Helping with Adventurer Party Management - Chapter 316

Although it’s a new technique, it’s not particularly revolutionary.

A picture is created by scratching a flat copper plate with a steel pen, then applying ink and wiping it off. The ink remains only in the scratched areas, so when you press the plate against a piece of parchment and apply pressure, the image you draw is printed exactly as you intend. That’s the basic principle.

I remember doing something similar in art class during middle or high school.

I think I learned there are various techniques for copperplate engraving, but I don’t remember much about it now.

The Baron’s paintings, which are not painted over but instead are realistic with delicate lines, should be a perfect fit for this technique.

“It’s like printmaking, huh?”

After hearing my explanation, the Baron immediately understands. However, he doesn’t seem particularly impressed.

There is printmaking in this world, after all, though its use is limited to illustrating religious paintings in sacred books, and the technique is still at a relatively basic level.

This is because talented painters and workshops prefer to create grand religious works for cathedrals.

I’m not sure of the specifics, but I think it might be related to the fact that artists aren’t paid much for prints, which are used as illustrations in sacred books.

“It’s similar, but you can create much more detailed pictures with this technique.”

When I first arrived in this world, I tried to get into the printing industry but had a bad experience.

At the time, I thought it’s unfair, but now that I’ve become close with people in the church, like Father Nicolo, and better understand how the world works, I see how mistaken I was.

“I want to paint a cathedral someday and create a masterpiece that will be seen by many people.”

It’s said that the best way to succeed as a painter in this world is to work on religious paintings for cathedrals.

This is because such work is prestigious, offers the opportunity to be seen by many, and comes with a large budget.

Building a cathedral costs a huge amount of money.

The funds are provided by the church, and there are also donations from local nobles and influential people.

Naturally, large budgets are allocated to the grand religious paintings that give the cathedral authority, and famous art studios work in a structure similar to that of general contractors who specialize in public works, such as cathedral construction.

“I think distributing pamphlets and illustrating them will be the gateway to success for those who want to become artists.”

On the other hand, the structure doesn’t seem to provide much of a budget for illustrating sacred books.

Sacred books, after all, aren’t sold, and even if they generate a profit, it’s only a minimal one meant to help spread the faith.

It seems that sacred books are copied by clergymen themselves when they are educated, which may explain why a proper printing industry hasn’t developed.

Since there’s no copyright, there’s no system for artists to earn income based on the number of copies printed.

“Your paintings will be the pioneer of this trend. We are preparing a new system at the church, and we’d like your paintings to be part of it.”

“A new system? Are you asking for another donation?” the Baron replies, puzzled.

From the Baron’s perspective, the church’s involvement with his painting must seem like just another way to collect money under the guise of donations.

Though their directions differ, their insights aren’t completely off the mark.