
I want to go to a school with a fine arts program but can't decide between these two. They both sound really great but...
Junior High School Ena
Wh-What are you saying?!
You're joking, right?
That's not funny, you know?
You're joking, right?
That's not funny, you know?
Junior High School Ena
But there's no way that's true. I've been drawing since I was little and even got special prizes in middle school for my art...
Father
Unless you can win the grand prize at a big contest, then no one will recognize you.
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
The next day
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Futaba
That's strange...
Where's Ena? It's almost time for class. Did something happen to her...?
Where's Ena? It's almost time for class. Did something happen to her...?
Junior High School Ena
(No, that's not possible.
I've been drawing for as long as I can remember... Mr. Yukihira even praised my drawing...)
I've been drawing for as long as I can remember... Mr. Yukihira even praised my drawing...)
Yukihira
Thank you for your patience.
Starting today, we'll have some students visiting our class, so please join me in welcoming them.
Starting today, we'll have some students visiting our class, so please join me in welcoming them.
Sound Effect: Play
Yukihira
I'll start looking at what you've drawn.
Starting with this one.
Starting with this one.
Junior High School Ena
(I feel like this one turned out well...
I'm sure Mr. Yukihira will...)
I'm sure Mr. Yukihira will...)
Yukihira
Ah, a trail through a forest.
Hmm...
Hmm...
Yukihira
My eyes are confused...
The viewer's eyes aren't being drawn towards the trees in the back as they should.
The viewer's eyes aren't being drawn towards the trees in the back as they should.
Yukihira
A zero for composition.
Junior High School Ena
B-But you praised my composition last time... I made sure to include the same nuances from that drawing in this one!
Yukihira
That was then, this is now. You're comparing apples to oranges. Unless you learn to understand that, your layout process will continue to suffer.
Yukihira
You're patting yourself on the back after receiving one positive comment. You should instead be finding other ways to improve your drawing techniques, no?
Yukihira
Yes, I see. I have no other choice but to be more direct with you.
Yukihira
Shinonome, you're blowing your own skills out of proportion.
Yukihira
If praise is all that you seek, then there is no point in you coming to this class.
Yukihira
Shinonome, as it stands, your current mindset will only hinder you from growing further as an artist.
Yukihira
Anyway, who's next?
Yukihira
The point of focus for this is too ambiguous. You may benefit from drawing in a way that allows the viewer to see the entire picture even when they're squinting. However...
Yukihira
Overall, this is drawn rather well.
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Yukihira
Next... Ah, Natsuno.
Yukihira
Hmm...
Yukihira
Well done...
You've done a marvelous job illustrating how the apple warps when seen through glass.
You've done a marvelous job illustrating how the apple warps when seen through glass.
Yukihira
You even improved upon your use of depth as I mentioned last time. This piece has much more breadth to it.
Junior High School Ena
(That last piece, and Futaba's... They're so good... The way they're designed, their use of color... They're so much better than me...)
A few days later
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Yukihira
For our final free theme, you'll be drawing... “Yourselves.” Please draw using whatever you like.
Junior High School Ena
(I'm the daughter of an artist... I've been drawing for as long as I can remember and others have always praised my work...)
Sound Effect: Play
Yukihira
Shinonome, as it stands, your current mindset will only hinder you from growing further as an artist.
Yukihira
Let's start looking at what you've drawn.
Junior High School Ena
(Was Futaba always this good...?
Her drawing feels so powerful and alive...)
Her drawing feels so powerful and alive...)
Junior High School Ena
(No, it's me... I just wasn't looking...
It's not just Futaba either. It's as if everybody here is...)
It's not just Futaba either. It's as if everybody here is...)
Yukihira
First... Ah, Shinonome, this must be yours.
Junior High School Ena
(Even if you say that I don't have any talent... That I shouldn't bother... I...)
Yukihira
I...
Yukihira
I have nothing to say to you, Shinonome...
Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
Yukihira
...
Next Chapter: What I Felt That Time